The best Fitbits - I've tried every one made, but these are the only 6 worth buying in 2026

The best Fitbits were among the first high-quality fitness trackers, an upgrade to the pedometer, when they first launched almost 20 years ago. Since then, the brand's innovations have meant women can track almost every part of their wellbeing from their wrist.

Now, with Google’s buyout powering smarter features, deeper health insights, and a brand new app for tracking your data, the Fitbit ecosystem feels more advanced than ever.

I’ve spent the past five years testing the best fitness trackers and smartwatches. I know what separates a good device from a great one, from comfort and battery life to health metrics and everyday usability. Below, I’ve rounded up the latest Fitbits and ones still worth buying today, plus the information you need to choose one that suits you.

The quick list

The best Fitbits as tested by w&h's digital health editor

The best Fitbit overall

With its oval-shaped, high-resolution screen, comfortably flush design, improved GPS and heart rate tracking, and brilliant smartwatch features, the Fitbit Edge notches out the Fitbit Air to the top spot to round out the year.

I took this watch for a spin over two weeks, and I was so impressed. While there are few new features for fitness or sleep obsessives, the Edge covers these insights brilliantly with over 100 workout profiles to choose from. You can set these manually, or the watch will automatically record basic sports like walking and running. You'll find a Smart Wake Alarm to gently wake you in your lightest sleep phase, along with deep insights into your rest and activity in the Google Health app.

While you'll need to keep your phone connected to reap its smart features (including full remote music control, timers, Google Maps connectivity and more), this wasn't a problem for me, and I made full use of them.

For under £160, this watch is a real steal and the ideal gift for fitness lovers in your life.

Google released this watch in October 2026, making it the third release of the year after the Pixel 5 and Fitbit Air, which also feature in this guide. It's the perfect middle ground between the affordable, screenless Air and the premium, advanced Pixel 5. That said, it's a brilliant fitness tracker in its own right.

Read my full review of the Fitbit Edge here

The best alternative Fitbit

The Fitbit Air looks a little different from the other best Fitbits. Being screenless, all the data is available to view in the new Google Health app, which you can use for free (but I'd recommend a premium membership to make the most of it). It was refreshing not to have all my data at my fingertips, buzzing at me when I didn't move. Instead, I could let it work in the background and still get all the insights to make lifestyle changes.

The AI integration with Google's Gemini is the standout feature, however. As someone who has been regularly exercising for years, I like to think I know what I'm doing. The Fitbit Air was a fascinating takedown of that. Using insights from your vitals (e.g. heart rate and breathing rate), exercise history, sleep and stress data, and your goals, the AI delivered a smattering of health insights into my app throughout the day. It also suggested a workout plan and better sleep routines, based on this data.

However, it also works like a regular Fitbit. The Fitbit Air picks up on your steps, workouts, and sleep, logging everything tidily in the app. It balances advanced technology and insights with easy use in a way that few other fitness trackers, let alone Fitbits, do.

When it comes to reviewing fitness trackers, my standards are very high. I've tested close to 100 over the last few years, from Garmin watches and Apple Watches to other faceless trackers like the Oura Ring. This is the only one I've ever given five stars to.

Read my full review of the Google Fitbit Air here

The best Fitbit tracker

The Fitbit Charge 6 comes in a very close second in my ranking for an original Fitbit. It's a brilliant running watch for beginners, but anyone looking to get fitter will find it ticks all the boxes for logging workouts, recording daily activity, and keeping a close eye on sleep.

There are 40 workout modes to choose from - from running to paddleboarding - and step count, stress, and sleep tracking, along with Bluetooth connectivity to most machines from major brands like Peloton, NordicTrack, and Concept2. This means I can get a direct-to-wrist feed from the machine during my workout, recording my distance, pace, and more without an issue.

You won't miss out on the smartwatch features you'd get on the other models either. The Fitbit Charge 6 has almost complete Google connectivity - unlike other Fitbits on the market. I can access Google Maps, Google Wallet, and YouTube Music from the watch face, making my daily walks to buy coffee easier, as well as my longer runs.

While the small rectangular screen doesn't allow for a huge amount of viewing space, compared to the Fitbit Edge, for example, it's enough to see the essentials.

Read our full review of the Fitbit Charge 6 here.

The best Fitbit smartwatch

While the Google Pixel Watch 5 design remains the same as the Pixel Watch 4, its great new health and fitness features make it well worth the upgrade for any Fitbit users looking to graduate to a smartwatch.

It offers all you need to track daily activity and workouts, with deep insights in the new Google Health app. The app's premium subscription can also help improve your exercise routine with AI-created workout suggestions and insights. If it's a cardio workout, you can send the session straight to the device and follow along. I'm expecting the brand to launch the same for strength workouts soon as well.

The smartwatch features take it a notch above the rest, however. Proactive Suggestions take your location, calendar, and routine into account and bring up useful suggestions (like your work calendar when you arrive at the office or your train ticket when you get to the station), cutting out the need for your phone in my circumstances. The Double Tap feature isn't new to the Watch 5, but it's certainly improved. I've greatly enjoyed tapping my fingers to complete hands-free tasks like starting a workout, answering a text or call, and much more. And of course, the built-in Gemini digital assistant helps all this along.

The only downside? Battery life only lasts up to 30 hours with typical use, which is dramatically lower compared to the Fitbits on this list, which last over a week.

Read my full Google Pixel Watch 5 review here

Best budget Fitbit

If you're looking for a simple watch that covers the basics of fitness tracking, you can't go wrong with the Fitbit Inspire 3. It covers the essentials on a (very) small rectangular watch face, including step count, heart rate, calorie burn, and 20 workout modes with SmartTrack, so you can still record your workout even if you forget to press 'start'. Of these, it's possible to store 6 options on the device, but I found these was more than enough.

It also has SpO2 (blood oxygen) level sensors and a 'Relax' function that takes you through a short meditation or mindful moment using buzzing to control your breathing. That's as advanced as it gets. Unlike the Fitbit Charge 6, the Inspire 3 doesn't have built-in GPS so you'll need to make sure your phone is connected to your watch when you're on the move.

This is the most basic Fitbit since the Fitbit Luxe, which I also tested before it sold out everywhere a few years ago. It's not going to support you through more than your daily 10,000 steps and perhaps a 5km run, but at less than £90 at full RRP and often much less on sale, it's hardly one to complain about. After testing it myself for several weeks, it's enough to revamp your fitness routine and inspire a lifestyle change if you're new to exercise.

Read our full review of the Fitbit Inspire 3 here.

Best Fitbit for health tracking

While I would recommend my top pick, the Fitbit Edge, for health tracking overall, the Sense 2 is a good second option. Its main benefit is the larger screen. Along with the Charge 6 and the Edge, it's only one of three Fitbits with the advanced ECG sensor. This looks out for any irregularities in your heart rate and can be used to potentially flag issues that you can discuss with your doctor.

It's also great for sleep insights. You can scroll across the touchscreen to view your sleep insights on the Sense 2, making it the best Fitbit for those prioritising learning how to sleep better this year. You can see your overall sleep duration and your sleep score for the night, and with the 6 months of free Fitbit Premium that comes with the device, you can view your Sleep Profile on the device too. Provided you wear the Sense 2 for at least 14 days a month, you'll see your main sleep characteristics on your wrist whenever you like.

Generally, in testing, I found the Sense 2 smartwatch prioritises complete wellbeing over fitness-specific achievements. Along with improved sleep analysis, there are advanced sensors: blood glucose tracking, an EDA scan app for advanced stress management, and Sp02 blood oxygen level tracking. These are useful for overall health monitoring and great for anyone looking to improve their fitness through better recovery rates, on the lookout for irregular heart rhythms, or monitoring their breathing rate. These are not included in many older versions of the Fitbit, but they do feature on the Fitbit Versa 3 and 4, so it's worth comparing the Fitbit Sense 2 vs Versa 4 before making a final decision.

Along with all these advanced features, it does the basics very well. I found I could start and navigate through any one of the 40+ workout modes with ease and it's still easy to use with a simple navigation system. The addition of a side button was a welcome return, and there is a dedicated page for the element of fitness tracking most important to you, whether that's steps done, calories burned, distance covered, and so on, so you can prioritise what's important to you.

Read our full review of the Fitbit Sense 2 here.

How I tested the best Fitbits

After consulting the experts on important factors to consider, I tested each Fitbit over several weeks through various workouts, from strength training to spin classes, hiking, running, and more daily activities, assessing each model on a range of factors that impact day-to-day use.

Kate Rowe-Ham, a level 3 qualified personal trainer, specialist women's health coach, and founder of Owning Your Menopause, was one of the professionals I spoke to during testing for many of these watches. She is also a fan of the brand. "These devices allow you to track important benchmarks in your fitness, like your daily step count. Once you can see how you're doing in various areas each day, such as your sleep and activity, you have a clear benchmark to improve on moving forward," she says. "As the saying goes, what gets measured gets managed, and over time, you'll be able to spot any trends that may be affecting your wellbeing."

When testing the best Fitbits, I considered the following:

• How easy it was to use: A tracker that charges quickly, has a long-lasting battery life, and is easy to navigate during sweaty workouts is key. It's where screen size and responsivity play a huge role, so I tested to see how easy each of the best Fitbits was to use.
• How comfortable it was to wear: I noted how comfortable each of the smartwatches and trackers was to wear - no one wants a wristband that rubs uncomfortably against the skin or catches on clothing after all.
• The features it offers: There are so many Fitbit models out there now - some people will want a Fitbit that offers features such as contactless payment, on-screen text messages, and music streaming. Others might want a Fitbit that tracks daily activity and sleep patterns, so we've tested a range of the best Fitbits with different features.
• Accuracy of heart-rate monitoring: More advanced models will be able to track in more detail, comparing where your current heart rate sits against your usual maximal heart rate (MHR) to assess how hard you’re working at any given point.
• Waterproofing: Most Fitbit models are swimproof and waterproof to 50m but this is important to consider. "If swimming forms a part of your exercise routine, or even if it's just a recreational activity you enjoy," he says.
• Built-in or smartphone GPS: "Some models include GPS built-in, which is more accurate for tracking distance than devices that use an accelerometer, such as many smartphones."

I also tested...

I've tested many other Fitbit devices over the last five years, including the Fitbit Versa 4. It's a great Fitbit and was on this list until the release of the Fitbit Edge and Pixel Watch 5. These releases meant the Versa's smartwatch features were no longer progressive or original. I also found the fitness, sleep, and health tracking features on more affordable, newer models.

I also tested the Fitbit Charge 5, Versa 3, Fitbit Luxe, Charge 4, the Inspire 2, and the Google Pixel Watch 3. However, either these devices are no longer available to buy online, it's been surpassed by other features on newer models, or it's still available but I'd consider it overpriced for the features in 2026.

Last year, Google announced that it would no longer produce new versions of the Fitbit Versa or the Fitbit Sense, the brand's original smartwatches, choosing instead to focus on the Pixel line-up.

Are Fitbits waterproof?

All of the best Fitbits are water-resistant up to 50 meters. "They're designed to be swim-proof and stand up to even the sweatiest of workouts," the brand says, making them perfect for exploring all the benefits of swimming. However, no Fitbit will be suitable for diving or deeper submersion than this, and the brand warns against wearing the device in any warm environment, like a hot tub or sauna.

Some Fitbits, such as the Versa 3, have a swim lock so you can go swimming or take the device in the shower without an issue. Having the swim lock enabled isn't essential. It will prevent the water from acting on the touchscreen and navigating around the watch accidentally. Most settings and metrics are controlled via the app, like changing the time on a Fitbit, so you don't have to worry about these being impacted by the water.

Some straps are also not water-resistant but can withstand sweat. These include:

• Woven straps (Sense and Versa 3)
• Hook and Loop bands (Charge 5)
• Knit bands (Sense and Versa 3)

If you want a completely water-resistant band, opt for the Infinity band that comes included when you buy one of the best Fitbits, or the Sports band, which is more breathable.

Fitbit is also keen to emphasise that mishandling the device in particular ways, like dropping it, exposing it to perfumes, including soap and sunscreen, and high-velocity water pressure, will also reduce the waterproof capacity of the device.