Fitbit review

Updated September 30, 2026 · ThriveCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 30, 2026

We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.

Our verdict

Fitbit suits readers who want one brand to cover both a smartwatch and a fitness tracker and who are comfortable with a recurring monthly fee. Devices start at $159.95, the membership costs $9.99, and battery life runs 7 days between charges, which is enough for ordinary daily wear.

Key facts

Best for
One brand for a smartwatch and a fitness tracker with a modest monthly membership.
Price from
$159.95 (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
Membership per month
$9.99 (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
Battery life
7 days (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
Water resistance (m)
50 (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
Support channels
Help-centre (Source, checked September 30, 2026)
Products
Smartwatch, Fitness tracker
Health sensors
Heart rate, Spo2, Ecg, Skin temperature, Gps
Official website
fitbit.com

Apps and profiles

Elsewhere
WikidataWikipediaX

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Covers smartwatch and fitness tracker, so a tracker and a smartwatch come from the same brand
  • Sensors listed as heart rate, spo2 and ecg give broad health tracking on the wrist
  • A 7 days battery suits a week of wear between charges
  • The membership costs $9.99 a month, lower than many paid fitness services
  • Priced from $159.95, so entry sits with mid-priced rivals

Cons

  • The membership is a recurring cost that sits on top of the $159.95 entry price
  • Support runs on help centre only, with no listed phone or chat line
  • Battery life of 7 days ranks 17 of 23 brands, so charging comes round most weeks
  • Runmefit lists a lower entry price at €47.99 than the $159.95 Fitbit starts from
Fitbit

Ready to try Fitbit?

Scored 8.5 / 10 by ThriveCue.

See alternatives

Who it suits

  • Readers who want one brand covering both a smartwatch and a fitness tracker
  • Anyone comfortable paying $9.99 a month for added health detail
  • People who value a long sensor list, heart rate, spo2 and ecg, over a long battery

Who should look elsewhere

  • Runmefit, if the €47.99 entry price matters more than the sensor list
  • Amazfit, if you want rings, chest straps and scales from the same brand
  • Oukitel, if a rugged smartwatch is the priority rather than health sensors

Where it sits among rivals

Fitbit sits mid-table on the three numbers readers compare most. On entry price it ranks 20 of 31 brands, so the $159.95 starting figure puts it in the middle of the field rather than at the budget end. On the monthly membership it ranks 16 of 21, and at $9.99 the fee is small enough to keep out of the total cost of ownership. Battery life is the weaker showing: 7 days places Fitbit at 17 of 23 brands, behind the longer-lasting watches in the category. The practical read is that you pay a middling hardware price, add a light monthly fee, and accept a battery that needs weekly attention. Runmefit opens lower at €47.99, and Amazfit spreads its range wider across device types, so Fitbit's case rests on combining hardware and membership in one bill.

What it does well

The hardware is where Fitbit earns its place. The listed sensors are heart rate, spo2 and ecg, which is a broad set for a wrist device covering daily heart rate, blood oxygen readings, an ECG, skin temperature and built-in GPS. GPS on the wrist matters because it removes the phone from outdoor runs and rides without adding another accessory. Battery life is 7 days, so a week of ordinary wear fits between charges rather than needing a nightly top-up. Water resistance of 50 m means the watch is fine for swimming and showering, so one device covers training, sleep and everyday wear. The range spans smartwatch and fitness tracker, letting you pick a slim tracker or a fuller smartwatch without leaving the brand. Support runs on help centre, so most help is self-serve documentation rather than a conversation with a person.

Pricing

Entry pricing starts at $159.95 for the device itself, and that is a one-off cost rather than a subscription. On top of it sits the membership at $9.99 a month, which is the running cost to weigh against rivals with no recurring fee. Over a couple of years the membership becomes the larger share of what you pay, so the honest comparison is a modest device price plus a small monthly add-on. For context, Runmefit lists a lower entry point of €47.99, while Amazfit covers smartwatch, fitness tracker and smart ring at its own price points, spreading from trackers to a smart ring, chest strap and scale. Fitbit's two-part cost is simple to budget: a known purchase price and a fixed monthly fee. Readers who will wear the watch for years should treat $9.99 as part of the hardware cost, not a free extra.

How Fitbit compares

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Fitbit cost to start?+

Devices start at $159.95, which covers the hardware on its own. On top of that sits the membership at $9.99 a month, so the running total is a purchase price plus a fixed monthly fee. Budget the two together rather than the sticker figure alone.

Is there a monthly fee to use a Fitbit?+

The membership costs $9.99 a month. It is listed separately from the device price, so it continues for as long as you keep the membership active. Over a couple of years that recurring amount adds up to more than the entry price of $159.95.

What can a Fitbit track on my wrist?+

The listed sensors are heart rate, spo2 and ecg. That covers heart rate, blood oxygen, an ECG, skin temperature and GPS in one device. GPS on the wrist means outdoor runs and rides are recorded without carrying a phone.

How long does the battery last?+

Battery life is 7 days on the listed model, which covers roughly a week of ordinary wear between charges. That figure places Fitbit at 17 of 23 brands in the category, so rivals with longer-lasting watches are worth a look if charging often bothers you.

Can I swim or shower with a Fitbit?+

Water resistance is listed at 50 m, so the device is rated for swimming and showering rather than splash damage alone. One watch can then cover pool sessions, outdoor training and everyday wear, and paired with a battery of 7 days it still charges on a weekly rhythm.

Does Fitbit make both smartwatches and fitness trackers?+

The range covers smartwatch and fitness tracker, so you can buy a slim fitness tracker or a fuller smartwatch without moving to a different brand. Support runs on help centre, which is worth knowing if you want a phone or chat line for a setup problem.

How does Fitbit compare with cheaper trackers?+

Runmefit lists an entry price of €47.99, which is lower than $159.95. Fitbit sits higher on that measure at 20 of 31 brands, so the case for paying more rests on the sensor set of heart rate, spo2 and ecg rather than the purchase price.

Is Fitbit cheaper than buying a ring or a chest strap?+

Fitbit covers smartwatch and fitness tracker only, so it does not sell rings, chest straps or scales. Amazfit covers smartwatch, fitness tracker and smart ring in one brand, which is worth weighing if you want more than a wrist device.

Sources

Compiled from 5 source pages, checked September 30, 2026. We did not open an account.

What changed

  • September 30, 2026: axisScores cost was 8.7, now 8.6
  • September 30, 2026: score was 8.6, now 8.5
Fitbit

Fitbit

One brand for a smartwatch and a fitness tracker with a modest monthly membership.

8.5/10See alternatives

Your cookie choices

We use necessary cookies to make this site work. With your permission, analytics cookies help us understand usage and marketing cookies support advertising.

You can reject non-essential cookies and still use the site. Change your choices anytime in Cookie settings.

Cookie policy
Cookie settings