Water Resistant Fitness Activity Tracker

water-resistant-header

When people start researching activity trackers, many wonder if they should buy a water resistant fitness tracker. Considering you’ll be buying a wristband that you’ll wear 24/7, it’s a good idea to pay attention to this feature. The kind of exercise and other activities you do on a daily basis will determine if you need a water resistant fitness band.

Most activity trackers and fitness trackers on the market these days are water resistant. That means you can sweat on them and wear them in the rain without issue. Some you can even shower or wash your hands while wearing them and the tracker will be just fine.

If you’re a swimmer or plan to wear your fitness tracker while you surf or do other water sports, you don’t want a water resistant activity tracker. Instead you need a waterproof fitness band for swimming or a waterproof fitness watch. Many people don’t realize there is a difference between water resistant and waterproof trackers, and you need to pay attention to this when you decide what fitness tracker or pedometer to buy. (Read more about the difference between water resistant and waterproof activity trackers.)

If you’re just looking for a fitness tracker you can wear without shorting it out from a little moisture, you can save money and have more options to find the right tracker for you. Here are some water resistant trackers to consider:

Water Resistant Fitness Trackers

Nike+ GPS Sportwatch Nike+ GPS Sportwatch
Using TomTom GPS, the Nike+ GPS Sportwatch is an awesome tracker for runners. It combines the GPS tracking with an optional shoe sensor for one of the most accurate step counts runners can find with a wristband tracker.

It’s a water resistant fitness tracker so you’re fine if you go for a run in the rain, but it’s not waterproof so don’t jump in the pool with it.

Available colors: black, white, anthracite/blue glow, black/red, black/volt, volt/black, white/sport turquoise

Tracks: time, distance, pace, speed, calories burned

Notable features: Nike+ Challenges to motivate yourself, custom training programs, alarm, stopwatch, Track BPM heart rate with optional HRM sensor, optional shoe sensor




Fitbit Flex
Fitbit Flex Water Resistant Fitness TrackerThis comfortable and easy to wear activity tracker sacrifices the LCD display of more gaudy pedometer-like bands for LED lights that show you your progress toward the day’s step goals. You have the Fitbit app to easily track your steps, activity, and sleep on your smartphone or tablet.

The big difference with the Flex is that the band is fully customizable with a ton of different bands to personalize your Fitbit or match any occasion. Track your activity without sacrificing on style. It’s water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about sweat or rain damaging your tracker, but don’t wear it in the shower or the pool!

Available colors: black, slate, tangerine, blue, pink, red, teal

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, sleep quality, and quantity

Notable features: silent alarm, swappable wristband, automatic sleep monitoring, 5-day rechargeable battery, syncs wirelessly to computers and smartphones, water resistant


Fitbit Charge 5 Waterproof Trackers

If you want to hit the pool with a new Fitbit, the Charge is a great option with its water resistance up to 50 meters. You’re safe at the beach, in the showers, or just taking a run in the rain. It also has built-in GPS tracking, so it’s great for runners to track their training. Active folks who like to vary their workouts will appreciate that the band tracks
swimming, biking, and weights as well as gym workouts. SmartTrack automatically recognizes the activity and records the workout for you. The OLED tap display makes it easy to see real-time stats while you’re exercising and get your workout results without syncing to your smartphone.
Other great features include tracking floors climbed, on wrist payments through Fitbit pay, and the ability to store and play music from Spotify, Deezer, or Pandora.

The Charge also has 24/7 continuous heart rate monitoring. It tracks your heart rate throughout the day to track your calories burned and also gives you a Cardio Fitness Score to help you improve your fitness level over time. Get even more info on your heart health with the on wrist ECG app. Thanks to the EDA scan app, your exercise tracker will also notice when your heart rate is elevated due to stress and lead you through a guided breathing exercise to help calm your mind and body.

In addition to all those fabulous features, the Fitbit Charge has many of the features longtime Fitbit users love like move reminders, smartphone notifications, wireless syncing to smartphones or computers, and interchangeable bands.

Available colors: Black/graphite stainless steel, lunar white/soft gold stainless steel, steel blue, platinum stainless steel (plus endless band options)

Tracks: steps, heart rate, GPS, distance, calories burned, active minutes, floors climbed, stationary time, auto sleep tracking

Notable features: interchangeable bands, PurePulse wrist-based heart rate, Cardio Fitness Score, silent alarms & auto sleep tracking, 7-day battery life, multi-sport modes, move reminders, SmartTrack auto activity tracking, OLED touchscreen with on-screen stats, guided breathing prompts based on heart rate, smartphone notifications, swimproof

Pros:
GPS means you can leave your phone at home
Store music for your run
7 day battery life

Cons:
No apps or smartwatch functionality


Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band

The Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band is a fitness tracker that is very popular among runners. It’s water resistant and boasts a battery life of one-year, so this is a low maintenance tracker. This fitness band features a digital display of your step count and the current time. Use the personalized daily goals and the “Time to Move” reminders to live a healthier life and reach your fitness goals.

It can connect to an optional heart rate monitor chest strap to capture your heart rate, which automatically syncs with your smartphone.

The first Vivofit is only a water resistant fitness tracker. If you’re looking for a waterproof version, check out the Garmin Vivofit 2 activity tracker, which is perfect for swimmers.

Available colors: black, blue, purple, slate, green

Tracks: steps, calories, sleep

Notable features: Year-long battery life, water-resistant, displays stats and time on band, Move Bar records idle time and inspires you to move, sets daily goals, optional heart rate strap


Waterproof Versus Water Resistant Activity Trackers

What’s the difference between waterproof and water resistant activity trackers?

waterproof activity tracker swimming

For most people, waterproof activity trackers don’t matter because their main form of exercise is running or going to the gym. But if you enjoy aquatic activities like swimming, like to vary up your workout, or worry about accidentally killing your fitness tracker by dropping it in the sink or accidentally wearing it in the shower, you may want to consider how waterproof the activity tracker is.

Generally, fitness bands fall into one of three categories: lightly water resistant (able to withstand sweat, splash, and rain), highly water resistant (can be washed in the sink or worn in the shower), and fully waterproof (safe for swimming or any other water related activities).

Does it matter if I buy a water resistant or waterproof fitness tracker?

Whether you buy a waterproof fitness tracker really depends on your lifestyle and what types of exercise you do. The average person may not need to worry about this feature. But if you are concerned about how water will affect a fitness tracker you plan on wearing 24/7, it’s a feature you should pay attention to as you research the best fitness band for you.

You may find it surprising that these tiny little bracelets, with advanced electrical and computer components, can actually be pretty sensitive to water. Unless the band is completely sealed off, they can be damaged easily.

For example, none of the Fitbit activity trackers are waterproof. They are water resistant, which means they are rainproof and splash proof, and no matter how sweaty you get during your workout, you will not harm your fitness band. But since Fitbits are not waterproof, you cannot shower in them or swim with them.

Some fitness trackers are more water resistant than others, meaning you can shower in them or get them wet when you’re washing your hands or washing the dishes, but they shouldn’t be submerged in water for swimming. Some trackers are water resistant enough to wear in the shower, but should not be submerged in liquids, so they can’t be worn for surfing or swimming.

If swimming is your main form of exercise, you need to find a waterproof activity band or waterproof fitness watch to track your exercise (and a lot of them have cool features specific to swimming, like counting laps).




Should I buy a water resistant or waterproof fitness tracker?

If you’re a swimmer, get a waterproof tracker. If you’re a forgetful person who may not remember to remove your fitness tracker before you shower, get a more water-resistant band. For everyone else, get whatever model you want.

Here are a few fitness trackers you may want to consider in each category:


Sweat Proof and Splash Proof Fitness Band

Fitbit Charge (Check reviews and prices)
fitbit-charge-wireless-activity-bandThe Fitbit Charge combines the best features from the Fitbit One with the wristband format of the Fitbit Flex. The same great sleep tracking and silent alarm is still available, but it also includes an OLED screen that includes step count, the current time, and call notifications. When paired with your smartphone, it will display on your wrist who is calling so you don’t have to dig your phone out of your pocket or purse if you don’t want to answer.

It’s advertised as water-resistant, but they really just mean sweat proof and splash proof, so don’t take your Fitbit in the shower or the pool unless you want to brick it.

Available colors: black, slate

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, stairs climbed, active minutes, sleep quality and quantity

Notable features: OLED display for steps and time, call notifications, 7 to 10-day rechargeable battery, automatic sleep monitoring, silent alarm, syncs wirelessly to computers and smartphones, water resistant

Check out more water resistant activity trackers.


Water Resistant Activity Tracker You Can Shower With

Jawbone UP3 Activity, Heart, and Sleep Tracker
The Jawbone UP3 includes all the basic features of step counting, food and calorie tracking, and multiple exercise modes. It’s also splash and showerproof, so if you forget to take it off when you shower or get caught in a thunderstorm on your afternoon run, you know your UP3 is safe.

It also features Advanced Sleep tracking. Using bioimpedance sensors, the UP3 uses your heart rate to track your sleep phases, including Wake, REM, Light Sleep, and Deep Sleep. This makes the Smart Alarm even more accurate.

If you’re looking for heart rate monitoring, UP3 includes that as well. The same bioimpedance sensors track your resting heart rate and your passive heart rate to give a complete picture of your heart health.

Available colors: black twist, black/gold twist, indigo twist, ruby cross, sand twist, silver cross, teal cross, twilight cross

Tracks: activity, calories burned, sleep, heart rate

Notable features: Smart Coach, sleep tracking, Smart Alarm, Idle Alert (move alerts), automatic sleep detection and advanced sleep tracking, splash-proof and waterproof, LED indicator (notification and status), battery lasts up to 7 days, wireless syncing


Waterproof Fitness Tracker

Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Band

The Garmin Vivosmart is the Vivofit’s cousin, only it features a sleeker, higher end design with a more minimalist display integrated into the band itself. It measures calories burned, steps taken, distance, gives move reminders, and has great battery life. With a touchscreen display and integration with your smartphone, it’s a fitness tracker worth considering if you’re looking for a waterproof option that you can shower and swim with.

Available colors: black, blue, berry, slate, green

Tracks: steps, calories, distances, sleep

Notable features: Waterproof 5 ATM, touchscreen, smart notifications (calls, texts, emails), vibration alerts and move reminders, auto-syncs to mobile devices, time display, alarm clock


Not seeing what you’re looking for. Check out more waterproof fitness trackers for swimming and waterproof fitness watches.

Remember: You shouldn’t wear your fitness band 24/7. Your skin needs a chance to breathe and reset. Even if your tracker is waterproof, I would recommend taking it off when you shower so you can fully wash your wrist and arm and give it a little break.

Ftbit smart watch Fitness

Fitbit Comparison 2024 – Which Fitbit Should You Buy?

Fitbit Comparison - Which Fitbit Should You Buy?

Fitbit is the it-brand that most people think of when they think of fitness trackers. But with their wide range of trackers with different functions and styles, it can be hard to decide which Fitbit will work best for your active lifestyle.

We took a close look at all of the features of the different Fitbits available and broke it down so you can pick out the perfect one for tracking all of your exercise, steps, and sleep.

The entire Fitbit family of products syncs with the same apps, so everyone in your exercise group or family can compete with each other in challenges and compare stats. Find the perfect Fitbit for anyone below.

Fitbit Comparison Chart

This chart provides a quick breakdown of each of Fitbit’s current fitness trackers. If you want to read our in-depth Fitbit reviews, you’ll find them below the chart.

NamePhotoRatingFeaturesBuy
Fitbit Inspire 2
4.5 Star RatingWater resistant, Heart rate, OLED screen, swappable bands, affordable
Fitbit Luxe
4.5 Star RatingWaterproof, 5 day battery life, jewelry design
Fitbit Charge 5
4 Star RatingWaterproof, heart rate tracking, GPS, Cardio Fitness Score, sleep tracking, auto activity tracking, OLED display, 7 day battery
Fitbit Versa 3
4.5 Star RatingSteps, Workout, Heart Rate, Swimproof, GPS, Smartphone, Plays Music
Fitbit Sense
4.5 Star RatingGPS, ECG, Temp Sensor, Heart Rate Notifications
Fitbit Ace 3 Kids
4.5 Star Rating8 day battery life, water proof, goals and competitions, swappable bands

 

Fitbit Comparison Reviews 2023

Fitbit Inspire 2

The most affordable offering of the current Fitbit lineup offers a lot of features while staying under $100. As an upgrade to previous versions, this one tracks your heart rate 24/7, tracking your resting heart rate over time and recognizing your heart rate zones to help you optimize your workouts. All this data helps the Fitbit app determine your Cardio Fitness score which is a snapshot of your fitness level. It then give you tips to improve.

When it comes to bedtime, the HR data will help track your sleep stages, including light, deep, and REM sleep. Then the app will give pointers to help you improve sleep quality.

If running is a regular part of your exercise routine, the Inspire offers some great features. When paired with your phone, the fitness tracker can use GPS to give you real-time pace and distance info on your wrist for outdoor walks, runs, or even hiking and biking. If you like variety in your workouts, the HR version features over 15 goal-based exercise modes so you can set targets for calorie burns and get updates when you reach your goals. If you’re feeling stressed throughout the day, use the Inspire HR’s Guided Breathing Sessions that are based on your heart rate to help you calm your body and mind.

The Inspire HR is worth the upgrade for more in-depth fitness and sleep tracking, especially if you’re working on specific fitness or weight loss goals.

Available colors: black tracker with black, pink, or gray bands

Good for: runners looking for an affordable tracker, weight loss and fitness goals

Tracks: steps, activity, calories, exercise, swimming, sleep, 24/7 heart rate, GPS (paired with phone)

Notable features: OLED touchscreen display, 10 day battery life, swimproof (50 meters), food logging (in app), automatic exercise recognition, move reminders, Fitbit app (iOS, Android, & Windows), phone notifications (call, text, calendar, social media), silent alarm, timer & stopwatch, women’s health tracking, changeable band, Cardio Fitness Score, GPS pace & distance tracking, guided breathing sessions

Pros:
24/7 heart rate monitoring
Swappable bands
Real time pace and distance tracking for outdoor runs/walks
Goal based exercise modes

Cons:
A little more expensive than the Inspire
Need phone to use GPS features


Fitbit Luxe Fitness Tracker Jewelry

Many fashionable folks feel like most fitness trackers on the market look too utilitarian for everyday wear or special occasions. Fitbit has answered their complaints with the fashionable Luxe. The Special Edition gorjana gold version looks exactly like an expensive bracelet. Packed inside this jewelry design are all the Fitbit tracking features you need. Whether you like to run, hit the gym, or cool down on your yoga mat, the Luxe features 20 exercise modes and SmartTrack automatically senses your workout.

If you’re interested in wellness tracking, Luxe has built-in stress management tools including a Stress Management Score that tracks physical signs of stress. You can then use Mindful Minutes and Guided breathing to help yourself calm down and de-stress.

Get a better sense of your overall health with sleep tracking, including tracking of different sleep stages like light, deep, and REM sleep, giving you a Sleep Score to help you keep track of your sleep quality over time. The sleep tips will help you improve your sleep, which will benefit your overall health and wellness. While you sleep, the Luxe will also track your skin temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate variability. These summaries will help you see signs of stress, illness, or fatigue.

If a fashionable piece of tracker jewelry is your goal, then the Fitbit Luxe offers all their best tracking features in a glam package.

Available colors: gold, black/graphite, lunar white/soft gold stainless steel, orchid/platinum stainless steel (and interchangeable wrist bands)

Good for: fashion conscious folks

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, sleep, heart rate, SpO2 (oxygen saturation), SmartTrack exercise modes, Stress Management Score, breathing rate (sleep), skin temperature (sleep)

Notable features: 5 day battery life, always-on color display, smartphone notifications, Do Not Disturb mode, Silent Alarms, timer and stopwatch, Daily Readiness score, call & text notifications, GPS via phone, menstrual cycle tracking, Active Zone Minutes, 50m water resistance, Guided Breathing app

Pros:
Fashionable Design
Fully color always on display

Cons:
Must pair to phone for GPS
No downloadable apps




Fitbit Charge 5 GPS + Fitness Wristband

The latest version of the Charge has some features that improve on their basic level fitness tracker, the biggest one being built in GPS tracking. This is huge for runners who don’t want a smartwatch. The other features you’ll get if you opt for the Charge include tracking floors climbed, on wrist payments through Fitbit pay, and the ability to store and play music from Spotify, Deezer, or Pandora. That’s a lot of features for a wristband tracker!

The Charge also has 24/7 continuous heart rate monitoring. It tracks your heart rate throughout the day to track your calories burned and also gives you a Cardio Fitness Score to help you improve your fitness level over time. Get even more info on your heart health with the on wrist ECG app. Thanks to the EDA scan app, your exercise tracker will also notice when your heart rate is elevated due to stress and lead you through a guided breathing exercise to help calm your mind and body.

That heart rate monitoring combined with multi-sport modes make it perfect for people who lead active lifestyles and like to vary up their workout routine. The Charge tracks running, biking, and weights and SmartTrack automatically recognizes the activity and records the workout for you. The OLED tap display makes it easy to see real-time stats while you’re exercising and get your workout results without syncing to your smartphone.

If GPS tracking is important to your running or cycling, you can sync up the Charge with your phone to get real-time stats like pace and distance on the band display, while a map is recorded of your route.

In addition to all those fabulous features, the Fitbit Charge has many of the features longtime Fitbit users love like move reminders, smartphone notifications, wireless syncing to smartphones or computers, and interchangeable bands. This model is a great replacement for the previous Charge offerings.

Buy the Charge If: you want GPS tracking, you want wrist-based heart rate monitoring, you exercise in many different ways, you like a customizable look

Available colors: Black/graphite stainless steel, lunar white/soft gold stainless steel, steel blue, platinum stainless steel (plus endless band options)

Tracks: steps, heart rate, GPS, distance, calories burned, active minutes, floors climbed, stationary time, auto sleep tracking

Notable features: interchangeable bands, PurePulse wrist-based heart rate, Cardio Fitness Score, silent alarms & auto sleep tracking, 7-day battery life, multi-sport modes, move reminders, SmartTrack auto activity tracking, OLED touchscreen with on-screen stats, guided breathing prompts based on heart rate, smartphone notifications, swimproof

Pros:
GPS means you can leave your phone at home
Store music for your run
7 day battery life

Cons:
No apps or smartwatch functionality


Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch

It’s no surprise that Fitbit has released another smartwatch to compete with the others on the market. They’ve taken some cues from Apple’s designs making a lighter, sleeker smartwatch centered around fitness and health tracking with interchangeable bands and customizable displays. The latest version now has built in GPS, great for runners. And the feature you may be most excited about: it’s swimproof! That’s right, if you’re a swimmer you can use your Versa smartwatch in and out of the pool. With the touchscreen, you can track all your stats on your wrist, plus you still have access to the Fitbit smartphone app for all the indepth tracking and stats you need. The Versa also provides personal coaching to keep you moving and help you meet daily goals.

Since fitness is our main focus here, let’s talk about the features that make the Versa unique from the rest of the Fitbit line-up. With over 20 built-in exercise modes, the Versa can give you real-time stats for activities like swimming and running. If you need inspiration, you can follow the dynamic on-screen workouts which coach you through every move. If you’re a runner or a cyclist, the Versa can sync with GPS from your phone to provide you pace and distance stats.

If meditation and relieving stress is important to you, the Versa has guided breathing sessions, which uses your heart rate to give you personalized instructions. For women, it has built in health tracking so you can track your cycle and even get reminders before your period starts.

What about the fun features you want a smartwatch to have? Music is one of the most important parts of my workouts and I love that you can store 300 songs directly on the Versa and play them with Bluetooth headphones. Fitbit has also brought features like call, calendar, text, and app alerts to your wrist. Plus, it features Fitbit Pay on their special editions so you can pay with your watch. With a six day battery life, it has many other smartwatches beat. The Versa is a fantastic smartwatch and is really giving the Apple Watch some competition.

Buy the Versa if: You want a waterproof smartwatch with excellent fitness and health tracking

Available colors: Black, Soft Gold (plus endless band options)

Tracks: Steps, Distance, Calories, Workouts, Sleep (duration and stages), Heart Rate, Reproductive Cycle, Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)

Notable features: Interchangeable Bands, Waterproof, Plays Music, Runs Apps, Weather, Smart Notifications (Calls & Texts), 6+ Day Rechargeable Batteries, Personal Coaching, Move Reminders, Guided Breathing, PurePulse Wrist Based Heart Rate Tracking, On Screen Workouts, 20+ Exercise Modes, Built in GPS, Fitbit Pay, Clock Face Options, Amazon Alexa built-in


Fitbit Sense Smartwatch

If you’re looking for all the latest tech in fitness tracking, you should consider getting the top of the line offering from Fitbit: the Sense Smartwatch. It includes all the same great features of the lower level trackers plus some cool upgrades. Feeling stressed? The Sense will let you know through the EDA scan app which detects electrodermal activity. It will then prompt you to de-stress using mindfulness activities. The ECG app measures your heart rate to detect possible atrial fibrillation. The Sense also has sensors that read and track your skin temperature over time to identify health trends.

This smartwatch also provides the great fitness tracking on over 20 different exercise modes to help you stay fit while getting variety in your workouts. The sleep tracking gives insights into trends over time and makes sure you get the sleep you need. Add in downloadable apps, Fitbit Pay, calling and messaging, and this smartwatch provides everything you need for your day to day life. Fitbit delivers all of this with a six day battery life, amazing compared to many competitors.

The Sense is priced significantly higher than the Versa, so if you don’t need the stress tracking, ECG, and skin temperature sensing, you can save money and still get great features with the Versa.

Buy the Sense if: You want the latest tracking technology

Available colors: Carbon/Graphite Stainless Steel, Lunar White/Soft Gold

Tracks: Steps, Distance, Calories, Workouts, Sleep (duration and stages), Heart Rate, Reproductive Cycle, Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), Heart Rhythm, ECG, Stress, Skin Temperature

Notable features: Interchangeable Bands, Waterproof, Plays Music, Runs Apps, Weather, Smart Notifications (Calls & Texts), 6+ Day Rechargeable Batteries, Personal Coaching, Move Reminders, Guided Breathing, PurePulse Wrist Based Heart Rate Tracking, On Screen Workouts, 20+ Exercise Modes, Built in GPS, Fitbit Pay, Clock Face Options, Amazon Alexa built-in, Always on Display Mode, Fast Charging

Pros:
Latest tracking tech like ECG and skin temp tracking
6 day battery life

Cons:
Subscription needed for music services
Highest priced tracker from Fitbit


Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker for Kids

Now your kids can get in on the fun with this fitness tracker designed especially for children over the age of 6. If you’re having a hard time motivating your kid to put down their smartphone and exercise, the Ace can be a great motivator for them. Fitbit has designed Ace to motivate kids to reach the 60 minutes of daily activity recommended by the CDC, using 24 hour activity tracking to push them to earn daily goals and virtual badges. They can monitor their progress on the easy to read display and also get move reminders to get up and go each hour.

The Fitbit Ace is great to inspire competition between siblings or friends. They can compete with each other on step challenges and win virtual trophies. They can also send messages and cheers to other family members to motivate each other. For parents, the new Fitbit Family accounts allow you to check in with your kid’s progress at any time. And your child can also use the app to check their stats and the badges they’ve earned. This band can be synced with the parent’s smartphone or the child’s. If you are worried about your kid getting enough sleep, this fitness band also tracks sleep length and quality. Plus the Ace is swimproof so you don’t have to worry about your kid wearing it all day and all night. The Fitbit Ace packs in all the features older kids need to stay active and fit.

One thing to note: many parents have found the included band is a bit small for kids older than 8 years old. Luckily, the Fitbit Ace is compatible with third-party bands, so you can easily get a larger band with your child outgrows the included one.

Available colors: Cosmic blue/astro green, black/sport red, Minions yellow

Tracks: Steps, activity minutes, sleep

Notable features: 8 day battery life, adjustable band, water proof to 50m, motivational messages, step challenges, goal celebrations and badges, move reminders, competitions, family messaging, silent vibrating alarm, bedtime reminders, swappable bands, 10 clock faces, iOS & Android smartphone apps with parent and child views

Pros:
Let’s your whole family connect in Fitbit app
Easy to use for kids
Special “kid view” in the app

Cons:
Bands are limited in sizes
Only for kids 6 and up

Check out more fitness trackers for kids.


Retired Fitbit Trackers

Some of the classic Fitbits that have been fan favorites have since been “retired” for new models. A lot of the excess stock is still available to buy from online retailers like Amazon. Check out our reviews of these retired models below.

Fitbit Zip

The Zip was the budget Fitbit for many years. It’s the simplest to use and a great option for anyone looking for a cheap activity tracker or a more basic pedometer type tracker.

The LCD display conveniently shows the current day’s step count and also the time. When you reach your step goal for the day it buzzes in congratulation. Sync it to the free Fitbit app and track your daily stats to improve your activity over time.

This makes a great gift for older parents who aren’t very tech-savvy but are looking for an easy way to track their activity and steps over time. Since it has the option to sync to a computer, it’s also great for people who don’t use smartphones.

Buy the Zip if: walking is your main form of exercise, you’re looking for a simple step counter, you don’t like charging devices frequently

Available colors: blue, charcoal, lime, magenta

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes

Notable features: syncs wirelessly to computers or smartphones and tablets with Bluetooth, clips to clothing, displays daily step count on device, battery lasts 6 months, water resistant


Fitbit Flex 2 Waterproof Activity Tracker

If you’d rather wear your fitness tracker on your wrist than on a clip, the Fitbit Flex 2 may be the tracker for you. This comfortable and easy to wear activity tracker sacrifices the LCD display for LED lights that show you your progress toward the day’s step goals. But you still have the Fitbit app to easily track your steps, activity, and sleep on your smartphone or tablet. This is a recent update to the original Fitbit Flex that combines the features users loved about the original with some new functionality.

The big difference with the Flex 2 is a brand new ultra-slim tracker design that is fully customizable with a ton of different bands to personalize your Fitbit or match any occasion. This includes bracelets and necklaces that look like fashionable jewelry instead of utilitarian trackers. Track your activity without sacrificing on style.

I’m sure you’re wondering, what’s new with the Fitbit Flex 2? Well, the big thing is: this activity tracker is now waterproof–or as they call it “swimproof.” You can finally wear your Fitbit in the shower or while swimming in the ocean or pool without destroying your tracker. I have a feeling this one is going to become very popular with swimmers.

It also features SmartTrack, which automatically recognizes certain activities (including swimming) and tracks your workout for you automatically. There are also smartphone notifications in addition to the silent alarms. All these features come without sacrificing the battery life of the original model.

Buy the Flex if: you prefer a wristband tracker, you like tracking your activity on your smartphone, you like to customize with different band styles, you want a waterproof fitness tracker, you swim as a form of exercise.

Available colors: black, lavender, magenta, navy

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, sleep quality and quantity

Notable features: silent alarm, swappable wristband, automatic sleep monitoring, 5-day rechargeable battery, syncs wirelessly to computers and smartphones, waterproof, SmartTrack auto exercise tracking, waterproof, move reminders


Fitbit Alta

The Fitbit Alta Fitness Tracker takes the activity bands to the next level. Utilizing a similar OLED display as the Charge, and features like step count and auto sleep monitoring, the Alta adds a few new features that are worth the upgrade.

The first big feature is SmartTrack, which automatically recognizes what exercise you’re doing whether it’s running or cardio. Alta also has move reminders, giving you a gentle buzz when you’ve been sitting too long so you can take a quick walk. Also in addition to call alerts, you can also receive text messages and calendar alerts directly on your Alta band.

Alta comes with its own range of accessory bands as well, so you can customize your look and switch up your style whenever you feel like it.

Buy the Alta if: you work out many different ways, you like to customize your band to match your outfit, you want a fitness band that tracks sleep and exercise automatically

Available colors: black/silver, blue/silver, plum/silver, teal/silver

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, stairs climbed, active minutes, sleep quality and quantity, exercise activities

Notable features: silent alarm, automatic sleep tracking, interchangeable bands, smart notifications (call, text, and calendar), move reminders, auto-exercise recognition, syncs wirelessly to smartphones and computers, water-resistant, 5-day rechargeable battery


Looking to get a Fitbit to help you lose or maintain your weight? You should check out the Fitbit Aria Air Smart Scale. It automatically and accurately tracks your weight, body fat percentage, and body mass index and syncs with your Fitbit account.

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