Best Fitbit 2026: Charge vs Versa vs Air & More

The first big mainstream competitor to the much-loved Whoop Strap, the Fitbit Air is unlike anything the brand has put out before, but that’s no bad thing. Without a screen to speak of, the Air works brilliantly as a distraction-free fitness tracker that can hone in on what’s important, namely your overall health and recovery, so that you can perform at your best at the gym or when out for a run.

Working away in the background, the Fitbit Air can be used to keep tabs on your heart rate, your blood oxygen levels and more. It’s also a very competent sleep tracker, and because it’s so slim and lightweight at only 12g with the band included, it’s a more comfortable device to wear at night too.

Where the Fitbit Air really comes alive, however, is in its integration with the Google Health Coach. This Gemini-powered feature works like having a personal trainer that you can reach out to at all times, and with the ability to have a written conversation with the coach, you can work through any issues you might be having with exercising, and find a schedule or workout routine that can actually deliver results.

The whole thing works extraordinarily well, which is why it’s a shame that the Health Coach is only available when paying for the additional Google Health Premium subscription. You do get three months of the service for free when you buy the Fitbit Air, but it’s £7.99/$9.99 a month beyond that. At the very least, it also includes a ton of extras, including workout videos, meditations and recipes for healthy meals, so you do get a lot for that monthly rate.

Who should buy the Fitbit Air?

Those who would rather have a distraction-free fitness tracker.

Fitbit Air: Further considerations

It doesn’t have GPS tracking or NFC compatibility, while the Charge 6 does.

The Inspire 3 is the best version yet of Fitbit’s simple fitness band, adding a colour screen for the first time. It’s subtle and comfortable and comes with three strap colour options.

Tracking is automatic and in our tests was very accurate for steps and heart rate, the two main metrics you will get from the Inspire 3. With the always-on display turned off you can eke 10 days of battery life before charging too.

As this is on the cheaper end of the Fitbit range there is no GPS built-in, so i you want to track the GPS route of your runs or cycles you’ll have to take your phone with you. And although the screen is now in colour it is very small in deed so is only good for glancing at the time or basic fitness stats. Though it can display smartphone notifications, it’s too tiny.

As with every Fitbit, you can only dig deeply into your day and night tracking stats if you pay for Fitbit Premium. But if you want the Fitbit basics and nothing else, this is the Fitbit for you.

Who should buy the Fitbit Inspire 3?

Anyone after a bit of everything from Fitbit’s feature-set, but without spending a fortune.

Fitbit Inspire 3: Further considerations

The screen isn’t as spacious as the Charge 6.

With the Charge 6, Fitbit has added useful Google apps to the familiar fitness tracker experience.

You can now access Google Maps, Google Pay and YouTube Music directly from your wrist, which is great…provided you use these services. It’s a shame that no alternative music streaming services are available.

Still, there’s plenty to like elsewhere, including an advanced heart rate sensor, ECGs and EDA stress tracking. It can be used to track more than 40 exercise modes (some automatically) and your sleep.

The side button is great for navigation, while you can even sync it with some gym equipment for personalised feedback. The hardware is largely unchanged, and only really let down by the inconsistent built-in GPS.

As with all Fitbits, you’ll need a Premium subscription for the full experience, and there are some occasional bugs. But on the whole, this is a very good fitness tracker.

Who should buy the Fitbit Charge 6?

Fitness enthusiasts who want the most fully-featured Fitbit tracker available.

Fitbit Charge 6: Further considerations

It requires Fitbit Premium to make the most of what’s included.

The Fitbit Versa 4 is good, but it’s weirdly not as good as the Versa 3 that came out in 2020. Just like with the Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit decided to remove music controls and third-party app support from the Versa 4 despite being features of the Versa 3. It’s a weird decision that makes us hesitate to call the Versa 4 a smartwatch – it’s more a fitness tracker that looks like a watch.

Thankfully it’s a great fitness tracker and the previous generations are discontinued so this is your main choice for a smartwatch-style other than the Sense 2.

With in-built GPS you can easily track run, swim, and cycle routes, while battery life is good enough to get at least three days if you are hammering it, and possibly more if you are a light user.

It has a physical side button instead of the fiddly touch button on the older model, and it has Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant – but no Google Assistant, despite Google now owning Fitbit.

Who should buy the Fitbit Versa 4?

Those who appreciate having a larger display for data mid-workout.

Fitbit Versa 4: Further considerations

It’s quite a bit more expensive than the Fitbit Charge 6.

The Fitbit Sense 2 is the sequel to 2020’s Fitbit Sense, but the new model is two steps forward and one step back. The Sense 2 does not have access to third-party apps such as Starbucks and Spotify, and nor does it have music controls for changing the track on your phone – all things the first-gen product has.

We’re certain this is because Google – who owns Fitbit – wants apps and smartphone controls to be exclusive to its Pixel Watch. But it’s very frustrating that the Sense 2 doesn’t have features of older Fitbits, making it less useful.

That’s a shame because the Sense 2 has superior build quality and is a lovely slim smartwatch. It tracks all your core metrics and is the only Fitbit, along with the first Sense, to also track your stress through a ‘body response’ sensor that can measure skin temperature and other signs to try and hep you understand your stressors.

It’s clever, but telling you you’re stressed might make you more stressed. We also hesitate to call the Sense 2 a smartwatch because Google has stripped it of smartwatch features. You’re oddly better off buying the original Fitbit Sense.

Who should buy the Fitbit Sense 2?

Users who want a holistic tracking experience for both health and fitness.

Fitbit Sense 2: Further considerations

It’s an overpriced product for beginners who want a simple fitness tracker.

The Fitbit Ace 3 is designed especially for younger children. It’s a well-priced, if basic, activity tracker. It lacks most of the more advanced health measurements that you’ll find on the pricier Fitbits but it has enough to motivate a family to up their exercise.

Until recently, children under 13 were not allowed to have a personal Fitbit account. Now the minimum age is 6  – as long as you use the Fitbit Ace 3, which measures Steps and Active Time, plus basic sleep monitoring.

Special family account features mean kids (and parents) can track their basic activity stats through secure Kid View and Parent Views; where they can see their progress, compete in challenges, and earn badges.

The Ace 3 is about exercise, not weight loss – Fitbit hides the calorie counter to stop children from obsessing about their weight.

Older kids might prefer a Fitbit that does more, such as measuring their heart rate. The Fitbit Inspire 2 might lack the Ace 3’s wraparound silicone padding but it offers a big bunch of features, including exercise modes, Cardio Levels, Sleep Score, Guided Breathing and for just £20/US$20 extra, and we’d recommend this for older or more responsible children.

Who should buy the Fitbit Ace 3?

Parents who want to inspire their kids to be more active.

Fitbit Ace 3: Further considerations

The monochrome display can be a bit boring on the eyes.