Top-tier Fitbits to purchase in the year 2025
Two of the most anticipated wearables in the market today are the Fitbit Sense 2 and the Google Pixel Watch 3. While both devices focus on health monitoring, they differ in their smartwatch features, design, and fitness capabilities.
Key Differences
Smartwatch Capabilities
The Pixel Watch 3 offers a broader range of smartwatch features, including Google Assistant, music storage, and a vast array of third-party apps. In contrast, the Fitbit Sense 2 focuses more on wellbeing and stress management tools, lacking Google Assistant, music playback, Wi-Fi, and third-party app integration.
Health and Fitness Features
Both devices boast continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensors for stress tracking and offer heart rate, SpO2, and sleep tracking. The Pixel Watch 3 adds passive atrial fibrillation (AFib) detection, nightly skin temperature monitoring, advanced running metrics like cardio load and workout fatigue, and a fall detection feature called Loss of Pulse Detection. The Fitbit Sense 2 emphasizes a personalized Sleep Profile (requiring a premium membership), a detailed health metrics dashboard, and 41 exercise modes.
Design and Hardware
The Fitbit Sense 2 sports a 1.91-inch screen, weighs 26g, and offers up to 6-10 days of battery life depending on use. The Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes (41mm and 45mm), has a brighter display (up to 2000 nits), and improved battery life, lasting over 24 hours, with the larger model tested to last up to 48 hours.
Additional Features
The Pixel Watch 3 features a thinner bezel and a rounded glass design, considered very stylish and modern. The Fitbit Sense 2 supports phone calls, texts, and quick voice replies but lacks some smartwatch conveniences like Wi-Fi and broad app support.
Other Devices
The Fitbit Charge 6 is a fitness tracker with all-day heart rate and sleep tracking, built-in GPS, NFC for tap-to-pay transactions, and automatic workout detection. It lacks some smartwatch features compared to the Google Pixel Watch 3 and the Fitbit Sense 2.
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a budget-friendly fitness tracker, typically retailing for under $100, with excellent battery life and all-day activity tracking. It is the most affordable Fitbit, lightweight, and has up to 10 days of battery life.
The Fitbit Ace LTE is a children's fitness tracker with a durable, kid-friendly design, activity tracking capabilities, games, and LTE connectivity. It requires a subscription and has a battery life of about 16 hours.
The Fitbit Versa 4, while not as advanced as the Sense 2 or Pixel Watch 3, is a midrange smartwatch with a vibrant AMOLED display, solid battery life, Google Maps, and Google Wallet. However, it lacks the Sense 2's sensors or Versa 3's smarts.
In summary, the Fitbit Sense 2 is more tailored for stress and sleep focused health tracking with excellent battery life, while the Google Pixel Watch 3 combines Fitbit’s fitness expertise with a richer smartwatch experience powered by Google software, better suited for users wanting a full smartwatch with advanced health sensors and more extensive app integration. The Fitbit Sense 2 has also recently received an update that brings Google Wallet and Google Maps support. The Fitbit Charge 6, Fitbit Inspire 3, Fitbit Ace LTE, and Fitbit Versa 4 each cater to different needs and budgets, offering a variety of features for fitness enthusiasts and casual users alike.
- The Fitbit Sense 2, in addition to its focus on wellbeing and stress management, also caters to sports enthusiasts with its 41 exercise modes.
- Technology advancements have extended to health-and-wellness wearables, as seen in the Fitbit Charge 6 with built-in GPS and NFC for tap-to-pay transactions.
- When considering sports-focused gadgets, the Fitbit Versa 4, with Google Maps support, offers a blend of fitness capabilities and technology, appealing to those looking for a midrange smartwatch.
