For people trying to get fit and healthy, technology has proven to be a great tool to aid in weight loss, health, and fitness goals. These tools come in many shapes and sizes, including even digital tools, like calorie trackers. Today, we are going to look at Fitbits, which have gone through a number of revisions over the years. But how can you tell which Fitbit you even have?
How Can I Tell Which Fitbit I Have?
You can tell which Fitbit device you have by locating your device’s model number, which is located either on the back or side of the Fitbit. The code starts with FB, and is followed by three numbers. Look it up online, and that should let you know what model you own.
Figuring out which Fitbit you have can be potentially tricky, especially considering how many models of Fitbits exist. Worse, a lot of different types of models came out in a relatively short span of time, meaning that figuring out which one you got is not as simple as comparing when you got your Fitbit to when the models were released. Still, as annoying as this can be, we think that many of the Fitbit models released in this time proved their value.
Fitbits have a somewhat similar aesthetic between their revisions, but if you compare the newest and oldest models, it should not be hard to tell the difference between them. While the strap itself looks more or less the same, if you look at the monitor, the difference is night and day. The original Fitbit’s display is rather small and limited, while the Luxe model has a taller monitor to better display information. Even between models in the same line of Fitbits, the difference can be pretty notable. The Fitbit Charge 5, for instance, narrows the size of the screen compared to the Fitbit Charge 4.
What do I do if the model number is obscured or missing?
This is a highly unlikely thing to have happen, but it is not at all impossible to have happen either. For this to happen, the label with the model number information may be missing from the Fitbit. If this happens, the next best option is to check on the Fitbit itself (if possible).
While it is not a likely outcome, if you still have the box for your Fitbit, not only can this provide you with the serial number for your Fitbit, the box will show the model number of your particular Fitbit device.
What is the best Fitbit model?
Determining which Fitbit you have is one thing, but figuring out which Fitbit you should have? Well, that’s a whole ‘nother story right there. There is not one strict answer to this, as many of the different Fitbit models are designed with a specific function in mind. Thus, where one person may find a certain model more appealing, you may find a model appealing that they simply do not care about at all.
Fitbit Luxe
Arguably one of the best Fitbits overall, however, is the Fitbit Luxe. This Fitbit model is ideal for everyday use, as well as being used at the gym. One of the best parts of this is just how long the battery lasts in this device, lasting up to seven days without needing to be charged again. The Fitbit Luxe has a monitor on the device, and can be used to track your heart rate, stress, steps, your sleep, and a sensor to track your blood oxygen saturation. Yet, the one big downside to going with the Luxe would be the lack of an on-board global positioning system (GPS) to help you track your runs.
If you decide to go with the Luxe, it will run you about $150. This is not terribly expensive for what it is, but you should still be mindful not to impulse buy it until you know you are going to use it.
Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5, much like the Luxe, has a monitor, as well as the ability to track your heart rate and activity. The one major advantage it has over the Luxe is the fact that it has a GPS, meaning that you will be able to track your runs. This is a good pick if you are looking specifically for a fitness device out of your Fitbit more than anything else. One change made to the Charge 5 from the Charge 4 that may strike some as strange is the inability to control music from the Charge 5 for services like Spotify.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is a more specialized device than the Luxe, and costs $20 more. Thus, even more than the Luxe, be sure you know this is the one you want.
Fitbit Sense
The Fitbit is more than just tracking your activity and fitness, however. One of the nice things it also does is tracking your mental health, which the Fitbit Sense is designed to specialize in. The Fitbit Sense prioritizes focusing on logging both your mood and stress levels, as well as providing a GPS to help you when you go out on a walk, jog, run, or biking.
One major downside of going with the Fitbit Sense is the fact that the step counter is not the most accurate, unfortunately. It is useful to some extent, but other Fitbits, as well as other competing devices, may be a better fit if you care about the step counter. The device retails at $230, which may be a worthwhile value if you are looking for a method to track and manage your stress levels.
Fitbit Versa 3
The Fitbit Versa 3 is noted for its smartphone capabilities, but at the same time, it cannot be denied that competing products have it beat in that area. For example, the Apple Watch is a much more robust smartwatch, which makes sense – Apple is, after all, more well-known for its technical prowess. The two big advantages that the Fitbit Versa 3 has over an Apple Watch are price and battery life. Neither should come as no surprise; after all, the more high-tech a device is, the more likely it is that it will cost more and drain the battery faster.
The battery life is able to last for up to six days, and costs around $230 MSRP, though you might find it much cheaper. For instance, we have seen it drop by up to 27 percent in price on Amazon.com, so keep an eye out for that.
Is it worth looking into more budget-priced Fitbits?
While a higher price point may be acceptable for some, a lot of people (especially now) have to work with a relatively tight budget in mind. As such, they may not be able to go for those. Thankfully, the expensive Fitbits are not the only ones you can choose from. But are the budget-priced Fitbits really worth the price of admission?
While it is true that going with a budget-priced option means making sacrifices in terms of technology and quality, that does not mean that there is nothing worthwhile to these cheaper Fitbit models. For instance, if you do not need every new bell and whistle that comes with the newer ones, you can just go with an older Fitbit model.
Should I always go with the most advanced version of a Fitbit?
While it is often true that new models of any device, Fitbit or otherwise, is an improvement, this is not necessarily true. A common complaint people experience certain upgraded versions of a device is that they either remove features they liked, or added features they hated. For instance, as we discussed above, the Fitbit Charge 5 drops the ability to control volume like you can do with the Fitbit Charge 4. Read reviews of more than just the latest version, and that should tell you what people generally think of the changes.
Are fitness and activity trackers worth getting?
For all the talk about how to tell different Fitbit models apart and the merits of different Fitbit models, it’s also important to ask whether going for a fitness and activity tracker, Fitbit or otherwise, is valuable for you.
Devices like Fitbits started out relatively limited, but as time passed, that is when we got more and more incentives to wear them. They became more than just upgraded pedometers, being able to play music and track more subtle things, like your heartbeat. These kinds of devices are going to be more useful the more active you are, or whether you want to become active. If neither of these fit you, you may not have much to gain out of it. Yet, we think it is rather important to stay active, so if you could benefit from a tool to get you more active, a smartwatch is one of the best ways to pull it off.
- How to Pair Meta Quest 3 Controllers with Your Quest 3 Headset: A Quick Guide
- How to Charge Meta Quest 3: A Guide to Powering Up Your VR Experience
- How to Cast Meta Quest 3 to Samsung TV: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How To Factory Reset Your Meta Quest 3: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Power On and Off the Meta Quest 3
