Fitbit Charge 5 Review: Fitbit’s Best Fitness Tracker Yet

Fitbit Charge 5 Review: Fitbit’s Best Fitness Tracker Yet. The Fitbit Charge 5 is one of the most advanced fitness trackers available today, blending the best features of its predecessors with cutting-edge technology. Whether you're an avid runner, a gym enthusiast, or simply looking for a tool to help improve your overall health, the Charge 5 is designed to meet your needs.

Fitbit Charge 5 Review: Fitbit’s Best Fitness Tracker Yet.

The Fitbit Charge 5 is a powerful, feature-packed fitness tracker. It takes the best elements from the entire Fitbit range and merges them into one sleek, high-performance device. With built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress management features, it’s more than just a step counter—it's a holistic fitness tool.

Key Specifications:

Release Date: September 2021
Price: $179.95 / £169.99 / AU$269.95
Display: Full-color AMOLED
Battery Life: Up to 7 days
Water Resistance: 50m
Connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS

2. Price and Availability

The Fitbit Charge 5 was released in September 2021, priced at $179.95 in the US, £169.99 in the UK, and AU$269.95 in Australia. This price point positions it slightly higher than its predecessor, the Fitbit Charge 4, but justifiably so with the introduction of a new AMOLED display and additional health tracking features.

Each purchase includes a six-month trial of Fitbit Premium, which normally costs $9.99 per month. After this trial period, you'll need to decide whether the premium features, like the Daily Readiness Score and advanced sleep analytics, are worth the subscription cost.

3. Design and Display

The Charge 5 is an aesthetically pleasing device with a sleek, modern design. Drawing inspiration from the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3, it adopts a smoother, more organic look compared to the sharper edges of the Charge 4. The new stainless steel case gives it a more premium feel, replacing the plastic of the previous generation.

Color Options:

Black with Graphite Stainless Steel
Lunar White with Soft Gold Stainless Steel
Steel Blue with Platinum Stainless Steel

The real highlight of the Charge 5’s design is its AMOLED display. The full-color screen is vibrant and sharp, with smooth animations that make navigating through menus a breeze. There’s an always-on mode, but this significantly impacts battery life, so it’s best reserved for workouts or situations where you need to check your stats frequently.

4. Everyday Performance

One of the strengths of the Fitbit Charge 5 is how seamlessly it integrates into daily life. The smartphone notifications are easy to read on the new color display, and you can quickly dismiss, read, or open notifications on your phone with a tap.

You can also receive call alerts, manage Fitbit Pay for contactless payments, and get daily reminders to move and stretch. However, one major omission is the lack of music control, a feature that was available on the Charge 4. This means you’ll need to reach for your phone if you want to control your Spotify or music player during a workout.

Pros:

Comfortable and stylish for daily wear
Crisp, bright screen with easy-to-read notifications
Contactless payments with Fitbit Pay

Cons:

No music control or storage options

5. Fitness and Health Tracking

Heart Rate Monitoring

The heart rate monitoring capabilities of the Charge 5 are one of its most impressive features. The tracker uses Fitbit’s PurePulse technology, which provides real-time data on your heart rate during workouts and daily activities. The sensor also monitors your resting heart rate and can notify you if it detects anything abnormal, making it a good choice for those focusing on cardiovascular health.

GPS Tracking

The built-in GPS is a significant upgrade from many budget fitness trackers like the Huawei Band 7 and Fitbit Inspire 3. With the Charge 5, you can track your outdoor runs, walks, and cycling sessions without the need for a phone. During testing, the GPS was accurate but slightly overestimated distances compared to dedicated running watches like the Garmin Forerunner 55.

Sleep Tracking

Fitbit’s sleep tracking has long been one of its strongest features, and the Charge 5 continues this tradition. It tracks various sleep stages (light, deep, and REM) and provides a Sleep Score to give you a clear understanding of your sleep quality. In combination with the Daily Readiness Score, it offers an excellent way to balance rest and activity.

Stress Management and EDA Scans

The EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor measures stress levels by detecting small electrical changes in the sweat level of your skin. The accompanying stress management tools help you reflect on your stress and manage it over time through the Fitbit app.

Exercise Modes

The Charge 5 offers 20 workout modes for various exercises, from running and biking to HIIT and spinning. Though fewer than what you’d find on the Sense or Versa 4, the available modes cover the majority of popular workout types. You can also change the list of visible workout types in the Fitbit app to match your preferences.

6. Battery Life

Fitbit advertises up to seven days of battery life for the Charge 5, but this can vary depending on your usage. If you regularly use the always-on display or engage in frequent GPS-tracked workouts, you might find that the battery lasts closer to four days.

However, in our tests with moderate usage—notifications, heart rate monitoring, and occasional GPS tracking—the Charge 5 managed to last the full week without needing a charge.

7. Fitbit Premium and Extra Features

Fitbit Premium unlocks several advanced features for the Charge 5, including the Daily Readiness Score and advanced sleep analytics. The Daily Readiness Score is especially useful for athletes, as it helps you determine whether you should push yourself for a workout or focus on rest and recovery.

Premium membership also grants access to guided workouts, nutrition plans, and mindfulness exercises, making it a comprehensive tool for managing overall health. While the six-month free trial is generous, some users might find it hard to justify the recurring subscription cost once the trial ends.

8. What’s Missing in the Charge 5

Despite being one of the best fitness trackers on the market, the Fitbit Charge 5 is not without its drawbacks. One of the most glaring omissions is the lack of music control. While the Charge 4 allowed users to control their Spotify playlists, this feature is absent in the Charge 5. For users who rely on music for workout motivation, this could be a dealbreaker.

Additionally, while the Fitbit Pay feature works well in the US, it’s less supported in other regions like the UK and Australia. Many banks outside of the US do not yet support Fitbit Pay, limiting its usefulness for some international users.

9. Comparing the Charge 5 to Competitors

Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Garmin Vivosmart 5

While both trackers offer solid fitness tracking features, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 lags behind the Charge 5 in terms of display quality and stress management tools. However, Garmin offers better integration with music apps and more workout modes.

Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Xiaomi Mi Band 7

The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is a more budget-friendly option, offering basic health tracking features and a large display at a fraction of the price of the Charge 5. However, it lacks built-in GPS and advanced health tracking tools, making it a less suitable option for serious fitness enthusiasts.

10. Should You Buy the Fitbit Charge 5?

The Fitbit Charge 5 is one of the best fitness trackers on the market for people who want to balance their workout routines with comprehensive health tracking. If you're looking for a tracker that can monitor everything from your heart rate to stress levels and sleep, the Charge 5 is an excellent

Fitbit Charge 5 Review: Fitbit’s Best Fitness Tracker Yet