Which device is better? 2024

Fitbit Charge 6

Apple Watch Series 9

first impression

Now, I’ll admit, Fitbit is the fourth health tracker I’ve tested Cosmo (See here, here, and here), So it takes a lot of effort to impress me. But right out of the box, it is nice and sophisticated! The screen was small and didn’t get in the way as much as I expected. I have a fairly small wrist, so a large device like the Apple Watch (especially the 46mm face is very noticeable, which is why I chose the 41mm), but an all-black Fitbit. narrow profile This doesn’t make it any less beautiful for our fashion-obsessed shopping editors to wear on a daily basis.

Similarly, my first impressions of the Apple Watch were, “Wow, it’s a nicely packaged device,” and “This sporty band doesn’t match my outfit.” So I immediately replaced it with this chic band. I’m not proud of my Casetify gold chain band, but I get compliments on it every day. This cheap option is also great!

The exact model I tested

sleep tracking

What Fitbit has given me is Take a comprehensive look at my sleepfrom the time spent in each sleep stage to your resting heart rate and body temperature. app to me Sleep score out of 100 To assess the quality of sleep and recovery, This is a better feature than the Apple Watch.

Apple offers similar graphs for nighttime sleep stages, heart rate, and breathing statistics. It also tracks the deviation of your wrist temperature from your normal baseline, just like Fitbit. The difference is that Apple uses that data for cycle tracking. (See below for details). Other than that, I think the two are pretty similar.

There were several nights of sleep where both Fitbit and Apple Watch didn’t account for my sleep at all. I think this is because the device is a little loose on the wrist when using certain bands. Therefore, if you find that your watch’s hole size is in between, you may want to switch to an adjustable band like this one.

Verdict: It’s a draw!

fitness tracking

If you’re as fussy about sleep as I am, there’s a good chance you’re considering buying a Fitbit or Apple Watch because you’re interested in activity tracking. Below are the details…

There’s no question about it—Apple Watch is made for fitness. Just select an activity on your watch (we have a list for everything from stepper machines to using a wheelchair), and the watch will monitor your time, heart rate, pace, and even calories burned. , if you’re interested. It also has a great auto-detection feature if you’re like me and forget to select your activity.

fit bit Provides core functionality similar to Apple Watch— Step tracking, heart rate monitoring, calories burned, and more —at a cheaper price. The screen isn’t very big or flashy, but it tracks indoor and outdoor runs, workout duration, and automatically recognizes the activities you’re doing, just like the Watch. When I started jogging, playing spikeball, or even walking at a slightly more vigorous pace, I felt a buzz on my wrist and realized that my Fitbit was starting a timer.

Verdict: It’s a draw!

cycle tracking

If your goal is to confidently say, “When your last period started?” [insert date]“When obstetricians and gynecologists always ask, Track your period with the Fitbit app Estimate the number of days until your next period. It’s simple and nice. You can also estimate where you are in your menstrual cycle and when you are most likely to get pregnant.

But if you’re having irregular periods, you’ll need to use an ovulation test and enter the results to get a really accurate measurement… which can be a bit tedious. fitbit too unable to track pregnancy– Some users reported that the app declared their period hundreds of days late when in fact they had just gotten pregnant.

So If you’re seriously trying to get pregnant or are using tracking as the only way to avoid pregnancy, you’ll probably want to buy an Apple Watch.can be combined with Natural Cycles, an FDA-approved non-hormonal contraceptive method. The watch measures your body temperature every day and sends that data to Natural Cycles. Natural Cycles monitors ovulation, menstruation, and fertility based on body temperature.

Verdict: Apple Watch wins!

Pricing

The biggest deciding factor between the two devices is likely cost, and here’s why. one is significantly cheaper than the other. Apple Watch Series 9 does one of the following: $300-$400 Depending on the style you choose, the Fitbit Charge 6 can $145. So for the price of an Apple Watch, you can literally buy a Fitbit on every wrist, haha.

Sure, the Apple Watch is definitely very flashy with a gorgeous screen, but when it comes to features, we’re not sure what it really delivers. double What is Fitbit doing to justify double the price? But at the end of the day, it comes down to your personal budget and what’s important to you.

Verdict: Fitbit wins!

So fresh and so clean!

Advantages and disadvantages of Apple Watch

Here’s a quick rundown of what makes the Apple Watch so great, as well as some downsides to consider before purchasing.

Strong Points

• band is replaceable
• Easy to set up and seamlessly pair with your iPhone
• Offers extensive health and technology features
• very sophisticated equipment
• Large watch with customizable dial
• water resistance
• more color options

Disadvantages

• more expensive
• Compatible with Apple devices only
• need to be charged every day

Fitbit pros and cons

Short on time? Here’s a quick summary of Fitbit’s great features and why it might not be the perfect fit for you.

Strong Points

• band is replaceable
• Compatible with both Apple and Android devices
• Offer workout classes in the Fitbit app
• significantly cheaper
• small wrist profile
• water resistance
• Great battery life and fast charging

Disadvantages

• Not that customizable
• Only 3 color variations available
• Provides more limited functionality than the Apple Watch

So who is the winner?

I don’t want to be that person, but it’s up to you. Personally, I found Fitbit a little less intuitive. it has Lacks gadget-like features It’s a simpler device compared to other devices on the market, as it has more features than the Apple Watch. This chronically online editor finds it a little cumbersome to wear a screen on my wrist every day, so the limited number of features that Fitbit offers add yet another layer to my life. I wasn’t sure if it was enough to add two blinking functions.

But if you are a smartwatch user, If you want to simplify your digital life, switching to Fitbit Charge 6 is the way to go.. It offers all the core features of the Apple Watch (tracking your ride, counting your steps, sending notifications, monitoring your sleep, etc.) while eliminating many other features you might not use.

If you want to choose between the two options, As a matter of fact, both devices are very robust. It depends on two things: the type of phone you have (iPhone or Android) and your budget. Apple Watch is shiny, highly developed, and highly compatible with the Apple ecosystem.Basically an Apple lover’s wet dream. Fitbit is a great smartwatch with even more features. affordable priceaesthetically sophisticated and minimalistic, Compatible with all types of phonesand has stood the test of time for almost 20 years.

Basically, you can’t go wrong with either choice. If you can’t decide, why not order both to see how they feel and keep the one you like best?

Why can you trust us?

as CosmoHannah Oh, our unofficial technology expert and shopping editor, has spent months testing a variety of health trackers and wearable devices, including the Oura Ring, Apple Watch, Fitbit, and WHOOP. She takes her sleep and health very seriously (8 hours a night!) and uses her free time to explain to friends and family why they should hop on the biometric train.

Hannah is the shopping editor. cosmopolitan, We’ve covered everything from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth $$$, and the perfect gift for your boyfriend’s mom. she previously wrote seventeen and CR fashion book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and photos of office outfits no one asked for.