However, if previous Fitbits haven’t sold you on the thin, svelte design, which can make readability difficult, the latest model won’t change your mind about the trackers. And the absence of on-board music controls is sure to disappoint music lovers out for a run who don’t want to be tied to their phone. It may seem obvious, but the Fitbit Charge 5 is the best wearable in the series to date, and for the first time, it can also be considered a looker. Fitbit has given the Charge a slick makeover after four generations of being ugly but functional, making it every bit as stylish as the Fitbit Versa 3. Furthermore, it builds on the improvements that made the Fitbit Charge 4 such a significant step forward for the series, though there has been one significant step backward, which I’ll discuss later.
Fitbit Charge 5 review: Design
The Fitbit Charge 5 features ‘human body inspired’ smooth lines and soft colours, adhering to the same Biologic Industrial Design language as the Sense, Versa 3, and Inspire 2. From the Charge 4, which had a much more angular design, it’s a significant departure. The Charge 5’s stainless steel case, which replaces the Charge 4’s plastic one, gives it a more opulent appearance than its predecessor. It comes in three different colour combinations steel blue with platinum stainless steel, lunar white with soft gold stainless steel, and black with graphite stainless steel. A perforated strap made for better breathability during sports is among the additional bands that are available for purchase separately. These are significant adjustments, but the Charge 5’s display has received the most attention. The new watch, like the Fitbit Luxe, has a full colour AMOLED display in place of the Charge 4’s monochrome memory-in-pixel screen. One of the biggest distinctions between this tracker and the Fitbit Inspire 3 is the bright, clear, and crisp display, which also features smooth scrolling and animations. However, unlike some fitness trackers we’ve tested, the Charge 5’s display woke up consistently whenever we raised our wrist to check the time.
Fitbit Charge 5 review: Interface and controls
Speaking of missing features, Fitbit appears to have removed the ability to control Spotify playback from the Charge 5, which is a bit disappointing for people who like to listen to music while working out, and there are two more features that will be available soon but are currently unavailable. The first of these is the ability to take an ECG test, which can indicate signs of possible heart arrhythmia. While Fitbit does not market the Charge 5 as a medical device (you should always consult your doctor if you think you have a problem), it may reveal an issue you were unaware of. You can also set a goal for your workout on the tracker, such as time, distance, or calories burned. Throughout the activity, it will display your progress toward your goal. This isn’t something I’d use on a regular basis, but it’s a useful feature if you’re the type of person who leaves workouts halfway through to check emails.
Display
While the Charge 4’s display left a lot to be desired, the Charge 5 offers an AMOLED display that means pure blacks surround the more colourful elements. The contrast makes those elements, such as the time on the home screen, stand out in a way that the previous entry couldn’t. On sunny days, it’s also simple to read and interact with. That’s a good thing, because the Charge 5 lacks physical buttons. Unlike the Apple watch, which relies on a digital crown and a button, Fitbit is entirely focused on prodding your watch’s display. However, depending on your past experiences with Fitbit, you may be tempted to look elsewhere. Notification text can wrap awkwardly on the slim display, and you’ll need to swipe from side-to-side to reach workouts, alarms, and the various sensor functions. That also means no customizable home screen options, so don’t expect to be able to quickly access your favourite workouts. Anyone in need of a larger display should consider the Apple Watch 6. You can read the Fitbit Charge 5 review.
Fitbit Charge 5 review: Tracking
The Charge 5 has almost all of the same activity tracking metrics as the Charge 4. The tracker still only supports six sport profiles, which can be customised in the Fitbit app. When it comes to activity tracking, the main difference is that the screen is brighter, and the always-on function makes it easier to read on the go or in between burpees. Like the Charge 4, you can’t customise what appears in each sports activity profile, but you can enable auto laps, which allows you to receive pace alerts every mile while running or riding your bike. It’s worth noting that these are turned off by default, which I overlooked on my first run with the tracker. You can also set a goal for your workout on the tracker, such as time, distance, or calories burned. Throughout the activity, it will display your progress toward your goal. This isn’t something I’d use on a regular basis, but it’s a useful feature if you’re the type of person who leaves workouts halfway through to check emails.
Fitbit Charge 5 review: Other features
There are certain to be features on the Fitbit Charge 5 that you’ll use more frequently than others because it functions like the Swiss Army Knife of fitness trackers. The Charge 5 not only provides the essential features like heart rate monitoring and step counting, but it also uses built-in GPS to track your workout, which is impressive given how thin it is. But that’s not all. The Charge 5 comes with a new electrodermal activity (EDA) tracker and an ECG app. The EDA test will look for sweat secretion, which can be a marker of stress, while the ECG tracker will allow you to check for atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat). There is also a library of mindfulness exercises that can be done at various times throughout the day to fit them into your schedule. Concerning Fitbit Premium, the Charge 5 comes with a six-month membership to the service. While your mileage may vary, you can expect Guided Programs, which cover diet, sleep, and fitness, a series of additional workouts. And a deeper look into your personal stats than non-premium users during that time period. Fitbit’s Daily Readiness Score is a new way for the company to tailor workouts and activities to your wellbeing. Your Fitbit generates a simple score based on your activity, sleep, heart rate, and other factors.
Fitbit Charge 5 review: Battery life
According to my observations, the Fitbit Charge 5 can last approximately 7 days when used frequently, which is pretty good. But when we activated the Always-On Display feature, it displayed a significant reduction. It was quite frustrating that it only lasted for a few days. We spent $12,000 on a fitness band, but it won’t tell me the time whenever we want without draining the battery completely. Fitness band to always display the time, but it seems like too much to ask! The last thing you need is a fitness watch that constantly needs to be recharged or runs out of battery in the middle of your workout. A full week’s worth of battery life is provided by the Fitbit Charge 5. This is superior to many of its rivals, even more expensive Fitbit trackers. Be aware that when you aren’t using the GPS features, the battery life is the longest.
Price and configurations options
When the Charge 5 was first announced in late August 2021, pre-orders opened up right away, and the first units started to arrive in late September. The Fitbit Charge 5 is the most expensive tracker the company has ever produced, costing $180 at launch, $30 more than the Charge 4. Given that the typical free trial only lasts 90 days, you effectively receive a subscription worth £36 for free, which lessens the blow of the price increase. Despite this, the Fitbit Charge 5’s £170 price puts it firmly outside the usual fitness tracker price range and into the smartwatch category, where the competition is fierce.
Final Words
The Fitbit Charge 5 is able to take the best features of the Charge series and apply them to a super clean and brilliant display, with an intuitive user interface, all powered by the well-known Fitbit app/cloud platform that people have been using for more than ten years. Even though the battery life doesn’t seem to be quite as good as it once was, most people probably still find it adequate. Unfortunately, it fails miserably when it comes to tracking workouts even though it excels as a daily tracker. It doesn’t seem like a typical caveat that users should have to deal with when purchasing the most expensive activity tracking band on the market to have to choose between functional GPS and functional heart rate.
