Fitbit Charge 5 review: "How this fitness tracker took my workouts to the next level"
Fitness trackers can be a super handy tool for nailing your health goals and wellness aspirations (and no, you don't have to be a gym fanatic to justify investing in one!) – but with so many great options on the market, claiming to be all-singing, all-dancing and all-step-tracking, it can be tough to know which to go for. But the fitness tracker we've heard a tonne of buzz about lately? The Fitbit Charge 5.
Yup, the Fitbit brand is so synonymous with exercise and health data-recording that it has basically become shorthand for 'fitness tracker' itself, so of course there's been plenty of chatter about the Charge 5. But how does it actually fare when put to the test? What features are people getting excited about? And how does it stack up compared to the Charge 4?
As a self-confessed exercise procrastinator, I tested the Fitbit Charge 5 for six weeks – and below are my honest thoughts...
My Fitbit Charge 5 review
As someone whose usual fitness routine consists mostly of yoga, Pilates, walks and swimming, the Fitbit Charge 5 provided me with more than enough insight and support to elevate my (already relatively) healthy lifestyle. My biggest problem when it comes to exercise though, is that I'm a procrastinator – despite enjoying my workouts once I get going, it's the, err, actual getting going that I struggle with. So, having numbers, stats and percentages right there on my wrist seriously helped with getting me off the sofa when I wasn't in the mood.
As for the aesthetic of the Fitbit Charge 5, although it's a sporty-looking accessory, the design is slim, subtle and more elegant compared to other Fitbit models – in fact, one way it differs from the Charge 4 is that it's 10% slimmer by way of design. Another new addition to the Charge 5 is its colour screen, which is a lot more fun and user-friendly than the Charge 4's monochromatic offering.
That said, the Charge 5 also has all the traditional features you'd expect from a standard fitness tracker too: not only does it make tracking steps, heart rate and calories burnt easy, via both the watch screen itself which pairs with the Fitbit app, but it also kept pace when tracking my time in the pool and it could even tell when I'd upped my walking pace, automatically noting it down as exercise. I found this Active Zone Minutes feature particularly handy, as it automatically uses your heart rate to guide you toward your desired intensity level. It then alerts you to how much time you've spent in fat burn, cardio and peak zones.
There are also 20 different types of workout that you can track too, including running, cycling and HIIT.
Shop the Fitbit Charge 5 here:
Is the Fitbit Charge 5 waterproof?
The Fitbit Charge 5 is waterproof up to 50 metres and I found it to be a great option for an hour's swimming sesh; it automatically detects how many lengths and metres you swam. The only downside to its water-based capabilities is that because the Charge 5 doesn't have any buttons and relies on a touch screen, unlocking the screen after being in water (or trying to pause whilst you're in it) to stop tracking the session can prove tricky with wet hands.
Can Fitbit Charge 5 answer calls?
Yes – but you can't actually speak to the person on the other line via the watch, you'll need to dig your phone out for that. But you can accept or reject a call via the Fitbit Charge 5.
Is the Fitbit Charge 5 good for wellbeing and sleep-tracking?
Initially, I was a little worried about using the Fitbit Charge 5, out of fear I'd become obsessed with every movement and stat. Amazingly, the watch can even tell you if it thinks you're ready to exercise, or ought to spend the day recovering, from the data gathered previously – which, as someone who feels semi-guilty for resting, I appreciated. Luckily, I didn't have any issues in terms of becoming too dependent on my Fitbit, nor did I find I was using it in an unhealthy way (note: if you do notice your eating or exercise habits changing in an extreme sense due to your fitness tracker, you can always get in touch with Beat, the eating disorder charity, or Mind, who offer mental health support).
But back to the wellbeing features that the Fitbit Charge 5 has to offer: the Daily Readiness Score, which I checked every morning, allows you to see the quality of your sleep, how hard you worked out the day prior, and your heart rate – although you'll need to be a Premium member to access this extra insightful info. Luckily when you purchase a Charge 5, you're offered six months free access to this.
Going beyond the fitness aspects, the EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor – another plus-point that the Charge 5 has over the Charge 4 – will monitor your stress levels and daily 'stress score' through changes in your sweat. It also checks out on the sleep front too, I found being able to track my night's rest fascinating, and it's even motivated me to go to bed earlier, set one alarm (not ten!), and think about my bedroom surroundings. You can also see exactly what your sleep cycle, score and sleep stages look like from the night before, including percentages of REM, awake time and light and deep sleep.
The watch also sends out reminders every hour to encourage you to walk 250 steps. To begin with I found these notifications annoying (disclaimer: you can turn these alerts off) but for someone who has a 9 to 5 desk-based job, this feature has actually really grown on me and encouraged me to be less sedentary during the working day.
You can also log the amount of water you drink and set a daily drinking goal. Although I didn't find this an essential thing to log manually, it's a great feature if you're wanting to stay aware of how hydrated you are. Same goes for logging food and calories.
Is the Fitbit Charge 5 good for tracking your period?
As someone who tracks and plans their life around their menstrual cycle, the fact that I could do exactly this and keep everything else health-related stored safely within one watch/app was beyond useful. The Fitbit Charge 5 accurately predicted when I was due on my period, how many days I had left in my cycle, and when my fertile window was.
Overall verdict?
I found the Charge 5 incredibly easy to use and it's helped me keep enough tabs on my activity and sleep – without things getting complicated or excessive. It's an affordable option (at £100) if you're looking to not only stay on track of your exercise, but want daily nudges to encourage you to reach your goals and better get to grips with your wellbeing. I also found the battery lasted on average between 5 to 7 days, which meant I didn't have to think about charging it often at all.
Pros to the Fitbit Charge 5
See your real-time pace and distance using GPS tracking when running
Six month membership to Fitbit Premium
Comes in three colours: Black/Graphite, Moon White/Soft Gold, and Gray Blue/Platinum
An EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor for measuring stress responses
Contactless payments
SpO2 (blood-oxygen level) and skin temperature tracking
Cons to the Fitbit Charge 5
No altimeter – while this wasn't personally a deal breaker, it could be something to think about if you're a keen hiker who wants to track altitude and floor levels
You need a premium membership to access the really great features
Completely touch screen, no buttons
Battery can last around 3 days if in constant use
Fitbit Charge 5 features
Touchscreen? Yes
Colour display? Yes OLED
GPS? Yes
Bluetooth? Yes
Compatibility: Android and iOs
Size: 3.678 CM x 1.12 CM x 2.279 CM
Weight: 28g
Battery life: Up to 7 Days
Material: Aluminium and silicone
Waterproof: Up to 50m depth
Accessories: Magnetic charging cable, two length straps (no wall adapter)
Shop the Fitbit Charge 5 here:
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