Note: We may earn commissions (at no cost to you) if you buy through links on our site. Learn more.
NOTE: This model is discontinued and may no longer be available to purchase new. See the Fitbit here.

Fitbit Charge 2 review

8.5/10 AVG.
RATING
Compare Compare  

Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit Charge 2
...

A refreshed design, larger screen and enhanced activity capabilities make the Fitbit Charge 2 an excellent midrange fitness tracker.

- Mike Prospero, Tom's Guide 

Specs / Features


Specification
Warranty (Months) -
Size 25 x 2 cm (9.9 x 0.8 in)
Weight N/A
Suggest a correction
Reviews summary section

What's good

  • 5-day battery life
  • Accurate HR measurement
  • VCO2 estimations
  • Great app
  • Stylish appearance
  • Comfortable fit
  • Multiple size and color options

What's bad

  • Not waterproofed
  • No GPS
  • Sunlight visibility
  • Proprietary charge cable

As a leader in fitness wearables, there’s a good chance if you have friends with a fitness tracker, at least one is a Fitbit product. They’re revamping their lineups and bringing advanced features to some of their mid-range devices. The Charge 2 is one of these.

But the big problem with mid-tier devices of any sort is balance. Making it high-end enough to justify the price over the base model but keeping costs low enough to create value is a tricky act.

Does the Charge 2 tick all the right boxes? Let’s dig into what’s being said around the web!

Reviewers loves the new design of the Charge 2. The bands are thinner and the screen is larger than previous Fitbit models. This creates a sleeker look that doesn’t scream for attention while you’re at the office or out with friends. Recombu noted, “The Charge 2 is a bit of a chunky monkey, but it's also reassuringly light when strapped to your wrist. You shouldn't feel it sat there when you're working out, or even just during everyday use.”

The buckles on the wristbands are now steel instead of plastic, providing a sturdier grip and easier removal.

While the display is bigger, it’s still just a black and white OLED. Reviewers like the fonts choices and layouts—particularly for mobile notifications from their smartphones. However, there were also issues with visibility in direct sunlight. Tom’s Guide noted, “I also found it hard to see outdoors, especially in bright sunlight; I wish there were a way to reverse the colors (like on the vivosmart HR) so that it could be black text on a white background, or vice versa.”

A single 1.5 hour charge nets you roughly 5 days of battery life. Charging requires a proprietary clip-on charge cable. So you must carry a spare cable in your kit if you’re traveling.

Reviewers with multiple devices found the Charge 2 to report similar numbers to the devices they trust. The only complaints regarded an overly sensitive sleep tracker. However, you can calibrate the sleep tracker sensitivity within Fitbit’s mobile app to suit your sleeping arrangements.

The app was the highlight of most reviews. As one of the first companies to release consumer-grade fitness trackers, Fitbit has had plenty of time to iron out the kinks and polish features. Social sharing, data reports, mapping, tracking specific workouts, reviews indicate it’s all there.

Mashable raved about the app, saying, “Fitbit has also given some serious upgrades to its actual workout-tracking features, which is undoubtedly where the Charge 2 excels most. In addition to the standard metrics like steps, flights and heart rate, Fitbit has added the ability to track 19 different types of activities. These cover your standard gym routines (treadmill running, elliptical and weight lifting) to interval workouts, circuit training and yoga, as well as outdoor activities like tennis and hiking.”

Overall, reviewers had no problems recommending the Charge 2 unless you’re a swimmer. The tracker isn’t waterproofed in any way. Tom’s Guide summarized opinions well, saying, “There's nothing hugely revolutionary about the Charge 2, but its new features, as well as its new design, make it the best fitness tracker in its price range.”


Use this product?

Help inform others by sharing your experience with Fitbit Charge 2

Rate It:

Resources


Review Sources and Citations Share / Embed

Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.

Q&A Forum


No questions for the moment.