It’s been five years since Google officially acquired Fitbit for a reported $2.1 billion, grabbing hardware and software teams that also absorbed assets from Pebble, which Fitbit itself acquired in 2016. So, how have things changed? Well, for starters, Fitbit is now Google Fitbit. It’s not the most imaginative of name changes, and it hasn’t stuck in consumers’ minds, but the good news is that Fitbit devices remain some of the most user-friendly and welcoming fitness trackers available. This is especially true if you’re just starting, or reigniting, your fitness journey.
Fitbit’s dominance has waned slightly in the face of countless alternatives, but its affordable approach, user-friendly interface, and great styling make it one of the best wearable fitness brands. If you’re looking for a reliable step-counting, sleep-tracking monitor, you’re in for a treat—and thanks to Google’s stewardship, you can now even find a smartwatch with features to rival the competition. Here are my picks of the best Fitbit trackers, whatever your wearable needs are.
For more wearable recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Fitness Trackers, Best Smart Rings, and Best Garmin Watches.
Updated July 2026: I’ve added the Google Fitbit Air and incorporated pros and cons to all of our recommendations. Product information, links, and prices were also updated.
Jump To
Best Fitbit Overall
-
Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
-
%20SOURCE%20Google.png)
-
%20SOURCE%20Google.png)
-
%20SOURCE%20Google.png)
WIRED
- Lightest, most comfortable Fitbit yet
- Full suite of wellness metrics across fitness, sleep, and health
- Customizable and user-controlled app experience
- AI Health Coach adds motivational value
TIRED
- Automatic activity detection can misclassify workouts
- AI Health Coach sometimes defaults to shallow prompts
- Overemphasis on proprietary Google scores
If you don’t need another screen competing for your attention, the Google Fitbit Air is the one I’d recommend to most people. At just 12 grams, it’s the lightest Fitbit—you’ll forget you’re wearing it—yet it quietly tracks everything that matters: heart rate, sleep, daily activity, skin temperature variations, and menstrual health (to name a few). And instead of constantly checking stats on your wrist, you’ll find all insights in the Google Health app, where your data is presented in an easy-to-understand format.
Read the full article here