Fitbit products have long been recognized as some of the best activity trackers on the market, and the newest models don’t disappoint. The Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Luxe are two fitness watches that are currently available, but both do not quite offer the same amount of value. This is why we’ve created this Fitbit Luxe vs Charge 5 comparison.
The Fitbit Charge 5 and the Fitbit Luxe are fitness trackers that provide you with a whole host of information about your health. The most notable difference between these two devices is the price point, with the Fitbit Luxe being significantly cheaper than the Fitbit Charge 5. In this Fitbit Luxe vs. Charge 5 comparison, you’ll find all the info you need on the features, specs, price, and more to help you choose the one that fits your needs.
Fitbit Luxe vs. Charge 5: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fitbit Luxe | Fitbit Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Fitness tracker | Fitness tracker |
| Launch date | April 2021 | September 2021 |
| Battery life | 5 days | 7 days |
| Screen tech | AMOLED touchscreen | AMOLED touchscreen |
| Price | $149.99 | $179.99 |
| Screen size | 1.43 x 0.69 x 0.4 inches | 1.45 x 0.9 x 0.44 inches |
| Sensors | SpO2 sensor, optical heart rate monitor, 3-axis accelerometer | Ambient light sensor, EDA, ECG, SpO2, optical heart rate sensor, altimeter, 3-axis accelerometer |
| Weight | About 0.92 ounces/ 26.2 grams | About 0.99 ounces/ 28 grams |
| GPS | No (Connected GPS via smartphone) | Yes |
| Fitbit Pay | No | Yes |
Fitbit Luxe vs. Charge 5: What’s the Difference?
The Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Charge 3 are the latest devices from Fitbit. They both have a similar design and feature set, but there are some key differences between them.
Design
- Daily Readiness Score that reveals if you’re ready to exercise or should focus on recovery
- Daily Stress Management Score showing your body’s response to stress
- Band Size: Small: Fits wrist 5.1"- 6.7", Large: Fits wrist 6.7" - 8.3" in circumference
- Track your heart health with high and low heart rate notifications and ECG app
- Tracks SpO2, heart rate variability, skin temperature variation, and more
- Real-time pace and distance without your phone using built-in GPS
The Charge is Fitbit‘s flagship fitness tracker. It has an unmistakably sporty style and the largest screen available outside its smartwatches. The Fitbit Charge HR was the first Fitbit to integrate a heart rate sensor when it launched in 2014, and it’s still going strong five iterations later.
In contrast, Fitbit’s new Luxe line, which debuted in 2021, is heavily inspired by the Fitbit Alta, which the company retired a few years ago. It aims to provide a jewelry-like appearance. The Charge 5 comes with a case made of aluminum and a detachable silicone band. The Luxe comes in a unique version with soft gold stainless steel and a link bracelet, in addition to having a stainless steel case with a silicone band.
The Fitbit Luxe has a slim design that’s perfect for women looking for a stylish way to track their workouts and other daily activities. Both devices have color AMOLED touchscreens, with the Luxe having a 0.76-inch screen with a resolution of 124×206.
Although Fitbit hasn’t disclosed the Charge 5’s screen resolution, its larger 0.86-inch display gives users more room to view watch faces, stats, and other information. If you don’t want to raise your arm to check the time, it also has an always-on mode, which will cut into the claimed 7-day battery life.
Health, Fitness, and Sports Tracking Features
Both watches can continuously monitor your heart rate and measure your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) while you sleep. However, only the Charge 5 will send notifications if your heart rate changes. While the Charge 5 and Luxe can both track exercise, only the Charge 5 features an onboard GPS that enables it to track your route, distance, and speed while you run, walk or cycle outdoors without having to connect to your phone.
The Fitbit Luxe uses the location services provided by your phone since it only has a connected GPS. You can’t monitor your routes and pace without carrying your phone because this is less accurate than onboard GPS. The Fitbit Charge 5 also has an EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor, which detects minute variations in skin conductance induced by adrenal activity – a good means of measuring stress levels.
The greater the number of EDA responses recorded over time, the more stressed you are likely to be. This Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Sense work best if you also have a Fitbit Premium subscription, which offers you access to a variety of guided breathing and meditation sessions that can help you relax. The Charge 5 also features an ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor, which was not enabled at the time of its release.
Smartwatch Features
- Vibrant color display
- Sleep tracking and Sleep Score in the Fitbit app
- Get an alert when you reach your target heart rate during exercise
- 24/7 heart rate tracking
- Stress management features
- Black/Graphite
- One size
The Fitbit Charge 5 and Luxe aren’t fully-fledged smartwatches (for that, you’ll need the Fitbit Versa 3 or Fitbit Sense), but they do feature a slew of tools that will come in handy throughout the day. Both, for example, will send smartphone notifications to your wrist, ensuring that you never miss a call, text, or WhatsApp message. The Charge 5 also supports Fitbit Pay, which allows you to make contactless transactions with just your fitness tracker.
However, it’s worth noting that neither gadget can manage your phone’s audio player or stream music from a service like Spotify. Both devices also offer a do-not-disturb mode, so you won’t be disturbed by notifications when you need to focus. They also include a sleep mode, which prohibits them from notifying you while you sleep.
Battery Life
The Charge 5 tracker has the longest battery life. Similar to the Charge 4, it guarantees a 7-day battery life. When it comes to charging, it takes two hours to go from 0% to 100%. Fitbit warns that using SpO2 monitoring and the always-on display option will cause the battery to discharge more quickly. In contrast, the Luxe will give you a battery life of up to 5 days, a few days less than what the Charge 5 can offer.
Fitbit Luxe vs. Charge 5: Five Must-Know Facts
- The Fitbit Luxe and the Fitbit Charge 5 are stylish, fitness-focused wearables.
- Fitbit’s new flagship, the Fitbit Charge 5, is an incremental upgrade to its last generation, but it offers a handful of new features that make it worth your consideration.
- Fitbit Charge 5 has a longer battery life (7 days) compared to Luxe (5 days).
- The Luxe is around $30 less expensive than the Charge 5, and if you want a fitness tracker that is both attractive and functional, the Luxe is your best bet.
- The Charge 5 has a universal appearance, whereas the Luxe is designed for a feminine market.
Fitbit Luxe vs. Charge 5: Pros and Cons
| Fitbit Luxe: Pros | Fitbit Luxe: Cons |
|---|---|
| Impressive heart rate monitoring | Fitbit Premium required for the full experience |
| Bright, crisp AMOLED display | Small screen limits visible data |
| Sleek, attractive design | No built-in GPS, NFC, or altimeter |
| Capable health tracking | Notifications feel cramped |
| Robust companion app | Lacks Fitbit Pay |
| Fitbit Charge 5: Pros | Fitbit Charge 5: Cons |
|---|---|
| Tracks skin temperature variations, SpO2, breathing rate, and overnight HRV | The screen feels too small |
| Supports mobile payments | No physical buttons |
| Built-in GPS | Daily Readiness score needs Fitbit Premium |
| Solid performance | More expensive than the Charge 4 |
| Lovely OLED display | Exercise options could be expanded |
| Always-on color touchscreen | No altimeter for elevation tracking |
Fitbit Luxe vs. Charge 5: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Fitbits are a great way to monitor your health, so it’s important to pick one that meets your needs. If you have been using Fitbit products for a while now and want to upgrade your current Fitbit device, you might want to consider buying the Fitbit Charge 5 or the Fitbit Luxe. Both devices are top-notch choices that offer impressive features at affordable price points.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is the newer model of the two, but it’s still a great option if you want a fitness tracker that will track your steps and sleep. It also has an improved heart rate monitor, which means you can keep tabs on your heart health without having to do any extra work.
The Fitbit Luxe is designed for people looking for a more stylish option, which is why it has a sleek design that looks better with any outfit. It also has some nice features like reminders to move and automatic tracking of steps taken with its built-in accelerometer. Ultimately, the winner of this Fitbit Luxe vs. Charge 5 comparison will depend on your budget, needs, and preferences.
Up Next…
- Apple Watch vs Samsung Watch: Which Is Superior? They are both the latest smartwatch incarnations of their respective brands. Yet one has a battery which is far more powerful than the other, while one can work with either Android or iOS. Find out which ones they are and which smartphone outpaces the other.
- Fitbit Versa vs. Apple Watch: Which is Better? They both come with excellent customizable options. However, one is far more versatile in terms of functionality while the other has an impressively long-lasting battery. Discover which device is which and the better choice between the two.
- Fitbit Sense vs. Apple Watch 7: How Do They Compare? Which comes with more connectivity options? More sensors? Longer battery life? The answers to these questions and more can be seen right here.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©ZikG/Shutterstock.com.
