14 Reasons to Avoid a Fitbit Charge 5 at All Costs

Key Points

• The Fitbit Charge 5 is a popular fitness tracker, but there are several reasons to avoid it, including its high price compared to similar models.
• The Charge 5 lacks music features, limited workout tracking options, and does not have a snore tracking feature.
• Other drawbacks of the Charge 5 include the absence of an altimeter, short battery life, and no wireless charging capability.

Fitbit wearables are popular devices for those seeking a healthier lifestyle. They enable users to track fitness progress and goals. However, we’ve amassed a considerable list of reasons to avoid a Fitbit Charge 5, one of the latest products from this leading fitness device company. Review our list before you rush out to spend almost $200 on this fitness tracker. 

Background on the Fitbit Charge 5

Fitbit has enjoyed success with its fitness tracking devices since its inception. The Fitbit Charge 5 launched on August 15, 2021, and was immediately compared to the Charge 4 and the Luxe, which had just hit the market a few months earlier. The Charge 5 and the Luxe are remarkably similar in many ways. They share identical software and a full-color AMOLED display. However, the Charge 5 has more of the expected health features and activity-tracking tools. 

The Charge 5 also has a new electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor first introduced on the Fitbit Sense. It tracks skin temperature while you sleep, although not during activity. Of course, to get the best of all the features, users must pay $10 per month for a Fitbit Premium subscription. 

Reasons to Avoid a Fitbit Charge 5

There are many reasons to like the Fitbit Charge 5, but as you will see, there are also several reasons to avoid it. Let’s review them here. 

1. Too Expensive

The initial cost of a Fitbit Charge 5 was almost $200. Most new ones are now in the $150 range with some bundles available for $180. This is at least comparable to the Sense ($172) and Luxe ($125). Of course, you can still get a new Charge 4 for $140. Considering that the Charge 5 is very similar to the Charge 4, there’s no reason to pay for the upgrade. 

2. No Music Features

Fitness aficionados who love listening to their favorite tunes while they exercise will immediately regret purchasing a Fitbit Charge 5. There is absolutely no accommodation for streaming, storing, or listening to music. If you buy one, strap your Apple Watch Ultra or Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro onto your other wrist to enjoy music. 

3. Limited Workout Tracking

While fitness tracking is why you buy these devices, limited workout tracking is one of the primary reasons to avoid a Fitbit Charge 5 today. Yes, there are 20 workouts you can track, including running, swimming, cycling, and yoga. However, just like with the earlier Charge 4, you can only choose six of these workouts as visible and trackable options on the Charge 5 at one time. If you swap between seven or more workouts, it requires manually changing through the apps. 

Another workout limitation is the inability to record laps in real time. Earlier Fitbit devices allowed this right on the display, but the Charge 4 and 5 eliminate this feature. Who is concerned about their fitness but doesn’t want to record their laps? 

4. No Snore Tracking

This was a banner feature and a prime selling point of earlier Fitbit products, but snore tracking was left off the Charge 5. Eliminating the microphone negated the ability for snore tracking. However, this feature is available on their higher-end smartwatch lines (for more money). 

5. No Altimeter

This seems like a no-brainer for a fitness tracker to track hiking or ascended floors, but the Charge 5 lacks an altimeter. Of course, the Charge 4 has this feature; again, another reason not to upgrade from the Charge 4 to the Charge 5. 

6. Short Battery Life 

The Fitbit Charge 5 advertises a seven-day battery life. Researching many online reviews reveals that to be a bit longer than reality. Many reviews from actual customers found that using the maximum settings, which is why you buy a smartwatch or wearable device in the first place, reduces the battery life to about three days. 

7. No Wireless Charging 

Closely relating to the above reasons to avoid a Fitbit Charge 5 today is its lack of any adaptability for wireless charging. The Charge 5 comes with a magnetic charging cable but no wall adapter. There’s a greater need for charging but they’ve made charging the device harder.   

8. The Face Is Too Small 

Users of the Charge 4 will immediately notice that the Charge 5 is actually smaller at only 1.04 inches (26.43mm). If you had trouble with the small screen before, this doesn’t help. Plus, a different size face means you cannot use your old Charge 4 bands for the Charge 5. More spending is required. 

9. Flimsy Band Clasp 

If you are already disenchanted with the Charge 5’s size, this won’t help either. The clasp is quite flimsy for a device meant to be worn during activity. The band folds over a weak, flexible post, which seems like it could break off rather easily. 

10. No Incorporated Digital Assistant 

Another of the many reasons to avoid a Fitbit Charge 5 is the lack of a digital assistant. It can signal you with notifications — but that’s all. Reading them or responding to them requires connecting your Charge 5 to an Apple or Android smartwatch. Who wears two watches while exercising? 

11. No Weather App

Who doesn’t check the weather before heading outdoors to exercise? Fitbit Charge 5 users will have to brave the unknown elements or check their smartphone or smartwatch weather app before leaving. 

12. No Third-Party Apps Available 

Along the same vein as above, the Fitbit Charge 5 allows no third-party apps. If Fitbit doesn’t provide it, users are back to wearing a second smartwatch to get notifications or other applications while on the go. 

13. Fitbit Premium is Required for Full Functionality

We readily agree to give credit where credit is due and admit that the Fitbit Charge 5 has notable fitness features. That is, of course, if you subscribe monthly to Fitbit Premium. This is required to access workouts, recipes, and many insights into your own fitness data. Without the Premium membership, users get no sleep insights, stress management tools, or daily readiness scores. Other leading fitness wearable manufacturers provide your data insights for free. 

14. You’re Stuck with Fitbit Pay 

Health-conscious buyers looking for a fitness tracker may not need a contactless payment option, but the Charge 5 comes with Fitbit Pay. Unfortunately, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a store that accepts it. Even more unfortunate, you cannot remove the payments app to save space. 

Better Alternatives to the Fitbit Charge 5

If you’re looking for a comparable fitness tracker and these reasons to avoid a Fitbit Charge 5 have given you pause, here are some better alternatives. 

Xiaomi Band 7 Pro

The Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro (Global Version) is attractive, lightweight, and has all the fitness features you want. It has GPS, numerous health and fitness activity trackers, connectivity with other health data apps, heart rate and SpO₂ monitoring, plus over 110 Sports Modes. Enjoy up to 12 days of battery life and easy visibility on the high-resolution 1.64-inch AMOLED screen. 

All the Fitness Features You Could Want

Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro (Global Version)

$87.20

• GPS plus health and fitness activity trackers
• 1.64-inch AMOLED display
• Heart rate sensor, sleep tracker, and SpO₂ monitor
• 110+ sports modes
• 12-day battery life

Buy Now

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11/29/2023 03:55 am GMT

Huawei Band 7

The Huawei Band 7 is another attractive, lightweight smart fitness watch with a user-friendly UI and plenty of features. The Band 7 monitors sleep, steps, heart rate, and more. Plus, this smartwatch keeps you plugged in at all times by taking calls and messages, getting weather updates, controlling your favorite music, and even taking photos. Enjoy a clear 1.47-inch AMOLED display and up to two weeks of battery life! 

Great Value

HUAWEI Band 7 (2022)

$59.99

• Up to 10 days of battery life even with heavy usage
• HUAWEI fast charging delivers two days of use on a five-minute charge
• Monitors sleep, steps, heart rate, and more
• Compatible with iPhone and Android
• 1.47-inch AMOLED display

Buy Now

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11/29/2023 03:55 am GMT

Garmin Vivoactive 4

Higher-end users will likely gravitate towards the Garmin Vivoactive 4. This GPS fitness hybrid smartwatch has tons of health features, music, animated workouts, and more to satisfy the most health-conscious buyer. The Vivoactive tracks heart rate, respiration, hydration, sleep, stress, and women’s cycles, among other factors. Users will enjoy a clear 1.3-inch display and up to eight days of battery life. 

Best for Heart Rate Monitoring

Garmin Vivoactive 4

$299.95

• Health and fitness trackers include pulse oximeter, respiration, stress, sleep, estimated heart rate, women's cycles, hydration, and more
• Download songs from music providers like Spotify and Amazon Music
• 20+ pre-loaded GPS and indoor sports
• Up to 8 days of battery life
• Safety and tracking features can send your real-time location to emergency contacts

Buy Now on Amazon

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11/29/2023 04:10 am GMT

Reasons You May Still Want to Buy a Fitbit Charge 5 

New fitness seekers without an existing smartwatch will likely be pleased with the Fitbit Charge 5. It will have more than enough features to help them get started on the road to better health. Newbies will typically not be too active and will not wear out or damage a flimsy band or smash the AMOLED watch face. Earbuds connected to a smartphone will be the norm, so they won’t notice the absence of music options on their fitness watch. 

Expensive fitness watches and other outdoor smartwatches are everywhere. One can easily spend $300 or $400 for a premium model with plenty of bells and whistles. Buyers should ask themselves just what features they would actually use in a fitness watch and if they are included in another type of smartwatch. Many modern smartwatches include basic fitness features and health apps, so a separate, dedicated fitness tracker may be redundant. 

However, the Fitbit Charge 5 is a great fitness tracker wearable for the right buyers. Those who choose this product over similar ones will likely be pleased with their overall choice. 

Alternatives to the Fitbit Charge 5

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