The Fitbit Charge 2 has a claimed power consumption of around 3 hours, but at least it has 3,000mAh in its battery. With that much capacity, it’s certainly capable of a full day of active use.
As with most Fitbit trackers, the Charge 2 has an ambient light sensor. This is a good thing, as you don’t need to look at your wrist in the dark (you can turn it off in the settings).
Fitbit Charge 2
The Charge 2 does have its fair share of buttons. Most notable are the Stop and Rest modes. The buttons are soft, which is a big plus. The Stop mode also takes a second to become active (like the Fitbit Charge HR), making for a non-user friendly experience.
Like other Fitbit trackers, the Charge 2 offers customizable alerts. This makes it easier to configure the default behavior of the device when an alarm goes off. Also, it allows the user to customize how much heart rate data the device is receiving.
At the time of this review, the Charge 2 was out of stock at both Walmart and Amazon, and the Fitbit website has not yet updated its Find Your Fitness store to reflect the device’s availability.
Despite all this, I think the Charge 2 is a great device and will be an all-purpose activity tracker for the bulk of its lifespan. After all, the Charge 2 has a slim, lightweight body and is very comfortable to wear during hours spent on the go. The low-profile design allows you to go about your business in a more discreet manner than many of today’s fitness trackers.
The Charge 2’s new accelerometer offers custom alerts, as well as a new sleep tracking feature. What’s more, you can enjoy a slimmer, streamlined interface with less scrolling for notifications and activity-tracking options. So whether you’re chasing the latest running time, your weight, or data points from your chest strap, the Charge 2 offers something for everyone.
Streamlined UI
With an all-new, streamlined interface, running has never been simpler or more rewarding with the Charge 2.
Upgraded with the incredible power of a new sensor, the Charge 2 boasts an unprecedented 30% faster response time than the original. Get the most out of your workout today with the fastest speed and recovery potential.
The Charge 2’s new accelerometer and magnetometer sensor provide a better sense of footstrike and the most accurate GPS output available. The Charge 2 then uses its own proprietary algorithms to automatically select the right route for you based on your running form, speed and distance.
Charge 2 Accessories
The Charge 2 works perfectly with Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2, as well as Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and S6 Edge, and iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 6s, 6 Plus, 6 and iPhone 7 Plus. All of these smartphones, along with any of the other Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple Watch Series 4 smartwatches, will work seamlessly with the Charge 2, including the wireless charging technology found in the newer watches.
The Charge 2 wirelessly charges your Apple Watch when you put it to your side and while your wrist is still in contact with your Apple Watch or iPhone. In fact, if you don’t have the Charge 2 charging case or your Watch is in its charging case, the Watch will simply go to sleep when the connection is lost.
Apple Watch has always used a proprietary Quick Charge USB charging case that plugs into your PC or Mac. The Charge 2 case is a slim rectangular case that fits over your Apple Watch, removing the bulky charging case and charging cable from your Watch’s charging port. When you’re on the go or with your Watch on the wrist, the Charge 2 case provides up to 30 watts of charging power. Apple Watch’s current max charge of 20w is made up of 6.25w of power from a 9.7V battery, and the whole pack can charge from the Watch’s 48-hour charging standby mode for up to 14 days, while the Charge 2 case can provide up to 30w for 9.7V batteries, keeping your battery topped up for longer.
Moreover
If we had to pick the best fitness smartwatch, the Fitbit Charge 3 would be our first choice for sure. And there’s no mistake – this watch is a fantastic tool in every way. The next best option might be the Huawei Watch Sport, but the sensor can be found on the Moto 360 Sport, and you might not be in the best shape to handle it, so the Sport is the better option for most people.
The Fitbit Charge 2 is our second pick and the Huawei Watch 3 is the third. In the end though, I would definitely recommend the Huawei Watch 3 over the Moto 360 as well. The 360 will have some great features that you won’t get with the Huawei Watch 3. The Huawei Watch 3 is more durable and more likely to survive out in the wild (it also has a waterproof case). The ability to create a customizable face is also much appreciated.
The Fitbit Charge 2 is the least likely to keep you informed about every single thing that’s going on in your life (aside from the Fitbit Cloud app). The Huawei Watch 3 is the most intelligent in the world with its notifications and reminders, as well as the ability to read new text messages right on the wrist.
To put it mildly, this is not one of the best ways to get everything out of your Fitbit, either. With the release of the brand new Android Wear 2.0, this is a less comfortable situation than the Apple Watch.
Do you know where your Fitbit can be bought?
Of course, there’s no way we can miss this one, no matter how little we actually understand about the concept of the “upsell.” It’s worth noting that Fitbit isn’t calling this a “better buy.” Rather, it’s saying that it will reduce the confusion about what each device does and what you can get for it. And, in the case of some devices, that’s a good thing.
Slightly different than the other Fitbit watches, which feature the same basic hardware (1.64-inch, 240 x 320 pixel LCD, heart rate monitor), you’ll need to spend a bit more for Fitbit devices with more advanced features. The Fitbit Charge 2’s $130 adds some heart-rate tracking and other advanced features, and you’ll pay $200 for the Surge’s $180.
The number of options can feel overwhelming for someone looking to buy a smartwatch, and there are plenty of things you can choose from:
From software to its sensors to features and size, you can pick the best Fitbit device for you and your specific needs. For example, if you want a wrist-worn device that tracks your steps and activity, you could go with the Charge 2 and that’s what we’re going to review today.
