You can see a full comparison of Fitbit devices in our full buying guide. Weighing just 30g and measuring under half an inch at its thickest point, the Charge 4 is sleek and stylish. I’m particularly impressed by the sleep tracking, which is far ahead of what other bands can do (the Apple Watch can’t even track sleep, for example). Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness Tracker, 99.95, available at Fitbit. For my run/walk, the map showed that I reached cardio zone shortly after heading out, then alternated between fat burn, cardio, and peak zones for the rest of the time. That said, anything you might need to see in terms of fitness tracking, the Charge 4 screen shows without issues. In the craziest year that we are having so far, 2020 came with a lot of news and one of those is the latest Fitbit model, the Charge 4 … Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker. Wear Fitbit Charge 4 all day and night to record and reveal your resting heart rate, track heart rate trends over time, and follow your progress. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. With a personalised Sleep Score in the Fitbit app and new sleep mode, know how well you've … The Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker builds on its predecessors with the addition of standalone GPS, Spotify support, more sleep tools, and Fitbit Pay. One you get it set up, you can use Fitbit Pay anywhere that accepts contactless payments. And therein lies the problem for the Charge 4. Fitbit Charge 4: 10.01 km. Fitbit Charge 4 Review 2020 Released in April this year (2020), the Fitbit Charge 4 was praised as a superb fitness tracker. Fitbit Charge 4 uses Bluetooth 4.0 to send and receive data, and it works with macOS 12.2 or newer, iPhone 5S and later, iPad 5 and later, and Android 7 or newer. To preserve battery life, you can enable a feature called Dynamic GPS that uses your phone's GPS when you have it with you, and the Charge 4's GPS when you don't. During a run, the Charge 4 shows your distance and pace on the screen, as well as how long you’ve been going. The Charge 4 comes with a woven band that differentiates it from the last several Fitbit devices. Another nice upgrade to the Charge 4 is that Fitbit Pay now comes standard on all models. Though we'd like to see a color screen, the $149.95 Charge 4 is an excellent update, and an Editors’ Choice. To set up Spotify, go to the Charge 4 section of the Fitbit app, select Apps, then select Spotify. If not, Fitbit’s original Charge 3 is basically the same band, except it could be had for cheaper. A sleep score of 90 or above is considered “excellent,” between 80 and 90 is “good,” between 60 and 79 is “fair,” and less than 60 is “poor.” Fitbit says most people get between 72 and 83. For an accurate heart rate reading, you should wear the Charge 4 tight enough so that it won’t move around, but not so tight that it leaves a mark on your wrist or cuts off your circulation. Fitbit Charge 4 review: Small and steady wins the race A focus on fitness keeps the Charge 4 ahead of the pack. Tracking Your Health? The addition of built-in GPS makes the Charge 4 an even better fitness … The Best Fitbit: Which One Is Right for You? Both fitness trackers have their perks from price tag to features, but it really comes down to what you're looking for in a tracker. Fitbit Charge 4 Review – Is it Worth it? Named the Charge 4, it is an iterative update over 2018’s Charge 3, with the only real addition being built-in GPS so it can track runs or bicycle rides without needing to be tethered to a phone. Amazon’s online store in the US also lists the Versa 2 at a lower price point than the Charge 4. Note that you must have a Spotify Premium subscription to use the music streaming service on Fitbit. The Charge 4 can also display notifications from your phone for calls, texts, and meeting invites. There are some important differences to be aware of when choosing between Charge 4 and 3. You also need to have your phone connected. Built-in GPS Robust companion app Spotify support More sleep tools Fitbit Pay available on all models (not just Special Edition) Motivating Active Zone Minutes metric Stylish design The interface is basic and uncluttered. By default, the screen shuts off quickly to save battery life, though you can adjust how long it stays on via the Screen Time Out setting. She is a graduate of West Virginia University's Perely Isaac Reed School of Journalism. This helps the tracker achieve a more more symmetrical profile. The new Fitbit Charge 4 is out now, but does it have enough to warrant an upgrade from the previous model, the Charge 3? If prompted, enter your four-digit PIN code, and your card will appear on the screen. My bedroom unfortunately faces a major Hong Kong road that’s undergoing overnight construction, and although the noise isn’t enough to wake me up completely, it has kept me from going into deep sleep. The Fitbit Charge 4 is thin, estimating 35.8mm x 22.7mm x 12.5mm, thus light you'll effectively overlook you're wearing it – a genuine in addition to for a gadget that is intended to be worn both day and night, with just the intermittent break to give your skin a rest. To control notifications on your device, just head over to the Charge 4 section of the Fitbit app, tap Notifications, and use the toggle to turn call, text, and calendar alerts on or off. Thanks to the addition of GPS, Spotify controls, more sleep tracking tools, and Fitbit Pay on all models, the Charge 4 stands out as one of the best advanced fitness trackers you can buy, and our Editors’ Choice. The app notes that “blood oxygen saturation normally fluctuates, but high variations can be linked to breathing issues.”. I typically don’t like wearing anything around my wrist to bed, but the Charge 4’s slim form factor makes it surprisingly comfortable to sleep in. Justin Mastine-Frost | Jun 22 2020 - 1:16 pm. Rating: 8/10. Wait, Amazon's New Wearable Needs to See Me in My Underwear? The Fitbit Charge 4 is a modest yet important update to the Charge 3, the company’s most capable fitness band. In-Depth Review: https://dcra.in/FitbitCharge4Charge 4 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RG8mi1 (link helps support channel, thanks! Fitbit Charge 4 vs Charge 3 – Fitbit Pay now comes as standard. Fitbit Charge 4 review, one month later: All the fitness tracking you could ask for, plus some smartwatch goodies. The Charge 4 has a heart rate sensor on its back that detects heart beat from the wrist. Onwards and upwards, as the motto goes for any tech product, the Fitbit Charge 4 is the latest evolution of a Fitbit classic. GPS): Specific to the Charge 4, with a note that *ALL OTHER THINGS ARE EQUAL CALIBER TO THE CHARGE 3*, the GPS (which is really the only major new feature of the Charge 4) … Fitbit also recommends regularly cleaning it and your wrist, especially after working out or sweating. You can see graphs for each night showing the amount of time you spent asleep and awake, your sleep stages throughout the night, and how your sleeping heart rate fluctuated. To use the Charge 4’s GPS, just select one of the compatible workouts, wait for the GPS signal, then tap Start. Thanks to the addition of GPS connectivity and a SpO2 sensor, the Fitbit Charge 4 is an excellent fitness tracker that will meet any entry-level or semi-serious athletes needs. In terms of looks, however, they are almost identical. The Fitbit Charge 3 debuted back in 2018 as one of the best fitness trackers on the market, and now with the Charge 4, Fitbit's taking that same formula and cranking it up to 11. One limitation is that you can’t track a workout in the background and use another app at the same time. Angela is PCMag's smart home and wearable device analyst. The app explains that, “during deep sleep, your muscles relax and repair themselves, and during REM sleep your memory and mood are refreshed as you dream.”. On my third night, I decided to wear ear plugs and logged a solid 6 hours and 41 minutes, earning a sleep score of 80. When you’re outside in the shade, the Charge 4’s screen is easy to read. The Fitbit Community is a gathering place for real people who wish to exchange ideas, solutions, tips, techniques, and insight about the Fitbit products and services they love. Some smaller omissions taint the otherwise great product, though. It was paired with my Google Pixel 4 XL for the duration of this review. Fitbit says the Charge 4’s battery lasts up to seven days, or up to five hours while using GPS. But Fitbit’s smartwatch is just better and more capable in almost very way for less. How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, Design, Navigation, Battery Life, and Setup. The Fitbit Charge line has produced some of our favorite fitness trackers on the market since the original model’s debut in 2014. To see your Sleep Score, just swipe up from the clock face. And the Versa 2 can do more than the Charge 4 simply by virtue of having a larger screen. The Charge 4 is the first Fitbit device with Active Zone Minutes, which measure how hard you worked during an activity based on your age and resting heart rate. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Fitbit's two main … It can be used at temperatures that vary between -4°and -140° Fahrenheit or -20° and 60° Celsius. This is a great feature if you sleep with someone or have roommates and thin walls. The Charge 4 looks sleek, measuring less than half an inch at its thickest point. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. Keep an eye on your inbox! I especially like the styling of the Special Edition (pictured in this review), which costs $20 more than the standard model, but comes with a reflective granite/black woven band, plus a classic black flexible plastic band you can use for sweaty workouts. Fitbit says the Charge 4’s battery lasts up to seven days, or up to five hours while using GPS. During my 23-minute walk/run, for instance, I accrued 42 Active Zone Minutes. From there, press Settings and log into your Spotify account. While sleep tracking has been available on Fitbit devices since the original Charge, the fourth-generation model features some sleep tools that were previously only available on the more expensive Versa 2 smartwatch. In the craziest year that we are having so far, 2020 came with a lot of news and one of those is the latest Fitbit model, the Charge 4 that comes with a big question: Is … By … You can't, for instance, click into a playlist and select a specific song you want to hear. Fitbit Charge 4 review notes: I used the Fitbit Charge 4 for one week, running software version 48.20001.82.42. The Fitbit Charge 4 price is $149.95 whereas Fitbit Charge 4 Special Edition is available in $169.95. It helps that Fitbit’s companion app is clean and easy to use, showing in-depth statistics with graphics about how my heart is beating or calories burned. Each morning, the Fitbit app gives you a Sleep Score based on everything from sleep duration to sleep stages, heart rate and variations in blood oxygen levels, aka SPO2. However, incoming notifications—which are mirrored from the phone—are relatively hard to read. Fitbit's Charge 3 remains a capable health and fitness tracker with many of the same features found in the newer Charge 4. After last year’s excellent Versa 2 smartwatch, Fitbit is back with a new standalone fitness tracker. Competition. Another color-coded map shows changes in your pace throughout the run. After wearing it for a full 24 hours (before testing GPS), the Charge 4 still had 85 percent battery, which is pretty good. Unfortunately, charging is done via a proprietary plug. Fitbit Charge 4 review notes: I used the Fitbit Charge 4 for one week, running software version 48.20001.82.42. I'm a Chinese-American journalist in Hong Kong, covering consumer tech in Asia. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. This feature is convenient, and especially helpful in the age of COVID-19, allowing you to reduce your contact with potentially germ-laden point-of-sale systems. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. The Fitbit Charge 3 debuted back in 2018 as one of the best fitness trackers on the market, and now with the Charge 4, Fitbit's taking that same formula and cranking it up to 11. Women can use the Fitbit app to track their periods and fertile windows, and view where they are in their cycle from their wrist. I selected the Mod Clock Date, which shows the current time, date, and your step count for the day. Absolutely fed up with this brand now as similar things happened to me twice with a brand new Charge 4 … Using GPS to track a workout depleted that number significantly faster, but that was expected. Thanks to the Charge 4’s GPS, you can leave your phone at home and see your real-time pace and distance on your wrist. The app is a nice addition to the Charge 4, but its controls are somewhat basic. Fitbit isn’t the only wearable company that didn’t have many -- or any -- fitness bands with built-in GPS. As one of the original fitness tracker makers, Fitbit’s software is among the best in the industry at tracking all things body related. You earn one Active Zone Minute for each minute spent in fat burn zone—regardless of what type of workout you're doing—and double for time spent in cardio or peak zone. The app also shows an Estimated Oxygen Variation graph indicating changes in your breathing as you slept. Fitbit Pay works with Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, PNC, SunTrust, Wells Fargo, and many other banks and card issuers (for the full list, head here). I enabled notifications from Amazon, Coinbase, and Slack, for instance, but left them off for Snapchat. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. The Charge 4 is water resistant to 164 feet; I wore it in the shower several times without incident. The new SpO2 … The Fitbit Charge 4 is a modest yet important update to the Charge 3, the company’s most capable fitness band. It was paired with my Google Pixel 4 XL for the duration of this review. Open rating explainer. To set it up, you first need to set a four-digit PIN code for your Charge 4, then enter your credit or debit card information and billing address. When you reach fat burn, cardio, or peak zone, it will vibrate and show an encouraging notification on the screen. She previously spent eight years as a PCMag reporter, and prior to that was a reporter for SC Magazine, covering hackers and computer security. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. There are some pretty significant feature upgrades with the Charge 4, but depending on what you need out of your fitness tracker, both are still … The new Charge 4 will be available to retailers from April 15, 2020. That said, the grayscale is getting a bit long in the tooth at this point,  especially compared with the bright, colorful display on the $25 Wyze Band. That means you can’t go back to the Spotify app to control your music, or even the clock face to see the time, unless you end your workout. Spotify support has been a top request among Charge device users, so it’s nice to see it on the fourth-generation model. The Charge 4’s problem isn’t rival trackers, but its own bigger brother. The Charge 4 tracks your steps, distance, floors climbed, calories burned, and Active Zone Minutes, a new metric earned for time spent in fat burn, cardio, or peak heart rate zone. Fitbit Charge 4 Review. You can customize the tracker with different watch faces, depending on your mood or the look you’re going for that day. Fitbit Versa 3 vs Charge 4: The bottom line The biggest difference between Versa 3 and Charge 4 is the look. Fitbit Charge 4 Wrap Up. Swiping left from the clock face lets you access on-device apps, including Exercise, Spotify, Agenda, Relax, Timers, Alarms, Weather, and Settings. In terms of design, the Charge 4 does not differ from the Charge 3 much, except the physical clicky button has replaced by a pressure sensitive haptic button. Update: September 21, 2020: We have updated our Fitbit Charge 4 review with new discounts on Amazon. While Fitbit Pay was available on … Just to start by going over old ground, the Charge 4’s heart rate accuracy is solid – but it will let you down at the highest intensity (as all optical monitors will). The first night I tracked my sleep using the Charge 4, it said I slept for 6 hours and 22 minutes, and gave me a sleep score of 77. The Fitbit Charge 4 is the company's first fitness tracker with built-in GPS. It’s in black and white and doesn’t get too bright—there are fitness bands at half the price that offer a color screen already. The Fitbit Charge 4 debuted at the end of March 2020, and was an eagerly awaited update since the Charge 3 release two years earlier. On the Charge 3, the mobile payment system was limited to the pricier Special Edition model.. With Fitbit Pay, you can leave your wallet at home and pay right from your wrist. Source: Fitbit. The Fitbit Charge 4 shows its bezels when you choose an analog … In testing, I sometimes had to tap the screen several times to get it to wake up, which can be annoying. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Fitbit says you should dry the tracker after wearing it in water to avoid skin irritation. My advice is to wait until the moment you’re about to pay to pull up your card. Its display could be better, but the Charge 4 has a sleek design, good battery life, and is water-friendly. I tested this feature for a 23-minute walk/run and it worked perfectly. There are six preinstalled Exercise Shortcuts on the Charge 4, including run, bike, swim, walk, treadmill, and outdoor workout, but if those aren’t your favorite activities, you can easily customize the list. I did loosen it a notch, but it still tracked my sleep just fine. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The Fitbit Charge 4 shows its bezels when you choose an analog clock face. Now, you can track your running, biking and swimming as … Your daily Sleep Score gives you a “snapshot of your sleep quality and duration,” based on the amount of time you spent asleep and awake, how much deep and REM sleep you got, your sleeping heart rate, and how restless you were. Fitbit Charge 4 vs Charge 3: Specs. There’s a good variety of options to choose from, including bootcamp, kickboxing, martial arts, Pilates, spinning, tennis, and more. Even with larger dimensions, the Fitbit Charge 4 won't look or feel much bigger than the Charge 3. In the sun, I had to squint. Fitbit Charge 4: Heart rate. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Fitbit Charge 4 is the first Fitbit tracker with built-in GPS – here's what it’s like on the run We tested it for two weeks and think it’s the best fitness tracker you can get The Fitbit Charge 4 is the company's first fitness tracker with built-in GPS. After completing a run, the Charge 4 shows a summary, including the length of your workout, how many miles you traveled, your average pace, how many Active Zone Minutes you accrued, your average and max heart rate, how many calories you burned, the number of steps you took, and how high you climbed. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Plus Fitbit Pay is now available on all Charge 4 models, not just the more expensive Special Edition. Fitbit Charge 4 review: Small and steady wins the race A focus on fitness keeps the Charge 4 ahead of the pack. In the data (link to analyze.dcrainmaker.com) you show stats with Fitbit at 9.64km. A writer for CNET evaluates all the sleep tracking features on the recently released Fitbit Charge 4. I’m an avid Versa 2 user, and the Charge 4’s grayscale screen pales in comparison to the Versa 2’s vibrant lush display. I can feel this physically as I’m more fatigued than usual, and Fitbit’s app analysis actually shows me struggling to enter deep sleep during the hours of construction. Review: Fitbit Charge 4. The Spotify app on the Charge 4 lets you browse your recently played music; play, shuffle, and skip content; like songs; and choose the music output. The second time, I pulled up my card while waiting in line, and it didn’t work at first. The Fitbit Charge 4 is a good fitness tracker with features such as in-built GPS, a heart rate monitor, and sleep tracking. Fitbit says the Charge 4’s battery lasts up to seven days, or up to five hours while using GPS. You can also opt to enable notifications from certain apps. If you use an Android phone, you can send quick replies to texts. Battery life is excellent for the Charge 4, as a single charge can last a full week. You can wake it by tapping the inductive button on the left side of the device (which also allows you to go back when navigating the interface), giving your wrist a small shake, or tapping the screen itself. The Charge 4 tracks the amount of time you spend in light, deep, and REM sleep each night. A new woven band this year helps it resemble a fashion accessory as much as a wrist-bound gadget. Fitbit Inspire HR vs. Samsung Galaxy Fit: Which $100 Fitness Tracker Should You Buy? From there, just follow the instructions in the app to pair it with your phone via Bluetooth and enable notifications. The Charge 4 uses a three-axis accelerometer and the optical heart rate sensor to measure your time asleep and the amount of time you spend in different sleep stages. You may opt-out by. That includes the ability to see your Sleep Score on your wrist, and Sleep Mode, which dims the display and silences all calls and texts at night. This is my first impression review (detailed) after wearing the watch for only one week, and having never used a smartwatch or fitness band before. Some smaller omissions taint the otherwise great product, though. The Fitbit Charge 4 is a real evolution from its predecessor, and GPS is an excellent addition that helps bridge the gap between fitness bands and fully-fledged sports watches. Fitbit Versa 2. Fitbit updates its most advanced tracker with GPS and Spotify support. It may not be as innovative as other Fitbits, such as the Ionic , Versa 3 or the brand new Sense , but it brought important improvements over the fourth-generation Fitbit Charge . I had to go back and pull up my card again, then it worked. Like its predecessor, the Charge 4 features a grayscale touch screen that measures one inch diagonally. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep & Swim Tracking, Black/Black, One Size (S &L Bands Included) at Amazon.com. The Charge 4 lasts two extra days on a single charge and has a smaller footprint than the Versa 2, that’s about it. Fitbit Charge 4 review: Built-in GPS and better sleep tracking, plus it's pretty The Fitbit Charge 4 is the best all around fitness tracker of 2020 and has received CNET's Editors' Choice. Compare Fitbit Charge 4 prices before buying online. Before focusing on this exciting beat, I was a general culture writer and editor with, I'm a Chinese-American journalist in Hong Kong, covering consumer tech in Asia. Honest and unbiased product reviews from our users Oxygen saturation normally fluctuates, but its controls are somewhat basic achieve! And voila expert reviews, user ratings, and REM sleep each night and buy a product or service we... 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