When comparing Fitbit Charge HR vs Apple Watch, the Slant community recommends Apple Watch for most people. In the question“What are the best fitness trackers that pair with iPhones?” Apple Watch is ranked 6th while Fitbit Charge HR is ranked 9th. The most important reason people chose Apple Watch is:
Health apps downloaded on iPhone can be integrated with Apple Watch
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Continuously measures your heart rate and intensity level to give you 24 hour stats
Throughout the day (and night), the Charge HR fitness tracker continuously measures your heart rate.
On the app, graphs show your heart rate throughout the day, providing stats such as time spent in the different zones (peak, cardio, and fat burn) as well as your average resting heart rate for that day.
Pro Can track your elevation so you know how high you've hiked
When connected to the GPS on your phone, the Charge HR is able to keep track of elevation. This is a great feature for hikers who often like to know how much elevation was gained over the course of the hike.
Pro The app and web platform do an excellent job of keeping you motivated
The Fitbit app lets you set goals and milestones which reward you with badges and trophies when reached.
You can also challenge friends and family, competing against them for top spot on the leader board.
Pro Compatible with nearly every smartphone
In addition to Android and iPhone support, the Charge HR fitness tracker also supports Windows Phone which is fairly rare.
While not an issue most of the time, when upgrading your phone you won't have to worry if your fitness tracker will work with it or not.
Pro Works well with iPhone
Health apps downloaded on iPhone can be integrated with Apple Watch
Pro Haptic feedback for notifications
Pro Heart rate sensor
Pro First -rate app support
Pro Digital Crown
The Digital Crown allows you to zoom in and out with various applications and can be used as a button.
Pro Sensitive touch
Allows for taps and presses to be registered as two different types of input.
Pro Standalone phone calls
Series 3 can make and receive phone calls by itself, without the need to connect to a smartphone.
Pro Can unlock your Mac
If you have a Mac with sufficient Bluetooth chip support the Apple Watch can be used in place of your password or touch ID to login/unlock the system when in proximity.
Pro Customizable watch faces
Can customize the watch faces with "complications" such as weather forecast, traffic, meeting schedule, etc… or your own photos.
Pro Great fitness app support
The Apple Watch integrates with virtually every well-known fitness and calorie tracking app out there.
Pro Siri / Digital Assistant Support
You can use Siri directly from the Apple Watch, allowing you to call or text, but also to get directions, and more.
Cons
Con Band is poorly made and tends to fall apart
Usually after a few months of wear, people start having issues with the band falling apart. Bubbles will appear under the top layer of the band and then the layers start separating.
The Fitbit Charge HR does not have a replaceable band, so you have to replace the whole device if it is no longer wearable.
Con Notifications are easily missed
While the Charge HR fitness tracker will vibrate to notify you of incoming messages on your phone, the vibration is subtle and short. Sometimes you won't notice the buzz and you'll miss the notification.
Con Stats aren't always accurate
While good enough for most users, the data can be skewed because of physical limits of the fitness tracker. For example, an elevated pulse may just be because you chugged back a coffee, but the Charge HR may interpret this as physical activity. Also, measuring a pulse and steps from the wrist can only be so accurate.
Con Expensive
Apple Watch is said to cost $349 USD.
Con Works only with iPhones
You need to have an iPhone (5 or later) to pair this smartwatch. It will not work with any other device, and has limited capabilities on its own (and still require the iPhone for the initial setup).
