Choosing an appropriate fitness tracker can be confusing, especially when pitting two great options like the Fitbit Charge 6 and the Fitbit Inspire 3 against each other. Both are meant to keep you in line with your health and activity goals, but differ in features and cost. Let’s take a look at all of this to help you decide what is best for your lifestyle.
Price and Value
In terms of price and value, the Fitbit Inspire 3 provides a budget-friendly starting point at $99 with all the basic health and fitness features that most users require. In contrast, the Fitbit Charge 6 at $159 provides a more feature-rich experience with native GPS, better heart rate monitoring, and deeper Google integration. If budget is a concern, the Inspire 3 is a good buy—but if you want extra features and longer-term capabilities, the Charge 6 will be worth the higher price.
Design and Display
Come on—design does count, especially for something you’re wearing every day. The Charge 6 has a bigger, brighter AMOLED screen (0.86 by 0.58 inches), so it’s much easier to look at texts, alerts, and your health metrics. It also has an aluminum case and premium-quality silicone band that make it feel more upscale. The Inspire 3 is also thinner, with a 0.7 by 0.5-inch screen and a lightweight plastic build. It’s very comfortable and a bit more subtle, but not nearly as sleek-looking. Both are also water-resistant up to 50 meters, so you can wear them while swimming or showering. But if style and portability matter to you, the Charge 6 wins.
Fitness and Health Tracking
Both trackers track the basics—heart rate, steps, calories burned, distance, and sleep. But the Charge 6 ramps things up further with integrated GPS, so you can run or ride a bike without your phone. It also has more than 40 workout modes, rather than the six included on the Inspire 3 (although you can add up to 21 through the app). The Charge 6 has a better heart rate sensor and can pair with compatible gym equipment, which is an excellent feature for serious exercise. In addition, it includes ECG and EDA sensors to provide more sophisticated heart health and stress monitoring—something Inspire 3 does not provide. If you are looking for greater health data and greater workout freedom, the Charge 6 is the winner here.
Battery Life
If battery life is a top priority, the Inspire 3 is the easy winner. It lasts up to 10 days between charges, while the Charge 6 delivers about 7 days, which is still great considering its larger screen and additional sensors. Remember, features such as the always-on display and SpO2 monitoring can reduce battery life on both, but all things considered, the Inspire 3 lasts longer if you don’t want to be charging too frequently.
Want some of those smartwatch frills and thrills? The Charge 6 has them. It’s the first Fitbit to include Google apps native to it, meaning you can use Google Wallet to pay, listen to music with YouTube Music, and even get directions with Google Maps—on your wrist. The Inspire 3 skips all of that, opting for simple notifications and calendar alerts without app support. If you wish to have a fitness tracker as well as a mini-smartwatch, the Charge 6 is your best bet.
Sleep Tracking
Fitbit tracks sleep very well, too, and both devices do an excellent job. They both include a SpO2 sensor, which monitors your blood oxygen levels throughout the night and gives you a nightly sleep score. For more detailed data—like the time spent in each sleep stage or personalized recommendations—you’ll require Fitbit Premium. When it comes to sleep tracking, the two devices are equivalent to one another, especially if you’re a Premium subscriber.
Which Fitbit to Choose?
Ultimately, it is about what matters most to you. The Charge 6 is suited for those who want a more feature-laden device with onboard GPS, more health monitoring, and smart features integrated into a premium design. It is practically a nice blend of a fitness tracker and a smartwatch. Meanwhile, the Inspire 3 is perfect if you just need a low-maintenance, budget tracker that gets the basics right and has longevity in its favor. Both are excellent choices—it just boils down to whether you prioritize price, features, or appearance.
