If you’re planning to invest in a fitness tracker, Fitbit is one of the most popular smartwatch brands to consider.
It offers top-notch fitness tracking features that are as good as the Apple Watch and even better in many cases, such as more accurate sleep and calorie tracking.
However, you should know some things, including how long Fitbits last, and you might be surprised.
Fitbit says their smartwatches can last up to two years, depending on use. With normal usage, Fitbits last roughly 16 to 18 months. Factors that affect lifespan include reset frequency, model, water resistance, battery health, hardware, and frequency of cleaning.
Keep reading to know more about the average lifespan of Fitbits. I have also included some important questions such as do Fitbits wear out, is the Fitbit Charge 3 outdated, is Fitbit Blaze obsolete, and how many years does it last?
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What Is the Average Lifespan of a Fitbit?
According to Fitbit, the average lifespan of their fitness watches is between one and two years. Studies and user reviews say that Fitbits don’t last long, they generally last two years maximum. In rare experiences, some models may last longer than two years with extra care and cleaning.
Each Fitbit model is different regarding lifespan; some only last for months, while others can function for years. Therefore, it’s important to consider reading honest reviews of the specific model to know its lifespan before buying.
Moreover, you should also think about how you want to use the Fitbit tracker. If you intend to use it all day long and more frequently, it may not last that long. On the other hand, you can prolong its lifespan by simply being gentle with it.
Here are some of the biggest factors that affect Fitbits’ lifespan:
- Hardware. One of the key factors in determining the length of use of Fitbit devices is hardware quality. Unfortunately, more often than not, fitness trackers fail due to hardware issues. For instance, the Fitbit Versa 2 usually encounters an internal hardware problem that causes the device to malfunction. Instead, you can invest in Fitbit Sense to enjoy more upgraded features.
However, damage to hardware components can lead to more serious problems, such as the Fitbit shutting down randomly. Hardware crashes may also cause failure to detect body movements or vital info, respond to touch points, and emit low light from the LCD screen. You should also expect belt tearing because it’s a common problem that requires replacement. - Battery health. Fitbits can last about five days without charging when used in moderation. If you have more apps on the device and you frequently use them, your Fitbit will drain quicker. Overcharging also causes damage to the device and its battery in the long run. If you don’t need some features like GPS, disable them.
- Water resistance. Depending on the capabilities, some Fitbit devices can resist water more effectively than other models. Before using your Fitbit in the pool, determine whether it can be submerged in the water or only repel water splashes. Swimmers should get a fitness tracker rated WR50 to use it safely 50 meters under the water.
- Maintenance. Cleaning your Fitbit is a must. Wearing the device for hours makes it more vulnerable to dirt and other elements that can damage the hardware. After each use, scrub the machine down and ensure no sweat or moisture is left on the surface.
You can use a gentle cleanser and water to clean your Fitbit watch. Never wash it with chemicals, including shampoo, dish soap, and body soap, as they can damage your device. The chemicals these cleansing solutions contain can cause the internal components to fail. - Resetting. When you use your Fitbit near its full capacity or sort through some data, the device may crash or experience glitches. To resolve the issues, you need to reset your fitness tracker. However, the more frequent you reset the device, the more damaged and less functional it can become.
To avoid resetting your Fitbit from time to time, don’t run too many apps on the device. In addition, if there are some features you don’t need, turn them off. It’s also important to back up any essential data to a tablet, smartphone, or computer. Always take care of your watch to avoid crashes and reduce the risk of damaging the power button from overuse with each reset.
Curious why your calories burned on Fitbit seem too high? To know the truth, you can read my helpful article.
Do Fitbits Wear Out?
Fitbit says their smartwatches can last up to two years, depending on use. With normal usage, Fitbits last roughly 16 to 18 months. Factors that affect lifespan include reset frequency, model, water resistance, battery health, hardware, and frequency of cleaning.
Not all Fitbit watches are made equal. Based on my experience, the best Fitbit models to buy are the Fitbit Inspire, Fitbit Inspire 2, Fitbit Charge 2, and Fitbit Charge 3. These Fitbits have longer lifespans compared to other models.
I’ve been using the Fitbit Charge 3 for almost two years, and it’s still working. However, I think it’s about treating your Fitbit with care to make them last longer. For example, if you take the Fitbit swimming with you daily, it will not last as long as a Fitbit that never touched water.
Compared to Apple Watches, which last around three years before performance drops, Fitbits have been known to break within the first year! Please look at the numerous forum posts from the Fitbits community of users complaining of their Fitbit breaking far too soon.
You will notice Fitbit will give replacements for the first 2 Fitbits for free, but from the third, they will only provide a 20% off coupon! It’s ridiculous considering the Fitbit breaking is on Fitbit making inferior products, not the customer!
Take a look at the post below.
Is the Fitbit Charge 3 Outdated?
The Fitbit Charge 3 is technically obsolete as the Charge 5 is available, but it is still a good fitness tracker.
Regarding great features and competitive prices, the Charge 3 remains a good option if you don’t mind not having GPS for an affordable price. You get a large screen, minimal design, and water-resistant fitness watch. Take a look at the band for a great price on Amazon.
Fitbit claims that this model was their best device providing an excellent fitness tracking experience before the Charge 5 was released.
It offers different exercise tracking options such as heart rate and sleep monitoring. The only advantage of the Charge 4 is that it has an in-built GPS, which you need if you want your Fitbit to track your workouts away from your phone.
The Charge 5, released in September 2021, offers a lot of improvements from its predecessors, including the colored AMOLED display. In addition, the new Charge 5 also features an ECG monitor, stress-monitoring EDA sensor, and SpO2 sensor.
The Charge 4 and 5 models are the current best-sellers in the charge series. Some online stores even offer huge discounts on these Fitbit devices for a limited time.
They can run more apps than the Charge 3 and have Spotify controls and an Active Zone Minutes feature to track vigorous activities.
Want to use one Fitbit between 2 people? To see, you can read my helpful article about having two accounts on your device.
Is Fitbit Blaze Obsolete?
The Fitbit Blaze is now obsolete after it was discontinued and replaced by the Versa series in 2018.
Fitbit blaze is a hybrid of a fitness tracker and a smartwatch. It’s very functional and stylish at the same time. It has a large screen and offers access to top-notch smartwatch features, including the fitness stats display, heart rate and other vital information, and real-time alerts and notifications.
However, you can’t use the Fitbit Blaze in the water because it’s only sweatproof and splash proof. While it’s not swim-proof, you may use it in the pool and track swimming as an exercise. If you’re a swimmer, investing in a completely water-resistant Fitbit like the Versa is better.
Despite the remote updates and improvements in the app dashboard, the Blaze didn’t survive due to its outdated design. The hybrid design is not really what the people need.
Fitbit versa watches can do so much better when it comes to fitness tracking and sleek style.
Want to update your Fitapp but find it’s unavailable? It’s so annoying when this happens! Check out my article on how to fix it.
How Many Years Does Fitbit Blaze Last?
Fitbit blaze lasts an average of 1-2 years maximum, with a warranty of only 12 months after purchase (24 months in Europe). This information assumes you charge the battery correctly and clean the Fitbit regularly.
All Fitbit models last for around two years, although many of the Fitbit community forum posts complaining of Fitbits not even lasting a year!
Honestly, you’re lucky if your Fitbit still works after two years of regular use.
When it comes to warranty, you can also enjoy an extended period depending on your location. For example, those in Europe can take advantage of a 24-month warranty period from purchase.
It’s frustrating to spend money and not even get three years out of your purchase. Furthermore, it’s not environmentally friendly to need a replacement instead of fixing the device.
If you’re looking for a more durable fitness band, you can try one of the models in the Versa series; pick one up for a bargain on Amazon.
Maybe you don’t need the latest or the best Fitbit in the market when you have a fitness tracking device that is reliable enough in terms of battery life and performance. Looking for more clock faces to make your Fitbit your own? If so, read my article on how to get more Fitbit clock faces for free.