Fitbit Charge 6 In-Depth Review: 12 New Things to Know!

Here's your complete Fitbit Charge 6 In-Depth Review, complete with a look at how the new features actually work, accuracy testing, and plenty more.
The Fitbit Charge 6 is an incremental update to the existing Charge 5, focusing on a blend of physical usability enhancements (bringing back the side button), while also increasing day-to-day usability (letting you access all the sport/exercise modes on device, versus a previous limit of 6 modes). However, with it we finally start to see the impacts of Google into the device. The Charge 6 brings with it Google Maps integration, Google Wallet integration, and KZbin Music integration. Plus, it now requires you use a Google account (versus the previous Fitbit account).
I’ve been using the Fitbit Charge 6 the last few weeks, putting it through its paces to see where it works well - and where it falls short. Both in new features, and whether existing issues on the Charge 5 are finally fixed with new hardware. This includes both daily wear/usage, but also sport usage across things like heart rate accuracy and GPS accuracy.
Finally, note that Fitbit/Google provided a media loaner Charge 6 to test. As usual, I’ll get that back to them here shortly. I’ll go out and pick up my own to continue testing the new features once they arrive. If you found this review useful, you can use the links at the bottom, or consider becoming a DCR Supporter which makes the site ad-free, while also getting access to a mostly weekly video series behind the scenes of the DCR Cave. And of course, it makes you awesome.
With that, let’s talk newness.
0:00 Quick Intro
0:29 Pricing
0:37 New Hardware Button
0:54 New Heart Rate Sensor
1:26 Heart Rate Broadcasting Testing
2:45 20 New Sport Modes
2:57 Excercise Modes On-Device
3:27 KZbin Music Controls
3:59 Google Maps Turn-by-Turn Directions
4:52 Google Wallet Payments
5:26 Zoom Magnifier Feature
5:47 Battery & Charging
6:07 Google Account Requirement
6:33 4-minute Hands-on Tour
10:50 Accuracy: Heart Rate, Sleep, GPS
13:52 Wrap-up: Worth it?!?
#FitbitCharge6 #Charge6 #Fitbit

[@Sulaiman_The_Magnificent]

Thank you so much for making sections in the video. That makes it very easy to go to the part I want to know more about.

[@JustinBenson]

Thank you for the encryption explanation! It's been frustrating the heck out of me on a Karoo 2 and Garmin bike computer.

[@strouja]

Thanks Ray. Great job again

[@Conmimaleta]

Great review! I got it and I loved it. It is great because I was so tired of watches that track your sleep but you have to charge every night. This last 7 days, I can pay that is a feature hard to find in bands and I like it and I have very good sleep and sport tracking. love it

[@absoluteeverything1980]

every device last several day if the screen is off, max 2 days of screen on i have to charge it every second day

[@Conmimaleta]

@@absoluteeverything1980 no. Galaxy watch 4 doesn't last more than 2 days with the screen off.

[@williamfoster9216]

Great video! Lots of pertinent info.

[@saviordream]

I went ahead and grabbed one a couple of days after it came out. Was a little unsure since there weren't many reviews on it at that point, but I was looking for something more accurate in tracking heartrate/calories burned than my previous Versa 4 and Amazefit GTR 4. I had a Charge 5 as my first fitness tracker, which I liked, but I had wanted something with a slightly bigger display since my eyes have never been the greatest. Was a little unsure on that point, but so far I've been really happy with the Charge 6. It does have the magnify feature, so that solves the smaller display issue that I had with it, and the heartrate and calories tracking seem to be a lot more accurate, or at least consistent, than both the Versa and Amazefit. I mostly work out indoors, and when I do go for walks (my only real outdoor exercise), I always have my phone with me so the GPS accuracy isn't a concern. So far I'm really happy with the band, and I was even able to save a little bit off the msrp by trading in my old Charge 5 (that was just sitting around) to Best Buy when I bought the Charge 6.

[@BfSkinnerPunk]

My near vision isn't great either. So, what I really want is a really big heart rate display....don't want to fiddle too much with zooming or double/triple tapping to see stuff. Is there a display where it's just one big heart rate display? (no need for clock or anything else when exercising).

[@melanatedrichconvo7927]

So you have to charge 5 and you just had it sitting around meaning you no longer has use for it.... Or were you tired of charging issues or connectivity issues, blue tooth etc.. or other minor things?

[@saviordream]

@@melanatedrichconvo7927 Yeah, I was looking for something with a bigger screen at that point, and tried both the Versa 4 and Amazefit GTR 4, both of which I didn't find to be all that accurate. The Charge 6 solves the small screen issue by having a zoom feature, and I find it to be a lot more accurate/consistent than the Versa or Amazefit.

[@rramirez3555]

Thanks. Very useful and dynamic.

[@boinkye]

TY! I appreciate the details that Fitbit didn’t provide. I’m upgrading and wanted to make sure it does the main things I like. Which are my steps, heart rate and sleep monitoring. Everything else is icing on the cake…

[@CooJay]

Hi. Could you please tell me if this watch automatically lights up to the time when I turn my wrist? Your help is greatly appreciated.

[@zrashad]

@@CooJay yes it does, just got mine today.

[@CooJay]

@@zrashad Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.

[@5150Lane]

Was happy with my Charge 5 for nearly 18 months when the battery decided to go dead in two days vs. the previous six days life on a full charge. Fitbit was happy to offer me a 50% discount if I would buy a new tracker from them. Of course their offer excluded the now Charge 6 which is what I would've purchased. Would buy one of their smart watches if they had local music capability - I won't pay a monthly fee to have music on my smart watch. I guess it is time to take a serious look at the competition.

[@JustinRampage]

My charge 5 just croaked. I'm curious what fitness band that you ended up switching to, @5150Lane.

[@lorettasanchez7481]

I really enjoyed your presentation and learned quite a lot about the functions. Thanks

[@paska68]

Good review

[@JourneyJoyful]

First time user of a fitness tracker. Can this be used during regular swimming? Salt water & pool?

[@michaelrankine2801]

What tracker did you use for your swim? I've started getting back in to indoor swimming and would love to track my laps and calories etc and have it connect to strava? Will this watch do this?

[@heidi5462]

Why can’t I get the volume to work for it to ring on wrist or the text notices? All the settings are set on on?

[@mirrorme2995]

I have a Wahoo Tickr Fit. what's recommended between tickr fit and charge6? zwift or workout app or cycling head unit? and... maybe my english strange. i'm so sorry i don't understand english. so i used translator

[@barbaracrosset-hoffmeier1917]

I have been using Fitbits for years. The Charge 6 is the only one that is poor at tracking sleep. The band gives me welts on my wrist. Hopefully, I can reset-get a new band-and make this work!

[@ChuckCraytor]

I have the Fitbit Charge 6. My issue with Fitbit is that syncing is slow and not automatic. I keep my app open all the time, but I have to refresh it to get my sleep tracked. My only reason for going with Fitbit is the small size.

[@melanatedrichconvo7927]

So would you wear it if you're not working out or you just take?

[@melanatedrichconvo7927]

How long would you hold a charge if you're listening to music saying an hour and a half a day at least

[@jordananddeacon5204]

Dose the gps effect knowing how far (distance) you've ran or walked?

[@Stonesygirl]

For sleep tracking, does this only track your hours slept and give you a sleep score? Does it break down your light and deep sleep, REM, etc.?

[@khelgarironfist3301]

Would this work for football? Just need relatively accurate distance and pace tracking.

[@EclecticLensYT]

I've had so many Fitbit devices. I'm still using the charge 5 but when this one glitches up or fails to the points that's it no longer serves its purpose I'm not sure what I'm going to go with but it's definitely not going to be the Fitbit brand! I suppose if you replace them before you have problems your experience is probably different. The problems I have are more related to the watches freezing up or like my latest issue. The screen is continuously getting dimmer and Fitbit just keeps telling me to factory reset it which does nothing. They refuse to acknowledge that there is or ever was a problem. I understand buying a new one if you want new features or if the battery goes to heck after the warranty.. but I still get a good 5 days out of the battery but I can't read the screen so I might as well just be wearing the fitness tracking ring.. except I'm not paying a subscription for that so I'm not sure what I'm going with but my point is I'm no longer a fan of Fitbit and suggest others look elsewhere as well unless you plan on buying a new model every year or two.

[@dominik381]

Great Video! I've been waiting for it for the last two weeks. Now i'm kinda in between the Charge 6 and the Garmin Vivosmart 5. I'm more focused on the (sleep) tracking and sport features so I'm leaning more towards the Vivosmart 5. Would you recommend it even though it's 1.5 years older than the Charge 6?

[@shortybiscuit]

I'm looking at the same two devices now. What did you choose and why?

[@Yvess-si3tm]

@@shortybiscuit Bought the Charge 6 and I am extremely unhappy. Sleep tracking is totally inaccurate, my skin is getting irretated when I wear it firm, but when its not firm its even less acurate. The daily activity score is also random bs. I often take it for running and i knew that the gps from the charge 6 is trash but i thought it would be fine aslong as i have it connected to my phones gps. But ist constantly disconnects from my phone. So yea all in all i would not recommend it but I also dont know if its just my device malfunctioning.

[@shortybiscuit]

@@Yvess-si3tm Thanks for the quick reply. I've been watching the two detailed videos side by side and was leaning towards the Garmin. As an iPhone user - the lack of data sharing from Fitbit to the apple health app was a push toward Garmin.

[@BlowAway11]

Currently having the same consideration

[@shortybiscuit]

@@BlowAway11 I got the Garmin Vivosmart 5 last weekend. The only downside so far is that it doesn’t have snowboarding (and some other sports) as an activity. I’ve added Strava for this, but unfortunately there isn’t a sync between Stava data and Garmin HR. Otherwise, no issues with it.

[@viviankyek9339]

is there a sports mode for indoor cycling or stepper

[@cknutson4843]

When I had my Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5 (I now use a Garmin FR 265), I found that my Fitbit HR was always garbage when I was rowing. Presumably this was due to wrist flexion. I haven't had that issue with my Garmin, the times I tried it without an external HR sensor, and wonder how the newer sensor/HR algorithms would handle rowing.

[@melanatedrichconvo7927]

When I'm at the gym the row machine is my go to or start out item and one of the reason I want to get a Fitbit is because I want to track my overall body rate when using equipment more like a crossfit style

[@TheJRVol]

Thank you for the review, you are very revered in the cycling community! I love the size of my current fitbit and was hoping that the new 6 would pair HR to my Garmin Edge 1040 device. I have contacted their chat support and they informed me that it does not. Is it possible for you to test it? I assumed this is because the charge 6 is not Ant+ but "bluetooth smart".. Thanks!

[@swampy2b]

Think it’s more because of the encryption. 1040 could pair with Bluetooth, but not an encrypted connection.

[@TheJRVol]

@@swampy2b shame. I’m guessing this was there way of keeping it off of competitors devices..

[@lageveen325]

😂😂

[@ted363636]

It's amazing that after two years they didn't fix an obvious design flaw of the previous model. Glad I dumped Fitbit in favor of Garmin many years ago. BTW why won't Garmin release a new Vivosmart/Vivosport band with GPS? Considering the fact that Apple doesn't make them, Huawei is banned in the US and Fitbit releases this sort of crap, they would sell crazy numbers.

[@jonlund7239]

Loved my Garmin Vivosport. It was the best fitness tracker ever made. I don’t understand why Garmin dropped it and focused on the Vivosmart line instead. The Vivosport was so much better. I would buy a Garmin Vivosport 2 in a heartbeat. MIP or OLED, I wouldn’t care.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@charleshindley-lange-pw2sw]

Looks cool not had a charge for a while 😊🎉

[@nellieforbes2216]

Thanks for the review! 2 questions: In the sports profile outside of spinning, I didn’t see any other exercise bikes. Is there an option for regular gym indoor cycling to select? Also, did Fitbit tell you why it didn’t restore the altimeter functionality in the Charge 6? I was stunned they chose to remove when it released the Charge 5.

[@EricS-uf9mv]

On a hardcore sports/endurance watch the only real difference between Spinning and Indoor Cycling is the sensor packages allowed. Both Spinning and Indoor Cycling obviously disable GPS. But Indoor Cycling usually allows the pairing of external Power & Cadence sensors. Spinning usually doesn't. There's really no difference other than that. But this being a Fitbit device, I doubt it supports external Power & Cadence meters... Hell I doubt the FitBit target demo even knows those products exist.

[@johngreen761]

new camera ray? noticed ur video quality is significantly better compared with what you have done in the past, shooting with gopro or sth. now you have a proper background blur!

[@Dcrainmaker]

This was actually shot on an iPhone. ;) Realistically, it's more pretty Hawii jungle background, and having a dark green look to it tends to pop more.

[@artydenise]

Is there a way to choose the order of the exercises?

[@user-cx6rg6mr7d]

can you track spo2 24/7? can you track nap time 24/7? what's the minimum nap time for the watch to log it as nap?

[@Julia27201]

The heart-rate interfering with the GPS tracker is actually a positive for me since i don't want it tracking my location to begin with! Thanks for the in-depth review especially on the accuracy and the hands-on tour.

[@danielspain2883]

glad ive used youtube music for years

[@DrVulpine]

Thanks

[@GarFieldSnakes]

You tested a lot off these watches ...... and when you talk about 'sleep accuracy' you say throw it away :). What watch can I best get for sleeptracking/stress levels/ body readyness * body battery etc.

[@billcodey1430]

Question! Does HR monitoring work in swim mode? I am kinda guessing not so well but things change with technology evolution...

[@szalaytamas3184]

If it works. It's taking pictures of your veins and your blood. Water doesn't interfere with it imo

[@RaymanR36]

I'm looking for a tracker with NFC to pay with Paypal. What alternative to charge 6 is there? I don't need GPS

[@dmalcantara]

Super short review. It is almost an Apple Watch 3 now 😊

[@shanefleming4121]

So what's the button for?

[@Soulfire1138]

Does the gps feature work without a phone like it says on the website

[@superduperboyx]

Months later after the release, a lot of people are complaining about the battery life. They typically need to charge around 3-4 days. I suppose it's not as horrible as full fledge smartwatches as those need to be charge almost every 24 hours. I would get the Charge 6 b/c it has turn by turn google maps but having to charge it every few days is annoying so I'll wait for future options.

[@sadieh3892]

I have a charge 2 think it’s time to upgrade in the next year or so!

[@benosterland2258]

How strong are the vibrations. Enough to wake you up?

[@ljacobs357]

I was a long time Fitbit user, but they still charge for premium features. Enjoying my Samsung Watch 6. It is accurate enough for my use and integrates well with my Flip 5.

[@NannyLee1914]

So glad I read these reviews. I won’t be buying a Fitbit for sure!! I need a user friendly device.

[@nickn8564]

I got the old charge 4 back in 2020. The first one was defective out of the box, got a instant replacement, then within about 6 months broke it. Yes, it's pretty much broke into 3 pieces. Got that one replaced via warranty, never upgraded to the charge 5 and 3 days ago, this one just broke. Granted each time iv broken these watches its been about -45 and -51 out, so, I get it. Nothing really stands up to temperatures like that. Not sure if I'm going to get the 6.

[@donnamasterson8876]

I have a fibit charge5 that I received as a birthday gift 1 year ago...its been great, but the font for heart rate and other features is WAY too small. I thought about buying the new charge 6 thinking with the updates, maybe they would have reduced the "in your face" time read out and enlarged the smaller fonts for the tracking features (hence the reason I wear a tracker), but they did not. I WON'T be upgrading to charge 6

[@CoffeePlease.]

6:06 Hi. Does anyone know if, once you convert to a google account, previous/older Fitbit watches will still work? I have a Versa 2 but wanted a smaller watch (Charge 6) for everyday wear. I have the Charge 6 now and was going to set it up but don’t want to do so if it means my versa will become unusable. Can anyone help? Thank you.

[@userblame632]

Yeah it’ll work, worked for my Fitbit versa lite 5 years old

[@CoffeePlease.]

@@userblame632 Hi! Thank you so much for the feedback. I still haven’t set it up because I wasn’t sure. 🤣

[@eyeofsauron2812]

What about the functions you lose if you don't get the subscription?

[@cubiq1]

The fact that they release a NEW hardware version with the same GPS lock issue as the predecessor is ridiculous. I sold my Charge 5 because of this.

[@starsey1986]

11:14 where can I see this as I can't find it on mine.

[@fontexstudios]

does it allow google voice assistant? create alarms, calendar events, etc, through voice?

[@spacetoast7783]

No

[@dlstanf2]

My concern has been the GPS. Sometimes, it was great, other times not so. But as for the silicon band being part of the antenna lead, I don't buy into that. Nothing shows up as an antenna lead, and no other bands talk about their bands having a GPS sensor or antenna, which would be a major selling point. Prove me wrong, cut a band open. I have a spare band, so I'll try as well.

[@advanceddetail]

What about calorie accuracy?

[@codak29]

Doesn't connect to bike computer = no buy for me. Thank you for the review.

[@TheJRVol]

FYI FWIW when I contacted Fitbit about this they mentioned if they get enough requests it’s something they will consider 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@neffa101]

i have a charge 4 and i love it i can just use the fitbit with out changing to google

[@PedroPrego]

Would it sync easily with zwift and I'd consider going charge 6 (currently on a charge 5 and sometimes many bad issues with it). No zwift, no fitbit then. Garmin it is.

[@psicosis4]

Other reviews show it synced to zwift

[@PedroPrego]

@@psicosis4 there isn't official zwift Compatibility. Nonetheless, I then noticed dc comment about the gps problems and hr. Moving to Garmin so I can have all info integrated into a single system. Besides... I really don't like the monthly fee paying system. So far Garmin doesn't do it. There is a bigger upfront cost which I can recover using it over time without the monthly fees.

[@MateHegyhati]

It is really surprising that they didn't think it is important to fix the GPS issue. It kinda shows, that their target audience doesn't really care about GPS that much, or always has their phone with them anyway. Btw: if the watch loses GPS, does it automatically ask the phone to step in? Or is it an either-or setting? Regardless, it doesn't seem like to be much more costly to do the antenna right. Even in such a small band. (How do you feel it compares in that regard to the old VivoSport? That had similar dimensions I think.). And thanks for the review!

[@QihanLiu]

If the target audience doesn't care about GPS, why not remove this function altogether. A function that doesn't work will only annoy people. I guess they are simply targeting the consumers that don't watch reviews and buy things based on the merchant's claim.

[@bettertocycle]

Fitbit have generally been unresponsive to feedback. The charge 5 only has American date format (despite the product promotional material showing a DD/mm format). Despite this being a simple skin change to make, a massive thread from users on the request forum is just ignored. Has really put me off the brand.

[@MonticArckeys]

Interesting as the Pixel Watch is pretty okay in this sense.

[@paulkline3011]

I had the charger 5 for about a week. I returned it after figuring out the GPS was crap. I went on a walk one day then went on a much shorter walk the next day and it said my second walk was longer by about 3/4th of a mile. Returned!!!

[@cknutson4843]

As I recall, dynamic GPS is the mode where it will use the phone's GPS, if available. If not, the Fitbit GPS will be used. If I am reading your question correctly, I don't think it switches to the phone GPS if the Fitbit GPS loses lock. It always uses the phone GPS, if it's available.

[@MonticArckeys]

Pixel Watch 2 review must be soon then!

[@RaduBogdanRednic]

Please let me know if the serialnumber is displayed in the menu of the watch, I am disparate to find ou!

[@Dcrainmaker]

No, it’s only shown on the inside of the bottom band attachment point (etched).

[@gavinelesban]

Do you guys use screen guards/protectors on your fitbits?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Nope

[@Sentarry]

i don't. The screen is pretty scratch resistant and shatter resistant. It almost never gets a scratch or crack after a few bumps and accidental smack with a wall or door.

[@starsey1986]

How do I receive calls and messages on the fitbit

[@jaman6266]

Great review, pros and cons (not so pros? v. diplomatic lol). For me I’ll pass and stay with my perfectly functioning FB5. Blood pressure would’ve been interesting? Pity FB5 technology and FB in general seems to be falling behind the competition in my opinion, I’ve always preferred FB to now.. merging with Google, I don’t know about that? 🤔. Thanks for the comprehensive review. 👍

[@BrianHartman]

I had the Fitbit Charge 5, and the GPS was the big letdown. The receiver is on the bottom of the unit, so if you put your band too tight, you lose GPS, but if you put it loose enough for the GPS, you lose heart rate tracking.

[@vickikgibson9470]

GPS is bad on FB 6 too. IN All reviews.

[@BrianHartman]

@@vickikgibson9470 I'm surprised they haven't found a fix for that.

[@MuchoMate]

Is 7 days charge average or good? Are there any similar watches that last longer with similar features?

[@Dcrainmaker]

It's actually quite good, on the upper end of things.

[@muhammedjunaid3209]

If I am buying new what should i consider 5 or 6 ?

[@Dcrainmaker]

I'd go 6.

[@mike_f]

The HR broadcast encryption is a big bummer. I so wish my pixel could do that I was thinking the charge 6 might be the next thing I get even if it doesn't do as much as a true smartwatch. Guess I'll hold back and wait and see for now.

[@therebelgentleman]

Can I control my music that is playing on my phone ?

[@EricS-uf9mv]

Ray demonstrates phone music controls via the KZbin Music app, but CNet's review EXPLICITLY states this ONLY WORKS with the KZbin Music app. You can't control other apps like Spotify or old school, local music storage apps you've purchased from the the App Store. But more importantly, THIS REQUIRES a premium KZbin subscription or a premium KZbin Music subscription plan (which costs like $120/yr). I believe the reason a premium sub is required is bc YT Music artificially prevent music playback when your phone is locked or when the screen is OFF... like when in your pocket! Playing music when your screen is off is a YT Music Premium ONLY feature. Idiotic.

[@chipdale490]

Coming from the 4 I like the 6 so far. At least you can actually read the display in broad daylight. I only care about distance traveled and (approximate) calories burnt. Everything else is just hocus pocus to me. (I'm 60 and don't like gadgets) 😅

[@CoffeePlease.]

Hi! I have a versa and just bought a charge 6. Did you have to update your Fitbit app? I’m trying to set it up and am unsure about “Permanently” switching to the google version, as I don’t think it is compatible with my old watch. Thanks in advance if you can share your experience converting.

[@chipdale490]

To be honest I don't remember, at the end of a run I just take a look at calories burnt and distance covered. Just to get a ballpark figure. Coming from a Charge4 I just updated the app and selected the 6. Took 10 seconds.

[@CoffeePlease.]

@@chipdale490 Thank you for your response. I’m glad your conversion was easy and that it’s working well for you. Mine hasn’t been thus far, but I’ll figure it out. Happy stepping. 🫶🏻

[@spacetoast7783]

Very frustrating that it can control KZbin music but not other media playback.

[@tracyreilly1662]

Hi, you didn't say HOW to enable the zoom setting! Had to go to another video.

[@Dcrainmaker]

As I said in the video, you simply double tap it.

[@pawep715]

What is the lowest heart rate it can measure?

[@pattip8110]

Do you know how to sync fitbit 5 data to fitbit 6? All previous data is gone smh

[@kurosenpai]

I have lots of bad experience with charge series. I owned charge 2 and when charge 3 came out i bought it. Not even a year the battery just die on me. Fitbit gave me a coupon and i bought the charge 4. The battery is ok after a year but the damn screen dimmed i cant see anything. Brought it back to fitbit store, they resetted it, and done lots of trouble, nothing fix the dimmed screen. Fitbit gave a another coupons, i bought the Charge 5, and of course after almost a year and half, same damn problem! What the hell Fitbit??? I love the charge series because the tracker is lowkey and its very accurate when tracking excersice, but its not reliable at all. I am thinking of buying the charge 6 but in scared it might fail on me.

[@cntchds]

All I wanted in a watch is easy hr broadcast. You were so close, Google. Why did you do this

[@jegl1012]

Great video. I have KZbin Premium…. On the Charge 6 does the YT Music app support Artist in Library Shuffle Play?

Fitbit providing some level of data encryption in transit and other providers not supporting that data isn't a Fitbit problem, but rather a mark against those other providers. Customers "not asking for" encryption doesn't mean it isn't needed. Fitbit taking the initiative and deciding the privacy of a customer's health is something worth protecting even though the customer doesn't realise that themselves is something that we don't see enough of. You saying this is a flaw shows you're absolutely clueless about tech and the danger of data harvesting.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Nah, there's not a single person (still, ever), that's asked for heart rate broadcasting encryption. Heck, even you didn't ask for and (nor explain why exactly you'd need it). The reality is, the only scenario one could even pretend this matters for is at the gym, broadcasting to a treadmill/machine, in which case said HR is literally dispalyed on the front of the machine for anyone to see. Again, this is a problem in search of a solution that simply does not exist. There's plenty of tech privacy problems to solve, this isn't one of them today.

I don't agree with the premise here. Having your data glancable on a screen is completely different from broadcasting data unencrypted. It's not that the data should be absolutely tip-top secret like a password, it's that it hopefully shouldn't be possible to just collect all data broadcast by virtue of being nearby. If I learned that any device of mine was sending my health or biometric data across some wire in plain text, I wouldn't be using that data device much longer. And solving tech problems doesn't have to be an ordered list. Fitbit isn't going to solve the issues of mass tracking for advertising, but it is a significant name in the fitness IoT and if they are pushing a trend of encrypted broadcasting, that's a good thing. Again, not a fitbit issue but a third party ecosystem issue. @@Dcrainmaker

[@Dcrainmaker]

@ Yeah, again, there's literally nobody complaining about what you're saying. People have been using heart rate straps for decades, and not once, in over 100 million views, or far more on the site, has anyone ever said "I wish my HR data was encrypted". Now, there are cases for cycling power data being encrypted, but even that, when talking to top-end Tour de France teams, is simply not that big of a deal for them. While I appreciate any company trying to improve privacy, there's always a trade-off in tech. And in this case, Fitbit decided to implement something nobody ever asked for, and as a result, they implemented something that's useless and non-functional. Even the companies they said they worked with to make it work, it doesn't work reliably.

@@Dcrainmaker you know a KZbinr is rattled when they're bringing up their total view count lol. But, perhaps the reason "no one asked" for this was more to do with a lack of awareness. If Fitbit were actively informing that using the feature was broadcasting biometric data via plaintext when a user used the feature, I'd imagine a few of those 100 million views would've brought it up. Yes, Fitbit have enforced a new, securer broadcasting protocol. Other companies have either done bad implementations, or no implementation at all. Should Fitbit have done more to reduce friction? Absolutely. Does this mean this is a bad feature for Fitbit to have implemented? Absolutely not.

[@ericknkili]

I've learnt this one the hard way but never take a swim with a Fitbit watch despite it being 'waterproof'.

[@WildestPotato]

Strongly against your thoughts on encryption, I think it is a move in the right direction. Other services that don't support it should adopt it.

[@kyote]

2:39 Maybe third party devs should start using encryption instead? You do not know what data is being broadcast today or in the future through updates, so the default should be to encrypt it.

[@ilovephotography1254]

You cover a lot and you do it fast. I find it easier to watch your video in 0.75 speed.

[@IMUSTHCOOSEANEWNAMEB]

is there a men version?

[@valonstriker]

I had mine for less than a week and it died unresponsive won't charge black screen can't reset it it's a piece of shit and I'm going back right now to get my money back

[@zrinkaxg]

I own a Charge 5 .. it was working fine up until few weeks ago when it started to drain the battery extremely and became useless.. I've joined the forum and I see other users have the same issue. What's worse, the users of Charge 6 have the same issue.. It was a great tracker until it died... if you don't want to throw your money, DON'T buy a FITBIT!

[@shaneeiboi.crazymoments7886]

Why does it count calories when I don't use it ?.

[@spacetoast7783]

It's probably estimating your BMR based on height/weight/age you provided.

[@chriscarpunky]

You can get them for $99 now. Great deal for $99

[@Frandaman84]

A 99 dollar piece of crap is still a piece of crap tho

[@JYMAHJAMES]

@@Frandaman84what would you recommend instead ?

[@MuchoMate]

It got completely destroyed with the accuracy gps issue, what a shame

[@NicksStuff]

That's not really a new model, it's a firmware update of the Charge 6. But they'd rather sell you a new watch, so...

[@popokatapetl6995]

Best sleeper monitoring for $140

[@barbaracrosset-hoffmeier1917]

Lucky you! In 3 months, I have had 2 accurate sleep records :(

[@Sharkdread]

Great review. But a dissapointing product. Very similar to the 5 and still doesnt support Triathlon timing!? GPS that doesn't work. Crazy. Wish there was proper music functionality too.

[@carnage2k4]

The 1 thing I came here for you didn't cover... Is the charger a magnetic snap, or a clip on....

[@barbaracrosset-hoffmeier1917]

The charger is magnetic - the old chargers don't work on the Charge 6.

[@flocontour9682]

Sooooo disappointed in my Charge 6. Yeah, I didn't come here and watch a video and didn't read the small print. The connector from the face of my Charge 4 broke off so I ordered a Charge 6. I loved the weather feature on the Charge 4 and stupidly thought it must be on all of them. NOPE. Sooooo annoying. It was so handy. Didn't need to grab phone or computer or what ever - just use the Fitbit.

[@GOBPK]

Can I please get your Gopro Hero 11?

[@takuhata467]

"Encryption of health data isn't something anybody asked for" I'd like it. The problem isn't that Fitbit has implemented this feature, the problem is that everyone else hasn't.

[@JCTReefer]

Fitbits are Junk. Had 3 charge 5’s. They all died a little after a year. Battery drain issues. Battery would last a week then all of a sudden wouldn’t hold a charge for more than a few hours. 100 percent to dead. Apparently there was no fix for this issue after searching every online forum I could find. No customer service either. Ironically my previous charge models had issues also. They’d last about a year and then would stop functioning. I’ve used fitbits for close to 10 years and every single one died. I should have switched to something different long ago. So far this Venu 3 has been a pleasant upgrade. I hope I have better luck with Garmin. I will never own another Fitbit.

[@midknight1978]

sorry hear that man! first time i hear of fitbit issues! allow me to comment regarding the garmin watch. i can assure you that going with garmin is the way to go. I have the garmin mach 1 for couple of years now and the battery life is still amazing! hope this helps

[@radiohaze2558]

The Charge series has been great for me, my original charge lasted 5+ years till the display died and the Charge 5 I have now is 2 years old and works well with battery life still 6 days. Nothing in the Charge6 features to tempt me so will stick with the 5 and hope to get 2 more years out of it.

[@cryptomando]

I have to agree, Fitbits are junk now and they want monthly fees...

[@melanatedrichconvo7927]

Monthly fees?😮😮 5:30

[@RyderHa12d]

Still using my charge 2, never had a issue. Only bought for steps. Need to upgrade now because I want some features that the 2 doesn't have. Looking at 6, or Garmin instinct. Apple to go with my phone.

[@Ian-lu7sp]

The battery life is absolutely rubbish if you walk/hike it won't last one day if you walk more than 17 miles. will last longer if you don't move around mutch

[@nationsnumber1chump]

China knows my heart by its beat

[@zl4366]

fitbit 5 strap irritates the skin. If it is the same in v 6, then big drawback on board. Also, al lot of bugs there are in fitbit. They cannot correct it. Even you showed it. This row of bulltets which changes colour, should not full bulltet change its place the in row when you roll the screen, to indicate where are you on the list ?? Otherwise what for is the row of empty bullets ??? I updated a few times fitbit5. Do you know that there was an update which killed device ??? Really. (it killed my too.) I guess, that you have a money from google for the advetisement.. of this instantly full of bugs device, with toxic strap.

[@michealjaymurphy]

I guess we’re not gonna talk about the problem with it breaking like the 5 had

[@Dcrainmaker]

Which part breaking? I generally cover things I run into in reviews, not a random collection of things I found on the internet.