Your colleague is obsessed with their daily step goal; “The Fitbit Charge 2 has changed my life!” – but should you believe the hype? Well here is an honest review for the Fitbit Charge 2.

Fitbit Charge 2 Review – Initial Thoughts

The Fitbit Charge 2 looks beautiful, almost futuristic but the best and worst of it is invisible at first glance.

Simple Beauty

Fitbit Charge 2 Review – Design

The Fitbit Charge 2 has a clean and minimalistic design. If you are ashamed to advertise that you spent nearly £200 on your latest attempt to achieve your health goals, then you will appreciate the discreet design.

Side by side

It boasts a larger, brighter screen that makes its predecessor, the Charge HR, pale in comparison with its dim lit screen. It is perfect for running at night but terrible if it is the first thing you raise to your eyes in the morning.

Fitbit Charge 2 Review – Durability

The screen will get scratched, but it is not a deal breaker because so do smart-phones and tablet screens. The only way around it is to buy a screen protector.

Everything with a screen will scratch

The biggest game changer is the interchangeable band. Oh, sweet relief.

The Charge HR’s greatest failure was the guaranteed-to-break band. Google Charge HR broken band and see the graveyard of destroyed fitness watches.

Broken Fitbit Charge HR

Apart from addressing a major design flaw, the options for replacement bands coupled with third party companies (original Fitbit replacement bands are overpriced) means you have much more control over your look.

Fitbit Replacement Band

Fitbit Charge 2 Review – The Big Screen

Fitbit Charge 2 – Thick Border Around Screen

The perfect illusion – it works, and you will not mind when you realise that you are being tricked. It is a throwback to LCD/PLASMA TVs with thick borders to elevate the deception of a larger screen. Touchscreen? No. Why would you need it? Remember the old Samsung touchscreen phones? No? Well, I do! A stark reminder that if the touchscreen is not up to par, it becomes a hindrance.

I will happily wait until Fitbit have the right technology to produce the best touchscreen fitness watch.

Fitbit Charge 2 Review – Navigation

“Look woody” clock face options, everywhere. I could create an entire review on the different options available for the clock face. Well done Fitbit, well done.

The Charge 2’s Navigation has received an upgrade from its older sibling’s. It has fluid transitions between each screen.

I heard that the Head of Amazon once asked for a redesign because “it was not beautiful enough” – this display passes the beauty test.

It is clear that Fitbit has put some thought into this. They have considered the user journey rather than adding random fancy features. It feels like an Apple product. Yes, I said it.

You can see all the essential details on the watch.

Fitbit Charge 2 Review – Additional Features

  • Step reminders
  • Text & call notifications
  • Subtle alarm vibrations
  • GPS tracking
  • Guided breathing feature

Fitbit Charge 2 Review – The Fitbit App

There are some added features on the app when you upgrade to the Charge 2. Here are the new and most important features.

Set your watch wrist and your dominant hand.

Seems unimportant until you are in the Work Week Challenge with someone who decides to wear the Fitbit on their right hand so that it registers more steps (I am talking to you, Chris).

See VO2 max data

You can also connect it to the MyFitnessPal app which is better for keeping a food diary – especially if you eat ethnic foods that are not on Fitbit’s database.

You can adjust the 250 step goal’s start and end time to suits your schedule.

Fitbit Charge 2 Review – Pointers

Sync regularly – the longer you wait, the longer you will have to wait while your watch syncs! It can be very annoying when you have not synced for a week and have taken 100k steps.

New Charger design is tricky – always double check that it is charging.

Fitbit is reputable for being reasonable if your watch is damaged due to manufacturing errors just make sure that you keep your receipt!

Where to Buy the Fitbit Charge 2 UK

Buy it from Amazon, they are the best supplier and offer a quick delivery service. For high-street shops, I would recommend Argos and John Lewis.

Conclusion

Three months on, I am happy with the purchase. If you are planning to upgrade from the Charge HR, then this is perfect for you. You will not regret it.

Categorized in:

Fitbit, Reviews, Tech,

Last Update: March 4, 2024