Fitbit Charge 6 Review

The Fitbit Charge 6 is a simple and affordable GPS tracker, perfect for those prioritizing basic features. Its small display isn't ideal for detailed data, so it functions better as a tracker than a watch. The Fitbit mobile app is user-friendly, providing easy access to your tracked activities, steps, daily heart rate, and sleep information.

Performance Comparison

Accuracy

We have determined our accuracy rating through a series of tests involving the GPS chipset and heart rate sensor. To evaluate the GPS functionality, each watch was taken on a predetermined 2.8-mile route, and the distance recorded by the watches was compared to the full 2.8-mile distance. As for heart rate assessment, we put a watch on each wrist and went running for half a mile, and these readings were compared to those from our Polar H10 chest strap, known for its scientifically validated accuracy. We performed GPS testing on the same day in similar weather conditions for consistency. The watches were uniformly fastened for heart rate evaluation to maintain a consistent fit. Data was meticulously exported and timestamped to enable a fair comparison between the chest-worn heart rate monitor and the GPS watch.

The accuracy of the Fitbit Charge 6 was slightly off of our control units, +/- 3 BPM, and 0.86 miles on our steep hill test. The unit fared far better on more open trails and matched known trail distances. While these numbers are slightly off, we still feel confident recommending the unit based on our daily experiences. The sleep metrics matched what we observed, and the unit overall accurately displayed heart rate and step counts. While it doesn't boast a huge set of sensors or technologies, the Charge 6 simply works.

Activity Use

The smaller screen of the Fitbit Charge 6 makes activity usage more difficult if you want to see what's going on. There is only room to show pace, distance, and time. There are no physical buttons to flip through screens, and the rise to wake is slower than that of other models. This means a lot of attention needs to go into operating the device while on the move.

We can't recommend this model for serious athletes; it's more at home for shorter workouts and for those who don't need a large display. While there are many different sport modes, these don't mean much if the displayed data is difficult to read. You should plan on using the Fitbit to start the workout but do most of your viewing of actual data on the device.

Everyday Use

The Fit Charge 6 excels at everyday use, and this is where the unit makes the most sense. It's not trying to be some feature-rich, rugged machine. It's simply trying to track your daily metrics and display them in a nice-looking app. If you don't need multi-day battery or recovery metrics, then really, the Charge 6 could be all you need.

This watch required the least interaction, and we felt less obligated to mess with the model due to its quiet design. The screen really prevents you from getting too into the weeds, and there is little setup that needs to be done. If the thought of setting up a device and customizing it to your liking sounds annoying, then the Charge 6 is for you.

Extra Features

The Charge 6 doesn't contain a ton of features, but we are happy items like YouTube Music and Google Pay made it on the device. It shouldn't be a surprise at this point, but the screen really limits any excess. This is especially noticeable when reading notifications, as many scrolls are needed to read a message of any length.

Other daily health metrics are also available, such as stress score, sleep score, and SPO2. Each of these is most easily accessed within the app. The app also contains access to Fitbit's subscription service, which includes recommended workouts and mental well-being exercises. Another nice feature is the turn-by-turn Google Maps directions, which lets you put your phone down and navigate via your wrist. Even with these features, the Charge 6's feature set is small compared to other models, but its simplicity made it stand out in our day-to-day activities.

Wearability

Slim and light, the Charge 6 is barely noticeable when you are wearing the device. GPS watches are often bigger, and they can come across as intense and serious, depending on the style. For a more subdued look or a hint of color, this slim tracker is one of our favorites for those who want less of a footprint on their arm.

The removable straps are easily replaced or swapped out for different colors. The band is comfortable, and the tail easily fits back underneath the main strap, staying out of the way. The rubber design is both durable and easily cleanable and is by far the slimmest in our lineup. It easily fits underneath clothing and is less annoying when sleeping. There are benefits to the shorter battery life, and many are found in the comfort of the device.

Battery Life

The Charge 6 lasted us roughly 8 hours of GPS tracking and just under seven days of continuous smartwatch usage. This should be enough GPS juice for most enthusiasts, while more serious athletes will want a longer lifespan. While the Charge 6 does do GPS recording just fine, it isn't its strong suit; the model should be more viewed as a fitness tracker with the ability of short GPS tracking.

We tested this model on some serious hikes, but we'd be hesitant to use it in more off-trail scenarios or technical terrain. If this doesn't sound like an area where you'd want to use the model, then this is a great option for more daily use.

Should You Buy the Fitbit Charge 6?

The Fitbit Charge 6 is for people who just need basic, easy activity tracking, and daily health tracking. Many of the more premium options charge so much for the extensive battery life and durable rugged designs. The Fitbits' small screen and shorter battery life make the option cost far less. This doesn't lead to poor performance; we appreciated the good HR accuracy, and the Fitbit app also works great. If you're looking for something small and unassuming with lots of packed-in data for your sleep, HR, and steps, this is the model for you.

What Other GPS Watches Should You Consider?

The Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the most minimal watches in our test lineup. If you want that next step up and want easier visualization on the watch, check out the Garmin Forerunner 165. If you are most focused on daily health metrics and want loads of smartwatch features, we'd recommend the Garmin Vivoactive 5.