My solutions on how to charge your Fitbit device

[TzeHong]

Dear all,

Having read so many threads about devices failing, I would like to offer a possible cause of it. There are mainly two ways to charge a device like our Fitbit watches, either via an adaptor using the wall power socket or via the USB port of computers. I would like to suggest based on my experience using various electronic devices, that it would be better to charge using the USB of a computer. This is because, the current delivered by wall power sockets is usually 2 times or more higher than the current via USB sockets. This causes the batteries in devices to heat up more and also results in batteries being unable to hold their charge well. 

I use other devices like drawing tablets (e.g. Wacom, Xencelabs etc.) and the advice given by the company representatives has always been to charge using computer USB. I would feel this is even more critical for a small device like a Fitbit. So far, I've been using the Luxe for 2 months and I've always charged it using the USB. At times, I can even get 8 days of usage from the battery and it would only drop to around 15% by then. Just last night I charged it to 100% and after a full day of usage, even with about 20 min of connected GPS running, after a full 24 h, the battery is at 94%.

Do try out USB charging via a computer. It is slower to charge but definitely better for the batteries.

Best regards

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Odyssey13]

Hi @TzeHong many people do not have a computer to use to charge their Fitbit. Many of my family members do everything with their smartphones. I have a desktop computer but have used my wall socket to charge all my devices. With many of the posts, the problem is the device is getting older and with time, all our devices will have dying batteries. The batteries aren't replaceable, so they simply show signs of aging. Your Luxe is new, so it's expected you won't have a problem. My Luxe is getting older, probably close to two years or more, but charging it twice a week generally is enough to keep it going.

[TzeHong]

Hi @Odyssey13, thanks for joining in the conversation. Yes, my Luxe is probably still new and it's good to know that yours is still going strong after two years. I just hope that those with computers can give it a go. Just by Googling, there are many sources that recommend charging via computer USB as opposed to charging using the power sockets. After reading many posts of devices failing after less than a year, I just thought this may be one of the possible causes.

All the best to you! 

[JuanFitbit]

@Odyssey13 Thank you for your comment.

@TzeHong Thank you for your message and recommendation. 

Keep in mind, as every electronic device, the battery life depends on the cicles that it has been charged. We recommend you to have a look at this: What are tips to extend my Fitbit device's battery life?

[t.parker]

@TzeHong higher power USB chargers have no impact on battery life. Higher output wattage means only that the charger is able to output that power when device asks for it. It's not going to push it by force into it. It is absolutely safe to use 40W or 65W chargers with smaller devices. I use my laptop USB-C charger (65W) with my phone and despite higher output it won't charge my phone faster because my phone will ask only for maximum supported power. At the same time, it won't damage or shorten life of battery. Not sure about some no-name chargers (it may be anything inside) but all certified chargers will make no harm to your watch.