Newly Charge 5 user, should I regret it?

[AlexP2023]

I've used my Charge 4 every day for like, three years. So finally I decided to upgrade and spend the $150. Now I check the forums and see nothing but people saying how absolutely broken they are.

I should have saved my money!

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Julia_G]

Hi, @AlexP2023 , please bear in mind that mostly people only come to these forums because they have problems.  I think I am right in saying that the Charge 5 is currently the biggest selling Fitbit device so there are many tens of thousands of users who aren’t posting here and who don’t have issues. 

The most common issue I have noticed is battery, but how long a battery lasts - especially the tiny ones in a wrist worn device - really depends to a large extent on how it is used (or misused).  If you always wait to recharge it until the battery is critically low (or even dead) it probably won’t last more than a year.  To keep it at its best the longest charging little and often is ideal.  Ten to fifteen minutes a day, for instance while you are showering in the morning or catching up with television or a book in the evening, is an ideal charging routine.

I have had my own Charge 5 since it first came out, and I have had no problems at all so far.  If you enjoyed your Charge 4 (mine is also still going strong also after 3 years) then I think you are really going to appreciate your new Charge 5.  It solved (for me) the biggest downside of the C4 which was the screen visibility.  The new colour screen on the 5 is so much better…

So I would say, don’t necessarily rely on the negatives, but try it for yourself!  If you bought it directly from Fitbit, I think they are still offering the no quibble return within 45 days if it doesn’t work for you, and you will also be covered with a full year warranty.

Welcome to the forums!  Hopefully you will post again to let others know what you think of your new Fitbit.

[ziggy11]

Nought a charge 5 in May 22. It died in a month. They sent a replacement it died shortly. Well that happened 5 more times. That's right 7 Charge 5's in a year and a few months. After the last one they said warranty is now up. They are junk

[zailushang]

Had charge 2 and a Garmin watch. Charge 5 and customer service are such a big disappointment. Recommend returning asap if you are within the return window.

[Emelda1969]

I’ve been with Fitbit since the company started…allergic reactions to the metals, broken bands at the connection base, multiples of each tracker level including four Charge 4s and I’m on my third Charge 5. I would say yes, you will regret it. Fitbits are too unreliable. I’m now on the forum now because the current 5 has a blank screen. Brand loyal…yes I am but I think enough is enough. If this Charge 5 is dead then my next tracker will be an Apple watch. Sigh….

[stellafred]

Julia, are you not aware that the recent update to Charge 5 basically bricked the devices? I mean….hundreds if not thousands of Fitbit users (including me) are affected by this. If you have updated your Charge 5 and it’s still working, you are very very lucky.

[c_p_4]

Since they updated to the latest firmware, you'll be lucky to get a full day of battery. That's been my experience the last month or so. Before that, it's actually been pretty solid for me for a couple years. They don't seem to be in a rush to at least acknowledge they broke something in the build though, let alone release a patch. Pretty disappointed about that.