Honest Review

[smrmnsr]

What the he double hockey sticks is happening at Fitbit Inc.?

Over the last year: Challenges gone. Spotify support on charge watches gone. Most in app full screen graphs gone. UI less customizable, you have to swap whole sections rather than individual tiles. Common guys who's looking after this product?

It gotten so bad I took the time to communicate to the company here to say something. I work in software dev, when the customer comes with a slew of complaints it's been a trucking problem for a long time and the customer finally snapped.

Also stop trying to make YouTube music happen, who uses that Regina? It feels like that brand is desperate which makes me want to try it out less, 3 months free, trump off girl. Why would I want to control YouTube from my watch?! The brand doesn't even make sense. People think videos, why would they think great! music?!

Today my watch bugged out so bad it was unresponsive to restarting even from the cable button! Fitbit the brand has really gone to trash. I am a big Google product advocate but I think Fitbit is a brand destined for the Google graveyard if things don't change. Like google play music.

[Unaccountable]

Apparently Fitbit has disabled a ton of things including replies on several topics i.e. their products bugging out as well as them removing several useful features.  

My watch had a SYSTEM update and somehow got corrupted in the process.  I reached out for assistance only to be told it's "out of warranty, but here's a coupon".  Why would I want to spend another $200+ on a watch that only lasts a year?  

I can see if perhaps I damaged the thing BUT that's not the case.  The forced update screwed it up and I got the big screw you from fitbit.  

Anyone else experienced this? 

[CyclingKeith]

Oh I really wish that I had seen this review before we upgraded my wife's Fitbit charge from 5 to 6. we have both had Fitbits for many years with the very odd issue which was resolved very quickly by their service department. 

I recently tried to cross over from Fitbit to google as we upgraded her Fitbit from 5 to 6, I made the mistake of trying to use her normal e mail account and got locked out. Its now been almost a month, its hard to speak to anyone as phones are busy, when you do get through it cant be rectified, "oh don't worry we will escalate ti up and someone will get back to you within 72 hours", It never happens.

The support service, contactable by e mail only, just e mail back, say very sorry but can you be patient. 

What has happened to Fitbit after google took over. It appears that they are only interested in you having a g mail account. That's OK for Google as they can tell their shareholders that they now have more uses.

Good luck all. 

[Xmarcup]

I have had many Fitbit 4 and then 5 and the reason it is many is that they always fail between 9 to 20 months old. The recent replacement has just turned dark after less than this. Completely fed up and not happy with the changes to the app. So closing down account and moving to another watch. It is a pity because the app did meet everything I needed in a fitness watch. Shame but if they don’t resolve this poor durability and technical glitches they will not be around!! 

[Edword]

The charge is overpriced the GPS Does not work properly the sleep does not display in the watch its glitchy. I just bought mine as Google has taken the huawei health app out their google store by mandate ,so when got a new phone had to change from my huawei band . In a competitive market where all apps in the google store the fitbit would possibly not sell

[Sawandliam]

Totallly agree! The product (Accuracy,  technology, Short battery life)  is no longer what it once was nor is the Customer Service.

it works about half the time. Disappointing. 

. 

[Sawandliam]

that makes sense, good explanation on why the product is longer what it was

Moderator Edit: Formatting.

[katek28]

Wish I had seen this thread BEFORE migrating to Google this AM.  What a disaster!  All my data history is GONE.  Tried deleting, restarting phone, etc.  Nothing worked.  

Wondering if anyone has suggestions for a fitbit alternative?  Ready to drop fitbit after many years....

[Ferdi2024]

Customer service non existent.  Couldn’t fix a known issue, offered 35% discount.  That was their answer?!?!?  I’ll find another tracker, there  are plenty out there. 

[Sawandliam]

I second the customer service is a joke!!! It wasn't like this a few back, you tell customer service what the problem is but insist on "necessary steps "that have nothing to do with the issue at hand. after you comply (and still not fixed) , you get another email telling you to do the same thing or say you need to upgrade to a new watch even though the one you have is still in warranty. FRUSTRATING

[Sawandliam]

me too. unfortunate. maybe google is coming out with something new, wants to move the business there

[Mcav75]

Just for balance, my partner and I have had Charge 6 watches for all of this year and neither watch has skipped a beat. Outside of the floor count feature, it tracks better than the Sense 2 in every way, particularly in high intensity workouts.

[Edword]

Would agree with half baked features. However the sleep tracking is generally considered the best of all the fitness trackers and watches under Apple. The is a youtuber called the quantified scientist that tests sleep tracking of devices against equipment. Fitbit is only better by the expensive and very short battery Apple bulk Apple watch. The non apple products that are better at sleep is the Oura ring and super ring which cost way more and only slightly better at sleep and don't provide watch features like the time or data, they are also no good at heart rate. The sleep tracking should be automatic. You can select normal bedtimes and wake time but it should track even with out those set. I have had mine since 12 of May for the first 6 weeks I had not set my bedtime and wake time it, still worked fine on the default. It does cover some naps but they have to be around an hour from experience. The sleep tracking should be automatic and it does record different sleep stages. If it is not recording stages you may need to turn up the sleep sensitivity. The first night I had mine it did not record my REM and deep sleep. I clicked on my username on the top right side of the today screen clicked on settings then changed sleep sensitivity to sensitive and it has worked well since then. I had a cheap brand of tracker before that did record naps bit better like even 20 minutes but it also would overstate my sleep. The sleep was not as accurate as fitbit.  I agree there is issues but for the best sleep tracking watch that is nice and to wear only the apple can match but that is too big with a terrible battery. The only thing I did think with the charge 6 is that I could have bought and inspire 3 and had the same sleep tracking for less. If its not recording sleep stages you may need to turn up the sensitivity it should record the sleep stages if you sleep over about 3 and half hours, I think and it will record naps of around an hour I think. 

[Covo2]

I have a Fitbit versa purchased at Macy's without warranty because they do not sell warranty.  1 year after the 200.00 watch got stuck on the logo.  Does not move.  I have tried everything.  Needless to say it is a common problem with these watches.  Fitbit refused to replace it. And offered 30.00 off of a new one.  A slap in the face.  Not happy at all with Fitbit. 

[old_yeti]

My Sense will work and then stop. Then work, then stop. Repeat. 

[dmtracey]

Yep! I am extremely dissatisfied with my fitbit!! I turn it on at the
beginning of my workout and when i go to check how i did I find out it
turned itself off and does not track the full hour workout! GRRRR

[Jacksone]

My fitbit is ok but I did not find it so useful.  I went to return it but Google Store has a 14 day return policy.  I have read Fitbit's which was 45.  Google Store were awful to deal with.  Obviously with this kind of restrictive policy I would highly recommend NOT using Google Store.  Had I been aware, I would never have used them.

[Mywatch123]

Same thing happened to me. Clicked the Update now button and a few seconds in, my screen blanks out and it won’t turn on at all. I immediately called support and we tried everything. The guy on the phone actually admitted that it sometimes happens when you update! What? Then it’s totally not my fault and give me a new one. Nope. Coupon offer and buy my own! Never again after being a loyal customer. My less expensive Gloryfit is working great! I liked having 2 devices, but oh well.

[MiaDav]

Absolutely agree!

I have been a loyal customer to Fitbit since 2016, recommending their watches to family and friends. 

My current Versa 3 broke down due to the update I installed on it via the Fitbit app. The update sabotaged my device!

[Mywatch123]

I am so sorry I hit the update button! My Fitbit was working fine. Sad that they do nothing for loyal customers!