Charge 3 sharp edges

[Jaydee83]

I've had a Charge 3 for a few months and have noticed that the edges around the face are raised a bit and sharp enough to be snagging sheets, clothes, jackets, etc. When I reached out to Fitbit help about this, I was told this is the first they've heard of this issue but weren't willing to do anything about it, under warranty or otherwise, other than suggest I post about it. Has anyone else had this issue? Seems like a pretty big design flaw.

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[Ed869]

I have had my charge 3 since November 2018 sharp edges on mine as well!! 

Should i I really be taking sand paper to a watch that cost £150 and I have only had for 9 months... design floor?! What??!! I only use mine for running!!! 

Has anyone had a response from Fitbit on this or are they ignoring the issue? 

[Corbata69]

I think finally found a good solution. Amazon sells a 3 pack of multi-colored bands (variety of colors to choose from) for $9.90. Brand is “Maledan”. Received mine a week ago and when I replaced the original Fitbit band the sharp edges became non-existent. These aftermarket bands fit better than the manufacturer’s bands.

[Chelsieb12]

I've had mine a couple of months and I'm having the same problem. I am frustrated that this is happening. I love everything else about it but this makes me not want to wear it anymore. 

[Chelsieb12]

I contacted customer service and mine was still within warranty so I was able to get a replacement. Well, I got a new one and it has the same exact problem. They're response was that I should provide feedback on the community forum. It was a complete waste of time for me to try and exchange it. 

[LisaLisa1989]

Awesome! Will buy tonight!

Sent from my iPhone

[EmilySmithRDH]

@Corbata69 I'm glad to hear the bands resolved the issue for you but unfortunately I don't think any type of band would have taken away the rough edges on mine because my sharp edges was only around the watch face, metal part. I know that I should not have had to even do this but I did file the edges with an Emory board and it completely resolved my issue. Thankfully you can't even tell that I even filed it down.  It looks no different at all.  They really should have fixed this design flaw but I'm so glad that I can still wear my watch with no issues now.  I love the watch otherwise!! 

[KrisTC]

I also had this issue, I have hurt myself quite a few times and my daughter has also got a number of really bad scraches from the watch.

Also recently my screen stopped responding, they sent me a new one under warranty, I think this is even sharper than my old. I wonder if the screen broke because of the constant catching of the sharp corners, there was no sign of damage. I loved my fitbit charge hr, charge 2 and was really excited about being able to get one I can swim with but the design of this is terrible. It is so sharp!

[Corbata69]

You have to get the “Maledan bands” off Amazon. You get 3 colors for $10 and they look exactly like the original Fitbit bands. They just barely cover the sharp edges though and I haven’t been scratched in 2 months since switching to them. I swear by them.

[Corbata69]

Search for “Maledan bands” on Amazon. You pick 3 colors and get 3 bands for $10. Look identical to Fitbit bands but have a little extra rubber that completely covers the sharp corners. Got mine 2 months ago and no scratches. I swear by them. 

[only1darkknight]

The tracker doesn't sustain some single instance of damage to get in this state. A new band mates up with the corners of the watch just perfectly, and the corners of the watch itself are very crisp albeit not initially sharp. Thus, after a very short time, basic wear and tear rubs down the corners of the bands (leaving the watch corners exposed) and the fine edges/corners of the watch get burred or sharpened. The result is a relatively new watch that must be kept from coming into contact with pretty much everything - clothing, bedding, skin - if you don't want it's sharp corners/edges snagging or scratching.

Looking closely, the side pieces of metal being separate from the cross-members on the watch (in other words, sandwiched around the whole middle section) is what create this susceptibility. The design really requires either a sturdier metal on the sides that doesn't fail to maintain integrity under normal bumps and rubbing, or a redo of the layout for sandwiching in the watch body so that those corners are not pronounced in the way they currently are.

[Jaydee83]

I tried using an emory board to sand down the corners which helped smooth out the edges and corners, but also took off the color of the aluminum around the corners. Now each of the corners are smooth and shiny silver which doesn't look the greatest when the rest of the case is dark grey. It's too bad, and really unfortunate customer service wasn't willing to anything to help me. Likely will be the last Fitbit I ever buy. 

[Ahmeda87]

This has affected my charge 3 and I screeched the paint of my car with it as well as damaged one of my wooden doors.

Is there a solution to this ? I dont want to stop using it because of such a thing but I'm going to have to cause it becoming a pain when im moving around

[EmilySmithRDH]

I filed mine down very slightly with an Emory nail file and it worked perfectly.  No issues at all since then!! It's a bummer that we even have to do that but thankfully it worked.

[rtungett]

I just bought my Fitbit Charge 3 from Sam's Club.  I noticed right away my watch was scratching my leather recliner when I put my hand behind my head. 😞   It's sad that after well over a year Fitbit hasn't done anything about this.  Trying to decide if I should return it or file it.  I shouldn't have to file something I spend this much money on.

[Kscott76]

I also have had issues with sharp

corners.  I have scratched my 5 year old in the face 3 times with my Charge 3.   I like the device but not the danger it brings to my child!  This is a big problem!

[h9999]

Exactly the same on my new replacement for a faulty one I returned.

keeps waking me up as it scratches the sheets and has caught my skin a few times.

glad I’m not the only one - have they offered to help anyone with this problem? 

thanks 

[KimberleeA]

Very disappointing that Fitbit customer service is not paying attention to the design flaw. I have snagged clothing mostly, and it is really bothersome to have a snag on new, first-time worn items. I don't want to sand it down and expose the color underneath. I also prefer my metal band, so I will switch back to the silicone bands and see if I can resolve the issue without sanding/filing down. 

I bought the Charge 3 because it had the features I was looking for, was a good price point and got it at Costco, so I earned 2% back. I can return it to Costco, not sure if I another product will fit my needs at this price point.

Pay attention to your customers, Fitbit!

[JHiker]

Hi- I’ve had this issue for the past few years. When I wrote to Fitbit I was told this was not a known issue. What has happened is as the rubber (sports) band wears down all four corners of device are sharp. I have been buying new sports bands every few months. It’s good for about a month then it’s sharp again. I’ve snagged my sheets and clothes with my Fitbit. Disappointing to have to replace the bands every 6 weeks or so. I’m definitely going to be switching devices when I’ve worn my last band.