Charge 4 heart rate information not accurate

[Titusblink]

I just got the Charge 4 and I did a max effort cardio workout which I know I touch into the 190's peak heart rate and avg 155-165. The charge 4 frequently said it couldn't measure my heart rate. It once showed 193 but as if it didn't believe it - the final stats for my workout displayed a peak rate of 161 and avg of 136... This is an absolute joke. What a waste of my time and $$ and I must educate people in every possible forum of this issue. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT if you want accurate workout readings 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[AlejandraFitbit]

It's great to see you here, @Titusblink.

I understand how are you feeling and appreciate the feedback provided. If you are having problems with your heart rate information, I recommend taking a look at the help article: What factors can affect my heart-rate reading on my Fitbit device? and follow the instructions provided there.

Let me know the outcome. 🙂

[SkaterB]

I feel exactly the same. Got Charge 4 about a month ago and during HIIT, rowing, yoga, anything but slow and deliberate distance work, I’m hitting peaks and the Charge 4 is registering maybe in the 80s if I’m lucky. It’s distracting, I feel like I wasted money on a not very fancy watch. My old charge HR is more accurate then this piece of junk. And yes Fitbit moderator, I’ve turned it on and off again, updated my app, tried tightening and loosening the band; tried repositioning the band on the same wrist and on the other wrist. Seriously?! This is touted as the top of the line heart rate monitors for athletes? I’ve been a coach and trainer for over thirty years and the metric accuracy on this thing is a joke. I wanted to try the 4 because I had the HR for 5 years and found it to be reliable. I wanted the upgraded measurements... waste.

[dailywalker2]

I'm experiencing the same thing. My exercise routine has not changed:  I walk briskly 5 miles and then jog 1 mile on treadmill or go bike riding 5 miles.  Always hit cardio on the walk and would always exceed cardio on the jog or bike ride.  Now, I'm lucky if it says I did 7 min of cardio.  I've tried everything, restarting fit bit, tightening the strap during exercise, etc. This Charge 4 is not worth the money I paid for it. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @SkaterB and @dailywalker2. Welcome to the Community Forums.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, as well for the troubleshooting steps tried prior posting. I see where you're coming from as the Charge 4 was designed to track accurate data to help you working toward your goals. Since both of you have tried the possible steps for this situation, I've contacted our Support team so they can create a case on your behalf and continue helping you via email. Please note that due to recent events affecting our operations there might be a delay in their reply, but they'll get in touch with you soon.

If you need anything else, don't hesitate to let me know.

[dailywalker2]

Hi It's been 10 days and no one has contacted me.  The HR is still not accurate despite all the troubleshooting steps, which is a huge problem.  It's clearly defective. I want my money back. 

[Tfvr]

I am having this exact same issue as well. I tried all of the trouble shooting steps and it still doesn’t read accurately.

[Sarah___g]

I'm also noticing inaccuracy in heart rate measurements.

While resting it sometimes goes up to over ninety bpm, but by using other devices I know it's under 60.

I have turned heart rate measuring off and on again, restarted the device, charged it.. nothing is helping. 

[Zimm1031]

I am having the same issue. I started working out on the elliptical and it had its own heart rate monitor. I would look at my watch and my heart rate would be stuck and not moving. I have tried tightening the band and loosening the band but got the same result. My elliptical says that my average heart rate was 144 and my charge 4 says it was 117. I even had my son work out on the elliptical with his Apple smart watch and the elliptical and his watch were almost exact during his whole workout. I have had some heart health issues so I need to depend on this watch to be accurate. I have called support and they had me do a reboot but that has changed nothing. I’m very dissatisfied as the heart rate  is the most important aspect of me having a fitness watch. Very dissatisfied.