Lifespan of Fitbit Charge 2 or Fitbit Charge HR?

[BarbaraH.]

What do you consider the lifespan of a Fitbit Charge HR or Fitbit Charge 2?  I purchased a Fitbit Charge HR and it lasted 1-1/2 years.  I think they should hold up better than that.  Is this something that you have to plan of buying a new one yearly?  I also think the Customer Service has the attitude that it is just too bad...so sad.  That is very poor.  They cost too much to fall apart that fast.  A cheap Timex watch lasts for years and years. 

[BarbaraH.]

I bought a Fitbit Charge HR and it has only lasted about 1-1/2 years.  I think it should hold up better than that?  I have since bought a Fitbit Charge 2 but found out that Fitbit does NOT stand by their products.  There attitude is too bad...so sad.  These cost enough that they should have a better attitude in their customer service!  I  am very disappointed in the product at this point.  I certainly do not wish to buy one yearly.

[USAF-Larry]

I am not sure I understand your comment that you just bought a Charge 2 but found out that Fitbit does not stand by their products, @BarbaraH.  Have you had a problem with your Charge 2?  The Charge HR that you had last 1.5 year, and had a 1 year warranty, so it outlasted its warranty period. The Charge 2 also came with a 1 year warranty, and if it fails during that time, Fitbit will stand behind it and fix or replace it.  What happened to you that Fitbit did not stand by their product?  

[Collin1000]

I've had a Charge HR since it came out and only just upgraded to the Charge 2 when that came out... and the Charge HR is still in great condition. There are definately some users who have reported issues with their Charge HR, but I think it depends on how it is worn and how you treat it. It is backed by a 1 year warranty as well. 

[Piggy]

I went through 3 charge HRs in 9 months. Given its 1 year warranty, you'll probably get 1 year to maybe 1.5 years. 

I wouldn't bet on charge 2 being any different.

I think of it as a $10 a month subscription to the service. It's not a bad deal.

Fitbit is more like a service. The trackers are just disposable rentals.

[Julia_G]

@BarbaraH. and @Piggy I am not sure what your issues were with the Charge HR.  Some people did have problems with durability of the band (though I did not experience that myself).  The ability to have replaceable bands was one of the most popular requests, so the new Charge 2 has that feature.  If the band goes wrong outside the warranty period and the tracker is still working you can replace the band.  This seems like a big improvement to me, as well as the extra features on the Charge 2.  I am very happy with mine!

If you do have any questions or issues you can always find someone here to point you towards help.  Hosting and maintaining this community forum is one of the ways Fitbit stands by its products -- besides its 45 day return policy and warranty, of course!

[BarbaraH.]

It was not concerning my Fitbit Charge 2.  It was concerning my Fitbit Charge HR.  So what you are saying is that if the warranty is for 1 year, that is all I can expect out out it?  My feeling is that although it may have run out of warranty, it should hold up better than 1 year if I take very good care of it which I did.  The workmanship should be better than that.  That would mean I would be buying a new Fitbit once a year!  That is ridiculous.  What happened to the Fitbit Charge HR was that the tiny button on the side fell out leaving a hole.  It was not abused in any way.  Again, is it that I am expected to look forward to buying a new Fitbit once a year?  They cost enough that it should be better than that.  Don't get me wrong, I really like my Fitbit Charge 2 and I hope it lasts at least 3 or 4 years at least.  I don't believe in this throw-away society and these are not really that cheap.

I bought the Fitbit Charge HR and did not abuse it ever.  I upgraded to the Fitbit Charge 2 only because they has assured me that I would be able to read the steps and such when walking outside because that was not the case with the Charge HR.  I love my Fitbit and it has been great to have that extra push to walk.  I am 70 years old with no grandchildren so I was the only one to wear it or mess with it.  I simply wore it.  The button on the side just dropped out leaving a hole in the Charge HR after I had given it to my sister within a week.  I think they should hold up better than that.  However, at this point, the problem has been solved.  I certainly do NOT think that I should have to look forward to buying a Fitbit once a year and accept that because the warranty has run out.  They should be better than that as they certainly cost enough.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Rich_Laue]

My Charge HE will be two years old on Christmas a Eve, and is still going strong. 

[BarbaraH.]

This is fantastic news.  Thank you.  I was only concerned because my Fitbit Charge HR lasted 1 year and a few months.  The response was that after all the warranty was one year so I should just go buy a new one.  That is not how I think at all.  I really enjoy my Fitbit but husband would not like buying a new one every year! 

[USAF-Larry]

---

@BarbaraH. wrote:

This is fantastic news.  Thank you.  I was only concerned because my Fitbit Charge HR lasted 1 year and a few months.  The response was that after all the warranty was one year so I should just go buy a new one.  That is not how I think at all.  I really enjoy my Fitbit but husband would not like buying a new one every year! 

---

Since the Charge HR has been discontinued, @BarbaraH., you can no longer buy one unless it is on clearance from retailer.  But, if you decide to purchase a new Charge 2, consider buying it from an authorized retailer such as Sam's Club, Best Buy, Target, etc., which offers an inexpensive extended warranty. Sam's Club, for example, offers a 3-year extended warranty for less than $20.

[BarbaraH.]

The stem just fell out of my Fitbit Charge HR leaving a gapping hole.  No abuse at all to the Fitbit.  Just wore in as usual.  However, I am happy to say this problem was solved.  I love my Fitbit Charge 2.  I do not think of it as a rental or a service.  The workmanship is important and I don't want to live in a throw-away society.  I think it should last 3 years at least as long as I do not abuse it in any way.  I have told myself the same in that I would just divide the months into the price and figure that a deal.  Then I considered that I am 70 years old with no grandchildren.  I just wear it under normal conditions with no swimming, wearing it in the shower, or any abuse at all.  So I zig and zag on this.  However, again, I am very happy at this point and the problem is solved. 

[DblGee]

I am sorry you are having this experience.  I know how upsetting it can be to spend over $100 on a device and have it die on you and not qualify for a replacement.  But....my experiences with Fitbit Customer Support have always been really great.  I've had a Fitbit since the Flex first came out, I've had a Force, a Charge, the Blaze, now a Charge 2, and have purchased additional devices at times as gifts for people I care about.  Anytime I've had an issue they have always treated me well and resolved any issues to my sastisfaction....up to and including when I had an issue with the Flex at one point, not only did they replace it....the band they sent on it was the only color I didn't own!.  In fact the reason I am on the boards right now is because I was having an issue with my "Best" Badges not updating.  I know they've been having issues with this and when I spoke to them last week was under the impression it was going to be awhile before this gets fixed.  Mine are all up to date now and I wanted to thank them.  Can they do "everything" to accomodate a Customer?  No....but I think they sincerely do the best that they can.  Again, I am sorry you've had this happen...I've worn a Fitbit for so long now that I would really miss not having mine.

[USAF-Larry]

That is good to hear, @DblGee, and it echos my experience to date with Fitbit.

[BarbaraH.]

I do really enjoy the Fitbit Charge 2 and I am sorry about the problems too.  They sent a replacement for the Fitbit Charge HR but it was clearly one that someone had been sent back damaged.  I realized they just are not going to do anything at all if it isn't under warranty and I think it lasting about a year is sad.  It just appears they are somewhat fragile for the money they cost.  I guess it just comes down to purchasing a new one from time to time and looking for a different brand at some point.  You are good to go for perhaps a year and that is just the way it is.  If yours lasts longer, you are blessed. 

[FitFrank]

My Charge HR lasted over a year, before the band on one side started to show minor signs of bubbling.

I expect my Charge 2 to last at least 2-3 years or more.  The band issue is the biggest issue, which I'm glad Charge 2 has resolved for the most part, allowing 3rd party replacement bands.

The internal batteries do wear out over time, which is the next biggest concern.  If my Charge 2 lasts 3 years I will be satisfied. If it only lasts 1 year I will not be satisfied.

[BarbaraH.]

If my Fitbit Charge 2 lasts for about 3 years, I will be happy as well.  It was not the band on my HR but the stem fell out leaving a hole which of course, would let dust get in there and such.  I do understand that the batteries will wear out but I do think 3 years at least should be the deal.

[Fittergirl]

I have enjoyed fitbit blaze and have taken great care of it. Have had it for 14 months and it suddenly started counting steps while off and sitting on a counter. Heart rate did not register. I’ve tried solutions turning off, resetting etc. nothing worked. Customer service says no longer under warranty. Offered 25 percent off next one. If barely over a year is the

lifespan I dont want another. Any other experiences? 

[Rich_Laue]

When the tracker is off the arm, is it on a table next to something that vibrates? Like maybe a fan? 

[RaneeL]

My Charge hr also lost the (stem) little side button which left the hole.  I was lucky enough to find it and glued it in.  I was hoping when I got a new band it would come with a new button but sadly it didn't.  I am forced to buy a new fit since mine holds less than a days charge. So Charge 2 here I come.  I do think anything you spend up to 150 for should last way longer than its year warranty.  Just saying.

[UDONFIT]

Most manufacturers of electronics offer a pretty standard 1 year warranty to protect consumers from faulty devices.

That said, many manufacturers, having products above a certain price point, do offer repair services, even third party.  Also, often the product lasts quite a bit longer than the manufacturers warranty. I don’t see lasting 6 months over warranty being a great golden standard for a company to have.  Either way, better to get the best rated activity tracker, when yours breaks.  No point being loyal to a particular company.  Companies who want to maintain reputation will need to work on the quality and durability of their products as the market gets more competitive for this type of product...and it’s getting much more competitive.  Rule of thumb, is don’t go with the hype, read lots of product reviews and pick the best for your price point.  Next activity tracker might be a garmin, if it’s the better product at the time.   Or maybe activity trackers will be like running shoes to runners.  They have to be replaced after a certain amount of mileage.  If that’s the case, let’s hope the price or the durability of these products improve soon.  Waiting to see how long my Charge 2 lasts.  Maybe I’ll make it a cupcake if it makes it to 2 yrs.