Heart rate inaccurate on Fitbit Sense

[Cameronoates]

Hey 

is anyone else experiencing huge heart rate inaccuracy during exercise with the sense? 

During exercise with the sense it won’t ever get above 120bpm for me 

but if I use my charge 4 during the EXACT same exercise my heart rate is between 145-170bpm in the cardio zone 

It’s extremely disappointing and I don’t want to have to switch to my charge 4 everytime I exercise to ensure accurate heart rate 

defeats the purpose of having the sense 

seriously one of the most frustrating experiences I have ever had.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[sbflinders]

Same here, it’s best to be polite and level headed when approaching the people at support.  I had a good experience with them too.

[Silverback007]

I agree that Fitbit customer service has always been very good.  However, I am very disappointed that they continue ie to sell a defective product and don’t recall and fix the devices already sold.  It’s extremely frustrating.    

[Mary_Westcliffe]

I sent my first Fitbit Sense back due to this issue, but the replacement is exactly the same. I contacted customer support and they admit that it is an issue that they are working on. They asked me to continue troubleshooting and wearing the Fitbit so they can watch how it works with me for now. Very frustrating.

[Silverback007]

As some one else asked.  Is it a software or hardware problem.  That would determine my future actions. 

[TARPDR]

So glad I have read all these issues before making the investment to buy my hubby one as he has heart issues and we thought what a fantastic way of keeping a track of his heart and having much more data than his versa  2 

[lchreiteh]

This just happened to me! I tried my partner’s Apple Watch after getting off the elliptical and it read 155 BPM vs my Fitbit Sense at 115 BPM. So irritating. 

[DamonIE]

I am a new owner of the Sense and also am finding the heart rate monitor very inaccurate when doing exercise. Resting heart rate seems to be more or less accurate. But this is very disappointing. I hope it can be fixed with a firmware update. But I am a bit worried that it maybe a hardware issue at this point. I wish they would post something to clarify this.   

[Jumpjockey]

Yes, those are exactly my feelings, beyond irritated .. I wear a chest strap heart monitor also and triangulate the readings on my machines ie treadmill, bike, etc and the BPM`s are the same on machines and chest strap but the Sense reads 119 when my BPM is 182, ridiculous., everything is then off re calories burnt, peak rate mins..just not good enough Fitbit !!!

[Silverback007]

I would really like an official response from Fitbit addressing the issue for all of us rather than ignoring it.  

[Mary_Westcliffe]

>From Fitbit: “Hi Mary,

Thanks for letting us know about this issue. We’re aware of it and are
working to identify a resolution as quickly as possible.

We're sorry for any trouble. We appreciate your patience and look forward
to getting you back on track.

Please let us know if there's anything we can do to assist you in the
meantime.

Sincerely,

Sharon V. and the Fitbit Team”
--
Sent from Gmail Mobile

[Vini]

Yep Me Too! Wore my old Ionic many times together with Sense - Sense is not even close. Ionic 154, Sense 94 - Of course calories burnt and Zone minutes out too!  Very expensive item that cannot do the basic core information.  Support has been of little use. Going back to my Ionic! 

[DamonIE]

This is exactly what's happening with me. If I go for a long bike ride or a run (something with enough intensity) then after about 15-20 minutes it begins to track more or less accurate for a while. However if I go for a moderate activity like a brisk walk it never seems to go above 105 (when it should be in the 115-130 range). 

I have a case open but I am wondering if this is a hardware issue or a firmware issue. Also I wonder how many people do not have this issue? I image many people don't have this issue, so does this mean there a bunch of lemons out there with hardware issues? Hard to tell, and Fitbit has yet to help to clarify it.

I just got my Sense about 4 days ago and so I will hold on to mine for a little while to see if they will fix with a firmware update, but I also am seeing that people have been complaining about this for months so it's kind of baffling where it stands.

It's very sad to me because I really am enjoying the watch in every other way. But this is a major issue that effects other readings that need to calculate HR into the equation.

[AlexTellsJokes]

I am having the same issues with mine and am extremely frustrated with it as well. I wish I would have chose the Apple Watch over the new Sense.

Just sent him a message.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[V-Nessa]

I’m having a similar issue.
When I’m doing absolutely nothing my Sense gives me 5-10 point a higher resting heart rate than my old Charge HR2 (I’ve worn both at the same time), and when I’m doing intense cycling classes my Scoche records 185 BPM and my Sence gave me 125 BPM. I saw a pattern where it seems accurate if I’m working out maintaining an HR of 165-170(ish) BPM but once it hit 171+ it drops to 120 BPM, like it can’t keep up. The good part is my bike records the Scoche numbers (which use to match my Charge HR2 perfectly) calculates calories lost off of the right HR but once it transfers over to the FitBit app the HR is totally off. I mean, at least it’s keeping the calorie calculations from the bike? I just can’t believe their most expensive (and one of their newest) can’t even get HR correct! I’ve been working my butt off to get my resting HR down and my active HR up, this is really messing up my progress. I debated for the longest time with getting a Sense or an Apple Watch... now I’m starting to wonder because this is ridiculous. 

[Jumpjockey]

I totally understand that concept as mine is the same  but at 165bpm is when it drops to 120s as my bpm goes upwards....most ridiculous and frustrating thing to happen and really ruins the workout..

[Silverback007]

But they continue to sell a defective product with a total disregard of customers concerns.  I’m afraid it is nothing short of a scam.  Must be an earn out with google attached to sales volume. 

From reading your posts I’ve come to the conclusion that it is actually dangerous and you are completely correct it ruins a workout.  

Moderator edit: merged reply

[JBPoole]

I had the Ionic and upgraded to the Sense, heart rate accuracy is rubbish, when running my heart rate was averaging 170bpm, for someone of my age that is way high. So tried a treadmill with heart rate and a competitive device, both were averaging 140bpm.

[Jirvine]

I’m the exact same. This is my third fitbit and I’ve just upgraded from the ionic. I generally do the same workouts so I know when I’m in cardio or peak zone. My sense is registering fat burn, when I’m out of breath. This seems to be a common complaint from the sense, which is disappointing as I really like everything else about it. 

[Ms.A]

I have been experiencing this as well and when I called to troubleshoot this defect with Fitbit they told me they won't replace my 1 month old Sense under its warranty with a new replacement because many people are experiencing this same issue. I feel it would be better business practices to make this information visible to consumers so we can be aware of this issue. I also would appreciate if they updated their warranty legalities stating they will not honor the warranty for the Sense for those experiencing this issue. This really challenges me as a consumer.

[Silverback007]

So they know they are selling a defective product and will do nothing about it.   Beggars belief. 
I’m moving to Apple Watch having been loyal to Fitbit for many years.  Beyond disappointed in Fitbit.  😡🤬