Compare the Fitbit Charge 6 to the Fitbit Charge 5
View the Fitbit Charge 6 and Charge 5
- Measure your stress and sleep
- Use Google Maps on your Fitbit
- Pay via Google Wallet
- You need Fitbit Premium for some functions
- Measure your stress and sleep
- Receive messages and smartphone notifications
- Pay via Fitbit Pay
- You need Fitbit Premium for some functions
Comparison of the Fitbit Charge 6 and Fitbit Charge 5
| Fitbit Charge 6 | Fitbit Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | AMOLED color screen | AMOLED color screen |
| Battery life | 7 days | 7 days |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| EDA sensor for stress measurement | Yes | Yes |
| ECG for cardiograms | Yes | Yes |
| Contactless payment | Yes, via Google Wallet | Yes, via Fitbit Pay |
| Music controls | YouTube Music only | No |
Fitness functions
Additional sports profiles, accurate heart rate
You can measure your heart rate more accurately, because the Charge 6 heart rate monitor uses the same technology as the more expensive Google Pixel Watch. This is useful if you often work out based on your heart rate. You can connect the Charge 6 to fitness machines via Bluetooth. You can see your heart rate live on the screen of the fitness machine. So you don't have to stop to look at your wrist. The Charge 6 has twice as many sports profiles as the Charge 5. New functions include core workouts and dancing.
Extensive sports and health functions
The Charge 5 has fewer functions than the Charge 6, but it's also a complete activity tracker. You can keep track of your workouts and can measure your stress and sleep. After a workout, your Fitbit indicates whether you're ready for your next workout or need to rest. With the ECG sensor, you can easily make a cardiogram. The Charge 6 also has these functions. You need Fitbit Premium for some functions. You get this for free for the first 6 months.
Smart functions
Additional Google functions
The Fitbit Charge 6 has extra, useful Google functions. You can view Google Maps on the screen of your Fitbit, including route directions. That means that you can leave your smartphone in your pocket when you walk or cycle via an unfamiliar route. In addition, you can pay with Google Wallet instead of Fitbit Pay. Google Wallet is accepted in more places. Don't forget to check whether your bank supports Google Wallet. Finally, you can control the YouTube Music app via your Fitbit.
Few smart functions
The Fitbit Charge 5 lacks the extra Google functions of the Charge 6. You can't pay with Google Wallet, but you can with Fitbit Pay. That's fine for now, but Fitbit Pay will disappear in the future. With Google Wallet, you can pay in more places and more banks support it. Fitbit Pay will disappear after a while. In addition, the Charge 5 has few smart functions. You can only see your messages and notifications coming in.
Screen
The Charge 6 and Charge 5 look almost exactly the same. The only difference is that the Charge 6 has a button on the side. This makes it easier to control the Charge 6 than the Charge 5 and allows you to quickly go through the menus. The Charge 6 and 5 have the same bright and colorful AMOLED screen. This makes your notifications and menus look better than on older activity trackers with a black and white screen.
Conclusion
The Fitbit Charge 6 is similar to the Charge 5, but has useful extras like Google Maps and Google Wallet. The heart rate reading is also more accurate. In addition, it has more sports profiles and a physical button. Don't think these things are important? You get an excellent activity tracker with the Fitbit Charge 5.
