The best ‘Fitbits’ for seniors in 2024

There was a time when Fitbit ruled the fitness tracker category to the point people used the term “Fitbit” as a catch-all term. We’re even using it here. But if you’re searching for the best Fitbits for seniors today, you’ll realize that Fitbit watches are really just one of several brands we’re showcasing that make high-quality wearables offering far more than step trackers and heart rate monitors, etc.

The current generation of fitness trackers are not only more accurate than previous models, but they may actually help improve your health. At the very least, some studies indicate that fitness trackers can help increase daily activity. In fact, one research paper studied the effects of “consumer-based wearable activity trackers on physical activity.” The results? Researchers found that there “was a significant increase in daily step count” among fitness tracker users, which is great news when you consider that another study linked more activity to lower mortality rates: “Among older women, as few as approximately 4400 steps/d was significantly related to lower mortality rates compared with approximately 2700 steps/d.”

However, it’s important to note that while fitness trackers (and smartwatches) have improved, they are definitely not considered medical devices since they’re not evaluated and monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so they should not be relied on for diagnosing health factors. This is why the FDA issued an alert earlier this year warning of “risks related to using smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose levels (blood sugar) without piercing the skin.” Nevertheless, when used appropriately, fitness trackers do appear to offer health benefits for seniors. So, if you or someone you know are 65 years or older and looking to increase physical activity and monitor health metrics, here are several fitness trackers we recommend, including our best overall from Fitbit if you’re still dead set on one of those.

How we chose the best Fitbits for seniors

For nearly 20 years, I’ve written about a wide range of mobile consumer electronics products and IoT devices for consumers for various publications, including PCMag.com, Professional Artist magazine, Consumer Reports, The New York Times, Tom’s Guide, Artnews, and Popular Science, of course.

During that time, I heard countless complaints from seniors, who were concerned that it often seemed most manufacturers were only interested in designing and producing products targeted at teens and young adults. So, for this story, I tried to keep this group in mind by suggesting fitness trackers that would meet the needs of those 65 and older. Also, I looked at critical reviews and user recommendations and did a lot of research to narrow down our list. Additionally, I carefully considered several factors to find the best fitness trackers, including battery life, ease of use, feature sets, and versatility.

The best Fitbits for seniors: Reviews & Choice

Although many people have turned to using their smartwatches to track their health and fitness, some still want to use a dedicated device, such as a fitness tracker. The primary reason is perhaps the most pragmatic: Fitness trackers are simply more affordable than smartwatches, ranging from around $50 to $300. Most smartwatches cost around $450 or more. But fitness trackers offer other benefits. as well, including longer battery life and a simpler design. To that end, we recommend the following four options as the best activity trackers for seniors.

Best overall: Fitbit Charge 6

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Specs

• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Battery life (according to brand): Up to 7 days
• Display size: 1.4-inch display
• Weight: 1.3 oz.

Pros

• Long battery life (up to 7 days)
• Built-in GPS
• Vivid color AMOLED display
• Packed with sensors and features
• Easy to use and straightforward design

Cons

• A bit pricey
• Need premium subscription to get full access to data and insights
• Needs a proprietary charger

Although Fitbit is one of the most well-known fitness tracker makers, it hasn’t always produced top-tier models. So you might ask, is Fitbit still worth buying? Well, they hit it out of the park with the Fitbit Charge 6. For starters, it’s easy to use and comes with a sharp and vivid 1.4-inch touchscreen display, which offers a feature seniors will like: Tap the screen three times to magnify (and once to return to normal view). It’s also packed with a variety of sensors and allows you to track many activities, including running, biking, strength training, yoga, and more. And it also provides access to some useful apps that aren’t fitness- or health-related, such as Google Maps, Google Wallet, and YouTube Music. Also, it’s water-resistant to a depth of 164 feet.

So, can a Fitbit be used for the elderly? Absolutely. What seniors might like most about it, though, is its simple, straightforward design and helpful features. For instance, it includes a Workout Intensity Map feature: After exercising outdoors, the built-in GPS powers a workout intensity map in the Fitbit app, which allows you to see your pace and heart rate zones throughout your route and learn where you put in the most effort. Also, if you’re working out indoors, you can also hook up the Charge 6 to a variety of fitness equipment and see your heart rate on the equipment’s display.

It’s not flawless, though. For instance, you need a premium membership ($9.99/month) to get all the data. However, you do get six months of free access to that membership.

Best for ease of use: Garmin Vivosmart 5

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Key Specifications

• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Built-in GPS: No (GPS only active when connected to a phone)
• Battery life (according to brand): Up to 7 days
• Display size: 0.4 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 0.9 oz.

Pros

• Clear, simple design
• Very Good battery life (Up to 7 days)
• Easy to use
• Monitors heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, breathing, and sleep

Cons

• Display touchscreen is monochrome
• No built-in GPS
• Needs a proprietary charger

What’s nice about the Garmin Vivosmart 5 is that it’s lightweight and comfortable to wear. It has a variety of sensors, which allow you to monitor respiration, blood oxygen, body battery energy levels, stress, and heart rate. It also has built-in sports apps to track walking, running, yoga, cardio, and swimming. It also has very good battery life: According to the manufacturer, you get up to 7 days of battery life.

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 does have some drawbacks. Although the monochrome OLED touchscreen display is clear and works well, some might not like that it isn’t a color display. It also lacks built-in GPS, so you must have it connected to your phone. And like most fitness trackers, you must use its proprietary charger with the device. However, we think seniors will appreciate its simple, easy-to-use interface.