Fitbit Charge 2, Alta HR vs Charge HR: The Battle of 3 Elite Fitness Trackers

Fitbit is tops when it comes to fitness trackers, so it’s no surprise that two of their premium devices, the Charge 2 and Charge HR, are among the most popular with consumers. It’s also no surprise that shoppers are torn over which one is better. While they share a lot of key features, they also have some key differences that can make it hard to choose between the two. Each has something special to offer, so we compiled this Fitbit Charge 2 vs Charge HR review to help you decide. We will do an in-depth, side-by-side comparison so you can see how they stack up and how they can best serve you. And we’ll even throw in a review of the up and coming AltaHR, so you have all your bases covered.

The Fitbit Charge 2: Beauty & Power

Taking a cue from its predecessors, the Charge 2 blends beauty and power to provide you with one of the best activity trackers you can find. It has features and apps that focus not just on fitness, but your health and well-being; As a result, you get a complete experience that makes you physically and mentally stronger.

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In addition to PurePulse heart rate monitoring, here are the Charge 2’s key features and benefits:

• Guided Breathing:

  this app is nothing short of genius.  It uses 2 and 5 minutes sessions to teach you how to sync your breathing with your heartbeat. There are visual and audio clues to guide you, helping you to alleviate stress and breathe better while working out.

• Multi Sports Mode:

  This feature allows you to track different sports, from yoga to running and see those specific stats right on the display.

• Cardio Fitness Level

  :To get a better picture of your overall health, the Charge 2 uses an estimate of your VO2 Max to give you a Cardio Fitness Score. that score can then be compared to others in the same age bracket and gender to see where you stand.

• Smart Track:

  With Smart Track, select activities are recorded automatically, unlike other trackers. That means you get credit even when you forget to log in.

• Smart Notifications:

  Taking it to the next level, the Charge 2 has text, call, and calendar alerts, so you can exercise without missing anything important.

• Stylish Design & Display:

  The band is narrow, lightweight, yet durable, so you know it’s reliable and can be worn 24 hours a day as its intended. Made of elastomer, they come in 5 colors, with additional high-end finishes and 2 special edition options. It also has an OLED display so you can see your stats in real time.

The Alta HR: The Next Big Thing

At the end of March, the Alta HR will hit stores and it’s expected to be in high demand. Thinner than both Charges, it has sophisticated and edgy bands that make it versatile and stylish. Plus, the display can be customized to show the stats and apps you want. Fitted with PurePulse and Smart Track, the upgraded sleep tracking is beyond impressive.

It tracks sleep patterns and stages by monitoring your heart. Then using the app, you can analyze the duration and quality of each stage. And with a price under $200, it will be a great value for your money.

The Fitbit Charge HR: Elegance & Firepower

The Charge HR is similar to the Charge, with the added benefit of heart-rate monitoring to enhance an already exceptional fitness tracker.

• Continuous PurePulse Heart Rate Monitoring:

  The Charge HR has wrist-based heart sensors that monitor your movements around the clock. This allows for a more accurate reading of your calories burned, steps taken, distance, and overall health statistics.

• Exercise Tracking:

  You can record stats for individual exercises, like cycling, and see detailed summaries. This helps you fine tune your routine and work out more effectively.

• Caller ID:

  Get notifications when you receive a call, so you always are in reach for colleagues and loved ones.

• Sleek Design & Display:

  The Charge HR has a stylish band that moves with you to encourage around the clock wear. It also has an OLED display screen so you can see your progress instantly throughout the day.

• Sleep Monitoring & Analysis:

  Thanks to its heart rate monitoring it can give you a breakdown of how well and long you sleep. This allows you to compare stats, so you see just how hard your heart is exerting itself when you’re working out.

Comparing the Charge 2 vs the Alta HR vs Charge HR: Battle of the Fitbits

The Charge 2, Charge HR and Alta HR all have a lot of great things in common. All 3 devices track your movements continuously, so you get a true picture of how active you are. They also all have PurePulse heart monitoring to keep you fit and silent alerts to make you more active. Finally, each has call notifications so you can always be reached.

In addition, each of these devices has a sleek, yet sturdy design that lets you see your information right on the display – no need to log in to your smartphone or computer for easy access.

How The Charge 2, Charge HR and Alta HR Differ

Charge 2, Alta HR, and Charge HR Head-to-Head Match

While these devices have a lot in common, they do differ in several ways. Let’s see how they differ and how those differences affect you:

• GPS: None of these devices has GPS, but the Charge 2 lets you connect to GPS via Bluetooth. This means you can map routes to run or golf courses through your phone. So you can jog without getting lost and discover new courses to challenge yourself. So the edge goes to the Charge 2
•  Sleep Tracking: With its advanced capabilities, the Alta HR wins this category. The ability to monitor the various stages of sleep allow you to get a better night’s rest and helps your body recover after a strenuous workout.
• Pricing: The Charge2 and Alta HR are both priced about the same, so you pay more to track your heart rate. The Charge HR is about $50 less, which may make it more appealing to those on a budget who need basic tracking.

The Fitbit Charge 2 vs Charge HR and Alta HR: How They Stack Up Feature-By-Feature.

See how they look difference (Charge versus Charge HR) in this Video.

Looking at both these devices side by side, let’s see how they differ in each key category:

• Design:

  The Charge HR is the simplest of the 3, with elastomer bands in various colors. The band is wide, but comfortable, with a horizontal OLED display. The Charge 2 also has elastomer bands in various colors,  as well as more luxe finishes, like leather and textured options. It is smaller than the Charge HR, with a vertical OLED display. Finally, the Alta HR is slimmer and lighter than both, with more band options. There are metal, rope and other funky styles to choose from, along with a thin, tap OLED screen, making it the clear winner.

• Battery:

  The Charge HR and Charge 2 have Lithium-polymer batteries that takes about two hours to charge. A charge lasts about 5 days. The Alta HR  also has a lithium-polymer battery that charges in two hours, but a charge can last 7 days, giving it an advantage in this category.

• Water Resistance:

  All 3 devices can withstand sweat, rain, and splashing, but can not be worn while swimming.

• Extras:

  The Charge 2 has GPS, Guided Breathing and Cardio Fitness levels, while the Alta HR has advanced sleep tracking. The  Charge 2 is the clear winner here, offering a variety of apps to enhance your fitness routine. And GPS gives users the freedom to roam safely, a commodity most trackers don’t offer.

• Dimensions:

  The Charge HR has three sizes and a snap-in wristband for a custom fit for almost anyone. Sizes are small (5.4” – 6.2”), large (6.2” – 7.6”) and extra large (7.6” – 8.7”).The Charge 2 also has three sizes, but fits slightly larger wrists. Sizes are small (5.5” – 6.5”), large(6.5” – 7.7”) and extra large (7.7” – 8.9”).

Both have flexible bands, but the HR has a more secure claps, giving it a slight edge.

Q & A

Here are the most commonly asked questions about these devices:

Q. Does the heart monitoring on the HR make a difference?

A. Yes, for those who want pin point readings of how their body reacts to exercise this is the ideal device. It shows how hard you work and how healthy your body is.

Q. Does the Charge really hold a 7-10 day charge?

A. Yes, it can last a full week, so you don’t need to worry about taking it off to charge it, encouraging you to wear it all the time.

Q. Is the Charge HR worth the extra money?

A. Yes, for anyone who is serious about getting healthy the HR is definitely worth the extra $25.

Customer Reviews

Customers are in one with both these devices because they are high quality and deliver exactly what they promise. Fans of the Charge call it ” a great motivator” and give it 5-stars for its quality performance. Like wise, fans of the Charge HR also give it a 5-star rating.

They say it “works perfectly” and is “very accurate”.

When it comes to the Fitbit Charge 2 vs Charge HR you are guaranteed to get a device that will improve your quality of life. Throw in the Alta HR and the decision becomes that much harder. The Charge HR  is reliable and affordable, giving users just what they need to reach their goals. The Charge 2 offers added benefits for those who want to concentrate on their health or want to train hard, while the Alta HR gives you style and function, making it perfect for everyday use.

All these devices will motivate and inspire you and are reasonably priced, so in the end, it comes down to what you really need. The Charge 2, Charge HR, and Alta HR are exceptional models that will make you healthier – and happier- so you can’t go wrong either way.

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