Fitbit has introduced three new wristbands to maintain its lead in the fitness tracker market. The Charge HR adds a continuous heart-rate monitor to the list of features that include all-day and all-night fitness tracking and caller ID. If you’re searching for a general-purpose activity tracker, this is a good option because of the correct mix of functionality and pricing. Remember to get the Fitbit hr charger too.
Design
There are two notable differences between the Fitbit Charge HR and the more affordable Charge: The HR has a small, optical heart-rate sensor on the underside. A typical watch clasp on the Charge HR made it easier to put on my wrist than the Charge, which lacked this feature.
There is a diagonal design running along the outside of the Charge HR. Your health data is shown on a small OLED screen, and you can cycle through the screens with a button on the left. You can also record a specific exercise or activity by pressing and holding the Charge HR button. The Charge is water-resistant up to a depth of 33 feet.
Monitoring of the Heartbeat
Fitbit uses the calculation 220 minus your age to get your maximum heart rate. Heart rate is broken into multiple zones by the software. There are four levels of intensity: Peak, Cardio (70 to 84 percent), Fat Burn (50 to 69 percent), and Out-of-Zone.
When you’re at your most calm, the Charge HR measures your pulse to establish your resting heart rate. According to the American Heart Association, while the average resting heart rate is 60-80 beats per minute (bpm), more athletic people will have a lower resting heart rate.
App
To utilize the Fitbit Charge HR, you’ll need the Fitbit Charge app. If you’re looking for a more minimalist approach to fitness tracking, go no further than the Fitbit Charge HR. See our Charge evaluation for more information on Fitbit’s app.) However, you can also monitor your heart rate with the Charge HR, both at rest and when exercising.
When a call comes in, both the Charge and the Charge HR vibrate and display the caller’s number (or name, if they are in your contacts) on the phone’s display. The only action you can perform with the Charge HR is mute the vibrations by pressing the button.
Perfomance
The three-axis accelerometer in the Charge HR is very precise. My 200-step stroll was recorded at 220 steps. For a non-GPS device, this is quite respectable. Additionally, the device precisely assessed the number of stairs that a person had to climb.
Fitbit claims that Charge HR’s battery life is 5 days. However, Fitbit versa 3, which comes with a Fitbit versa 3 charger, offers a 6-day battery life.
There is no better fitness tracker at this price point than the Fitbit Charge, which can be used for various activities. This $149 device monitors your physical activity, heart rate, and sleep in a stylish and comfy design.
