Fitbit Charge 6 vs Charge 5: What's New?
By Naila Syifa
Updated Feb 2024
Fitbit just recently released the new Charge 6, an upgrade to the previous model Charge 5. While the Charge 5 was already a great fitness tracker, the Charge 6 offers even more advanced features and functions.
In this article, we will compare both models across 5 aspects and see how they may differ or be similar. Then, you can decide whether the new features of the Charge 6 are worth the extra money and whether one of them is really suitable for your needs.
| Specs | Fitbit Charge 6 | Fitbit Charge 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | |
| Price | $159.95 | $149.95 |
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 7 days | 7 days |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Exercise Modes | 40+ | 20+ |
| SmartTrack | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking and Score | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Payment | Google Wallet | Fitbit Pay |
| Music Control | Yes | No |
| Heart Health | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Readiness | Yes | Yes |
Key Takeaways
Fitbit Charge 6 is an upgrade of Charge 5 in that it has added smart features with Google integration, such as Google Maps, Google Wallet, and YouTube music control. Charge 6 also has a new heart rate on gym equipment feature, while Charge 5 does not.
Fitbit Charge 6
Fitness Tracker with Google Essentials
✓ Built-in GPS
✓ 40+ exercise modes
✓ YouTube music controls, Google Maps, Google Wallet
✓ 7-day battery life
Fitbit Charge 5
Fitness Tracker for Health & Sports
✓ Built-in GPS
✓ 20+ exercise modes
✓ Sleep and stress tracking
✓ 7-day battery life
#1 Price
Fitbit Charge 5
As the newer model, the Charge 6 is slightly more expensive at US$159.95. Fitbit Charge 5, on the other hand, is slightly cheaper at US$149.95. Both fitness trackers are quite affordable for and offer great value for their price.
#2 Design & Display
Fitbit Charge 6
Fitbit Charge 6 and 5 look almost identical visually, featuring a slim rectangular display with a silicone band and housing made from aluminum, glass, and resin. However, the Charge 6 has a side button for easy navigation, letting you quickly access your home screen or see your stats with just a tap. The older Charge 5, on the other hand, features no physical button.
Another difference is the color options. The Charge 5 is available in graphite, lunar white, and steel blue, while the Charge 6 is available in obsidian, porcelain, and coral. If no color option from both models appeals to you, worry not! They offer a range of accessory bands with various styles and colors you can purchase separately to suit your taste.
Both Charge 6 and 5 have a water rating of 5 ATM, indicating water resistance up to 50 meters. This means, you can use your Fitbit Charge 6 or 5 to track your swimming sessions and other water activities without worrying about damaging your device.
#3 Health & Fitness Features
Fitbit Charge 5
Both Fitbit Charge models offer a wide range of health monitoring features, including heart rate tracking with low & high rate notifications, SpO2 blood oxygen tracking, blood glucose tracking, heart rate variability, skin temperature variation, breathing rate, and menstrual health tracking. One advantage that the new Charge 6 offers is the heart rate on gym equipment feature, allowing you to view your real-time heart rate when connected to a compatible exercise machine.
Both models also support a range of exercise modes, allowing you to track exercises like running, biking, yoga, and more. The SmartTrack automatic exercise recognition feature automatically recognizes and records your exercise sessions when you forget to track, and the Daily Readiness score gives you an overall picture of your physical readiness for workouts. However, note that some features are available only with a Fitbit Premium subscription.
Fitbit Charge 6
In terms of sleep features, both models are comparable. You can monitor your sleep quality with the sleep tracking & sleep stages, sleep score, and sleep profile features. A Smart Wake alarm is also supported in both smartwatches, which vibrates on your wrist to wake you up at an optimal time in your sleep cycle.
Both the Charge 6 and 5 also come with stress features, such as the Stress Management Score which evaluates your body's stress response, and the Reflections feature which helps you log your moods and feelings to understand your stress triggers better. Unfortunately, both models don't come with relax breathing sessions as in the case of Fitbit Inspire 3 or Fitbit Luxe.
#4 Smart Features
Fitbit Charge 6
With the Charge 6 or 5, you can receive call, text, and app notifications like Gmail, Google Calendar, and more. This is very useful when you don't want to miss out on important messages while working out or when your phone is out of reach. If you are unable to find your phone, both models also have a Find My Phone feature, allowing you to locate your phone without having to ask someone else for help.
When it comes to smart features, the Fitbit Charge 6 has several advantages. You can follow directions from Google Maps on your wrist, make purchases from your wrist with the Google Wallet, and control your YouTube music playback directly from your Charge 6.
It is important to note that both the Charge 6 and 5 don't come with safety features. If you are looking for a fitness tracker with safety and tracking features, you may want to consider Garmin Vivosmart 5.
#5 Battery Life
Fitbit Charge 5
The battery life of the Charge 6 and 5 is quite similar, with up to 7 days of battery life on a single charge. Charging for both models takes approximately 2 hours, quite a fast charging time for a fitness tracker that can last for a week.
Fitbit Charge 6 vs Charge 5
Final Thoughts
Fitbit Charge 6
Overall, the Fitbit Charge 6 and 5 are both great fitness trackers with advanced features and functions that make them suitable for a variety of activities. However, the new Charge 6 does come with some added features and functions that may be beneficial for those looking for more from their fitness tracker, including heart rate on gym equipment feature, Google Maps, Google Wallet, and YouTube music control. If you prefer a more affordable option, the Charge 5 is still a great choice as well.
If you like to read more on Fitbit fitness trackers and smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Fitbit Smartwatch & Fitness Trackers
Fitbit Charge 6 vs Fitbit Inspire 3
Fitbit Charge 6 vs Fitbit Luxe
Fitbit Charge 6 vs Garmin Vivosmart 5
Fitbit Charge 5 vs 4
Fitbit Luxe vs Fitbit Charge 4
Fitbit Sense vs Fitbit Versa 3
Fitbit Versa 3 vs Fitbit Versa 2
Don't miss out on tech
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest tech trends and guides on the best gadgets around.
Recommended reading
