How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated October 3rd, 2021 @ 10:13 am New Window | ||||
Price | $99 | $109 | $149 | $99 |
Body Placement | Wrist | Wrist | Wrist | Wrist |
Data Transfer Type | Bluetooth Smart | Bluetooth Smart | Bluetooth Smart | Bluetooth Smart |
Bluetooth to Phone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Has GPS built-in | No | No | No | No |
Waterproofing | Not really | ATM1 (~10m) | 1ATM (~10m) | 10 Meters |
Battery Life | Up to 5 Days | Up to 7 days | Up to 5 days | 5 Days |
Battery Type | USB Rechargeable | USB Rechargeable | USB Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
Changeable Bands/Straps | No | |||
Phone Music Control | No | No | Watch | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
Displays time | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Has time alarms | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Has smart sleep alarms | No | No | No | Notifications | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
Smartphone Notifications | Text/Call/Calendar only | Call notifications only | Call notifications only | No | Workouts | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
Workout guidance/coaching | No | No | No | No | Data | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
Step Counter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stairs Climbed | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Distance Walked | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Calories Burned | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sleep Metrics | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
24x7 HR Metrics | No | No | Yes | Sensors | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
Skin Temperature | No | No | No | No |
Heart Rate | No | No | Yes | No |
Optical Heart Rate | No | No | Yes | |
Can re-broadcast Heart Rate data | No | No | No | No |
Skin Perspiration | No | No | No | No |
Cycling Sensors | No | No | No | No |
Action Camera Control | No | No | No | No | Software | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
Web Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
PC Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mac Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phone Apps | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | ANDROID/IOS/WINDOWS PHONE |
Ability to export/sync settings from computer/phone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Platform | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
3rd parties can access data via API | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ability to export your data out of platform | Yes | Yes (paid option) | Yes | Yes (paid option) | Purchase | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Fitbit Alta | Fitbit Charge | Fitbit Charge HR | FitBit Flex |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |