Fitbit Charge HR Review

More than just another activity tracker, the Fitbit Charge HR’s big selling point is the heart rate monitor. In the back of the seamless case and band powered by pulsing green light the heart rate monitor takes a ready every 5 seconds by some technological magic – and every one second in exercise. Compared to my Polar heart rate monitor chest strap, it seems to do a reasonable job.

The small screen is built into the strap and isn’t obtrusive, and a single button lets you flick through time, heart rate, steps, floors (calculated by a built in altimeter) and distance travelled each day. The clasp is a standard watch buckle.

I found the band a little bulky, but after three days wear have noticed some slight skin irritation. The advice is to take breaks from wearing the band but this sort of feels against the point of a wearable fitness tracker. Oddly it’s safe with mild sweat and splashing, yet not showerproof. It is however quite light and I could sleep in it comfortably and seems to do a good job of tracking my sleep.

It does link with your phone for caller ID and the Fitbit app is very intuitive. I’m probably not using it to its full potential but for sleep, exercise and heart rate monitoring it seems pretty good.