Fitbit Charge 2 is one of the best fitness trackers out there. And while it doesn’t have premium features like built-in GPS and waterproof design, it’s still a good performer for the price. It may not be as robust as Fitbit Charge 3 but it’s definitely far much better than Fitbit Charge 4.
In our eyes, Charge 2 is a good all-day activity tracker, which includes breathing exercises, a sleep tracker and a silent alarm, multisport modes with auto tracking, and cardio fitness level scores. In short, if you’re looking for a fitness tracker that’s as good as Fitbit Charge 3 and Versa Editions, then Charge 2 is what you should go for.
Fitbit Charge 2 Design
The Fitbit Charge 2 is thick and comes with a fairly large screen (0.84 inch) that provides a more sizable display, which is three times that of the Fitbit Versa.
This smartwatch has a slightly tinted OLED display to prevent sunlight from reflecting back to the eye while operating outdoors.
Whenever Charge 2 is inactive, its screen automatically goes off. But immediately the wrist twists, or you move your arm, the screen turns back on. This is a great way to save on battery so you don’t have to charge the device all the time.
The tracker’s band is thicker that Alta’s, so it takes up more space on your wrist to give you a stable fit. Moreover, the bands are removable, which means you can switch between different styles depending on your taste in fashion. Or you can wear it with the original band if you only care about performance.
According to user reviews, the band can last for about 9 months, after which you may need to replace it. However, we do have a different take on this. More often than not, how long the band will last depends on the frequency of use and on how well you take care of the device.
The problem with the bands is that you have to buy them separately. Fitbit Charge 2 simply doesn’t come with additional bands for the price point.
Ease of Use
Charge 2 is the simplest fitness tracker you will ever operate in life. Its screen is made a bit large giving you the ease of scrolling, swiping, and tapping every time you want to access given details. It has a single button that starts everything from setting the stopwatch to commencing a run.
The wearable shows the date and time on the top right corner of the home screen. To get fitness details, like stairs climbed, heart rate, calories burnt and distance traveled, on the screen, just tap the screen with any of your fingers.
The watch can keep a record of every amount of calories burnt, distances ran or walked, sleeping behavior, and heart rate and deliver the results in a more simplified manner.
The Connection
The tracker connects to the user’s phone for alerts (events, calls and text messages). These notifications show at the screen’s bottom. Charge 2 also connects to the Fitbit App where users can set their fitness goals.
Bluetooth is used when synchronizing data and can connect within a range of about 10 meters. The popular devices this smartwatch can connect with are iPhone, Android and PC’s.
The Bands
Bands to Charge2 come in 6 different colors. They have good grips on the wrist so they are flexible. It is hard for the tracker to get out of place even when performing complex workouts.
Only a few complaints have been reported about the band irritating the skin. So it’s best to take the device off every once in a while to let your wrist breathe.
How to Set Up Exercise Shortcuts on Your Fitbit Charge 2
You can manually log activities right from your tracker to save time when scrolling for workouts. Here’s how to do that:
Once you complete the steps above, simply tap “Add to Fitbit Charge 2”.
Now when it’s time to exercise, press the button at the side of the tracker until the exercise screen shows up. Swipe through the exercises you by tapping the screen. When you have the desired exercise long press the side button again. And once done with the exercise long press the side button.
Battery Life
Fitbit Charge 2 doesn’t have the best battery life. But we wouldn’t say the runtime is bad either. On a full charge, the lithium-ion battery can last for five days. That’s two days less than what you get from Fitbit Charge 3. It’s even lesser compared to what Garmin Vivofit models offer.
Juicing up the battery doesn’t take long either. It takes only 2 to 4 hours to recharge the battery and you’re back to fitness tracking. What’s more, you even get a reminder when the battery is about to die, so you can dock the device to the charging station before it goes off.
We said that this fitness tracker doesn’t have a built-in GPS system. And that means it can keep a charge for that long. Fitbit Blaze, a device with a built-in GPS, can only last for around a day with the GPS mode on and then demand a recharge. You can see the difference, can’t you?
How to Juice Up Fitbit Charge 2
There are three simple steps you will have to follow to charge Fitbit Charge 2.
The Clock Faces
Like other Fitbit’s, the Charge 2 comes with various clock faces. This gives you the freedom to choose faces that pique your interest. If you get bored of the current clock face and would like to replace it, here’s what to do:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should You Buy Fitbit Charge 2?
You should buy Fitbit Charge 2 because it’s a good all-day fitness tracker. It’s better than the latest Fitbit Charge 4 so far. And it’s cheaper than Charge 3. What’s more, it’s stylish, with cool watch faces that you can use to customize the display. It’s even available in multiple colors, so you can choose what looks good to your eyes.
Who is Fitbit Charge 2 for?
If you are too much into fitness then Charge 2 might be one of the best tracker options best for you. But of you are too much interested in features such as GPS and NAT+ sensors, then this wouldn’t be the best option for you. You’d have to go for Fitbit Blaze instead – or other brands’ models like Huawei Band 4.
What Activities Does Fitbit Charge 2 Track?
As we mentioned already, Charge 2 is an all-day activity tracker. That means you can use it to track any activity, from running and walking to calories burned and your heart rate.
We also love that it includes a Reminder to Move, a feature that motivates you to get up and feed the device with at least 250 steps.
