A runner’s review of the FitBit Charge 2 Heart Rate Plus
About a month ago, my FitBit Charge HR got a random crack in the display so I contacted FitBit support to see if I could get a replacement as it was still under warranty. They offered to send me another one free of charge (which was awesome because I relied on it daily as a watch, silent alarm clock and easy way to track my workouts), but since the Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate Plus
was coming out soon I asked if I could have a discount off a new purchase instead. They agreed, and I got my snazzy new FitBit several weeks later.
How the FitBit Charge 2 compares to the FitBit Charge
The display is bigger, but not too big. I love being able to see two activity stats (that you are able to choose) along with the time when I tilt my wrist up to check my FitBit. To see more stats, such as distance travelled, calories burner, steps taken and heart rate, you just have to tap the watch face to scroll through. I also love that it’s roughly the same size as the Charge, so it’s still very comfortable to sleep with.
There are more ways to track workouts. When you press the single button on the side of your FitBit Charge 2, you can scroll through to the workout function that gives you several kinds of workouts to track by tapping the watch face. You can select a run, treadmill, elliptical, bike, weights, workout or interval workout, which actually has a built in timer to vibrate every 30 seconds so you know when to go hard and when to rest. The run function shows your time and distance on the main display, or you can tap through to get your pace, heart rate, average pace, steps and calorie burn. The only workout functions I haven’t tried yet are bike and elliptical, so I’m not sure if those have any unique features to them. I wish it had a yoga function!

FitBit Charge 2 vs. a Garmin 235
You can see and do more things from your wrist. Since the display is bigger, you don’t have to tap through as much to see your stats. You are also able to set and turn off alarms from your wrist and check your pace, heart rate, resting heart rate and other stats while working out instead of relying on the FitBit phone app to see everything.
There’s a breathing tracker. The FitBit Charge 2 has a function that can track your breathing and guide you through a slow breathing exercise for two or five minutes. You can do it all from your wrist, which is handy.
The wrist bands are replaceable/interchangeable. I had to replace my previous FitBit Charge because the wrist band broke, so I was super happy to find out the FitBit Charge 2 bands are replaceable and interchangeable. Finally, no more plain boring black all the time!
Things I don’t like about the FitBit Charge 2
The breathing tracker isn’t very helpful. I tried the breathing exercise a few times but didn’t find it very relaxing to hold up my wrist to stare at it to follow along. What would be really helpful is an alert that tells you when you’re breathing too shallow and remind you to stop and take a deep breath. I feel like I need that!
It still doesn’t track runs as well as a Garmin, even when using the GPS on your phone. The FitBit Charge without the GPS is still slightly off when it comes to tracking runs. It’s good for a generally distance, but if you’re training for a race I’d suggest using something more accurate.
Verdict: Overall, I love the Fitbit Charge 2 even more than the original and it’s totally worth the $200 price tag if you’re a regular fitness tracker wearer.
Do you wear an activity tracker? What’s your favourite type?
What are your “must-haves” for a fitness tracker?
What features do you like/dislike most about the FitBit?
Disclaimer: This post contain Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
Annmarie at The Fit Foodie Mama, Nicole at Fitful Focus, Michelle at Fruition Fitness and Jen at Pretty Little Grub
October 19, 2016 @ 5:05 am
Thank you so much for this comprehensive review. I’ve been going back-and-forth about whether or not I need one π I know I want one. I love you can do more from your wrist and I adore the bigger display!!
October 19, 2016 @ 6:54 am
You’ll love it!! Glad it was helpful!
October 19, 2016 @ 6:55 am
Thanks for the review. Always curious to see if the upgrade is worth it.
October 19, 2016 @ 7:53 am
In this case it is!
October 19, 2016 @ 8:28 am
I’ve thought about getting a FitBit since I CrossFit and do other stuff and wouldn’t mind knowing my “stats” during those workouts. Do you think it’s pretty accurate for lifting workouts, etc?
October 19, 2016 @ 8:43 am
It tracks basic stats for weight training – heart rate, time, and calorie burn. I’ve found it to be fairly accurate so far!
October 19, 2016 @ 11:58 am
I think these gadgets are so friggin’ cool but I have told myself and have kept my promise that I will never use them. I don’t want to become a slave to the numbers and feel less proud of myself one day vs the next because I didn’t accomplish a set number of stats. NOPE! But these little gadgets totally help so many people! π
October 19, 2016 @ 12:47 pm
They aren’t for everyone! I love stats and numbers, but don’t look at them as anything I need to get better at. Just more as an FYI π
October 19, 2016 @ 12:08 pm
I think I had the first generation of them years ago and got frustrated that it could not do what I wanted it to. Looks like they have made lots of updates.
October 19, 2016 @ 12:48 pm
It gets better every time they update!
October 19, 2016 @ 1:26 pm
I have the FitBit Alta and really like it. I think it undercounts steps a bit, but I don’t think it’s too far off. I love the interchangeable bands so I can make it match my outfit π
October 19, 2016 @ 1:41 pm
Yes it’s a great feature! I was considering that in for the GPS but like the size of the Charge
October 19, 2016 @ 1:37 pm
Looks so awesome! I have the garmin version, but this new one looks great!
October 19, 2016 @ 2:58 pm
I think they made some awesome upgrades with the second version of this.
I’m currently not-so-patiently waiting for my M600 to finally arrive.
October 19, 2016 @ 6:43 pm
I think this competes with the brand that I wear. I always love to hear about it from a runner, makes a huge difference.
October 19, 2016 @ 7:40 pm
What do you wear Kim?
October 19, 2016 @ 7:08 pm
Mine was having difficulties charging so I did the same thing asked for a discount for the new one vs being sent another charge hr replacement. So far…loving it. I do still wear Garmin for runs that “matter” and I want realistic data for. But I love the different sport functions. And competitive me loves seeing the health score. who knows how accurate it is but I enjoy being told I am more fit than most people π
October 19, 2016 @ 7:40 pm
Yeah I love that function! I just saw that the other day π
October 19, 2016 @ 7:28 pm
I don’t own a fitness tracker anymore, it wasn’t working for me. But I’m glad you’re liking yours, looks like a beautiful model!
October 19, 2016 @ 7:40 pm
It’s the best yet!
October 19, 2016 @ 7:31 pm
Love that you compared it to the garmin! that is the garmin watch that i use and I love it!
October 19, 2016 @ 7:41 pm
Yeah it’s awesome! I tried to use it as an activity tracker too but it was too big π
October 19, 2016 @ 7:50 pm
This new version sounds great! Glad it worked so well for you!
October 19, 2016 @ 8:01 pm
Yeah I love it!!
October 19, 2016 @ 8:31 pm
It’s nice to see the FitBits have progressed. I had the basic model but stopped using it because it didn’t help me much with my fitness. It was more for walking. And it bothered me at night.
October 19, 2016 @ 8:55 pm
This seems really great! I used to wear a tracker all the time, but I’m horrible with charging so they always died at the worst times. π
October 20, 2016 @ 7:17 am
This one looks like it has all the bells and whistles! Ever since getting my Garmin, I haven’t worn my fitness tracker as much but there are days when I would like to have one.
October 20, 2016 @ 7:30 am
I like the Fitbit for day to day but my Garmin for runs for sure.
October 20, 2016 @ 12:34 pm
I wish these got better satellite. Stupid Garmin owning the market in that regard. I’ve heard good things about the new polar, and I think I might need to go shopping come December cough xmas cough.
October 20, 2016 @ 1:56 pm
I may be the only person in the world that does’t wear a tacker. My whole family does and it’s something I notice when I’m in meetings.
October 20, 2016 @ 2:00 pm
Nice review! I had a flex and it was super off on distance–it drove me crazy!
October 20, 2016 @ 4:56 pm
That was awesome that they sent you another one so easily free of charge!! I don’t have a Fitbit but this post definitely makes me want one!
November 12, 2016 @ 6:56 pm
Cool !!! What a helpful review π I got one Alta and still looking for another new Fitbit π
Thank you for sharing your experiences with this Fitbit π
December 10, 2016 @ 8:01 am
In your phone app tap “account” then tap on “charge 2” in your devices list, scroll down to “exercise shortcuts”. Swipe left to remove an exercise, for example ‘walking’, click the “+” button in upper right of screen and you have a lost of other exercises to choose from, “yoga” is an option. You can also rearrange how they show up as you click the button on the band. So you can make “yoga” the first exercise as you click through. Not sure if you discovered this yet but hope it helps! (These are in new dashboard settings, in old dashboard setting you can skip the first 2 steps and just tap on the charge 2 to scroll down to “excercises”. )
December 10, 2016 @ 9:09 am
I discovered that about 2 days after I posted this! I was so happy to find that, haha! Thank you for the comment!
February 28, 2017 @ 7:47 pm
The only problem with Fitbit is the major design flaw which causes the rubber casing to start peeling off only after few months of normal usage. Sure, the support will replace your product but then its just an endless replacement cycle for the user because they have not any changes to their lacklustre design from years now. Thanks for sharing this information.