Fitbit Charge 4 vs Charge 5: Which Fitness Tracker Is Right for You?

Alright fitness fans, it’s time to talk about two of Fitbit’s most popular fitness trackers – the Charge 4 and the Charge 5. Both pack some powerful features into a slim, lightweight wristband design. But with upgrades like a color touchscreen and EDA sensor on the Charge 5, you may be wondering – which one is right for me? That’s what we’re going to find out today! I’ll compare these two activity trackers across all the key factors – design, features, battery life, accuracy and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which Fitbit is best for your fitness goals and budget. Let’s get moving!

Comparing the Charge 4 and Charge 5 Fitness Trackers

Feature	Fitbit Charge 4	Fitbit Charge 5
Price	$129.95	$179.95
Display	Grayscale OLED	Color AMOLED Touchscreen
Battery Life	Up to 7 days	Up to 6 days
GPS	Built-in GPS	Built-in GPS
Water Resistance	Swimproof	Swimproof
Activity Tracking	Yes	Yes
Heart Rate Monitoring	Yes	Yes
Sleep Stages Tracking	Yes	Yes
Smartphone Notifications	Yes	Yes
Onboard Music	No	No
Mobile Payments	Fitbit Pay	Fitbit Pay
Interchangeable Bands	Yes	Yes
EDA Stress Sensor	No	Yes
ECG App	No	Yes
Temperature Sensor	No	Yes
Daily Readiness Score	No	Yes

Design – Classic Meets Modern

When it comes to aesthetics, the Charge 5 takes a big leap forward from its predecessor. It sports a bright color AMOLED touchscreen, compared to the greyscale display on the Charge 4. This makes the Charge 5 look sleeker and more high-tech on your wrist.

Both models have a similar long, narrow grayscale display when not in active use. But fire up that screen and the Charge 5 really shines with its vivid colors and sharp detail. It makes the stats, apps and notifications on your tracker just pop.

The Charge 5 also has a thinner profile – roughly 40% less volume than the Charge 4. And it’s noticeably lighter at about 24 grams versus 32 grams on the Charge 4. You’ll barely notice the Charge 5 on your wrist.

One downside is the Charge 5 ditches physical buttons entirely for an all touch-screen experience. No more pressing buttons to scroll through stats or go back a screen. This may bug some users who like tactile feedback. But the touch response is very smooth.

Both models come in multiple color options to match your style. They share a similar sleek, minimalist band design that’s comfortable for all-day wear. And the straps are interchangeable if you want a new look.

Winner: Charge 5

With its vivid color touchscreen and lightweight build, the Charge 5 has a more eye-catching, modern design. The lack of buttons takes some getting used to, but the slick touch response makes up for it.

Features and Sensors – More Than Just Steps

When it comes to health tracking skills, both of these Fitbits pack some impressive features far beyond just counting steps. Let’s compare what each one offers:

Activity Tracking

Of course, both models will track all-day stats like steps taken, distance covered, calories burned and stairs climbed. The Charge 5 has a 3-axis gyroscope compared to the Charge 4’s 3-axis accelerometer, which can improve tracking accuracy.

Sleep Tracking

Slip them on at night and both Flex and Charge will automatically track your sleep stages (light, deep and REM sleep) and sleep quality score. The Charge 5 also adds a smart wake feature that finds the optimal time to wake you up.

GPS

Want to track the actual route and pace of your walks, runs and hikes without lugging your phone? Both models have built-in GPS to map your workouts and outdoor activity.

Heart Rate Tracking

They continuously monitor your heart rate 24/7 and during workouts. See your heart rate zones, measure calorie burn more accurately and track trends over time.

Swimproof Design

No need to take them off in the shower or pool – both are water resistant up to 50 meters so you can safely swim and track swims too.

Now here’s where the Charge 5 pulls ahead with some exclusive high-tech sensors:

EDA Sensor

This sensor measures Electrodermal activity to detect small electrical changes in your skin’s sweat glands. That data indicates your body’s response to stress. The EDA app guides you through mindfulness sessions to see your stress responses and learn relaxation techniques.

ECG App

The ECG app can take an on-the-spot electrocardiogram by checking for heart rhythm irregularities that may indicate underlying conditions like atrial fibrillation. It’s the first Fitbit to offer medical-grade ECG technology on your wrist.

Daily Readiness Score

Every morning, the Charge 5 provides a personalized Daily Readiness score based on your activity, sleep and heart rate variability. This helps determine if your body is ready to exercise or in need of recovery. Pretty cool!

Temperature Sensor

While not currently active, the Charge 5 has a built-in temperature sensor that may eventually help detect signs of illness or track ovulation cycles. Exciting potential!

Winner: Charge 5

With advanced health tracking features like EDA, ECG, Daily Readiness and a temperature sensor, the Charge 5 is far more than just a fitness tracker. It provides deeper insights into your overall health, stress and wellbeing.

Smart Features – Texts, Apps and More

In our increasingly connected world, having smartphone notifications right on your wrist is super convenient. Here’s what smart features each tracker offers:

Call, Text & App Alerts

Get call, text and smartphone app notifications on your wrist so you can stay in the loop without grabbing your phone. Both models display notifications from iOS/Android devices.

Quick Replies (iOS Only)

Respond to texts and notifications directly from the Charge 5 with preset quick replies or by voice texting with Siri. The Charge 4 doesn’t offer quick replies.

Built-in GPS

As mentioned earlier, both models have built-in GPS so you can track the route of your workouts without carrying your smartphone.

Fitbit Pay

Make payments from your tracker with Fitbit Pay – just link a credit or debit card and tap to pay at participating retailers. Available on both models.

Apps and Faces

Through the Fitbit app, you can customize your tracker with different watch faces as well as add apps like Starbucks, Strava, Spotify and more for on-wrist access to your favorites.

Voice Assistant

Use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant built into the Charge 5 to get quick news updates, set reminders and alarms, control smart home devices and more totally hands-free. The Charge 4 lacks voice assistant integration.

Winner: Charge 5

With additions like quick replies, voice assistant support and a touchscreen for easier navigation, the Charge 5 provides a more robust set of smart features to keep you connected on the go.

Battery Life – Long-Lasting Power

No one wants a fitness tracker that runs out of juice after just a few days. How long can you expect these two models to last between charges?

Charge 4 Battery

The Charge 4 packs a pretty sizable battery, delivering 5-7 days of power even with features like GPS and continuous heart rate monitoring enabled. Impressive right? You’ll basically only need to charge it once a week.

Charge 5 Battery

With its slimmer design and more advanced features, the Charge 5 battery does take a hit – it lasts roughly 6 days max on a charge. That’s still decent, but expect to plug it in more frequently. Quick charging gives you a full day’s charge in just 12 minutes which helps.

Both use a proprietary charging cable that magnetically snaps into place to repower the tracker. No fiddling with plugging in a cable.

Winner: Charge 4

While the Charge 5 has respectable 6-day battery life, the Charge 4 is the clear winner here with its longer lasting 7 day battery. You’ll charge it less often.

Activity Tracking Accuracy

Of course, all these features are only useful if they accurately track your fitness stats and health metrics day and night. How precise are their tracking skills?

Overall, most users report that both the Charge 4 and Charge 5 deliver reliable accuracy across a variety of activities. Here’s a quick performance comparison:

Steps Tracking

Both accurately track steps taken during the day and dedicated walking/running workouts, generally within 5% of an actual step count. The Charge 5 may have a slight edge with its 3-axis gyroscope improving precision.

Distance Tracking

For outdoor walking, running and bike rides, the built-in GPS provides excellent distance tracking. Both models were spot-on or slightly conservative compared to actual miles across several tests.

Heart Rate Tracking

During exercise and daily wear, both models closely matched measurements from a chest strap heart rate monitor. Resting heart rate data was also consistent.

Sleep Stages

Testers found the sleep stage data closely matched results from clinical sleep studies overnight. Both models accurately reported times awake/restless, light, deep and REM sleep.

Calorie Burn

Using user data like heart rate, age, height/weight and workout details, calorie burn estimates were reasonably aligned with expectations for the activity levels. But as with any device, these are just estimates.

GPS Mapping

Runners found the built-in GPS accurately mapped out their routes without veering off track. Pacing data was also on-point compared to a phone app.

Winner: Tie

Across key metrics like steps, distance, heart rate, sleep and calories, both the Charge 4 and Charge 5 were highly consistent with little discrepancy. The Charge 5 takes a slight lead with its upgraded gyroscope improving precision. But overall, their tracking skills are well-matched.

Fitbit Premium – Unlocking Added Value

Want to get more out of your tracker? Both the Charge 4 and Charge 5 integrate with Fitbit Premium, a paid subscription service that provides in-depth health insights and training programs. Let’s look at the perks of Premium:

Advanced Health Metrics

Gain valuable insights into your overall health by tracking long-term trends and personal ranges for important stats such as resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and breathing rate. These metrics can help you better understand your health signals and make informed decisions about your well-being.

Wellness Report

Transform your health with a comprehensive quarterly report tailored exclusively for you. Gain valuable insights on your activity, sleep, and heart health that will help you make informed decisions and take control of your well-being.

Workout Videos

Looking for some inspiration for your daily workouts? Check out the vast collection of video demonstrations available on our platform, featuring everything from home workouts and yoga flows to meditation sessions. With your tracker by your side, you can easily follow along and stay on track towards achieving your fitness goals.

Guided Health Programs

You can find various health programs that span multiple weeks and provide detailed guidance on a variety of topics such as increasing physical activity, improving sleep quality, managing stress levels, or achieving specific goals like running a 5K. These programs offer step-by-step instructions to help individuals improve their overall health and wellness.

Mindfulness Tools

Relaxation and stress management can be achieved through personalized mindfulness content, such as guided meditations and reflections. The EDA sensor incorporated in the Charge 5 enhances the effectiveness of these tools.

Recipe Library

Discover a variety of nutritious recipes and effortlessly include the ingredients that catch your eye to your shopping list – a highly convenient feature!

Premium Challenges

Staying motivated towards your fitness or wellness goals becomes easier when you take up friendly challenges. With Premium membership, you can compete on leaderboards against other members and keep track of your progress. This feature can be a great way to stay on track and achieve your goals.

Fitbit Premium supercharges both trackers with deeper health data, actionable guidance and motivation. While not required, it helps you make the most of your tracker. New device buyers normally get a free trial period to test it out.

The Verdict – Which Is Better for You?

Now that we’ve compared these two awesome activity trackers across all the key categories, let’s summarize which model comes out on top:

Fitbit Charge 5

Best for:

• Users who want a more advanced health tracker with sensors like EDA, ECG and a temperature monitor
• People who are style-conscious and want a lightweight, fashionable tracker
• Those who like a color touchscreen and utilizing apps and alerts from their wrist
• Anyone focused on managing stress or improving sleep quality
• Athletes seeking workout features like Daily Readiness Scores

Downsides:

• More expensive price tag
• Shorter battery life than the Charge 4
• Lack of physical buttons may bug some users

Fitbit Charge 4

Best for:

• Shoppers looking for an affordable, entry-level Fitbit
• People who want the longest possible battery life
• Users who still prefer buttons over full touchscreen
• Those who just need basic activity/sleep tracking and smart features
• Athletes focused solely on GPS workout tracking and stats

Downsides:

• Less advanced health monitoring technology
• Heavier, bulkier band design
• Black and white screen less stylish

Which Is the Right Fit(bit) for You?

We’ve covered a lot of ground comparing the features, performance and advantages of the Fitbit Charge 4 vs Charge 5. So which one should you buy? Here are some final tips:

• If budget is a main concern, get the Charge 4 to save money. It still has fantastic fitness tracking and smart capabilities.
• Those wanting the most cutting-edge health sensors should get the Charge 5. It packs unique technology like EDA and ECG.
• Fashion-focused buyers will appreciate the Charge 5’s modern and stylish design.
• For long battery life, the Charge 4 is the winner. Expect to charge less often.
• Athletes who care most about GPS workout stats are fine with the Charge 4.
• If you love utilizing apps and notifications from your wrist, the Charge 5 has quick replies.
• Those managing high stress levels benefit from the Charge 5’s EDA sensor.
• People training for events can utilize the Charge 5’s advanced Daily Readiness Scores.

See – you can’t go wrong! Both fitness trackers pack an amazing array of features into a versatile wristband design. Choose the model that best fits your personal activity tracking needs and health goals. And get ready to crush those fitness resolutions in 2023!

FAQs

FAQ 1: Which has better sleep tracking?

Both the Charge 4 and Charge 5 offer excellent sleep tracking including sleep stages (light, deep, REM), sleep quality analysis and silent alarms. The Charge 5 does provide more detailed sleep quality metrics and added smart wake features to find the best time to wake you up. 

FAQ 2: Can they be used without a smartphone?

Yes! While both models work as an extension of your iOS or Android phone to show notifications and sync data, they can function independently. Even without a paired phone, you can track activity, heart rate, sleep and access basic features.

FAQ 3: Do I need a Fitbit Premium membership?

Fitbit Premium is optional and adds more detailed health insights, training programs and wellness tools. But the core features work great without Premium. 

FAQ 4: Which has better battery life?

The Charge 4 has a slight edge here with a max battery life of 5-7 days versus 6 days for the Charge 5. However, the Charge 5 has fast charging – 12 minutes for a full day of charge. So both have decent battery life that should easily last between charges. 

FAQ 5: Is Fitbit Premium worth the money?

For $9.99 per month or $79.99 annually, Premium isn’t essential but provides some nice perks. If you want motivation to stay active, meditation tools to lower stress, or would utilize advanced health metrics like heart rate variability, it can be worth it! 

In Summary

We’ve covered all the details – from activity tracking and health sensors to smart features, accuracy, design and battery life comparing the Fitbit Charge 4 vs Charge 5.

Both fitness bands are amazing options packed with valuable technology to help you monitor activity, improve health and reach your goals. The Charge 5 takes the lead with its innovative sensors, stylish design and touchscreen interactivity. But the affordable Charge 4 holds its own with smooth performance.

Fitbit alta charger: How to find the perfect one for your needs and fitness ambitions. Hopefully, this comprehensive comparison provides the info you need to pick the best Fitbit for YOUR needs and fitness ambitions. Time to get moving and elevate your activities – let’s do this!