I have long thought that the Fitbit Charge 5 was one of the best smart bracelets on the market. And honestly, for the first few months, I didn’t have much to complain about.
The screen is bright, the sleep tracking is amazing and I really liked its discreet format. Unlike some huge watches that you constantly feel on your wrist, the Charge 5 was quickly forgotten. To track my steps, my sports sessions or simply monitor my sleep, it more than did the job.
But over time, I began to understand why so many users were divided.
Already, the GPS has never completely convinced me. On some outings, the routes seemed approximate and the connection was not always there. Nothing dramatic for occasional use, but when you run regularly, it ends up annoying.
And then there is the real subject.
Reliability.
Reading through the user reviews, I was surprised to see the same stories keep coming back: battery failing, black screen, impossible to recharge or bracelet stopping working after one or two years. Too many similar testimonials to ignore.
I also found it a shame that some advanced functions require Fitbit Premium. When you already pay around €150 for a bracelet, you would like to take full advantage of all your data without an additional subscription.
In the end, the Fitbit Charge 5 left a strange impression on me. Very pleasant to use on a daily basis. Really. But it’s difficult to have complete confidence when so many users report failures after just a few years.
In short, a bracelet that I appreciated… but that I probably wouldn’t buy again today with my eyes closed.
