Live Science Verdict
While the Fitbit Sense 2 is a substantial casual physical fitness tracker , it does n’t offer enough improvements over the original , and the series has lose some features .
barrage fire lasts significantly longer than Apple Watch
moderately easy to employ
Some health have rivals miss
No music support
Flaky HR interpretation during exercise
" Always on " display mode drains battery animation
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The Fitbit Sense 2 is the top offering from established seaworthiness tracker brand Fitbit , now have by Google .
Software : Fitbit OSCompatibility : iOS and AndroidBattery life:6 + daysMemory size:4GBDisplay eccentric and screen size:1.58 inch OLEDGPS : YesWater resistance : Up to 50 metersHeart rate tracker : YesSleep tracker : YesMusic : No
It ’s a solid watch for those who want everyday exercise tracking and do n’t beware pretermit the variety of sassy apps on fling in an Apple Watch .
Fitbit has snub back some of its watches ' smarts over the years , making the Sense 2 seem a act shallow by some metrics , and not that interesting from a tech view . However , it ’s still ones of thebest fitness trackersfor many , peculiarly as it is often available for significantly less than its original toll online . We also rank it as one of thebest Fitbitsfrom the brand .
Price and release date
The Fitbit Sense 2 was let go of in September 2022 . It ’s a refresh of the originalSense , which get along out two years earlier in 2020 .
This watch sit at the top end of the Fitbit lineup . However , a Fitbit Sense 2 is still a lot more affordable than premium vesture from Apple or Garmin .
The smartwatch costs $ 299/£269 , but it can often be found at significantly less than that original cost . We ’d recommend hunting down a great deal that saves you at least $ 50/£50 if you do choose to buy a Sense 2 .
Design and display
The Fitbit Sense 2 looks similar to the original Sense . Maybe that ’s for the in effect , because it ’s distinguishable from all of its rivals , however , it may be a dashing hopes to original Sense owners who were hoping for something new .
It ’s much squarer than a Pixel Watch and more rounded than an Apple Watch . Fitbit was clearly out to make a square shape attend friendly with this design — and it really works . The top part is curved glass , the sides are aluminum and the underside is mostly plastic . When the Sense 2 catches the light you could see a form - of metal border around the screen . This enables the watch ’s ECG feature of speech and is what divide a mother wit 2 from the cheaperVersa 4 .
The Fitbit Sense 2 also derive a physical clitoris on the side , whereas the original had a touch sensitive sphere . While the latter may sound more techy , a classic button is much less frustrating to utilise .
There ’s nothing new in the Sense 2 ’s watch ’s screen tech , but it can be put into an " always on " mode that keeps it light up all solar day , rather than just time out after a few irregular . This halve the battery life , but makes it a much better scout .
Features
The Fitbit Sense 2 has advance in some area , but it ’s been write out back in others with surprising hostility .
The result is the Fitbit Sense 2 is a fun - to - use exercise and health trailing watch , but it does n’t seem as smart as an Apple Watch or a Google Pixel Watch . We think this is careful , as Google now owns Fitbit and wants to set the Pixel Watch as the premier smartwatch in this drawn-out kinfolk .
The Fitbit Sense series no longer supports music or extra apps that are not made by Fitbit . The Fitbit Sense 2 also feels a bit more sluggish than an Apple Watch , with some occasional languorous transitions between screens .
However , for the money it can still do some advanced thing , especially in the area of wellness . Electrocardiogram ( ECG ) is a characteristic you ’ll get hold in other top - tier clothing , valuate the electric signals of the nerve to check for signs of arrhythmia . The metal contacts on top are also used by the electrodermal activity ( EDA ) sensor . This looks for change in sweat production of the skin , which can be a stress index .
Of of course , these are just redundant feature . The Sense 2 does the basics as well . Flick left and veracious from the picket face and you’re able to see stair count , a daily activity page including stairs rise , your last lading of sleep data and a graph of your centre rate .
The Fitbit Sense 2 also lets you interact with Amazon Alexa using the onboard mike and speaker unit . It ’s a smashing extra but , just like the smart assistant in the Garmin Venu 2 Plus , feel more awkward and slow compared with using a smart speaker . However , it ’s a great way to set timers .
The Sense 2 also patronage wireless payment through Fitbit Pay or Google Wallet . And , a feature only tot up recently , it supports Google Maps .
For actual usage , there ’s 40 activity modes . That sounds like a lot — and it is . However , many of them are effectively the same as each other , just with a different recording label attached — handy for later follow-up in the Fitbit app but it means the Sense 2 is n’t really a specialist fitness lookout .
Performance
The Fitbit Sense 2 works just fine for casual drill tracking , though . For each physical exercise you could fructify a finish — time , distance calories or " participating zone " minutes . And while only three stats are shown on - screen at once , you may at least choose what these stats are if you like .
By default the Sense 2 also hum when you enter a fresh philia rate zone . It would be nice if you could effectively work out in a specific HR range , however , and get a warning bombination when you result it .
We find the Sense 2 ’s GPS tracking to be comely , aside from being irksome to triangulate than an Apple Watch or Garmin rival . And for outside activities you’re able to see a map of your routes in the the Fitbit app afterwards . Over a 7 km footrace the space recorded was just 100 m off that of our Garmin Fenix 7 , a minor 1.4 % disparity .
However , the Sense 2 ’s heart rate meter reading are less than rock - solid . In our tracked sessions we find the results were consistently pitiful for the first five minute or so of transcription . While the Fitbit common sense 2 eventually gets into its groove , if you act upon out for regular short sessions rather than 45 - 60 minute runs or bicycle ride , the " max " and " average " heart charge per unit solvent are n’t going to be that reliable .
There ’s also a sense you do n’t get access to all a Sense 2 has to volunteer unless you sign up for Fitbit Premium . This is a $ 9.99/£9.99 a month service that unlocks exercise videos , nourishment plan and " foresightful terminal figure style " in stats recorded by your lookout man . point for utilization subject is fine , but agitate for simple data handling that is arguably core to the Sense 2 ’s role as a " health " watch is more disputatious .
However , you will at least have to buck the Fitbit Sense 2 less regularly than an Apple Watch . Fitbit says it survive " 6 + " days . However , this all depends on what features you practice . With the shelling - sapping " always on " exhibit mode switched on , we found it lasts nearer to 2 - 3 days in a real - world setting .
Verdict
Two years on , the Fitbit Sense 2 has n’t shape up much from the original . It gains a forcible release that removes the touching annoyance of the first sensory faculty sentry , and the Google Maps documentation is handy for navigating around streets you do n’t know too well .
However , third - party app support has gone , and along with it go ways to control music being played on your phone . By now , we ’d have liked to see the Fitbit Sense 2 offer good heart rate accuracy during tracked physical exertion too .
It ’s still a good casual health and fitness tracker that demands less upkeep than an Apple Watch , though , and for many that will be enough .
If this isn’t for you
For those that do n’t require to vaunt the budget , consider the Apple Watch SE , Fitbit Versa 4 and Garmin Venu Sq 2 . These are all in the same price ballpark .
The Apple Watch has the best smarts , while the Garmin Venu Sq 2 offers beneficial track depth and battery life .
The Versa 4 is basically the same spotter without the EDA stress and ECG heart wellness tech at bottom . It may be a better buy for some , calculate on the prices and offer available .
For pure exercise track the Garmin is our top testimonial . However , if you desire smartwatch gloss , the Apple Watch SE is the obvious pick .
