Best Fitbit 2017: which is right for you?

Fitbit is a household name when it comes to fitness tracker tech and it offers options for running experts as well as the everyman who just wants something to track how far they walk each day.

So far we've seen the launch of both the Fitbit Alta HR and Fitbit Ionic in 2017 while both the Fitbit Charge 2 and Fitbit Flex 2 came out at the tail end of last year.

Products such as the Fitbit Blaze and Surge sit at the top end of the Fitbit product range to keep those who are into their exercise happy, while there are also choices like the Zip, Charge and Flex for those who need something a little simpler.

• Looking for something different? Check out our best fitness trackers in 2017
• Need to save money? Check out our best cheap fitness trackers
• Or maybe try one of the best Android Wear smartwatches?
• If you've bought a Fitbit, check out our selection of the 30 best Fitbit bands
• Effectively use your band with our fitness tracker tips and tricks guide

There are also rumors for new Fitbit products that may be on the horizon including the Fitbit Charge 3 and Blaze 2. Here you'll find our ranking of the best Fitbit products you can buy right now - look below to find the best Fitbit fitness tracker or watch for your needs:

One of the latest Fitbit devices is the Charge 2, which has a much larger screen compared to the original Fitbit Charge or the Charge HR. 

It's one of the best fitness trackers you can use right now and comes with fitness features such as a heart rate tracker and guided breathing.

There's also Multi-Sport tracking that allows you to keep a track of outdoor runs, walking, weight training and many more exercises.

It also connects with the GPS on your phone to keep track of your runs as well. You won't be able to use this in a pool though, if you want to go swimming with your tracker we'd recommend looking at the Fitbit Flex 2.

Read the full Fitbit Charge 2 review

The Fitbit Blaze is the dark horse of the Fitbit family. This is one of the stranger devices on the roster as it looks like it's trying to be the first smartwatch from Fitbit, but it's not.

Despite the design, the Fitbit Blaze is still a fitness tracker at heart. The design is a little quirky, but that may be something you want to go for in a fitness tracker.

The display also offers up notifications for your text messages, but not for any other apps you may want to see. 

The Blaze does offer up a variety of new fitness features - such as SmartTrack, which will track your exercise even if you haven't told the wearable what you're going to be doing - allowing you to burn through those calories quickly and easily.

Read the full Fitbit Blaze review

Here's the most expensive and arguably most exciting device Fitbit has ever released. It's especially going to get your blood pumping if you're a runner, as the Fitbit Surge comes with GPS technology built-in.

That means you can take your Fitbit out and about without having to keep your phone in your pocket while you're jogging.

It comes with a heart rate monitor and a classic watch-like design that some of the other Fitbit products don't offer.

There's a slightly weaker battery life on this Fitbit and the design isn't to everyone's taste, but if you like to run this is probably the best choice of Fitbit for you.

Read the full Fitbit Surge review

The Fitbit Alta HR takes the slim, stylish Fitbit Alta and jams a heart rate monitor into its slender frame, without bulking it up.

Where the original Alta feels a bit light on features, and like it puts form over function, the Alta HR is an admirable tracker which goes beyond basic step tracking, but one that still looks good.

It's still not the most feature-packed - there's no GPS for a start - but it strikes a good balance and is the sort of thing you'll be happy to wear 24/7 (other than when swimming - this isn't waterproof), which is handy, because it can also track your sleep, and the heart rate monitor helps there too.

With basic message and notification alerts pulled from your smartphone and an almost week long battery life too, it's well worth considering if you don't need the features - or don't want the bulk - of something like the Fitbit Surge.

Read the full Fitbit Alta HR review

Do you want a fitness tracker that is easy to use and uncomplicated? The Fitbit Flex 2 may be the best device for you.

It's the only truly waterproof Fitbit, so you'll be able to use this while swimming and track how good your dips in the pool are going.

It's a touch cheaper than the Fitbit Charge 2 as well, so it may be the perfect new Fitbit tracker for you.

Read the full Fitbit Flex 2 review

If you're after a smartwatch from Fitbit, this is your only choice right now. The Fitbit Ionic isn't the fantastic smartwatch like we'd hoped it would be but it succeeds if you're looking for a fitness focused device that can tackle running, weight lifting, swimming and much, much more.

Dedicated workout programs and Fitbit Pay are among the other highlights of the Ionic, but it doesn't perform as well as say the Apple Watch or LG Watch Sport if you're looking for a full blown smartwatch experience. It's not cheap either and the Fitbit Ionic is also low in our list of the best Fitbit products because it's just very expensive for what it can offer you.

Read the full Fitbit Ionic review

The Fitbit Alta is the latest product from Fitbit and has a big focus on the design rather than its fitness features.

The style is customizable with various straps so you can switch them out for whatever you feel like that day - you aren't limited to just one choice, like you are on some Fitbit devices.

In our review, we found it also had a week-long battery life. That's even more than the 5 days Fitbit claims for the Alta.

It's not all great though as the Alta's screen isn't very sensitive and it's not waterproof either. But if you're looking for an all-rounder fitness tracker, the Alta may be a good choice for you - though remember there's a Fitbit Alta HR now too, which you'll find elsewhere in this list.

Read the full Fitbit Alta review

This is the cheapest of the cheap in the world of Fitbit.

If you want a cheap and cheerful tracker that will just monitor how far you walk each day, go for the Fitbit Zip. It's a clip you can put onto your clothing and from there you can just look at how far you've walked each day.

Essentially it's a glorified pedometer and won't be able to track your running anywhere near as accurately as you could on devices like the Surge or the Blaze.

But if you're here just to keep a track on how far you've been walking, the Fitbit Zip isn't a bad choice for you.

Read the full Fitbit Zip review

Between the Fitbit Charge and the Charge 2 we got the Fitbit Charge HR, which looks exactly like the original Fitbit Charge but adds a heart rate monitor into the mix.

Fitbit has discontinued the Charge HR, but other retailers still stock it - at least for now - and it makes for a cheaper alternative to the Fitbit Charge 2.

The Charge HR is also one of the more stylish Fitbit products included on this list, but it's not always the most accurate at tracking your steps.

If you're looking to do more rigorous exercise go for one of the devices above such as the Surge or the Blaze. But the Charge HR is still a good choice if you're looking for the odd update on how far you've walked.

Read the full Fitbit Charge HR review

We're down to the more basic fitness trackers that Fitbit produces. The Fitbit One is getting on a bit now, but if you don't want something strapped around your wrist it may be a good choice for you.

The Fitbit One is a clip-on tracker that will monitor your steps and fitness activities without having to sit on your wrist.

The technology is a little old now, but it may be a good choice for you if you're just looking for something to take a good look at your steps.

Plus remember it's one of the cheaper Fitbit options, so if you're here to save money this could be the best choice.

Read the full Fitbit One review

After something a little bit cheaper than the devices just above? If you can sacrifice the screen, the Fitbit Flex may be the best choice for your tracking needs.

It does include a screen, but it won't give you numbers on how well you're doing. Instead it includes dots - when the dots are full you've achieved your daily steps.

It's not the most useful device for when you go running, but it will make sure you reach your minimum step goals in a day and sometimes that's all you really need.

If you like the design of the Fitbit Flex and don't need much in the way of run tracking skills it's a strong choice.

Read the full Fitbit Flex review

• Check out our list of Fitbit tips and tricks and best Fitbit bands

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