Google’s Revamped Fitbit: A Deep Dive into the Fitbit Air

It’s been a while since Google acquired Fitbit, but now, the company is finally refreshing its health and fitness offerings. Just last month, Google unveiled a new app called Google Healthcare, replacing the highly praised Fitbit app. Alongside this, they launched Google Fitbit Air, a super-simplistic tracker designed for around-the-clock usage. I had the chance to test both for two weeks, and here’s what I found.

The Fitbit Air returns to the basics, reminiscent of Fitbit’s earlier models. It lacks a screen like the Charge series and doesn’t have notification capabilities like the Versa smartwatch. No frills here—just a straightforward fitness band tracking your steps, workouts, heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep, which is what Fitbit has always done well.

While there’s plenty to appreciate about the Fitbit Air, there are also some downsides that I’ll touch on.

This device is quite compact, basically a little pebble that contains all the necessary tech, battery, and heart rate sensor. The size is quite remarkable, considering that the original Fitbit was about the size of a standard pedometer. It fits onto a custom strap designed for wrist-wear. The included performance loop band is soft and comfy, though you can also purchase silicone or polyurethane bands to swap styles depending on your mood.

Wearing the Fitbit Air feels incredibly light. Throughout my two-week testing period, I often forgot I had it on, which is exactly what you hope for in a device meant for continuous wear. Even with its small dimensions, it manages to last around seven days on a single charge, although that varies based on your workout frequency.

But, let’s talk about the data. I wanted to see how precise this little tracker is. To do this, I wore both the Fitbit Air and my Apple Watch—my everyday companion since 2015. Here’s how they compared.

Step Tracking

In my trials, the Apple Watch recorded more daily steps 70% of the time, while the Fitbit Air came out on top 30% of the time. The most significant discrepancy I noticed was 605 steps (around 400 meters) between the two by day’s end, while on the closest comparison day, they were just 15 steps apart. The inconsistency between the devices makes it tricky to declare a clear winner. In fact, during a controlled test where I counted 100 steps, both devices tracked exactly that—100 steps. Ultimately, any divergence in daily metrics might stem from how each device interprets minor hand movements (like typing) as steps.

Heart Rate Measurement

Each device uses different methods to measure heart rate. The Fitbit Air logs readings every few seconds, while the Apple Watch collects data every 4 to 6 minutes. This difference allows the Fitbit Air to accumulate more heart data over time, resulting in a better overall view of your heart health. Primarily, both devices aligned well in terms of heart rate data, producing similar graphs day after day. However, the Fitbit Air sometimes struggles during intense workouts, as it might miss quick heart rate surges or register them with a delay, which could lead to inaccurate results.

The Fitbit Air features high and low heart rate notifications and alerts for irregular rhythms to flag potential heart issues, something I’m glad I didn’t have to test during my review. Overall, its heart rate performance and safety features are commendable given its small form factor.

Oxygen Levels

In comparison, the Apple Watch can measure oxygen levels on demand, whereas the Fitbit Air only assesses oxygen levels while you sleep. This helps identify sleep disturbances or conditions like sleep apnea. In my comparisons, the Apple Watch generally showed levels 0.5% to 1 percentage point lower than the Fitbit Air, which is a noteworthy difference in the delicate area of pulse oximetry. Still, it’s essential to mention that wrist-based measurements aren’t always as reliable as those taken from a finger. For a fitness tracker, the key is stable readings night-to-night, and both devices shared similar trends.

Sleep Tracking

As someone who often struggles to get enough sleep, it’s crucial for me to monitor my sleep patterns to manage my daily energy and responsibilities. Thankfully, the Fitbit Air excels in this aspect. When I compared it to my Apple Watch, both trackers usually reported my sleep and wake times within a few minutes of each other. There were instances when I woke up in the middle of the night and went back to sleep, and Fitbit Air captured it perfectly. You also don’t have to engage a sleep mode like you do with the Apple Watch, as it detects your sleep based on physiological cues automatically during your designated bedtime. If you’re looking to gain insights into your sleep health, Fitbit Air is a solid place to start.

Drawbacks

Despite the positives, there are notable limitations with the Fitbit Air worth mentioning. It lacks a GPS sensor, which is standard in many premium Fitbit devices and watches, and there’s no altimeter onboard. This can be a hassle if you’re out for a jog or walk and want to monitor your route or elevation, as you’ll need to bring your phone for accurate tracking. Depending on your fitness habits, this might or might not be a dealbreaker.

At the end of my testing, I found myself genuinely impressed by this little device. It shines in heart rate detection, sleep tracking, and battery life—plus, it’s sufficiently good at nighttime workouts and oxygen monitoring. Priced at just $99, the Fitbit Air is a straightforward recommendation for anyone keen on fitness or simply wanting to keep an eye on their health—provided they’re okay with sharing their data with Google, at least while using the product. And honestly, when it’s time for an upgrade, it makes perfect sense.

Like many tech companies today, Google is eager to draw in as many users as possible into its ecosystem for the long haul. The Fitbit Air simplifies that choice.