Fitbit Air Review: Three Months In

I got my Fitbit Air not long after it launched back in May, and it hasn’t left my wrist since. Initially, I was impressed with its lightweight design, impressive battery life, and everyday usability. However, I had some reservations about the absence of GPS for running, concerns regarding data privacy, and the sometimes unreliable AI coaching feature.

Now, three months later, I’ve been reflecting on how the Fitbit Air has held up and whether I still think it’s worth recommending.

I’ve discovered that it serves as a somewhat unpredictable health companion.

What do I still appreciate about the Fitbit Air? For one, the size and weight have continued to be major advantages. It’s incredibly light and discreet; I often forget I’m even wearing it. Its bracelet-like look means I can easily wear it alongside other jewelry, which is a plus. Personally, I like to pair it with my Apple Watch—it’s a bit of a data obsession for me, but I think it looks pretty normal to others since I rarely get any sideways glances.

Its subtle appearance is matched by a battery life that typically lasts over a week with each charge. Although, I suspect that active users might find this slightly diminished. Honestly, I hardly ever need to remove it or even think about it, which is just what you want from a fitness tracker. Since it measures heart rate every five seconds, this kind of battery longevity is quite impressive.

If there’s one downside, it’s that the plastic module inside the Fitbit Air feels a bit fragile. While the lightweight material is nice for comfort and cost, it seems susceptible to damage. After its release, some users mentioned scratches on their heart rate sensors, and there was even a warning about bug spray damaging the device. I’ve been careful with mine, and it has managed to hold up well through daily showers and even handling some messy tasks in the kitchen.

Concerns about the Fitbit Air

However, the Fitbit Air is not without its faults. When it first came out, Google emphasized its AI health coach as a standout feature, even redesigning the Fitbit app to highlight it. Unfortunately, I think the Coach still has room for improvement.

From what I’ve experienced, it can be quite unpredictable as a health partner. There are times when it offers solid fitness advice or is good for discussing health topics. But then, sometimes it just misses the mark completely.

I’ve seen it inaccurately assess my readiness score or underestimate my daily step count. Once, it even sent me a notification saying I woke up too early when, as it turned out, I was still asleep at the time!

In one bizarre instance, it generated its own stress score—something Fitbit had before but removed once Google took over. When I attempted to ask Coach where this score originated, it suggested I could find it in Google Health—of course, it wasn’t there. So, I’m left puzzled about where it came from, if it existed at all.

At this stage, the Coach feature is more of a novelty. If it were not part of my subscription, I wouldn’t consider paying extra for a premium plan just to try it out.

Should You Buy the Fitbit Air?

While it’s only been a few months, I have to say the Fitbit Air is one of the more intriguing fitness trackers I’ve used in the last 15 years. Yes, it has its flaws, but it performs the basics quite well. The build quality, comfort, and battery life all earn high marks from me. Finding a reliable tracker that accurately measures heart rate, sleep, and fitness stats for under $100 is tough. For the price, you get a lot of value, and I’d recommend it to anyone curious about tracking their health.

But there’s more to come. Google announced during its August hardware event that the Fitbit Air is slated for a major software upgrade. As part of the new Health Guardian system for Pixel Watches, it’ll include features like insulin resistance metrics and blood pressure trends. These could potentially help in spotting early signs of diabetes and hypertension. However, since these features are set to roll out in September, I haven’t had a chance to test them yet. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say about them in my next review, so stay tuned.