Fitbit Charge 2: A Comprehensive Fitness Tracker Guide

The Fitbit Charge 2 is a fantastic fitness tracker that's easy to use and packed with features. It's a great choice for anyone looking to track their daily activity, sleep, and heart rate.

One of the standout features of the Fitbit Charge 2 is its long battery life, lasting up to 5 days on a single charge. This means you can wear it every day without worrying about running out of power.

The Fitbit Charge 2 also tracks your sleep patterns, giving you insights into your sleep quality and duration. This information can be used to make adjustments to your daily routine to improve your sleep.

With the Fitbit Charge 2, you can also set daily activity goals and track your progress, receiving reminders to stay on track. This feature is especially helpful for those who need a little motivation to get moving.

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The Fitbit Charge 2 has interchangeable straps, so you can fit the removable tracker into different colours and versions of wristband, from the Classic through Special Edition beveled-diamond designs, to luxury leather straps.

This feature is a significant enhancement to the older Charge HR, allowing you to personalize your device to suit your style.

The Charge 2 retains the HR's stainless steel watch-buckle, which is much more secure than the pop-in clasp connectors of the Fitbit Alta and new Flex 2.

A larger screen is also a notable feature of the Charge 2, showing off more fitness data right on your wrist.

This monochrome display is less luscious than the Apple Watch or even Fitbit's own Blaze or Ionic trackers, but it keeps the battery life longer.

You can personalize what you see on the screen, and choose from different clock styles via the app.

The display is interactive, allowing you to toggle to the next set of information with a simple tap on the screen.

The Charge 2 features a Caller ID and Text notification alerts, which are really helpful on the larger display.

You can also view tracked data by pushing the side button of the tracker or tapping the screen.

The Charge 2 has a Cardio Fitness Level rating, which is a significant enhancement to the older Charge HR.

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This feature uses data from your workouts to estimate your cardiovascular fitness level.

A lower resting heart rate is a sign of better cardiovascular fitness, and the Charge 2 can track your heart rate throughout the day.

Experts now believe that 60-80 beats per minute (bpm) is a healthy level.

The Charge 2 also features Reminders to Move, which encourage you to stay active throughout the day.

Interval training is another feature of the Charge 2, allowing you to customize your workouts and track your progress.

The Charge 2 has Guided Breathing sessions, which are meant to help users find moments of calm throughout the day.

These personalized breathing sessions are based on your heart rate, and can be accessed via the app.

The Charge 2 also features Sleep Stages, which uses accelerometer data and heart-rate variability to estimate how long you spend in Light, Deep and REM sleep stages.

This feature is a massive improvement on the previous measuring of "restlessness", and allows you to benchmark your sleep against people of a similar age.

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The Fitbit Charge 2 has a battery life of up to five days, although we found it to be a little better than that.

The battery is lithium-polymer, with a charge time of between one and two hours. This is a decent charging speed, but it's not the fastest.

You can see the percentage of battery life you have left directly on your Charge 2 display thanks to the On-Device Battery Life display feature. This is a great feature that helps you keep track of your battery life.

Fitbit also emails you when the battery dips to 20% charge, so you shouldn’t forget to power it up to max again. This is a thoughtful touch that helps you stay on top of your tracking.

The charging cable for the Charge 2 is different from the old Charge HR and Charge 1, and it also looks similar to the Alta’s charging cable but has a slightly different fitting. This might be frustrating for some users who already have other Fitbit charging cables.

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To keep your Fitbit Charge 2 in top condition, remember to clean your band and wrist regularly with a soap-free cleanser.

Make sure to remove and dry your tracker completely if it gets wet. This will prevent any water damage.

It's also a good idea to take your band off from time to time to give your skin a break.

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Your Fitbit tracker is a great tool for monitoring your heart rate. Charge 2 tracks your heart rate all day and during exercise.

The heart icon on your tracker is a handy indicator of your heart rate zone. You can see which zone you're in when you exercise.

You can customize your heart rate zones in the Fitbit app to suit your fitness goals. This way, you can tailor your workouts to your individual needs.

Water resistance is a crucial aspect to consider when choosing a fitness tracker. The Fitbit Charge 2, for example, has a water resistance rating that allows it to withstand showers and even a dip in the pool or bath, but it's not designed for diving.

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In fact, a Fitbit product manager reportedly wore his Charge 2 in the shower with "zero problems" for a limited time, suggesting that it's more water-resistant than Fitbit lets on.

However, it's essential to remember that this is not what Fitbit recommends, so it's best to stick to their guidelines.

If you're looking for a fitness tracker that can handle water, consider the Fitbit Charge 2's capabilities, but don't push it too far.

Clean your band and wrist regularly with a soap-free cleanser to keep it in good condition. This simple habit can make a big difference in the longevity of your wearable device.

The tracker is water resistant, so you don't have to worry about it getting damaged from a little water or sweat. However, it's not swim-proof, so avoid wearing it while swimming or taking long baths.

Take your band off from time to time to give your skin a break and prevent irritation. This is especially important if you notice any signs of skin irritation.

To remove or swap the band, press down on the flat metal button on the strap and slide the band up to release it from the tracker. Repeat this process on the other side.

If your tracker gets wet, remove and dry it completely to prevent any damage. This is especially crucial if you've been using it in humid or wet conditions.

The Fitbit Charge 2 is a great device, but let's talk about the price and what you can expect to pay.

The cheapest Fitbit Charge 2 now starts at $99 (£95, AU$144), which is a significant drop from its original RRP of $149.99 (£129.99, AU$250).

You can also buy leather straps separately for $69.95 (£59.99, AU$119.95), but be aware that they are quite expensive.

The price has dropped even further during sales periods, with some retailers offering it for as low as $119 or £79.

Charging your tracker is a straightforward process. You'll typically have about a day of battery left when you see a low battery indicator.

Charging may take up to 2 hours, depending on the current power level.

A fully charged Fitbit Charge 2 has a battery life of up to 5 days.

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The price of the Fitbit Charge 2 is quite competitive. It starts at $99 (£95, AU$144) for the cheapest model.

You can find the Fitbit Charge 2 at a lower price point than its original RRP of $149.99 (£129.99, AU$250). The Special Edition versions, which have more premium-feel straps, originally cost $179.95 (£149.99, AU$289.95).

Leather straps for the Charge 2 are available separately and cost $69.95 (£59.99, AU$119.95). You can choose from light brown, indigo, or pink straps.

During sales periods, the price of the Fitbit Charge 2 has touched as low as $119 or £79. This is a great opportunity to snag a good deal on this popular fitness tracker.

The price of the Fitbit Charge 2 is generally lower now that the newer Fitbit Charge 3 is out, which starts at £129.99 / $149.95 / AU$229.95.

The Fitbit Charge 2 is an improvement in every way over the Charge HR, but you'll only want to get one if you're after more fitness tracking and a large display to see your results.

The device arrived in September 2016 and was the first upgrade to the popular Charge range since the Charge HR, which originally appeared early in 2015.

The Fitbit Charge 2 tracks a lot of useful data, including steps, distance, calories burned, floors climbed, active minutes, and hourly activity, as well as heart rate and sleep quality.

Here are some of the key features of the Fitbit Charge 2:

The Fitbit Charge 2 has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the key points to consider.

One of the main cons of the Fitbit Charge 2 is that it has limited phone notifications. This might be a deal-breaker for some users who rely on their smartwatches for constant updates.

Another con is that it lacks GPS, which can be a significant drawback for those who enjoy outdoor activities like running or cycling. You'll need to bring your phone along for navigation.

On the bright side, the Fitbit Charge 2 has a solid design that's still worth your attention, even with newer models available. It's especially worth checking out during sales events like Amazon Prime Day.

Here are the key cons of the Fitbit Charge 2 in a nutshell:

The Charge 2 is a fantastic wearable that packs a punch without breaking the bank. It's a well-specced fitness tracker that's perfect for those who want to stay active without getting overwhelmed.

One of its standout features is the big screen, which makes it easy to see your progress at a glance. This is especially useful when you're tracking your exercise, sleep, or heart rate.

The Charge 2 also comes with a comfortable strap that fits snugly on your wrist. This is a big plus for those who plan to wear their tracker all day, every day.

If you're an athlete or fitness enthusiast, you'll love the multi-sport tracking feature. This allows you to track your progress across different activities, from running to swimming to cycling.

Here are some of the key features of the Charge 2:

The Fitbit Charge 2 is not perfect, and there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the main drawbacks is that it has limited phone notifications, which can be frustrating if you're used to getting constant updates.

Some users may also find that the lack of GPS is a significant drawback. This can make it difficult to track your runs or hikes without a separate GPS device.

If you're planning to upgrade your strap, be prepared for the expense. Fitbit straps can be pricey, and it's worth considering the cost before making a purchase.

Here are some of the key cons to consider: