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Fitbit charge 4: A reliable, high-quality fitness tracker that doesn’t break the bank
A well-priced bit of tech with a subtle, swim-proof design, GPS and NFC for contactless payments
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Now over a year old, having arrived in April 2020, the Fitbit charge 4 was recently succeeded by the charge 5. But this is still a fitness tracker you should consider if you want a wearable that accurately tracks exercise, has GPS and can handle contactless payments, but doesn’t break the bank.
The charge 4 is available in four colours and is offered with a one-size-fits-all design. It has up to seven days of battery life and can be used to control your Spotify music playback, as well as track exercise, walking, swimming and sleep.
How we tested
To give the Fitbit charge 4 a thorough review, we strapped the fitness tracker to our wrist and lived with it for a fortnight. During that time we wore it every day and night, only taking it off when the battery needed a top-up.
The charge 4 stayed with us while we walked, ran, exercised, worked and slept, ensuring we had a good feel for everything it is (and isn’t) capable of before delivering our verdict.
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The verdict: Fitbit charge 4
The addition of GPS and NFC make a big difference when comparing the charge 4 to previous models. These turn the wearable into a fitness tracker that can be used when your smartphone is left at home, and a Fitbit Premium subscription brings a whole new level of health and fitness guidance.
This is an affordable but high-quality fitness tracker that provides enough data for the majority of consumers. Anyone who is interested in their overall health and fitness will find the charge 4 useful, while fitness fanatics and competitive runners will know to look elsewhere.
We also found the sleep tracking to be accurate, and liked how it can be used to track swimming too. Its design also means it could feasibly be worn on the opposite wrist to a watch, which is good news for those who like to wear an analogue timepiece as well as a fitness tracker. Overall, there’s very little to complain about here – and with the charge 4 being a year old, and the charge 5 now available, prices are sure to fall even further than the £119 most retailers, including Amazon and Currys, are currently asking.
Voucher codes
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