The exciting Fitbit Blaze

Smartwatches are a great fitness tool, but with so many models available, how do you know which to choose? Check out our FitBit Blaze review for a little help.

FitBit is a leader within the Smartwatch industry, known for its unique combination of slick technology and a deep understanding of fitness trends and how the human body responds to exercise. The FitBit Blaze is branded as the all-in-one fitness accessory that goes above and beyond your standard wearable.

Key Features

Launched in 2018, the Blaze has been lauded as one of the most popular smartwatches on the market despite its relatively high £90 or so price tag. Many wondered what made it different from competitors such as the Apple Watch and other Fitbit models.

But FitBit claims that the Blaze offers the ultimate experience when it comes to fitness gadgets, and that users get a whole load of extra features for their money. It definitely boasts plenty of impressive features, including:

• Allowing the wearer to track their steps, distance travelled, calorie expenditures, levels climbed and activity times
• Allows phone calls, SMS and calendar syncing with your Smartphone via BlueTooth
• Easily adjustable settings for a multitude of different sports and fitness types (including cardio, cycling, cross-training and rowing)
• AGPS-equipped to make discovering maps, navigating your chosen route and tracking your fitness more accurate – simply sync with your phone or other GPS device
• Comfortable wristband is easy to adjust and change for another should you need – available in two different styles and colours
• Customisable display – you can change the clock and colour scheme to suit your mood
• Access personalised coaching sessions to streamline your fitness journey
• Sturdy, durable design makes it ideal for all your outdoor adventures
• Up to five days battery life
• Available in two sizes (5.5 – 6.7 inches / 6.7 – 8.1 inches)
• HD colour LCD touchscreen (240 x 180 pixels) for crisp, clean visuals
• One-year warranty covers any hardware faults

As you can see from this extensive list, there’s lots to like about the FitBit Blaze. If you’re serious about your fitness and you’re willing to budget for this gadget, it’s a great choice.

We like

• Reliable tracking system makes it fast and simple to monitor every element of your exercise, including heartrate, altitude and light levels
• Discreet – the FitBit Blaze measures 1.2 inches in size and the design makes it look more like a watch than a traditional fitness tracker
• Colour display – the colour screen feature brings a new dynamic – the rich and vibrant colour display feature sets it apart from previous FitBit models, making it easier to view the screen display and giving it a more attractive appearance in general
• Compatibility – the Blaze is compatible across iOS and Android platforms
• Battery life is good, lasting up to five days
• Variety of straps available
• Thoroughly user-friendly app from FitBit – easy to manage your fitness goals, follow workout plans and connect with other users
• Setup is quick and straightforward – simply install the FitBit app and you’re ready to go

We don’t like

• GPS only functions within range of a device with built-in GPS – the Blaze has no integral GPS, so you need to carry an additional device with you in order to
• Not waterproof or even weather-resistant, so you can’t wear it while swimming or in the shower, although the manufacturers say it can withstand light rain
• No troubleshooting – there is no support offered by third parties should something go wrong with your device

How Does the FitBit Blaze Square Up?

Here’s an overview of how the FitBit Blaze shapes up next to comparable devices:

Device	Standar Price (Amazon)	Standard Size	Display	Compatability	Battery Life	Heart-rate Tracker	Built-in GPS	Water Resistant
FitBit Blaze	140$ (US) or £90 (UK)	1.58×1.58 x0.31″	16 bit colour LCD – 240 x 180 pixels	Android & iOS	Up to 5 days	Yes	No	No
FitBit Versa	140$ (US) or £150 (UK)	1.01 x 1.6x 0.43″	16 bit colour LCD – 240 x 180 pixels	Android & iOS	4d	Yes	No	Yes
FitBit Ionic	$200 or £219.00	1.01×1.53×0.47″	High res colour LCD with 1000 nits brightness	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	4d	Yes	Yes	Yes
TicWatch Pro	$280 or £214.99	4.5×4.5x 0.57″	High res LCD 400 x 400 pixel	Android & iOS	5-30d	Yes	No	Yes (waterproof)
Apple Watch 4	$450 (US) £429.00	1.73 x 1.34 x 0.42″	OLED	iOS	18h	Yes	Yes	Yes
Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music	$180 or £159.99	1.69×0.47×1.69″	Colour LCD	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	7d	Yes	Yes	Yes

The Bottom Line

The FitBit Blaze is a solid choice if you’re looking for a wearable fitness tracker, although it appears FitBit’s branding is a little confused – the Blaze looks like a smartwatch but it isn’t really one. The high-quality colour screen display, impressive battery life of up to five days and attractive design are all big pluses; but serious fitness fans might have an issue with the lack of in-built GPS and the fact that it’s not waterproof.

At around £90, the Blaze isn’t exactly cheap, especially as it isn’t officially a Smartwatch, but if you’re looking for a mid-to-high range fitness accessory, you won’t be disappointed with this offering from FitBit.