Charge 5 vs Charge 6: Specifications

Let’s start with the pricing for both fitness trackers:

• Fitbit Charge 5: £121.45
• Fitbit Charge 6: £129.55

The price difference is minimal, and the specifications are quite similar, as shown below:

The differences are subtle—the Charge 6 is slightly larger and heavier, but barely noticeably so. However, the colour options differ:

• Fitbit Charge 5: Steel Blue/Platinum, Black/Graphite, Lunar White/Gold
• Fitbit Charge 6: Obsidian/Black, Porcelain/Silver, Coral/Champagne Gold

Reintroduction of the Side Button

Beyond colour options, the Charge 6 introduces a key design upgrade: the reintroduction of a haptic side button. While both trackers rely on swiping and tapping, the Charge 6’s side button allows quick access to the main watch face and easy navigation through stats during activities. It also displays smartphone notifications, a feature shared with the Charge 5, but the haptic button makes navigation smoother.

Got the Fitbit Charge 6? Explore our range of Charge 6 straps to personalise your tracker. Sticking with the Charge 5? Check out our Charge 5 straps!

Fitness Tracking

Both the Charge 5 and Charge 6 are designed for fitness tracking, sharing similar sensors but with key differences. The Charge 6 expands on the Charge 5’s six sport modes by adding 32 new profiles, offering greater versatility for activities. It also supports pace alerts for walking, cycling, and running, plus the ability to set goals for distance or time.

Additionally, the Charge 6 can act as an external heart rate monitor for third-party fitness equipment, such as Peloton, NordicTrack, and Tonal, with more partners expected soon. This feature is exclusive to the Charge 6, setting it apart from the Charge 5.

Smartwatch Features

While primarily fitness trackers, both models offer smartwatch capabilities. However, for a full smartwatch experience, consider the Fitbit Versa 4. That said, the Charge 6 outshines the Charge 5 in smart features, thanks to Google integration. With the Charge 6, you can use Google Maps for navigation and Google Wallet for contactless payments, provided you have a Google account.

The Charge 6 also supports music playback via YouTube Music (though not Spotify), a feature absent on the Charge 5. Both models support Fitbit Pay, but the Charge 6’s Google Apps give it an edge for smart functionality.

Battery Life

You might expect the Charge 6 to have improved battery life, but both models offer up to 7 days, as claimed by Fitbit. Our tests confirm this, though heavy use of the Always On Display reduces this duration. To extend the Charge 6’s battery life, you can enable it to use your phone’s GPS when paired, falling back to its internal GPS when disconnected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference Between Charge 5 and Charge 6?

The Charge 5 and Charge 6 share similar specs, but the Charge 6 offers new colours, additional sport profiles, a haptic side button, and Google Apps integration for enhanced smart features.

Is It Worth Upgrading from Charge 5 to Charge 6?

The Charge 6 is slightly pricier but not a significant leap over the Charge 5. Unless you need the extra sport modes, haptic button, or Google features, sticking with the Charge 5 is a cost-effective choice.

Do Charge 5 Straps Fit the Charge 6?

Yes, Charge 5 straps are compatible with the Charge 6, so you can reuse your existing straps or explore new ones from our Charge 6 strap collection.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Fitbit Charge 5 and Charge 6 is straightforward. The Charge 6, while slightly pricier, offers upgrades like 32 additional sport modes, a haptic side button, and Google Apps integration, making it a better choice for those seeking enhanced functionality. If you already own the Charge 5, upgrading may not be necessary, as the core features remain similar. Personalise your tracker with our Charge 5 straps or Charge 6 straps to match your style.