Fitbit Charge 5 – Features, Benefits & Drawbacks (UK Edition)

Design

Compared to its predecessor, the Fitbit Charge 5 has seen a noticeable upgrade in design. Most notably, it now features a vibrant colour AMOLED display, making it much easier to read your stats. The tracker is also 10% slimmer than the Charge 4, offering a more subtle and stylish fit. It includes the familiar touchscreen and a side sensor button for seamless navigation through menus and data.

Which straps fit the Fitbit Charge 5?

The Fitbit Charge 5 uses a new strap size, meaning Charge 4 straps are not compatible. Make sure to browse our full collection of Fitbit Charge 5 straps to find one that fits perfectly.

Features

The Fitbit Charge 5 offers several exciting features. One standout is Fitbit Pay, which allows you to link your smartwatch to your bank account and make contactless payments directly from your wrist. Just tap your Fitbit on the card machine and, voilà, you’ve paid (as long as there’s money in your account!).

It also comes with built-in GPS, so you can track your runs or bike rides without bringing your phone. See your pace, distance, and route directly on your wrist, giving you a full picture of your performance.

A major addition is the EDA sensor, which tracks your stress levels based on factors like sweat output, skin temperature, and electrical signals from your nervous system. It's a powerful feature that brings cutting-edge technology to your wrist.

Battery life hasn’t changed much from the Charge 4. The Fitbit Charge 5 lasts up to 7 days on a single charge, depending on your usage. It also includes a SpO2 sensor to monitor your blood oxygen levels.

Fitbit Charge 5 Pros & Cons

Advantages	Disadvantages
6 months free Fitbit Premium	No altimeter (no elevation tracking)
ECG app support	No internal music storage
EDA sensor for stress tracking
Colour display
Built-in GPS
Long battery life

ECG App

The built-in ECG app is ideal for monitoring your heart activity. It generates detailed reports that you can even share with your GP or healthcare provider to help diagnose any irregularities.

EDA Sensor

This is a standout feature that tracks your stress levels throughout the day. It helps you recognise what situations raise your stress so that you can take steps to manage it. Becoming aware of your stress patterns is the first step to changing them.

Colour Display

As mentioned earlier, the addition of a colour screen enhances readability and gives the tracker a more premium look. It allows for richer animations and a more intuitive experience.

Built-in GPS

No more relying on your phone to track outdoor workouts. The Charge 5’s integrated GPS is perfect for runners and cyclists who want to leave their phone behind while still capturing accurate route data.

Long Battery Life

The Fitbit Charge 5 lasts up to 7 days with regular use. It also charges quickly—plug it in before your morning shower and it’s good to go for the day. You won’t have to worry about running out of battery by bedtime.

No Altimeter

While it does count stairs, the Charge 5 does not have a built-in altimeter. So if you’re planning hikes and want to track elevation changes, this may be a dealbreaker.

No Internal Music Storage

You can control music playback via Spotify, but you won’t be able to store songs directly on the device. That means you’ll still need a separate device for music during workouts—a shame, especially since the rest of the tracker works fine without a phone.

Fitbit Charge 5 Specifications

• Brand: Fitbit
• Model: Charge 5
• Product code: FB421BKBK
• EAN: 0810038855868
• Warranty: 2 years
• Water resistance: Up to 50m
• Display: AMOLED
• Stair counter: Yes
• Step counter: Yes
• ECG app: Yes
• Stress monitoring: Yes
• NFC: Yes
• Fitbit Premium: First 6 months free
• Battery life: Up to 7 days
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Minimum wrist size: 130mm
• Maximum wrist size: 210mm
• SpO2 sensor: Yes

In Summary

The Fitbit Charge 5 is a major step up from the previous model. It tracks your heart with ECG, measures stress using an EDA sensor, supports contactless payments with Fitbit Pay, and works up to 50m underwater.

One thing to keep in mind: the Charge 5 uses a unique strap size, meaning Fitbit Charge 5 straps are not interchangeable with any other Fitbit model.

Overall, it’s a feature-rich tracker—but if elevation tracking is essential for you, this may not be the right fit. For everything else, it’s a fantastic fitness companion.