Fitbit Luxe fitness tracker

FITNESS TRACKER - Even as a long-time Fitbit user, the release of the new Fitbit Luxe was still cause for excitement. Finally, for the fashionista in me, here’s a fitness tracker that I can wear like a fashion accessory! Does it work as well as it looks?

- MARIBELLE ALBA

DESIGN

The Fitbit Luxe was designed, I believe, primarily to address requests for a less chunky, more stylish fitness tracker that could also double up as a fashion accessory. I recall ordering beaded replacement bracelets for my Fitbit Alta HR so it would match my dressy outfits. My girlfriends and I often lamented how trackers just aren’t suitable for certain special occasions. The introduction of the Fitbit Luxe with options like the gorjana Parker link, stainless steel mesh, and leather double wrap bracelets addresses these “girly” concerns.

Size-wise, the Fitbit Luxe is slim and compact, being only 36.3mm(L) x 17.5mm(H) x 10.2mm(D). With a case made of surgical stainless steel and a flexible silicone band, it is light and comfortable for almost 24/7 use.

The color AMOLED screen adjusts to ambient lighting and is bright and readable even in direct sunlight. For those who wish to wear their Fitbit Luxe like a regular timepiece, your choice of clock face can be set to “always on.”

HARDWARE

The Fitbit Luxe comes with the standard sensors and components. A 3-axis accelerometer tracks motion patterns. An optical heart rate sensor is located at the back of the device, alongside red and infrared sensors to monitor oxygen saturation (SpO2). Below the sensors are 4 tiny ports that match the pins on the charging cable.

Its memory module stores detailed motion data for 7 days as well as daily totals for the past 30-days. Heart rate data is stored at one-second intervals during exercise and 5-second intervals at other times.

A Bluetooth 5.0 radio transceiver pairs the tracker with your smartphone to sync and access more functionalities on the Fitbit mobile app.