Fitbit Sense 2 review: Balancing health and intelligence

Discover the strengths and shortcomings in this comprehensive Fitbit Sense 2 review
An undated image of Fitbit Sense 2. —Fitbit
An undated image of Fitbit Sense 2. —Fitbit

The Fitbit Sense 2, the latest flagship smartwatch in the Fitbit lineup, offers a blend of health monitoring and smart features under the Google umbrella. In this review, we delve into the Fitbit Sense 2's design, features, performance, and more, comparing it to its predecessor and competitors to assess its overall value.

Fitbit Sense 2 specs, features, price and more

Design and display

  • With its square-shaped case and round AMOLED touchscreen, priced at $249, the Fitbit Sense 2 maintains the design aesthetic of its predecessor. Crafted from aluminium, it comes in black, silver, and gold. 
  • The 1.58-inch display boasts a resolution of 336 x 336 pixels, offering vivid visuals and supporting an always-on display mode.
  • Notably, the addition of a physical button on the side enhances user experience, replacing the sometimes unresponsive pressure-sensitive spot on the previous model. The comfortable silicone band is interchangeable and water-resistant, suitable for swimming and showering.

Features and performance

  • The Fitbit Sense 2 is packed with sensors for various health metrics, including heart rate, SpO2, skin temperature, and GPS, among others.
  • It excels at tracking fitness activities and automatically recognising various workouts. A standout feature is the cEDA sensor (continuous EDA), which measures stress responses throughout the day and offers guided relaxation exercises.
  • Moreover, Fitbit Premium enhances the Sense 2 experience with access to extensive insights, health metrics, and stress management tools, further improving wellness tracking.
  • While the Sense 2 provides notifications, Google integration is still evolving, with features like Google Assistant and Google Calendar expected in future updates.

Performance and user interface

  • Operating on Fitbit OS 6.0, the Fitbit Sense 2 offers a responsive user interface with intuitive navigation. Customizable watch faces, widget access, and notifications add to its usability.
  • Syncing data with the Fitbit app is seamless, offering comprehensive insights into your daily activity, health trends, and goals.

Battery life and charging

  • The Fitbit Sense 2 boasts a battery life of up to 6 days, slightly shorter than its predecessor but still competitive among smartwatches.
  • Charging the device to full capacity takes approximately 2 hours, facilitated by a magnetically attached USB-A charger. Unfortunately, the charger is not compatible with other Fitbit devices.

Final verdict

  • The Fitbit Sense 2 shines as a health and fitness tracker with valuable wellness features. However, its smart capabilities are somewhat limited, lacking third-party app support and some Google features at launch.
  • Despite these limitations, it remains a strong choice for those seeking comprehensive health monitoring in a wearable device.