The Fitbit Luxe made a splash when it launched in April 2021 as a stylish fitness band targeting users wanting maximum health tracking in a jewelry-inspired design. For years Fitbit tracked steps and activity in relatively utilitarian plastic devices. But an increasing demographic wanted access to comprehensive metrics without compromising aesthetics.
Enter the Luxe – a fashionable fitness accessory packed with sensors to measure everything from blood oxygen to sleep quality. Initial reception matched the hype, with the tracker becoming Fitbit‘s highest selling model especially amongst women.
But several months post-launch, how does this sleek wearable actually perform? In this detailed review, I break down the Luxe‘s specs, capabilities, ideal audience and limitations compared to both cheaper and more advanced alternatives. Let‘s analyze if form successfully meets function.
Luxe Key Specs and Features
Straight out the gate, the Luxe impresses with its vibrant full color touchscreen and slim profile at just 0.4" thick. The stainless steel housing oozes quality over cheaper plastic bands, while still maintaining a lightweight comfortable fit.
Several sensors packed into the tiny body enable detailed activity and wellness tracking:
Sensor and Tracking Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.56" AMOLED color touchscreen, 124 x 124 pixel resolution, up to 450 nits brightness |
| Activity Tracking | Steps, distance, calories burned, floors climbed + 20+ exercise modes like running and swimming |
| Heart Rate Tracking | 24/7 heart rate monitoring + heart rate zones alert during workouts |
| Blood Oxygen Monitoring | Track SpO2 levels at night to identify breathing disturbances |
| Sleep Tracking | Stages (light/deep/REM), score and bedtime reminders |
| Stress Tracking | All-day stress levels using heart rate variability metrics |
| Battery Life | Fast recharge to 100% in ~2 hours, up to 5 days runtime |
| Water Resistance Rating | Swimproof design rated to 50 metres depth |
The vibrant AMOLED panel makes the Luxe‘s screen far brighter and crisper than cheaper bands – up to 2.5x the brightness of the Inspire 2 for easier glanceability. Viewing real-time metrics mid-workout proves straightforward even in harsh sunlight.
Advanced sensors go beyond daily step counts to provide actionable health insights. The optical heart rate monitor precisely tracks intensity during exercises and peak anaerobic activity. Stress levels measurements leverage heart rate variability to determine your body‘s ability to handle pressure throughout the day.
And blood oxygen spot checks overnight identify potential breathing disturbances for those concerned about conditions like sleep apnea.
Topping it off, the Luxe squeezes roughly 5 days of battery life from its petite frame. While you won‘t get the 6+ day runtimes of more basic bands, it still trounces dedicated smartwatches that need nightly charging. Quick recharges to 100% in just a couple of hours nicely complement the stellar standby times.
So if you want advanced health metrics in a compact stylish design, the Luxe brings nearly full flagship performance. But how does it stack up to popular alternatives from Fitbit‘s lineup and competitors?
Fitbit Luxe vs Other Fitness Bands
The Luxe deliberately bridges the gap between basic trackers like the Inspire line and advanced smartwatches including the Sense. The comparison tables below summarize how it fits into Fitbit‘s ecosystem:
vs Inspire Series Trackers
Luxe vs Inspire 2
| Inspire 2 | Luxe | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Grayscale OLED | Vibrant color AMOLED |
| Exercise Modes | ~10 modes | 20+ modes |
| Battery Life | ~10 days | Up to 5 days |
| Advanced Health Tracking | No SpO2 or stress | SpO2 & stress |
| Waterproof Rating | Swim-ready | Swimproof to 50m |
| Premium Membership | No free trial | 6 months free |
| Current Price | $99 | $129 |
The Luxe certainly carries a premium over the capable Inspire 2. But the upgrades encompass nearly every area – vibrant screen, more tracked sports, better app support via Premium, advanced health metrics and a higher waterproof rating. Battery does take a hit at up to 5 days (still class-leading for an AMOLED display).
But if you have $30 extra in your budget, the improvements make it worthwhile for anything more than basic activity stats.
vs Charge 5
The Charge line focuses more explicitly on fitness rather than thin fashionable design. But the 5th generation model matches the Luxe‘s price point, so serves as a viable alternative.
Luxe vs Charge 5 Comparison
| Metric | Charge 5 | Luxe |
|---|---|---|
| Body Material | Plastic | Stainless Steel |
| Display Type | Grayscale OLED | Color AMOLED |
| Exercise Modes | 20 modes | 20 modes |
| Onboard GPS | Yes | No |
| Heart Rate Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sp02 Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking + Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Stress Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof Rating | 50m swim-proof | 50m swim-proof |
| Battery Life | 7 days | 5 days |
| Price | $129 | $129 |
The spec sheets reveal far more similarities than differences. Both handle all the essential activity, heart rate, Sp02 and stress measurements. Even waterproof ratings make them suitable for swimming and showering.
Differences really come down to materials and design. The Charge 5 opts for sporty and practical with its lightweight plastic body and always on grayscale display. This makes sense for fitness enthusiasts constantly interacting with their stats.
Conversely, the Luxe focuses on premium materials like stainless steel that look better for all-day wear. And the AMOLED screen offers a major brightness and crispness upgrade over the Charge 5’s panel, at the expense of battery runtime.
So while technically capable of tracking the exact same metrics, the Luxe tailors towards users wanting maximum sensors without an overtly sporty aesthetic. Think stylish accessory first, fitness tracker second.
vs Samsung Galaxy Fit 2
The Galaxy Fit 2 hits a similar price point to the non-special edition Luxe at $99.99. Samsung positions it as a fashionable daily companion for real-time health data. But how do the experiences actually compare?
Galaxy Fit 2 vs Luxe
| | Galaxy Fit 2 | Luxe |
|—-|—-|—-|—- |
| Display | 1.1" AMOLED |1.56" AMOLED with 2.5x brightness
| Battery Life | 15 days | 5 days
| Heart Rate Tracking | Yes | Yes + high/low alerts
| SpO2 Tracking | No | Overnight blood oxygen levels
| Stress Tracking | No | All-day stress monitoring
| Sleep Tracking + Analysis | Basic | Advanced sleep stages + score breakdown
| Water Resistance | 5ATM | Swim-proof to 50 metres depth
| Price | $99.99 | $129
Battery life clearly favors the Galaxy Fit 2 at a whopping 15 days between charges. But when comparing actual health insight, the Luxe pulls far ahead. Critical additions like overnight blood oxygen, sleep quality analysis with stages and scores, plus all-day stress provide a much more comprehensive wellness picture. The brighter always-on display also makes mid-workout glances easier.
If you want multi-week battery in an elegant accessory with basic activity tracking, the Galaxy Fit 2 delivers at an excellent price point. But paying 30% more for the Luxe nets substantial upgrades in actual health visibility. And rapid charging tops the band up quickly when running low.
Fitbit Premium Adds More Value
Every Fitbit Luxe purchase currently ships with a 6 month free trial for Fitbit Premium. This unlocks guided workouts, advanced sleep analytics, mindfulness content and dietary planning tools within the app.
While the membership usually runs $9.99 per month, the extended trial period gives ample time to experience the additional Premium perks.
Key benefits unlocked for Luxe owners include:
- 200+ video and audio workouts: Step-by-step coaching through exercises like strength training, yoga, cardio and Pilates
- Mindfulness content: Over 300 meditation and relaxation sessions from industry experts like Deepak Chopra and Headspace
- Advanced sleep analytics: Extended sleep stage analysis, feedback on restless nights and tools to improve overnight recovery
- Stress tracking insights: Personalized tips to manage daily stress levels based on your heart rate patterns
- Healthy habits reinforcement: Customized prompts and guidance tailored around your activity, nutrition and sleep
So on top of the already formidable stats and tracking managed by the Luxe itself, Premium membership leverages human coaching and AI for extra motivation.
While the standard app functionality will suit most buyer‘s needs, Premium becomes worthwhile for those wanting personalized health and wellness improvements. $80 for a full year also feels reasonable given everything included.
And the 6 month trial gives you plenty of exposure to see if the upgraded experience warrants the annual spend. For users committed to improving lifestyle metrics like activity, sleep and stress recovery, Premium tightens the feedback loop.
Fitbit Luxe: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stylish subtle design that passes more as jewelry than a fitness tracker
- Bright, vibrant AMOLED display that‘s significantly easier to read than cheaper trackers
- All-day stress and SpO2 tracking for comprehensive health insights
- 5 day battery life despite always-on screen and advanced sensors
- In-depth sleep analysis with stages, scores and bedtime nudges
- Premium membership free for 6 months unlocks extra analytics and workouts
- Swimproof design rated to 50 metres for pool and ocean use
- Comfortable and lightweight stainless steel body suited for 24/7 wear
- 20+ exercise modes with automatic detection for common activities like runs and bike sessions
Cons
- Lacks onboard GPS requiring phone connection for pace and distance
- Smaller screen real estate than Sense and Versa models
- No NFC payments like other Fitbit devices
- Special edition with designer bracelet quite expensive at $179
- Advanced health metrics like ECG or EDA sensors only found on Sense model
- Less battery life than more basic trackers without color display
The Luxe absolutely nails mainstream appeal. It White Gloves the essential activity, sleep and stress tracking expected into an accessory that wouldn’t look out of place at a cocktail party.
And convenient features like 5 day battery and waterproof design reinforce all-day, everywhere usability. Fine-tuning comes through Premium’s personalized health recommendations and expert-led coaching as well.
Drawbacks like the lack of onboard GPS and NFC payments will disappoint athletes and frequent travelers. But they’re reasonable concessions when factoring the targeted fashion-first focus.
I‘d only consider the standard Luxe borderline overpriced if relying purely on its core functionality. But 6 months of Premium access tips value scales back toward being a smart buy. You get the complete health tracking package with access to additional analytics and workouts for motivation.
Target Audience and Ideal User
So who exactly is the Luxe best suited for?
Fitbit aims the tracker squarely at the health-conscious consumer wanting maximum tracking without compromising style. Maybe in the past you opted against wearables because they looked unattractive or shunned advanced models due to size and cost.
If the below user profile resonates, the Luxe delivers everything needed:
👉 You want continuous stats for activity, sleep quality, stress levels and workout intensity
👉 Aesthetics are still important – you‘ll wear this device all-day, every day
👉 Smartwatch capabilities like apps and alerts are NOT priorities
👉 But having a comprehensive health picture IS highly valuable
👉 Bonus if underwater use cases like swimming enter the equation!
Conversely, the Luxe loses luster for athletes demanding built-in GPS to track pace and distance. It also skimps on some advanced sensors only found in pricier alternatives like the Sense.
But make no mistake…this remains one of the most capable and well-rounded options under $150. Especially when factoring in the stylish, subtle design that wears comfortably 24/7. If comprehensive health tracking in a jewelry-inspired form tops your wishlist, few devices match what the Luxe brings to the table.
Verdict: Style Meets Substance
Over 18 months from launch, the Fitbit Luxe continues turning heads through its skillful balance of form and function. It squeezed flagship-level tracking into what‘s arguably the brand‘s most attractive fitness band to date, appealing to the style-focused consumer.
And continual firmware updates have only strengthened core capabilities like sleep analysis and workout modes. access to Premium unlocks further motivation through data-driven fitness and meditation content.
While athletes and outdoor junkies may still miss built-in GPS, the Luxe nails its target demographic. Anyone wanting robust 24/7 health data without compromising aesthetics for under $150 finds tremendous value here.
Expect an updated model in 2023 or 2024 bringing upgrades like a higher resolution display and faster charging. But until then, the existing model remains one of the most compelling packages blending comprehensive insights with sophisticated hardware. If you take your health and wellness seriously and want to look good wearing the tracker, the Luxe is hands-down one of the best options Fitbit offers.
