Fitbit Sense 2 vs Apple Watch 8: which smartwatch to buy
ANYONE hunting for a smartwatch should have two names on their hitlist, the Fitbit Sense 2 and the Apple Watch Series 8.
So we’re taking a deep dive into what each has to offer to help you choose, we’re tackling everything from price to what features you can expect for your money.
- Fitbit Sense 2, £199 (was £269.99) – buy from Amazon
- Apple Watch Series 8, £399 (was £449) – buy from Amazon
Fitbit is synonymous with fitness tech these days, and not without good reason: its smartwatches cater to everyone from the 10K step counter to the pro athlete.
Apple, on the other hand, reigns supreme as the all-rounder option and remains one of the most popular brands for smartwatches since they first hit the shelves way back in 2015.
So it’s no surprise these two titans of the tech world are trying to outdo each other with their latest additions: the Fitbit Sense 2 and the Apple Watch Series 8.
But which is worth the hype, and more importantly, your money?
The Apple Watch 8 was released to much fanfare last year alongside the iPhone 14 in September, and just days later Fitbit released the upgraded Sense 2, a direct rival to Apple’s offering.
We’re taking a look at each brand’s flagship wearable, considering everything from cost to the features you can expect to help you decide which ticks all your boxes.
But for those of you with your heart set on a Fitbit, we’ve looked at the Fitbit Versa 3 vs Fitbit Versa 4 and compared its two most sought-after wearables in our Fitbit Sense vs Fitbit Versa 3 head-to-head.
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Apple Watch 8: At a glance
These flagship smartwatches represent the best in their brand’s lineup, so you’ll be getting the best of the bunch whichever you choose.
Ultimately, when choosing between the two you need to consider what you’ll be using the smartwatch for, your budget, and the device it’ll be paired with.
The Apple Watch 8 naturally pairs seamlessly with iOS devices, but is not compatible with Android – and as a standalone smartwatch has limited functionality. Fitbit, however, is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Either option tackles general fitness tracking with ease, be it counting steps or sleep tracking. But you’ll also get the latest features like ECG and blood oxygen readings.
That being said, the Fitbit is better placed for a fitness-focused user due to its comprehensive fitness modes, membership, and insights.
Apple tech does come at a premium but offers users additional smart features and a more well-rounded experience day-to-day, especially when it comes to receiving calls, texts, and notifications.
We’ll unpack more on the Fitbit Sense 2 and Apple Watch 8 below, and give our verdict on which you should choose.
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Apple Watch 8: Price
If you’re considering the Apple Watch 8 you’re looking at spending between £419 to upwards of £729 depending on the colourway, size, and finish you opt for.
The Fitbit has always been the more affordable pick between the two, and while the Sense 2 is one of its more expensive options, its £269.99 price tag still makes it around £150 cheaper than the base Apple Watch 8.
That being said, while Apple remains the more expensive of the two, you will currently find them both on sale at Amazon.
The Fitbit Sense 2 saw a considerable price drop down to just £199, while the Apple Watch Series 8 is down to a respectable £399.
- Fitbit Sense 2, £199 (was £269.99) – buy from Amazon
- Apple Watch Series 8, £399 (was £449) – buy from Amazon
Here is everywhere you can pick up both flagship Fitbit and Apple watches:
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Apple Watch 8: Design
These smartwatches are singing off the same hymn sheet design-wise, but Apple may just edge out in front for us.
Both feature a square-ish form with rounded corners and a mix of physical buttons and responsive touchscreens.
And you’ll find both are personalisable, with a mix of wristbands in various colours and materials to truly make it your own.
But Apple does offer a little more for that expensive price tag, not least a more durable construction – with both aluminium and stainless steel cases.
Of course, stainless steel is more expensive but it’s more resistant to wear and tear compared to aluminium, and it’s not something you’ll get on the Sense 2, which solely uses an aluminium case.
The Series 8 also has more options to customise the touchscreen compared to its Fitbit counterpart, so if making it your own is important, Apple is a clear front-runner.
But if you prefer a smaller, lightweight wearable the Fitbit Sense 2 is the way to go, coming in at 40.5mm compared to 41mm or 45mm on the Apple Watch 8.
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Apple Watch 8: Fitness features
Fitbit has cornered the market on fitness tech, establishing a reputation for top-notch fitness features that can even meet the needs of professional athletes.
Apple has lagged behind for some time in this field, but the Series 8 watch has finally caught up and we have to admit, offers some impressive fitness features in its own right.
Both have ditched cellular-GPS in favour of onboard GPS, meaning there’s no more carrying your phone for accurate readings on your runs, bike rides or walks.
They also each come packed with some advanced fitness tech, like their respective ECG monitors, a game changer for monitoring your heart health and can detect things like an irregular heartbeat.
Basic fitness functions like, step counting, sleep tracking and heart rate monitoring also come on either device, but as Fitbit has a history in this field, it takes a more holistic approach better suited to users focused on tracking their fitness.
Fitbit is also leading the way with its day-to-day metrics, such as its Activity Zone Minutes and Daily Readiness Score, which not only tracks your goals but also when you’re ready to hit them.
Apple isn’t quite as advanced in that regard – its colourful ring display can track your day-to-day fitness benchmarks, but it’s by no means a like-for-like with what Fitbit can deliver.
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Apple Watch 8: Smartwatch features
Here’s where things get a little more contentious: Fitbit and Apple don’t deliver the same smartwatch experience (emphasis on the smart).
Essentially, this boils down to what you really want from a smartwatch.
Do you want to integrate into your daily life as a complement to your smartphone? Or is it solely a fitness-focused purchase with a few added perks?
If the former ticks your boxes, then the Apple Watch 8 is a clear winner, but if it’s the later, the Fitbit Sense 2 is the way to go.
Perhaps one of its biggest plus points is that the Apple Watch 8 can support third-party apps, something the Fitbit just isn’t able to do, that means with the Series 8 you can enjoy Apple apps as well as things like Spotify or Strava.
Both devices come with voice assistants, in the form of Alexa on the Fitbit and Siri on the Apple Watch, and you’ll benefit from contactless payments on either too.
Remember though, while both can mirror your smartphone’s notifications, and take calls, the Apple Watch is only compatible with an Apple device, while Fitbit supports Apple and Android too.
If you want a smartwatch that lives up to the name, we suggest looking at the rest of the Apple lineup, as there are also some great budget-friendly deals on older models.
- Shop all Apple watches from Amazon – shop here
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Apple Watch 8: Which is best?
Choosing between these two flagship smartwatches is a matter of what their primary use to you will be, if that’s fitness, the Fitbit delivers a more well-rounded experience to help you meet your goals.
But if you want a smartwatch with all the bells and whistles, choose the Apple Watch, which can tackle all the day-to-day tasks and operate third-party apps.
Here’s our final verdict:
Choose the Fitbit Sense 2 if…
- You are fitness-focused
- You have a smaller budget
- You want a lightweight watch
Choose the Apple Watch 8 if…
- You want more smart features
- You have a bigger budget
- You are an iPhone user