1. Quick glance: Fitbit Premium features
  2. How much does Fitbit Premium cost?
  3. Is Fitbit Premium worth it?
  4. Is your Fitbit compatible with Premium?
  5. Fitbit Premium's key features
  6. Advanced sleep analytics

What is Fitbit Premium and is it worth it? We explain what's included and how much it is

Detailing everything you need to know about the subscription service
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If you own a Fitbit fitness tracker or smartwatch, you have the choice to upgrade to Fitbit Premium.

The wearable subscription service unlocks additional features, data and insights that can help you keep on top of your health and fitness goals.

Without it, many areas of the Fitbit app remain locked off from you - even if access to trends in the Health Metrics Dashboard has now been made free.

But what do you actually get from signing up? And is Fitbit Premium worth it?

We've used the Fitbit subscription service since it launched in 2019 on devices like the Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Inspire 3, meaning we're well-placed to give you an idea of what you get for your money.

Here's our breakdown of all you need to know about Fitbit Premium.

Quick glance: Fitbit Premium features

  • More sleep data insights
  • Daily Readiness Score
  • Deeper stress-tracking data
  • Skin temperature in depth (For Fitbit Sense and Sense 2)
  • Wellness report
  • Video workouts and Premium challenges

How much does Fitbit Premium cost?

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If you want to sign up for Premium, you have a couple of subscription options - you can choose to pay $9.99 / £7.99 per month or $79.99 / £79.99 per year.

Let's put that into a bit of perspective with some other fitness platforms. A monthly Strava subscription costs $11.99 / £8.99 a month or $79.99 / £54.99, while Apple's Fitness+ platform costs $9.99 / £9.99 a month cost and $79.99 / £79.99.

Fitbit does offer the ability to trial the service for three months, while some of its devices also come with longer trials when purchasing.

Is Fitbit Premium worth it?

Increasingly, Fitbit Premium is becoming an essential part of the experience. But is it worth it?

If you're actively interested in sleep tracking or your Health Metrics Dashboard, it's certainly hard to go back once you've tasted the detail and granular breakdowns of your data.

It makes the Dashboard richer and more engaging, and it means you're less likely to get bored of using your Fitbit. We think it's reasonably priced, too, and a great fit for anybody who really wants to get the most out of their Fitbit and considers themself a bit of a power user.

However, while Fitbit Premium certainly offers you more data, it's debatable how effective it is at making lasting changes to your lifestyle. That's imperative to keep in mind if that's your goal, but, as ever, that's also a personal thing.

If you don't find yourself scanning the Fitbit app every day, or you feel satiated by the stats on offer with the free version, then we don't think the extra cost is worth it. 

Is your Fitbit compatible with Premium?

Like Fitbit's app, Premium works across Android and iOS versions of the app. That means it will work technically with any Fitbit device (or Google Pixel Watch) that still operates with that app.

Going for newer devices like the Inspire 3, Charge 5, or Versa 4 will give you access to more features simply because they have the latest sensors that enable it.

This could be because they boast a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, or something even more groundbreaking.

Fitbit Premium's key features

When you sign up for Fitbit Premium, you'll get access to a core package of features that live inside the companion smartphone app. 

You can also find additional health insights behind the Health Metrics tab on the Today page of the app. Here's what you're getting.

Advanced sleep analytics

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One of the best sleep-tracking platforms out there, things get really good when you have Fitbit Premium.

While you can get that reliable core sleep tracking without Premium, having it means you can see how that was calculated, with separate screens called Time Asleep, Deep and REM time, and Restoration.

That means you can deep dive into wake-ups and interruptions, sleep stages, heart rate info, and Estimated Oxygen Variation.

Breathing rate 

Fitbit devices with SpO2 sensors can monitor breaths per minute while you're asleep.

Sudden changes can indicate oncoming illness or stress. You can view those metrics in a graph, which can be viewed in the Health Metrics section on the Fitbit app.

Heart rate variability trends (all)

Heart rate variability is the time between heartbeats – and a reactive, more variable heart rate is a sign of good health.

Fitbit says: "If you notice a sharp decline in HRV day after day, you should pay closer attention as it could indicate you are experiencing acute stress, fatigue, overtraining, or the potential onset of an illness."

Also available to view via the Health Metrics tab, this will plot HRV to show your nightly average and help you spot any worrying trends.

Skin temperature

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Using the Sense line's skin temperature sensor during sleep will give you access to variations of nightly skin temperature from your baseline.

That baseline is created from going to bed with a Sense device for at least three nights. Then, you'll be able to see those trends in graph form.

Oxygen saturation 

Fitbit uses the SpO2 sensor on Sense devices to unlock its Estimated Oxygen Variation graphs, where you'll be able to see an estimation of the variability of oxygen levels in the bloodstream.

But you can also see a measurement of oxygen saturation within your blood during sleep as a percentage rate.

Low oxygen saturation could indicate or point to a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, though Fitbit doesn't diagnose any illnesses.

Resting heart rate 

Paying attention to resting heart rate will give you a glimpse into your current state of fitness.

RHR is already tracked for free users in the heart rate section but is plotted here alongside other data.

Daily Readiness

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The Daily Readiness Score is one of the newer features to land on the Fitbit dashboard.

In short, the Daily Readiness Score mashes up all your activity, sleep and heart rate data and tells you how ready you are for action. This is geared towards the active crowd, that might be wondering whether they're rested enough to do a workout.

Or the feature can be used in reverse – when you might be planning to do a HIIT session and spot that your Readiness score is showing a low number. It might be wise to do something a bit more chilled and recover.

Stress Management detail

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Just like sleep tracking, all Fitbit users can see their stress management score – but you get extra detail with Premium.

Stress Management offers a single number based on how Fitbit deems that stress is affecting your body.

While stress is thought of as a mental issue, it produces physiological responses – and these can be measured by your Fitbit tracker.

However, Premium users get more detail on how their stress score is calculated, which can offer insights into why your score might be low, and what you can do to affect it.

The score is made up of three parts: exertion, sleep, and heart rate responsiveness. In the Dashboard, Fitbit Premium users can score for each of these elements.

Read our full guide to Fitbit's stress features.

Guided programs

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With Guided Programs, you can put your training or quest to get into better habits into Fitbit's hands. Programs range in terms of duration lasting a week and longer.

These cover everything from mastering push-ups to kicking your sugar habit.

Mindfulness sessions

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If you like the idea of spending more time meditating or looking for some relaxing sounds to de-stress, this is what this Premium feature is all about.

The sessions range in duration and you will of course need the app to access and make use of them.

Video workouts

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Premium can unlock access to a host of workouts with a mix of video and audio-based sessions that covers the likes of running and yoga you can follow from the app.

Fitbit has also started to add videos from high-profile names like Ayesha Curry to share health, fitness and nutrition tips in video form, too.

Wellness report

Creating a wellness report might appeal to someone that wants or needs to pay closer attention to their health and can create something that's easier to share with medical professionals.

These reports can only be carried out once you've used your Fitbit device for 30 days and will collate things like weight sleep and activity. It can then be printed or shared when it's completed.

TAGGED Fitbit

How we test



Michael Sawh

By

Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.

He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.

Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech. 

Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.


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