Fitbit Alta vs Alta Hr: Which Fitness Tracker Reigns?
Choosing the right fitness tracker can feel overwhelming, with so many options vying for your attention. If you’re considering the Fitbit family, you’ve likely stumbled upon the Alta and the Alta HR. Both promise to help you track your activity and achieve your fitness goals, but they have key differences.
The Fitbit Alta, with its sleek and minimalist design, was a popular choice for those wanting a stylish and functional tracker. However, its successor, the Alta HR, brought a significant upgrade to the table. This upgrade changed the game.
This comparison dives deep into the features, functionalities, and overall value of the Fitbit Alta vs Alta HR. We’ll explore everything from design and comfort to heart rate tracking and battery life, helping you decide which tracker is the perfect fit for your lifestyle and fitness needs.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Alta | Alta HR |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate Tracking | No | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Automatic Sleep Tracking | Automatic Sleep Tracking with Sleep Stages |
| Activity Tracking | Steps, Distance, Calories Burned, Active Minutes | Steps, Distance, Calories Burned, Active Minutes, Heart Rate Zones |
| Display | OLED Tap Display | OLED Tap Display |
| Notifications | Call, Text Notifications | Call, Text, Calendar Notifications |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 days | Up to 7 days |
| Water Resistance | Splash-proof | Splash-proof |
| Connected GPS | Yes (via smartphone) | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Fitbit App Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Silent Alarm | Yes | Yes |
| Interchangeable Bands | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Zones | No | Yes |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Heart Rate Tracking
- Fitbit Alta: Lacks heart rate tracking. This means it doesn’t provide real-time heart rate data or resting heart rate information. A significant drawback for those interested in detailed fitness insights.
- Alta Hr: Includes PurePulse heart rate tracking. Provides continuous heart rate monitoring throughout the day, enabling more accurate calorie burn calculations and insights into workout intensity.
- Winner: alta hr
Design & Display
- Fitbit Alta: Features a slim, minimalist design with a tap-sensitive OLED display. The display shows basic stats like steps, distance, and calories burned.
- Alta Hr: Similar slim design to the Alta but with a slightly thicker profile to accommodate the heart rate sensor. Display functionality is largely the same.
- Winner: Tie
Activity Tracking
- Fitbit Alta: Tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. Offers automatic activity recognition for certain exercises.
- Alta Hr: Tracks steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, and offers automatic activity recognition. Provides more accurate calorie burn calculations due to heart rate data.
- Winner: alta hr
Sleep Tracking
- Fitbit Alta: Tracks sleep duration and sleep stages (light, deep, and REM). Provides insights into your sleep patterns.
- Alta Hr: Tracks sleep duration and sleep stages (light, deep, and REM). Offers more detailed sleep stage analysis.
- Winner: alta hr
Battery Life
- Fitbit Alta: Offers up to 5 days of battery life on a single charge. This is a respectable battery life for a fitness tracker.
- Alta Hr: Offers up to 7 days of battery life, slightly longer than the Alta. Battery life can vary depending on usage.
- Winner: alta hr
Exercise Modes
- Fitbit Alta: Includes automatic exercise recognition. It can identify and record certain activities like walking, running, and elliptical use.
- Alta Hr: Includes automatic exercise recognition and the ability to manually log exercises. Provides more detailed workout summaries.
- Winner: alta hr
Price
- Fitbit Alta: Typically a more affordable option due to its lack of heart rate tracking and older release date.
- Alta Hr: More expensive than the Alta, reflecting its added features, particularly the heart rate sensor.
- Winner: alta (for budget)
Notifications
- Fitbit Alta: Displays call, text, and calendar notifications.
- Alta Hr: Displays call, text, and calendar notifications.
- Winner: Tie
Winner by Category:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Heart Rate Tracking | alta hr |
| Sleep Tracking | alta hr |
| Battery Life | alta hr |
| Price | Alta |
| Overall Value | alta hr |
What They Have in Common:
- Design: Both the Fitbit Alta and Alta HR share a similar slim and stylish design, featuring a comfortable band and a sleek display that blends seamlessly into the wrist.
- Activity Tracking: Both track basic activity metrics, including steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and active minutes.
- Smartphone Notifications: Both devices provide call and text notifications, allowing you to stay connected without constantly checking your phone.
- Fitbit App Integration: Both the Alta and Alta HR seamlessly sync with the Fitbit app, providing detailed insights into your activity and sleep patterns.
- Silent Alarm: Both devices feature a silent alarm, waking you up with a gentle vibration.
Fitbit Alta vs Alta HR Buying Guide
Design and Comfort
The Fitbit Alta and Alta HR share a similar slim and sleek design, making them comfortable for all-day wear. Both feature a band that can be easily swapped out for different styles and materials, allowing for customization. The Alta HR, however, is slightly thicker due to the inclusion of the heart rate sensor. This might make the Alta HR feel a little more bulky on some wrists, though the difference is minimal. Consider your preference for a minimalist design versus the added functionality of the HR model when deciding. Both are lightweight and suitable for various activities, from workouts to daily routines. They are made to be worn all day.
Fitness Tracking Features
Both the Alta and Alta HR track basic activity metrics, including steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned. The Alta HR gains an advantage with its 24/7 heart rate monitoring, which provides more detailed insights into your workout intensity and resting heart rate. This data allows for more accurate calorie burn calculations and a better understanding of your overall fitness level. The Alta relies on estimations for calorie burn. The Alta HR also offers automatic exercise recognition, which the Alta lacks, making it easier to track specific workouts without manual input. These features enhance the tracking experience.
Heart Rate Monitoring Accuracy
The Alta HR’s heart rate monitoring is generally accurate, but it can be affected by factors like wrist placement and activity type. For high-intensity workouts, the readings might fluctuate slightly compared to a chest strap monitor. The Alta, lacking a heart rate sensor, obviously doesn’t offer heart rate data. Overall, the Alta HR provides a reliable estimation of your heart rate throughout the day and during exercise. The accuracy is sufficient for most users looking to track their overall fitness and monitor their progress. It’s a great tool.
Battery Life
The Fitbit Alta offers a battery life of up to 5 days, which is quite impressive for a fitness tracker. The Alta HR, with its continuous heart rate monitoring, has a slightly shorter battery life, typically lasting around 7 days. This difference is due to the power consumption of the heart rate sensor. Both devices provide a decent battery life, allowing you to wear them for several days without needing to recharge. Consider how important battery life is to you, as you may have to charge the Alta HR more frequently. The convenience of less charging is a plus.
Sleep Tracking Capabilities
Both the Alta and Alta HR automatically track your sleep patterns, providing insights into your sleep stages. However, the Alta HR offers more detailed sleep tracking data, including time spent in light, deep, and REM sleep. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of your sleep quality. The Alta provides basic sleep tracking, but it lacks the depth of analysis offered by the HR model. Analyzing sleep stages can help you identify opportunities to improve your sleep habits. These insights are useful for overall health.
Price and Value
The Fitbit Alta is generally more affordable than the Alta HR. However, the Alta HR offers more features, including heart rate monitoring and automatic exercise recognition, which some users will find valuable. Consider your budget and the features you need when deciding which tracker to purchase. If heart rate monitoring is important, the Alta HR is the better value, despite the higher price. If you only need basic activity tracking, the Alta is a good option. Evaluate the price and the features to match your needs.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy fitbit alta If…
- You want a basic fitness tracker with a stylish design.
- You are looking for a more affordable option.
- You don’t need heart rate tracking or advanced sleep analysis.
- You prioritize simplicity and ease of use.
Buy alta hr If…
- You want to track your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts.
- You want more detailed sleep analysis, including sleep stages.
- You’re interested in understanding your calorie burn more accurately.
- You’re willing to pay a bit more for advanced features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Fitbit Alta and Alta HR?
The primary difference is the inclusion of a heart rate sensor in the Alta HR, which the Alta lacks. This allows the Alta HR to track your heart rate 24/7, providing more detailed fitness data, including sleep stages and more accurate calorie burn calculations. The Alta is a basic tracker, while the Alta HR offers more comprehensive features.
Does the Fitbit Alta HR offer any other advantages over the Alta?
Yes, the Alta HR also includes automatic exercise recognition, which automatically detects and logs your workouts without manual input. It provides better sleep tracking, with more detailed data on sleep stages. This functionality improves overall fitness tracking by providing a more complete picture of your activity levels. The Alta requires manual tracking.
Which tracker is better for someone who is new to fitness tracking?
Both are suitable, but the Alta HR might be slightly better because the heart rate monitoring gives a more comprehensive overview of your fitness. The Alta is simple to use, but the additional data from the Alta HR can be more motivating and informative for beginners. Both are easy to set up and use.
How accurate is the heart rate monitoring on the Alta HR?
The Alta HR’s heart rate monitoring is generally accurate for everyday activities. However, it may have some fluctuations during high-intensity workouts. It provides a good estimate of your heart rate and is suitable for most users. It is a good tool for overall fitness tracking and monitoring.
What is the battery life like on both devices?
The Fitbit Alta has a battery life of up to 5 days, while the Alta HR typically lasts around 7 days. The Alta HR’s shorter battery life is due to its heart rate monitoring feature. Both offer a decent battery life, ensuring you do not need to charge them daily. You’ll likely charge them on a weekly basis.
Are the bands interchangeable between the Alta and Alta HR?
Yes, the bands for the Fitbit Alta and Alta HR are interchangeable, allowing you to customize the look of your tracker with a variety of band styles and materials. You can easily switch between different bands to match your outfit or activity. This offers a lot of customization options.
Which tracker is better for sleep tracking?
The Alta HR is better for sleep tracking because it provides more detailed sleep data, including information on sleep stages (light, deep, and REM). The Alta provides basic sleep tracking, which is less detailed. The Alta HR gives you a better understanding of your sleep.
Final Verdict
The Fitbit Alta and Alta HR both offer a slim and stylish design with basic fitness tracking. The Alta HR distinguishes itself with its heart rate monitoring, improved sleep tracking, and automatic exercise recognition. While the Alta is a good entry-level tracker, the Alta HR’s added features make it the superior choice for those seeking more comprehensive fitness insights.
Winner: Fitbit Alta HR