Fitbit Inspire 3: The Best Budget Fitness Tracker
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the latest affordable fitness tracker from Fitbit. Released in March 2023, it replaces the Inspire 2 as the company’s lowest-priced adult tracker option. With a $99.95 price tag, the Inspire 3 packs an impressive array of features into a slim, lightweight design. This includes activity, sleep and health tracking, smartphone notifications, and up to 10 days of battery life.
The Inspire 3 centres around a colour AMOLED touchscreen display, a major upgrade from its predecessor’s dated grayscale screen. The bright, easy-to-read screen adds to both the aesthetics and usability. While the core black plastic case still looks basic, we appreciate the added splash of colour. Despite the display addition, Fitbit managed to slim down the Inspire 3’s design compared to the last-generation model. It remains light, comfortable, and versatile enough for all-day wear.
Key Features of Fitbit Inspire 3
| Feature | Details |
| Display | AMOLED color touchscreen |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 days |
| Water Resistance | Up to 164 ft |
| Notifications | Call, text, app |
| GPS | Connected |
| Heart Rate Tracking | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes |
| SpO2 | Overnight |
| Stress Tracking | Yes |
| Skin Temperature Variation | Yes |
What’s in the Box
- Inside the box, you’ll find the Inspire 3 tracker along with both small and large silicone watch bands.
- The Inspire 3 offers an effortless setup process manual. Simply download the Fitbit app on your compatible iOS or Android phone, follow the pairing instructions, and you’re ready to get moving. The whole process takes under 10 minutes.
Design, Comfort, and Display
Sleek, comfortable design: While it still has a basic look, Fitbit trimmed down the Inspire 3’s profile by 11% compared to the last model. And at under 0.5 inches thick, it remains one of Fitbit’s slimmest bands. The flexible silicone bands ensure all-day comfort too. Those with smaller wrists will appreciate the petite design. Bright AMOLED display: Easily the Inspire 3’s biggest upgrade is its 1.26-inch rectangular AMOLED touchscreen. The bright, colourful display is far superior to its predecessor’s dated screen. It makes the tracker seem less budget-focused and more stylish. You can set it to an optional always-on mode as well.
What Is The Cost Of Fitbit?
Fitbit Inspire 3 costs $99.95 / £84.99 / AU$177. The bundle includes two bands, a charging cord, and a six-month Fitbit Premium subscription. The Inspire 2 had a one-year membership, however, the Inspire 3 has trimmed this to match Fitbit’s other devices. If you want to keep Premium, this is a big blow—you’re $45/£40/AU$75 worse off than with the earlier tracker. The Premium membership adds a Daily Readiness Score, Sleep Profile, and several Fitbit app exercises. The band comes in black, lilac, and morning glow and comes in two sizes, small and large. The unit is only available in black.
Battery Life
10-day battery: Despite adding a more advanced screen, the Inspire 3 still touts the longest battery life of any Fitbit device. Expect around 8 days of runtime with normal use. That blows away most competitors. When power does run low, the Inspire 3 recharges to full in about 2 hours.
Tracking Capabilities and Smart Features
Core health tracking: Step counting, calorie burn, sleep stages, 24/7 heart rate – the Inspire 3 tracks everything exercise beginners need. The app clearly presents your daily fitness metrics and long-term trends. While occasional heart rate inaccuracies occurred in testing, it mostly provides reliable insight. Smart notifications like a basic smartwatch, the Inspire 3 can display phone notifications when paired to your device. This includes calls, texts, calendar alerts, and apps. The actual notification content doesn’t display on the band’s small screen, just that you received one. Still, it’s handy to stay connected on the go without grabbing your phone.
Pros and Cons of Fitbit Inspire 3
| Pros | Cons |
| Long 10-day battery life | No onboard GPS |
| Bright, colorful AMOLED touchscreen | Occasional heart rate inaccuracies |
| Thinner, lighter design than Inspire 2 | No on-demand SpO2 measurements |
| Activity, sleep, and health tracking | Some metrics need the paid subscription |
| Call, text, and app notifications | |
| Find Phone feature locates misplaced phone | |
| Swimproof and shower-safe |
Should I Buy Fitbit Inspire 3?
If you want an affordable, versatile fitness tracker with all the essential tracking features, the Inspire 3 is a great choice. It covers the basics very well, from activity and sleep tracking to smartphone notifications. Battery life is also impressive. Just keep in mind occasional heart rate accuracy issues, and the lack of built-in GPS or on-demand SpO2 monitoring. But for under $100, it’s hard to beat.
FAQs
How long does the Fitbit Inspire 3 battery last?
The Inspire 3 promises up to 10 days of battery life, the longest of any current Fitbit tracker. Real-world battery life is around 8 days with normal usage based on testing. The always-on display option reduces this to about 3 days.
Can the Inspire 3 track workouts?
Yes. The exercise app supports over a dozen workout types including walking, running, biking, swimming, weights, yoga, and more. You can add up to six workout shortcuts. The band will track duration, calories burned, heart rate, and other workout stats.
Is the Inspire 3 waterproof?
The Inspire 3 is swim-proof and water-resistant up to 164 feet. So you can wear it swimming or in the shower without worrying about splashes or rain. Just be sure to rinse it off after getting it wet.
What smartphone platforms work with the Inspire 3?
The Inspire 3 works with both iPhones and Android phones. You’ll need to install the Fitbit app (iOS 14+ or Android OS 9+) and make sure your phone has Bluetooth connectivity. From there you can view stats, set up notifications, and more.
