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Within a few months, Google released the Pixel Watch 5 and the Fitbit Edge, turning my guide to the best Fitbits on its head. While they are very different, from features to price tag, you’re not alone if you’re struggling to choose between them for your next upgrade.
The Google Pixel Watch 5 is the smartest. It works independently of your phone on Google’s systems, so you can follow maps, listen to music, and call your family from your wrist. The Fitbit Edge is the smaller, more budget-friendly sibling. It’s still one of the best fitness trackers, and it prides itself on tracking workouts, sleep, and stress, with some smart features.
However, both use the sparkling Google Health app and share a similar design. So, if you’re an Android user, which one do you choose? After testing these watches for at least two weeks each, I took them on one 5km/6,305-step walk to deliver the final verdict.
Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit EdgeSpecifications
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Row 0 – Cell 0
Google Pixel Watch 5
Fitbit Edge
Size
41mm or 45mm x 12.3mm
39.22 x 25.56 x 11.58 mm
Weight
31g (41mm) or 36.7g (45mm), both without band
17.7 g (without band)
Materials
Aluminium and silicone
Aluminium and silicone
Battery life
Up to 30 hours (41mm) or 40 hours (45mm)
Up to 7 days
GPS
Built-in GPS
Built-in GPS
Waterproof
Up to 50m (5ATM)
Up to 50m (5ATM)
Pixel Watch 5 – 41mm
The Google Pixel Watch 5 comes in black, silver, or rose gold metallic colourways and with various straps, including silicone options in pink, light grey, black, and green.
Along with the pink (Canyon) that I tested, the Fitbit Edge comes in green (Olive), very light blue (Fog) and black (Obsidian), colours also found in the Google Pixel Watch range.
Tracking my walk on the Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit Edge
I did 6,305 steps across 5km, recording every meter on the Google Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Edge at the same time. Both watches produced accurate step count, distance, and pace data, measuring within just a few steps of each other.
My heart rate was also consistent within a few beats, with the Pixel Watch 5 a little more in line with my running watch, which I was also wearing. However, I have no complaints about either for accuracy.
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The biggest difference was the design and smartwatch features (more on these below). The Pixel Watch’s data is clearer on the wrist, and the watch can use Google Maps and control Spotify without a phone connection. However, these didn’t make a huge difference on my walk, as (like most people) I keep my phone on hand anyway out of the house.
The Fitbit Edge was lighter and a little more comfortable on my wrist over the distance, packing a lot into a smaller frame, and it’s friendlier to your wallet.
While the Google Pixel Watch 5 is the objectively better watch and certainly the smartwatch option of the two, most people would also be happy with the Fitbit Edge for walking activities – or simply monitoring workouts and daily wellbeing.
Winner: Fitbit Edge
Fitness and sleep tracking with the Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit Edge
More widely, the Google Pixel Watch 5 is better for fitness tracking. They both score the same for sleep, and if you want a great sleep tracker from Google, I’d recommend the Fitbit Air over either.
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As noted, the Edge packs a lot into its small build and price tag, including over 40 workout modes, Cardio Load tracking, and Readiness Insights (as standard with all products using Google Health Premium). It has a barometric altimeter, helping to measure elevation, and built-in GPS. You could leave your phone at home for a running or walking workout, but you wouldn’t have control over your music or podcasts or be able to access on-wrist maps.
The Google Pixel has a wider range of workout apps – in the hundreds. These include more specific running modes (e.g. Trail and Track running, which trigger certain data displays on your wrist, allowing you to dive into specifics). The Edge only has regular and Treadmill running options.
The Google Health app (Premium) offers the same insights for the Google Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Edge.
(Image credit: Grace Walsh / Future)
You can also customise your workout profiles to include only the data you want on the Google Pixel. For example, if you’re more concerned with your heart rate than your pace on a run, you can edit the screen to display this exclusively, or have it as the first option on the data screens.
The Pixel Watch 5 is the more premium option and the better running watch of the two. However, the Edge is the practical choice, and unless you’re a dedicated runner or prefer to go off-grid and leave your phone at home, you won’t lose out on too much going for the cheaper option. If you do, I recommend you spend the extra money upgrading to Google Health Premium.
Where sleep is concerned, there’s not much to write home about on the differences between the Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit Edge. They both track the essentials, including duration, quality, and stages, with advanced insights available on Google Health Premium.
Winner: Google Pixel Watch 5
Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit Edge: What are they like to wear?
The Google Pixel Watch 5 (right) and Fitbit Edge (left) have a very different design.
(Image credit: Grace Walsh / Future)
This isn’t like comparing the Fitbit Air vs Fitbit Edge. The design is very similar here, with only one (relatively small) difference. While Google’s Pixel Watch 5 has a large, round screen with a very thin bezel, a side button, and a scrolling crown, the Fitbit Edge is oval-shaped and smaller. It has a side button built into the stainless steel bezel.
Overall, I found the details of my walk (e.g. distance, pace, and duration) and my Google Maps route clearer on the Pixel Watch 5, simply because it has a larger, much brighter display. The Pixel Watch offers 3,000 nits (the unit of measurement for screen brightness), while the Edge might have the brightest screen on any Fitbit, but it’s only 1,000 nits.
However, the Fitbit Edge is smaller and lighter than the Pixel, making it a good choice if your primary goal is fitness tracking and you want to wear the watch 24/7.
The two come with standard Infinity straps made from comfortable silicone. They are slightly curved to sit comfortably flush against the skin. You can buy alternatives in different materials and colourways.
Winner: Google Pixel Watch 5
Health tracking on the Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit Edge
Here, I’ve chosen to look at the health features available in view of the price of each watch, as the features are very similar, but the cost is not. Both watches have an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, which can help detect heartbeat irregularities, an accurate heart rate sensor, blood oxygen saturation tracking, and a skin temperature sensor.
Together, they offer a good look at your vitals and could help flag if you’re getting ill or may need a visit to your doctor.
Overall, the Fitbit Edge wins out here as it’s significantly cheaper than the Google Pixel Watch 5, yet it has very similar – if not the same – features for tracking your health.
Winner: Fitbit Edge
Smartwatch features on Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit Edge
While most people would be happy with the Fitbit Edge for tracking workouts and monitoring fitness, sleep, and overall wellbeing, those looking for a smartwatch should opt for the Pixel Watch 5.
With phone-free access to Google Maps, Wallet, Assistant, and more third-party options, you can make and receive calls and messages with the LTE option. This costs a little more, but as the saying goes, in for a penny, in for a pound.
The Edge doesn’t have contactless payments or cellular functionality, so you’ll have to keep your phone close at hand to make use of the limited smart features. These do include Google Maps and music integrations, though, along with weather, timer, stopwatch, and alarm features. You won’t be totally going without if you choose the Edge.
Winner: Google Pixel Watch 5
Both watches charge via USB-C and you’ll need your own plug.
(Image credit: Grace Walsh / Future)
Battery life on the Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit Edge
Here’s another big difference between the Google Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Edge. While the Edge handled seven days on my wrist between charges, even when I logged various GPS workouts, the Pixel lasts only 30 hours (41mm) or 40 hours (45mm). This isn’t a lot, but it is in line with other premium smartwatches, like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 9.
The Edge’s battery will be shorter if you enable always-on mode, but I turn this off every time I set up a new fitness tracker to save battery. You can flick or raise the watch, and the screen will turn on.
The Pixel Watch 5 does have a fast-charging feature that gives you a few more hours of battery with a few minutes on the charger, but it still requires you to take the watch off.
Winner: Fitbit Edge
If you’re tempted by a smartwatch, it’s also worth reviewing the Google Pixel Watch 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. Both are suitable for Android devices.
Pixel Watch 5 (41 Mm)
If I were recommending a watch to a friend, I’d suggest the Fitbit Edge. Sure, the Pixel Watch has more features, better connectivity, and the screen is clearer on the move, but it’s also more than double the price (£369.99 vs £159.99), making it a serious investment.
Do you want an everyday assistant in a smartwatch with some fitness tracking? If so, choose the Google Pixel Watch 5. Do you want a fitness tracker with some smart features? If so, choose the Fitbit Edge.
Either way, you’ll get a great device with better-than-ever fitness, sleep, and health insights, smartwatch features, and battery life in a range of colourways.
For something more discreet at a similar price tag, it’s also worth weighing up the Fitbit Air vs Fitbit Edge.
It’s also worth noting that Google’s Pixel Watch 5 is only suitable for Android users. The Fitbit Edge is an option for iPhone and Android users.
Overall winner: Depends on your preference.