Google Fitbit Edge Vs. Pixel Watch 5: Should You Spend $200 More?

If you're looking for a new wristworn wearable, you have the choice between a smartwatch or fitness tracker. There are screenless trackers like the Fitbit Air that work similarly to smart rings in that they offer a fully passive, app-driven experience. But if you want a screen, the two latest models from Google are the Google Pixel Watch 5 and the just-announced Google Fitbit Edge. The latter sits nicely between the Pixel Watch 5 and the Fitbit Air. It has a screen like the Pixel Watch 5, but a much smaller one. It's not a full-fledged smartwatch experience, but you get premium features with on-wrist access.

When you consider that the Pixel Watch 5 is over $200 more than the Fitbit Edge, with the Pixel Watch 5 starting at $400 and the Fitbit Edge at $180, it's important to determine which one is the better fit for you and will best meet your needs. You don't want to spend that much more for the Pixel Watch 5 when you won't use the upgrades. Conversely, you don't want to downgrade to the Fitbit Edge only to realize you're missing features you'd use with the Pixel Watch 5. So, let's break things down.

The Google Pixel Watch 5 has a domed display with access to apps, messages, workout stats, and more. You get glanceable tiles with the Fitbit Edge to see stats, select workouts, and view incoming calls and messages, song titles, and more. But it's a smaller screen, albeit also with more screen real estate than previous generation Fitbit trackers. The main difference is that the Pixel Watch 5 comes with Wear OS, so you get the full Google experience with access to apps and other Wear OS features, including Gemini, Google Home for controlling smart home devices, Google Wallet, and more.

There's no speaker or mic on the Fitbit Edge, so you can't make or receive calls like you can on Pixel Watch 5. You can, however, access Google Maps and media controls. The Pixel Watch 5 is only rated for 30 hours of battery life or 48 hours in Battery Saver mode, though, while the Fitbit Edge lasts up to seven days per charge. Meanwhile, the Fitbit Edge comes with built-in GPS so you can track walks and runs even without your phone, but it's only single-band, whereas the Pixel Watch 5 has dual-frequency GPS for greater precision.

Also, consider what phone you have. You cannot pair a Google Pixel Watch 5 with an iPhone. Previous Android smartwatches could pair with iPhones without some Wear OS features that are exclusive to Android devices, but only with third-party software like Merge. If you use an iPhone, the Fitbit Edge works equally well with it compared to an Android phone. For Google Pixel phone owners, the Pixel Watch 5 gets exclusive features like camera controls, phone unlocking, and call screening.

The overall fitness, health, and wellness experience between the two trackers is broadly the same. Both devices work with the Google Health app and offer access to all the same features there. This includes Google Health Premium with a subscription, and both trackers come with a three-month trial. They both track essentials like activities with automatic detection, sleep, and vitals like heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, and skin temperature. There are also the latest Health Guardian features, including blood pressure trends and insulin resistance tracking. While you can't access Gemini AI features from the Fitbit Edge itself, you can leverage AI Coach in the app (which requires the Premium subscription) to set workout plans and receive guidance, ask questions, log meals, and more.

That said, if your priority is predominantly health and wellness and you don't care much about things like Google Wallet and all its cool features, Wear OS apps, being able to answer calls right from your wrist, and control smart home devices, the Pixel Watch 5 might be more than you need and not worth the extra $200. If battery life is a key deciding factor for you, you might be willing to give up the extra functionality of the Pixel Watch 5 to have something that will last up to a week. In short, the Fitbit Edge is ideal for fitness-first users, providing the identical app-driven experience while Google's Pixel Watch 5 adds more on-wrist controls, app access, smart features, and more for a robust communications experience, too.