Most of us need to transfer extra, sleep higher, and stress much less, however we’re not about to spend half a paycheck on a smartwatch to do it. That’s the place Fitbit’s older fashions are available in. The Fitbit Encourage 3 and Fitbit Luxe may not be the latest children on the block, however they’ve nonetheless acquired loads of vitality left in your 2025 health objectives. Each monitor your exercises, sleep, and stress. However which one truly deserves a spot in your wrist?
Between work deadlines and faculty pick-ups, I positively really feel like I’m on a treadmill most days—simply not the type that burns precise energy! However I’ve been attempting to maneuver extra—strolling once I can, sneaking in fast weight-lifting classes—however I’ve been craving a solution to truly monitor that effort. I need to do it with out blowing my price range. That’s what led me to check the Fitbit Encourage 3 vs Luxe. Launched in 2022 and 2021 respectively, these trackers aren’t the latest—however that’s what makes them so budget-friendly.
Associated: Garmin Venu 3 Assessment: The smartwatch that truly retains up with my chaos
For those who’re additionally attempting to get more healthy this fall and winter with out spending a ton, the Fitbit Encourage 3 and Luxe are stable contenders. Each are older fashions, which implies you possibly can snag them for much less—even when the software program’s a bit dated. Fitbit doesn’t formally promote the Luxe anymore, however you possibly can nonetheless discover refurbished ones on Amazon at nice costs.
A real cut price hunter doesn’t let older tech scare them off. So if you happen to’re on the fence about both mannequin in 2025, I’ve damaged down their finest options that can assist you resolve which one’s truly value your time (and your steps).
Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe: Design and Show
The Fitbit Luxe is certainly the fancier of the 2. It has that slim, barely-there silhouette that appears simply as trendy in a workforce assembly because it does throughout a exercise—sure, it attire up and down. Generally, that’s precisely what I need from a health tracker. The case is product of chrome steel, and the AMOLED show is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for further sturdiness.
The Fitbit Encourage 3, however, is extra sporty and informal. It is aware of its goal—monitoring your exercise—and sticks to it. The case is plastic, and it’s barely bigger than the Luxe, so it’s not fairly as discreet. However in contrast to the Luxe, it is available in a couple of enjoyable coloration choices: Midnight Zen, Lilac Bliss, and Morning Glow. (Proper now, the Luxe is just obtainable in black on Amazon). Like its dressier sibling, it additionally packs an AMOLED show with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Winner: Fitbit Luxe. It’s the jewellery piece of the Fitbit lineup—glossy chrome steel, a slim physique, and that vivid AMOLED coloration show make it as a lot a vogue assertion as a health tracker.
Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe: Well being & Wellness Options
So, one’s a fashionista and the opposite’s sporty. However how do they stack as much as what’s actually vital right here, the well being and wellness options? Nicely, on the floor, each have loads in widespread on this space.
Stress Administration
This one’s vital in my 2025 fall/winter smartwatch. Parenting life will get busy beginning in September and solely intensifies till the New 12 months. So I used to be joyful to see that each watches have complete stress administration instruments: a stress rating, mindfulness classes, and guided respiratory workout routines. A stress rating might be simply the visible I have to cease for a minute and recalibrate. I discovered the the Luxe truly gave extra detailed stress analytics right here within the Fitbit app.
Health & Exercise Monitoring
I don’t have a lot psychological house left to consider my well being as of late, however I’m hoping certainly one of these Fitbits can do the pondering for me. What I actually need is a mini coach on my wrist reminding me that sure, strolling a couple of blocks to select up my child does rely as cardio (I hope).
Each the Fitbit Encourage 3 and Luxe come prepared to trace just about every little thing I do (and don’t do). They log steps, distance, and energy all day lengthy—which is nice, since half my exercise comes from climbing stairs or chasing errands throughout city. I may also set objectives and get little buzzes once I hit them (yay for small wins), and each gadgets routinely acknowledge once I’ve began a exercise—even when I neglect to log it.
Sleep Monitoring
Sleep is one other story. I begin yawning round 10:30, however by the point I truly crawl into mattress, my mind’s wakeful and excited about tomorrow’s to-do checklist. Each Fitbits monitor my sleep phases, although, and provides me a every day sleep rating, and even create a sleep profile over time. They’ll inform me what I already know: I have to go to mattress earlier!
Winner: It’s a tie. On the subject of health and exercise monitoring, the Encourage 3 and Luxe are mainly twins—completely different outfits, similar vitality!
Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe: Good Options
On the subject of good options, neither of those Fitbits is attempting to be a full-fledged smartwatch. And, at this level in my life, that’s precisely what I need. I don’t want a wrist buzz each time somebody emails the PTA. Each fashions deal with the necessities: name, textual content, and app notifications. I may even see calendar alerts, which is useful once I neglect what day it’s (once more).
And that’s about the place the smarts cease. Neither the Encourage 3 nor Luxe helps music management or Fitbit Pay, so if you happen to’re hoping to go phone-free throughout exercises, you’ll nonetheless have to deliver it alongside. The Encourage 3 does edge out barely, although—it syncs quicker with my cellphone and feels a bit extra responsive total.
Winner: Fitbit Encourage 3. It’s the higher choose in order for you a tracker that rapidly loops you in on calls and messages, however doesn’t drown you in notifications.
Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe: GPS
Let’s speak GPS—the characteristic that makes out of doors runs (or brisk walks) a lot extra satisfying. Neither machine has built-in GPS, which implies you’ll want to make use of your cellphone’s GPS for route monitoring. That’s referred to as linked GPS, and each the Encourage 3 and Luxe deal with it effectively sufficient for informal use.
The place the Encourage 3 pulls forward is consistency. It connects quicker and maintains a extra dependable sign, which is nice for monitoring routes or distances once I’m exploring a brand new strolling path. The Luxe will get the job accomplished, however it will probably lag just a little in selecting up the connection.
Winner: Fitbit Encourage 3. With its faster GPS connection and higher exercise monitoring accuracy, it’s the extra sensible possibility for anybody who likes seeing their tempo and distance in actual time.
Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe: Battery Life
Now, this one’s a biggie for me as a result of I’m horrible at remembering to cost my devices. The Fitbit Encourage 3 completely crushes it right here, lasting as much as 10 days on a single cost (until you utilize the always-on show, which nonetheless offers you round 2–3 days). In the meantime, the Luxe faucets out round 5 days. Not dangerous, however not nice if you happen to hate fixed recharging.
It’s such a small factor, however not worrying about charging all week actually makes me extra more likely to hold carrying the tracker. The Luxe would possibly win on seems to be, however the Encourage 3 wins on stamina.
Winner: Fitbit Encourage 3. With twice the battery life and fewer problem total, it’s the straightforward alternative for busy individuals who’ve misplaced their charger, once more (me).
Last Verdict: Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe
After evaluating these two, I’d say it comes all the way down to what motivates you most. If you need one thing that appears stylish and doubles as jewellery, the Fitbit Luxe has that “health meets vogue” really feel. It’s glossy, elegant, and blends proper in with on a regular basis outfits—which makes me need to put on it extra.
However if you happen to’re in search of one thing that works tougher behind the scenes—monitoring your well being, maintaining along with your exercises, and lasting greater than every week without having a cost—the Fitbit Encourage 3 is the higher all-around alternative. It’s the sensible choose that also seems to be cute, doesn’t break the financial institution, and provides higher options for the cash.
Seize the Fitbit Luxe (refurbished) for $185.30 (63% OFF) $67.99 on Amazon.
The Fitbit Encourage 3 prices $99.95 (10% OFF) $89.99, additionally on Amazon.
