Fitbit Zip Review

Introduction

Wearable fitness trackers, they’re all the rage nowadays it seems! From the juggernauts in the consumer electronics space, like the Samsungs and LGs, to other companies you wouldn’t fathom even to think of being a part of the space, everyone is getting in on this viral trend of making fitness trackers. Fitbit, as we all know, is one of the more experienced companies in this budding segment, seeing that they’ve perfected the recipe in crafting fitness trackers for a long time now. For those of us who want a simple, easy-to-use one, the Fitbit Zip seems like the perfect companion for your step tracking needs.

The package contains:

• Setup guide
• USB Bluetooth adapter
• Silicone clip
• Battery removal tool

Design

The design is your run of the mill looking pedometer.

Unlike the stylish design of its other trackers, such as the Fitbit Flex and Force, the Zip looks very much like an ordinary pedometer. In fact, it’s technically not worn in the same manner as its other devices. Rather, it’s meant to be carried around in a pocket – or strapped on to us with the included silicone clip. Aesthetically, this glossy plastic constructed thing doesn’t scream style in any sort of way, but there’s comfort knowing that it’s available in 5 colors – they include charcoal, blue, magenta, white, and lime.

To tell you the truth, the design is your run of the mill pedometer, so it comes off as a bit bland. Nevertheless, it’s miniscule in size and lightweight to be inconspicuous when it’s tucked away somewhere. However, we recommend using the included silicon clip and attach it somewhere – as opposed to just throwing it in a pocket. As for the clip itself, it’s the rubbery variety and has a tight fit to keep it in place on a sleeve, belt, or bag strap. Still, we constantly find ourselves forgetting to remove it from our clothing after changing into something else – so be careful!

The Fitbit Zip features a tiny LCD display that’s extremely visible outdoors when the sun is present, but seeing that it lacks backlighting, it’s nearly impossible to read out anything in the dark. Nonetheless, it’s a touch sensitive display that allows us to cycle through its modes by poking or firmly tapping the display.

Rounding things out, it’s worth noting that the rear panel of the Fitbit Zip can be removed using the battery removal tool, or a coin, to give us access to its battery compartment. It’s powered by a single 3V CR 2025 coin battery, which is rated to deliver 4 to 6 months of battery life. In addition, it’s constructed to be rain, splash, and sweat-proof, but don’t think for a moment that it can survive immersion. Therefore, if you’re outside and it starts raining, you won’t have to be concerned about it getting damaged.

Fitbit App

It’s one thing being able to view all of the data it compiles through the unit’s own display, but to get a deeper grasp of our results, we need to check it out using the mobile Fitbit app. We won’t expand too much about it, seeing that we grazed on it in our Fitbit Flex review, so if you’re curious, you can read all about it here.

Essentially, the Fitbit Zip is connected via Bluetooth to our device, an HTC One M8 in this particular case. Now, the main benefit of the app is that we’re given more detail regarding our fitness activity. Instead of just seeing how many steps we’ve taken, the app breaks it down deeper by presenting us a bar graph that shows our progress throughout the day. Of course, it’s beneficial because we can’t see our previous days’ results through the Fitbit Zip’s display.

Performance

You'd be surprised by how accurate it is when it comes to tracking steps.

After using the Fitbit Zip for over 2 weeks, we find that it’s less prone to inaccuracies with the amount of steps we take, seeing that the wrist worn Fitbits have a tendency of mistakenly registering simple hand waves as steps. With that in mind, it’s more likely that it’s producing more accurate results.

Certainly, it’s not as features rich as Fitbit’s other wearable trackers, but for those looking for a simple way of tracking their steps, it gets the job done – though, it would’ve been nice to have the ability to view the results of previous days directly through the Zip, instead of just the mobile app. Hardcore fitness buffs won’t find it as useful, seeing that it lacks other amenities like sleep tracking, but for the folks who don’t want to be bothered having to use a companion smartphone, the Fitbit Zip is a decent option.

Battery Life

You don't have to worry about replacing the battery for months.

Who knows how long of a charge we’ll get out of the Fitbit Zip’s coin battery, but there’s no indication it’ll be any time soon. After 2 weeks of consistent usage, this small bundle of joy continues to move along. Sure, it’s nice that we don’t have to worry about replacing the battery any time soon, but when the day comes, it means that we’ll need to fork over some cash to pick up a replacement battery.

Conclusion

Sporting a price point of $60, it’s nice to know that your wallet won’t be drained as much picking this thing up. However, as we’ve alluded already, the Fitbit Zip isn’t necessarily the ideal thing for fitness conscious individuals. Instead, it’s meant to play more nicely to those individuals who want to track their steps, but don’t want to be bothered too much by using mobile apps. By itself, it’s an accurate pedometer that works independently – so you don’t necessarily need to rely on a smartphone to view your daily progress. Hey, it might be the perfect thing for a parent who’s still rocking a flip phone!