Sleep Tracking: Fitbit Vs. Jawbone, Which Is Better?

which tracks sleep better fitbit or jawbone

Fitbit and Jawbone are two of the most popular fitness tracker brands, with both companies offering devices that monitor sleep, heart rate, and activity. While Fitbit offers a wider range of devices, with different features and price points, Jawbone's UP3 is its most comparable device to the Fitbit Charge HR. Both devices offer automatic sleep detection and a vibration alarm, but the UP3 can identify what sleep stage the wearer is in and make suggestions to improve sleep quality. The Fitbit Charge HR, on the other hand, has a live display of the wearer's BPM and is said to have better analysis of heart rate data.

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Fitbit Charge HR vs Jawbone UP3

The Fitbit Charge HR and the Jawbone UP3 are two of the most popular fitness trackers on the market. Both devices track everyday activities such as steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned, floors climbed, and active minutes. They also both offer sleep tracking, with automatic sleep detection and vibration alarms. However, there are some key differences between the two devices.

In terms of design, the Jawbone UP3 is thinner and lighter than the Fitbit Charge HR, with a sleek and fashionable design that comes in a variety of colours and patterns. The Fitbit Charge HR, on the other hand, is bigger and more durable, made with flexible elastomer and offering small, large, and extra-large sizes. It has a secure buckle that some users may prefer over the adjustable clasp of the UP3.

When it comes to displays, the Fitbit Charge HR has a small OLED screen that shows the time, stats, and incoming caller IDs. The Jawbone UP3 does not have a screen but instead has three blinking LEDs in different colours to indicate activities, notifications, and sleep mode.

One advantage of the Jawbone UP3 is its advanced sleep tracking capabilities. It can identify what sleep stage you are in (light, REM, or deep sleep) and provide suggestions to improve your sleep. The Fitbit Charge HR also offers sleep tracking but may not be as advanced as the UP3 in this regard.

Both devices offer heart rate tracking, although the Fitbit Charge HR provides 24/7 monitoring using PurePulse technology, which may result in more accurate calorie burn figures. The UP3 originally only tracked resting heart rate, but with the latest update, it can take readings at any time and track your heart rate across the day.

In terms of compatibility, the Fitbit Charge HR works well with Android, Windows, and iOS smartphones, while the Jawbone UP3 is also compatible with Android and iOS devices.

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Accuracy of sleep tracking

The accuracy of sleep tracking is a key feature when choosing a fitness tracker. The Jawbone UP3 and Fitbit Charge HR both have automatic sleep detection and a vibration alarm. However, the UP3 sleep monitor is considered more advanced and accurate because it can identify what sleep stage you are in—light, REM or deep sleep—and give suggestions to improve your sleep.

The Jawbone UP3 has three blinking LEDs in different colours to indicate sleep, activity, and notifications. Blue lights are used in sleep mode, orange is for activity, and white lights are for notifications. The Fitbit Charge HR, on the other hand, has a small OLED display to show the time, stats, and incoming caller IDs. While the display is a convenient feature, it is not a touchscreen, and users have to press a button on the side of the band to view their status.

In terms of comfort, the Jawbone UP3 is praised for its design and lightweight feel, making it comfortable to wear even while sleeping. The Fitbit Charge HR is also comfortable to wear while sleeping, but some users have reported skin irritation. The Fitbit is also slightly bulkier than the Jawbone UP3, which is the thinnest and lightest tracker from Jawbone so far.

While both devices offer sleep tracking features, the Jawbone UP3 is generally considered to have a more advanced and accurate sleep monitoring system, providing more detailed insights into your sleep stages and offering personalised suggestions for better sleep.

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Design and comfort

When it comes to design and comfort, the Jawbone UP3 has a slim, thermoplastic polyurethane band that comes in one size with an adjustable clasp that should fit any wrist size. It is lightweight and well-made, and its design features metal accents. It is available in multiple colours and patterns, including black diamond, silver cross, red, teal, sand (rose gold), and indigo. The Jawbone UP3 is also splashproof, not waterproof, and can be worn in the shower.

On the other hand, the Fitbit Force is bulkier and comes in black or slate. The Fitbit Charge HR is bigger than the UP3 and is made with durable, flexible elastomer, providing small, large, and extra-large sizes. It has an OLED screen that displays the time, stats, and incoming caller IDs, but it is not a touchscreen. The Fitbit Charge HR is also splashproof, not waterproof, and has a more secure buckle than the Jawbone UP3.

While the Jawbone UP3 wins for overall appearance and design, the Fitbit Charge HR is comfortable even when sleeping, except for some users who experience skin irritation.

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Features and functionality

When it comes to features and functionality, the Jawbone UP3 and Fitbit Charge HR are neck and neck. The UP3 has a slim, thermoplastic polyurethane band, while the Charge HR is bigger and made with flexible elastomer, offering small, large, and extra-large sizes. The Charge HR has an OLED screen, which the UP3 lacks, but the latter has three blinking LEDs in different colours to indicate sleep, activity, and notifications. The Fitbit Charge HR works with the Fitbit app, which is compatible with Android, Windows, and iOS smartphones. It allows you to log workouts, set goals, record food consumption, view progress, and share with or challenge friends. The Jawbone UP app is compatible with Android and iOS and has a Food Score feature that rates how healthy your food is on a 1-10 scale.

The Jawbone UP3 has more sleep features, including automatic sleep detection and a smart alarm that wakes you up gently during the optimal sleep cycle phase. It can identify your sleep stage and provide suggestions for better sleep. The Fitbit Charge HR also has sleep tracking, with a silent alarm feature, but it tracks less data than the UP3. The Fitbit One, another Fitbit model, also has sleep tracking but requires attachment to a sleep wristband, which may be inconvenient for some.

The Jawbone UP Move is another option, offering sleep tracking, activity tracking, and a stopwatch mode. It can be worn anywhere on the body, but Jawbone recommends wearing it on the wrist for accurate sleep tracking. The UP2 is similar to the UP Move but is worn on the wrist and includes a smart alarm feature.

In terms of design, the Jawbone devices have a unique, creative, and stylish look, with the UP3 offering various bands, styles, and patterns. The Fitbit devices focus more on functionality and comfort, with a bulkier appearance, although they are still discreet and comfortable. The Fitbit Charge HR, in particular, has a secure buckle design, while the UP3 has an adjustable clasp.

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Compatibility with other devices

The Fitbit app is compatible with Android, Windows, and iOS smartphones. Fitbit devices can also be connected to the Strava fitness app, and the Fitbit Community, where users can exchange ideas and compete with other Fitbit users. To use Fitbit products, you need to create a Fitbit account, which can be done through the app on a compatible iPhone or Android phone.

Jawbone's UP app is compatible with Android and iOS. The Jawbone UP3 can be paired with a smartphone to receive notifications, and the Jawbone Bluetooth headset can be paired with a phone. The Jawbone Mini Jam Bluetooth speaker has been successfully paired with iPhones in the past, but some users have reported difficulties pairing it with an iPad.

Both Fitbit and Jawbone devices, therefore, offer a good level of compatibility with other devices, although Fitbit may have a slight edge due to its wider range of compatible operating systems and additional apps.

Frequently asked questions

The Jawbone UP3 is considered to be a better sleep tracker than the Fitbit Charge HR as it can identify what sleep stage you're in—light, REM or deep sleep—and give suggestions to improve your sleep. The Fitbit Charge HR, however, does have a screen to display your status, which the Jawbone UP3 lacks.

The Fitbit Charge HR has a small OLED screen to display your status, which the Jawbone UP3 lacks. It is also available in multiple colours, unlike the Jawbone UP3 which only comes in one size. The Fitbit Charge HR is also said to be more secure than the Jawbone UP3. However, the Fitbit Charge HR is bigger and lacks built-in GPS tracking.

The Jawbone UP3 is said to be more accurate at tracking sleep and has a more advanced sleep monitor. It is also said to be more fashionable, lightweight, sleek, and available in multiple colours. However, the Jawbone UP3 does not have a screen, unlike the Fitbit Charge HR.

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