How Accurate Is the Fitbit Calorie Burn Counter?
The short answer is that the Fitbit calorie burn counter is generally accurate. However, there are a few factors that can affect its accuracy.
According to a 2019 BBC article, one study found that the Fitbit Charge 2 was underestimating the calories burned by participants during running by 4 percent and overestimating calories burned while walking by more than 50 percent. The study also found that the calorie burn estimates were more accurate in higher-priced trackers.
How Does the Fitbit Calculate Calorie Burn?
Fitbit’s fitness features go beyond just counting steps, and one of the most useful features is the calorie burn counter. Here’s how it calculates the number of calories you’ve burned.
Fitbit uses your heart rate as a key part of its calculation. It also takes into account your height, weight, age, and gender to give you an estimate of how many calories you’re burning.
Fitbit calorie accuracy has come a long way since its early days. And while there’s always room for improvement, the Fitbit is still one of the most accurate fitness trackers on the market.
The following are the two most important factors that determine your Fitbit’s calories burned accuracy:
Basal metabolic rate (BMR): This is the number of calories you burn while at rest. The Fitbit uses your height, weight, age, and gender to estimate your BMR. Heart rate: The Fitbit uses sensors to track your heart rate during a fitness activity and estimates the number of calories you’re burning based on that.
These are the two most important factors that determine the accuracy of the Fitbit calorie burn counter. However, there are a few other things that can affect it as well.
What Factors Can Affect the Accuracy of the Fitbit Calorie Burn Counter?
There are a few factors that can affect the accuracy of the Fitbit calorie burn counter.
Heart rate variability: Everyone’s heart rate varies to some degree. Fitbit may not always be able to get an accurate heart rate reading for some people. This can lead to an inaccurate calorie burn estimates and tracking. Wrist placement: The Fitbit is designed to be worn on the non-dominant wrist. If it’s not positioned correctly, it may not be able to get an accurate heart rate reading. This can also lead to an inaccurate calorie burn estimate. According to Fitbit, you should wear the tracker two to three fingers from your wrist bone. This will ensure that the heart rate sensor gets a good reading. The intensity of activity: More intense activities can cause the Fitbit to overestimate energy expenditure, depending on where you wear it. If you’re doing a low-intensity activity, such as walking, the calorie burn estimate may also be affected. In a Journal of Personal Medicine study, fitness trackers had the highest level of error when tracking walking. Activity level: The Fitbit calorie accuracy burn rate is most accurate when you’re doing moderate to vigorous activity. If you’re very active, the Fitbit may overestimate your calorie burn. If you’re sedentary, it may underestimate your calorie burn. Weight: As the Fitbit depends on your weight to calculate calories burned calorie burn, its estimate may be less accurate for people who fall outside a certain weight range.
Fitbit Calories Burned Accuracy by Model
Every Fitbit model is slightly different, so the accuracy of the calorie burn counter will vary by model.
Newer and more expensive Fitbit models tend to be more accurate than older and less expensive models.
For example, the Fitbit Charge 4 has been found to be one of the most accurate fitness trackers on the market. A study conducted by Wareable found that the Charge 4 was highly accurate when it came to tracking heart rate and steps. And the upgraded model, Fitbit Charge 5, is even more accurate than the Charge 4.
The accuracy of the Fitbit Inspire 2 calorie counter needs more testing. However, based on the accuracy of other Fitbit models, it’s safe to say that the Inspire 2 is likely to be accurate within a few percentage points. However, being an entry-level model without a built-in GPS, it may not be as accurate as the more expensive models like the Charge or Sense.
Making the most out of your fitness tracker is all about understanding its limitations. No fitness tracker is perfect, and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses.
How to Improve the Accuracy of the Fitbit Calorie Burn Counter
There are a few things you can do to improve the Fitbit calorie accuracy.
Wear it on your non-dominant wrist: The Fitbit is designed to be worn on the non-dominant wrist. This will help ensure that it gets an accurate heart rate reading. Keep it snug: The Fitbit should be snug but not too tight. If it’s too loose, it may not be able to get an accurate heart rate reading. Update your weight: Make sure your Fitbit is updated with your current weight. This will help the tracker calculate calories burned more accurately. Be active: The Fitbit calorie burn estimate is most accurate when you’re doing moderate to vigorous activity, so get out there and move!
What if My Fitbit Says I’m Burning More Calories Than I Actually Am?
If your Fitbit says you’re burning more calories than you actually are, don’t worry. Remember that the calorie burn estimate is just that—an estimate. It’s not going to be 100% accurate.
Your Fitbit tracker may be overestimating your calorie burn if you’re very active. Because the tracker uses your heart rate to estimate calorie burn, it may not be able to estimate caloric burn as accurately for people whose heart rates are frequently high. Meanwhile, Fitbit sensors may not measure as accurately for people who are obese, according to research in Biomedical Optics Express.
If you notice some big discrepancies between your Fitbit calorie burn estimate and the calories you actually burn based on other forms of measurement, you can try factory resetting your Fitbit. If your Fitbit won’t sync, it may not be able to track your activity level and calorie burns accurately.
Is Your Fitbit Calories Burned Accurate?
The question sounds simple—how accurate is the Fitbit calorie burn estimate? But the accuracy of the Fitbit calorie burn counter will vary depending on the model you have and how you use it.
That said, Fitbit trackers are generally accurate to within a few percentage points. So, if your goal is to get an idea of how many calories you’re burning, a Fitbit tracker is a good option. Just remember that fitness trackers are great motivational tools to see your progress, but they’re not meant to provide 100 percent accuracy.
