Fitness trackers have become essential for health-conscious individuals, and the Fitbit Inspire 3 is one of the most budget-friendly options available. But does it deliver enough features to be worth your money? In this review, we’ll break down its design, performance, battery life, and how it stacks up against competitors like the Xiaomi Mi Band 8, Amazfit Band 7, and Huawei Band 8.
Design & Comfort: Slim and Lightweight
The Inspire 3 keeps Fitbit’s classic minimalist design—a small, lightweight tracker with a 1.47-inch grayscale touchscreen (not color, but still clear). It comes with a slim silicone band that’s comfortable for all-day wear, even while sleeping.
Key Design Features:
✔ Lightweight (18g) – Barely noticeable on the wrist.
✔ Interchangeable bands – Available in multiple colors.
✔ Water-resistant (up to 50m) – Safe for swimming and showers.
While it lacks a color display (like the Huawei Band 8), the screen is bright enough for indoor and outdoor use.
Fitness & Health Tracking: Solid Basics
The Inspire 3 covers all the essentials for casual fitness users:
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Step counting (with reminders to move)
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Active Zone Minutes (tracks heart rate zones)
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Sleep tracking (with Sleep Score & insights)
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24/7 heart rate monitoring
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SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking (manual only, not continuous)
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Stress tracking (via heart rate variability)
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Women’s health tracking (period & ovulation logs)
Missing Features:
❌ Built-in GPS (uses connected GPS via phone)
❌ On-screen workouts (only basic reminders)
❌ Music control (unlike the Xiaomi Mi Band 8)
If you need advanced metrics (like VO2 max or recovery scores), consider a Fitbit Charge 6 or Garmin Vivosmart 5.
Battery Life: Impressive for the Price
One of the best features of the Inspire 3 is its 10-day battery life (with normal use). Compared to the Apple Watch (1-2 days) or even the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 (~6 days), this is a huge advantage.
Battery Comparison:
Device | Battery Life |
---|---|
Fitbit Inspire 3 | 10 days |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8 | 6 days |
Amazfit Band 7 | 7 days |
Huawei Band 8 | 14 days |
Fitbit App: Detailed but Subscription-Locked
Fitbit’s app is user-friendly and provides detailed health reports, but some premium features (like advanced sleep insights and wellness reports) require Fitbit Premium ($9.99/month).
App Pros:
✔ Clean, easy-to-read dashboard
✔ Long-term trend tracking
✔ Syncs with Apple Health & Google Fit
App Cons:
❌ Some key metrics locked behind paywall
❌ No third-party app support (like Garmin)
Comparison Table: Fitbit Inspire 3 vs. Competitors
Feature | Fitbit Inspire 3 | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 | Amazfit Band 7 | Huawei Band 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Price | ~$99 | ~$50 | ~$60 | ~$70 |
Display | 1.47″ grayscale | 1.62″ AMOLED | 1.47″ AMOLED | 1.47″ AMOLED |
Battery Life | 10 days | 6 days | 7 days | 14 days |
GPS | Connected only | Connected only | Connected only | Connected only |
SpO2 Tracking | Manual | Continuous | Manual | Continuous |
Music Control | ❌ No | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
Smartphone Notifications | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
Water Resistance | 50m | 50m | 50m | 50m |
Best For | Fitbit ecosystem users | Budget buyers | Balanced features | Long battery life |
Who Should Buy the Fitbit Inspire 3?
✅ Casual fitness users – Great for steps, sleep, and heart rate tracking.
✅ Budget-conscious buyers – Cheaper than most Fitbit models.
✅ Long-battery seekers – Lasts longer than Xiaomi & Amazfit bands.
Who Should Skip It?
❌ Runners needing GPS – No built-in GPS (requires phone).
❌ Those wanting a color screen – Grayscale only.
❌ Advanced athletes – Lacks training metrics like VO2 max.
Final Verdict: 8/10 – A Reliable Budget Tracker
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a no-frills, long-lasting fitness tracker with solid health tracking and Fitbit’s trusted ecosystem. While it lacks GPS, a color screen, and music controls, its 10-day battery life and accurate tracking make it a great choice for beginners.
Pros:
✔ Excellent battery life
✔ Accurate sleep & heart rate tracking
✔ Slim, comfortable design
Cons:
❌ No built-in GPS
❌ Grayscale display (no colors)
❌ Some app features require a subscription
Best Alternatives:
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Want a color screen? → Xiaomi Mi Band 8
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Need longer battery? → Huawei Band 8
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Want Fitbit with GPS? → Fitbit Charge 6