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. The Fitbit Encourage 3 and Fitbit Luxe won’t be the latest children on the block, however they’ve nonetheless acquired loads of power left on your 2025 health targets. Each monitor your exercises, sleep, and stress. However which one really 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 making an attempt to maneuver extra—strolling after I can, sneaking in fast weight-lifting classes—however I’ve been craving a strategy to really monitor that effort. I need to do it with out blowing my funds. 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.
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In the event you’re additionally making an attempt 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 discount hunter doesn’t let older tech scare them off. So in case you’re on the fence about both mannequin in 2025, I’ve damaged down their finest options that will help you resolve which one’s really value your time (and your steps).
Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe: Design and Show
The Fitbit Luxe is unquestionably the fancier of the 2. It has that slim, barely-there silhouette that appears simply as fashionable in a group assembly because it does throughout a exercise—sure, it clothes up and down. Generally, that’s precisely what I would like from a health tracker. The case is made from chrome steel, and the AMOLED show is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for additional sturdiness.
The Fitbit Encourage 3, then again, is extra sporty and informal. It is aware of its function—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 colour choices: Midnight Zen, Lilac Bliss, and Morning Glow. (Proper now, the Luxe is simply accessible 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—smooth chrome steel, a slim physique, and that brilliant AMOLED colour 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 frequent on this space.
Stress Administration
This one’s a must have 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 glad 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 must cease for a minute and recalibrate. I discovered the the Luxe really gave extra detailed stress analytics right here within the Fitbit app.
Health & Exercise Monitoring
I don’t have a lot psychological area left to consider my well being lately, however I’m hoping certainly one of these Fitbits can do the considering for me. What I really want is a mini coach on my wrist reminding me that sure, strolling a couple of blocks to choose up my child does depend as cardio (I hope).
Each the Fitbit Encourage 3 and Luxe come prepared to trace just about every part 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 also can set targets and get little buzzes after I hit them (yay for small wins), and each units mechanically acknowledge after I’ve began a exercise—even when I overlook to log it.
Sleep Monitoring
Sleep is one other story. I begin yawning round 10:30, however by the point I really crawl into mattress, my mind’s wakeful and enthusiastic about tomorrow’s to-do listing. Each Fitbits monitor my sleep phases, although, and provides me a every day sleep rating, and even create a sleep profile over time. They will inform me what I already know: I must 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 power!
Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe: Good Options
On the subject of good options, neither of those Fitbits is making an attempt to be a full-fledged smartwatch. And, at this level in my life, that’s precisely what I would like. 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 after I overlook 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 in case you’re hoping to go phone-free throughout exercises, you’ll nonetheless must carry it alongside. The Encourage 3 does edge out barely, although—it syncs quicker with my telephone and feels a bit extra responsive general.
Winner: Fitbit Encourage 3. It’s the higher decide in order for you a tracker that shortly loops you in on calls and messages, however doesn’t drown you in notifications.
Fitbit Encourage 3 vs. Luxe: GPS
Let’s discuss GPS—the characteristic that makes outside runs (or brisk walks) a lot extra satisfying. Neither system has built-in GPS, which implies you’ll want to make use of your telephone’s GPS for route monitoring. That’s referred to as related GPS, and each the Encourage 3 and Luxe deal with it properly 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 after I’m exploring a brand new strolling path. The Luxe will get the job carried out, however it may possibly lag a little bit in choosing up the connection.
Winner: Fitbit Encourage 3. With its faster GPS connection and higher exercise monitoring accuracy, it’s the extra sensible choice 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 (except you employ 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 in case you hate fixed recharging.
It’s such a small factor, however not worrying about charging all week actually makes me extra prone to maintain sporting the tracker. The Luxe may win on seems to be, however the Encourage 3 wins on stamina.
Winner: Fitbit Encourage 3. With twice the battery life and fewer trouble general, 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 would like one thing that appears stylish and doubles as jewellery, the Fitbit Luxe has that “health meets vogue” really feel. It’s smooth, elegant, and blends proper in with on a regular basis outfits—which makes me need to put on it extra.
However in case you’re on the lookout for one thing that works tougher behind the scenes—monitoring your well being, maintaining along with your exercises, and lasting greater than per week while not having a cost—the Fitbit Encourage 3 is the higher all-around alternative. It’s the sensible decide that also seems to be cute, doesn’t break the financial institution, and affords 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.
