The Fitbit Inspire 3 released alongside the Versa 4 and Sense 2 is the successor to the Fitbit Inspire 2. It comes with a more colorful display and can now measure blood oxygen as well as welcomes more workout modes. Meanwhile, like the Inspire 3, the Charge 5 released in 2021 succeeds Fitbit Charge 4, and it has a more colorful display and health tracking features than its predecessor. The Charge 5 and the Inspire 3 are entry-level fitness trackers for fitness enthusiasts and in this article, we’ll discuss the differences and help you decide which is better.
The Difference Between Fitbit Charge 5 and Inspire 3
In a nutshell, the difference between the Inspire 3 and Charge 5 is that the latter has a more durable build. It also has an NFC chip that enables Fitbit Pay and an inbuilt GPS that allows you to map your routes without your phone. Moreover, it features ECG tracking and an EDA sensor that enables it to monitor your stress levels. Meanwhile, the Inspire 3 has more sports modes and a longer battery life.
In other words, the Charge 5 has a better build quality and more activity-tracking features than Inspire 3. This explains why the Charge 5 retails for $150 compared to the Inspire 3 which retails for $100.
Fitbit Inspire 3 vs Charge 5 Full Specifications Compared
| Product Info |
 Fitbit Inspire 3 Specifications, Features and Price |
 Fitbit Charge 5 Specifications, Features and Price |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $111.99 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Fitbit Inspire 3 | Fitbit Charge 5 |
| Device type | Fitness smartband | Fitness smartband |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Release date | September, 2022 | September, 2021 |
| Predecessor | Fitbit Inspire 2 | Fitbit Charge 4 |
| Successor | — | — |
| Versions | — | — |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 39.32 x 18.6 x 11.75 mm | 36.7 x 22.7 x 11.2 mm |
| Weight | 17.69 g | 28g |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
| Case material | Plastic Resin | Aluminum |
| Strap material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Bezel material | Plastic Resin | Aluminum |
| Strap size | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) |
| Interchangeable strap | Yes | Yes |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | — | — |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Black/black band, Black/liliac band, Black/morning-glow band | Black/Graphite Stainless Steel strap, Lunar White/Soft-Gold Stainless Steel strap, Steel Blue/Platinum Stainless Steel strap |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.4 inches | 1.04 inches |
| Display type | AMOLED | 450nits, AMOLED |
| Display resolution | 206 x 124 pixels | 0.86″ x 0.58″px |
| Pixel density | 171.7 PPI | 326 ppi |
| Always on | Yes | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.0 | Bluetooth v4.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No |
| GPS | (connected GPS), No | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | — | — |
| ROM | — | — |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None |
| Band | — | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
| Reply to Notifications | - | - |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | No | No |
| Bluetooth music | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | No |
| Microphone | No | No |
| Camera | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Sensor(s) | Vibration motor | EDA Stress sensor, Vibration motor |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Pressure | - | No |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | - | No |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | No | No |
| On-screen workout | No | No |
| Sport modes | 40 | 20 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
| Battery capacity | — | — |
| Battery life | Regular: 10 days | Regular: 7 days+, Standby:10 days+ |
| Charging type | Charging dock | Charging dock |
| Charging time | 1-2 hours | 2hrs |
| Solar charging | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | — | N/A |
| CPU | — | N/A |
| GPU | — | N/A |
| Operating system | Fitbit OS | Fitbit OS |
| MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Fitbit App | Fitbit App |
| Compatibility | Android OS 8.0+, iOS 14.0+ | Android, iOS |
| Payment system | None | Fitbit Pay |
| Voice command | No | No |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Fitbit Inspire 3, Manual, Straps | Charger, Fitbit Charge 5, Manual, Straps |
Fitbit Inspire 3 vs Charge 5 Features Review
Design
The Inspire 3 and Charge 5 both have a durable, compact, and lightweight design. You can wear any of these two all day long without feeling the need to remove it. It’s just what a smartband should be.
Both smartbands have a 5ATM rating, this represents 50 meters waterproof which means you can wear any of these to the pool.
However, while the Inspire 3 has a resin case, the Charge 5 is slightly slimmer and has a more durable aluminum case that leaves it with a more attractive appearance.
Display
Unlike their respective predecessors, the Inspire 3 and Charge 5 ditched monochrome OLED for a more colorful and brighter AMOLED display that’s easier to read.
Although, the Inspire 3 with its longer case has a slightly bigger display size compared to the Charge 5. Some individuals might have a problem reading complications on the tiny displays. Nonetheless, the display of these two is very vivid and can easily be read even under direct sunlight.
You get the option to customize the displays, while a touch-sensitive screen serves as means of interaction on these two.
Health tracking
Apart from the difference in design quality, these two also differ in the available health-tracking features. While both smartbands can monitor your heart rate, sleep, steps, and calories, the Charge 5 is a more comprehensive fitness tracker. It has an inbuilt GPS that will allow you to map your routes during outdoor workouts without carrying your phone along. Meanwhile, the Inspire 3 requires your phone’s GPS to map routes which means you must carry your phone along.
The Charge 5 also has an ECG and EDA stress sensor. These sensors are located on both sides of the device. You can measure ECG and stress levels by placing your finger on the sides of the Charge 5.
Like I mentioned earlier, the Inspire 3 like Versa 4 and Sense 2 have more sports modes. It has 40 sports modes compared to 20 on Charge 5.
Notifications
With the Charge 5 and Inspire 3, you have the ability to receive message notifications on the device and you can reply with emojis and preset replies. When you enable notifications for your favorite apps in the Fitbit app and your phone is nearby, you will get message notifications. You can modify the available preset replies from the Fitbit app.
Both smartbands also feature Do not disturb and sleep modes that allows you to mute notifications.
Being a more advanced smartband, the Charge 5 features an NFC chip that enables Fitbit Pay. This will allow you to store your card details on the device and you will be able to make non-contactless payments at supported terminals where this service is available.
Battery Life
While the Charge 5 has a stronger build and more health-tracking features, it has a shorter battery life than Inspire 3. Though, the Charge 5 with up to 7 days of battery life will let you go long from a single charge. It’s up to 10 days with Inspire 3.
Fitbit Inspire 3 or Charge 5 – Verdict
So far, you can see that the Charge 5 is clearly a more advanced health tracker. It has better build quality and features Fitbit Pay. Moreover, it features ECG and an EDA stress monitor while also having a decent battery life. It’s clearly a better smartband, but it will cost you more.
On the other hand, the Inspire 3 is a cheaper alternative but still a decent fitness tracker. It has more workout modes and a longer battery life. If you have a tight budget, the Inspire 3 is a good selection.
