Fitbit Alta review

The Fitbit companion app for the Alta is the same one used for every other Fitbit device currently available. So, if you're a Fitbit veteran, you'll be right at home. For everyone else, this app is incredibly easy to use.

You'll be forced to download it in order to sync it up with the Alta. Once you've created a link, you're good to go. But there's much more to see if you're one who likes to sort through settings.

From the home screen of the app, you can easily adjust your daily workout, sleep, water intake goals and more. There really are a ton of options to toggle through.

A feature called Sleep Schedule can give you a more in-depth look at your sleeping patterns. Better yet, it compares your habits with the data from other Fitbit users to show you how you stack up. You can use this information to build sleep and waking goals that are said to lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Clicking into the Alta on the main menu, you can adjust details like which wrist you'll be wearing the devices, or whether you want it to buzz you every hour as a reminder to move.

Fitbit's app allows you link up with several third-party fitness applications, too. For a complete list, check out this page. But, MobileRun stands out, as it can track your run via your phone's GPS capability, something the Alta can't handle by itself.

Compatibility

Fitbit's products are among the most platform agnostic devices out there. That said, Linux users are still out of luck here.

You'll be able to download the Fitbit companion app on iOS, Android, Mac and Windows 10.

If you're a desktop or laptop user, Fitbit included a USB dongle that you'll need to sync the Alta up with the applications. Other than that, there aren't any other notable differences between using the Fitbit app on a PC versus a smartphone or tablet.

Battery life

The stellar battery life of the Alta is its best feature. One charge can yield up to –or over, in my experience– one week of use. It's more than enough time needed to familiarize yourself with the way the Alta feels during day and night, as well as how it tracks your steps.

Fitbit hasn't disclosed the exact mAh capacity within the Alta, but whatever's inside in small and light, but somehow lasts for a generous heap of time. What's better is that once it does eventually dies, it only takes about an hour to recharge back to full health.

The Alta will give you a warning when there's less than a day of projected battery life remaining, and you can resume business as usual. But, all functions –including the watch function– will cease until you find a charger.