Amazon Prime Day is a great time to pick up a new running watch or fitness tracker, but if you're not careful, you might accidentally get an unwelcome surprise when you open that package a day or two later.
Fitbit's brand name and designs have become almost synonymous with fitness trackers in general, and if you browse Amazon you'll find that a lot of smaller companies have jumped on the bandwagon and released devices that look extremely similar. It's not necessarily malicious (there are only so many ways you can design a watch, after all), but it's all too easy to make a mistake if you're in a hurry to get the best Prime Day bargain.
It doesn't have to be that way, though. In this guide we'll explain how you can avoid the 'lookalikes' and make sure you get the genuine Fitbit you want.
It's worth noting that this isn't a problem you're so likely to run into if you're looking for a deal on the best Garmin watches, as their designs are more subtle and trickier to imitate. We're also rounding up all of this year's best Amazon Prime Day Garmin deals so you can be sure you're getting the real thing.
We're rounding up all of this year's best Amazon Prime Day camping deals and Amazon Prime Day hiking deals.
Does getting a 'fake' Fitbit matter?
Put simply, yes. Even if a lookalike device performs the same functions as a genuine Fitbit, it might not be built to the same standards as the real thing, and you likely won't get the same level of customer support (particularly live chat). You probably won't get the same warranty either, and if something happens to go wrong with the device, you may not be able to get a refund or a replacement.
Any Fitbit lookalike will need to pair with your phone via a mobile app, but this might not be fully compatible with your current operating system, and it may not receive regular updates to fix bugs, repair security vulnerabilities, and add new features. The app also won't be compatible with all the same services as a genuine Fitbit either, so you won't be able to easily import and export data to tools like Strava, MapMyRun, and MyFitnessPal to name just a few.
Safety is an important issue too. Fitness trackers and smartwatches are powered by small lithium-ion batteries. If poorly made or faulty, these can become incredibly hot or even catch fire. Last year, Fitbit recalled all Ionic watches due to a risk of them overheating and burning wearers. If there was a similar problem with devices from a lesser-known brand, the problem might not be so well publicised and you may never hear about it.
Be super specific
Amazon Prime Day 2022 is taking place on July 12 and 13, so if you'd like to grab a cheap Fitbit you've got plenty of time to prepare. Make sure you know exactly which device you'd like to buy in advance, and search for that item specifically. If you simple search for 'Fitbit' the first few products may be genuine, but you'll soon start seeing results for lookalikes.
It's possible that we might see some deals on older Fitbit models, but the best current devices to watch out for are:
- Fitbit Inspire 2
- Fitbit Luxe
- Fitbit Versa 3
- Fitbit Charge 5
- Fitbit Sense
- Fitbit Ace 3
Take care with Lightning Deals
Amazon Lightning Deals are flash offers that are only available for a very limited period of time, or until a product sells out. We're expecting a veritable storm of Lightning Deals for Prime Day, but don't get caught up in the fear of missing out and click the 'Buy' button just because the progress bar appears to be climbing rather rapidly. Make sure you read through the full listing thoroughly first rather than acting on impulse.
Beware of accessories
Not all the unofficial products that appear when you search for Fitbits on Amazon are lookalike fitness trackers – some are just third-party straps, chargers, and other accessories, which may be hard to tell from the images alone.
Always read the product description carefully, and beware of items that are listed as 'compatible' with the Fitbit device you want to buy. The product description may mention a specific watch by name, so it's easy to make a mistake.
Use common sense
Remember, even on Amazon Prime Day, if an offer looks too good to be true then it probably is. It's wise to familiarize yourself with how much your preferred Fitbit usually costs. If you're not sure the Camelizer browser plugin will show you how much the device usually sells for, which can sometimes raise some red flags too.
