Fitbit Surge vs Jawbone Up: The Fitness Tracker Battle You Can’t Afford to Miss

Choosing the right fitness tracker can feel like navigating a labyrinth of options. Two popular contenders often top the list: the Fitbit Surge and the Jawbone Up. Both offer a compelling blend of features and functionality, but which one emerges as the victor in the Fitbit Surge vs Jawbone Up battle? This comprehensive guide will delve into the strengths and weaknesses of each device, helping you make an informed decision.

Design and Comfort: A Tale of Two Styles

The Fitbit Surge boasts a bold and athletic design with a vibrant color display. Its square shape and chunky build might not appeal to those seeking a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. In contrast, the Jawbone Up embraces a more subtle and streamlined design, resembling a stylish bracelet. Its slim profile and comfortable fit make it ideal for everyday wear, even during sleep.
Fitbit Surge:

• Pros: Large, vibrant display for easy viewing.
• Cons: Bulky and less stylish compared to the Jawbone Up.

Jawbone Up:

• Pros: Sleek and minimalist design, comfortable for all-day wear.
• Cons: Smaller display, potentially harder to read in bright sunlight.

Activity Tracking: Beyond the Basics

Both trackers excel in capturing your daily activity, recording steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. However, the Fitbit Surge takes it a step further with built-in GPS, allowing you to track your runs and walks with detailed route mapping. This feature is a game-changer for runners and outdoor enthusiasts who value precise distance and pace data.
Fitbit Surge:

• Pros: Built-in GPS for accurate outdoor activity tracking.
• Cons: Battery life can be affected by GPS usage.

Jawbone Up:

• Pros: Accurate step counting and activity tracking.
• Cons: Lacks GPS, relying on phone GPS for outdoor tracking.

Sleep Monitoring: A Deeper Dive into Rest

Sleep tracking is a key feature of both devices, providing insights into your sleep patterns and quality. The Fitbit Surge offers a basic sleep analysis, while the Jawbone Up dives deeper with its Smart Sleep technology. This feature analyzes your sleep cycles, providing detailed information on light, deep, and REM sleep stages. You can also set smart alarms to wake you during your lightest sleep phase for a more refreshed morning.
Fitbit Surge:

• Pros: Tracks sleep duration and quality.
• Cons: Basic sleep analysis compared to the Jawbone Up.

Jawbone Up:

• Pros: Smart Sleep technology offers detailed sleep cycle analysis.
• Cons: Requires a companion app for detailed sleep data.

Heart Rate Monitoring: Keeping a Pulse on Your Health

The Fitbit Surge stands out with its built-in heart rate monitor, allowing you to track your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts. This feature is invaluable for monitoring your fitness progress and optimizing your training intensity. While the Jawbone Up lacks a built-in heart rate monitor, it can sync with compatible heart rate monitors for those seeking this data.
Fitbit Surge:

• Pros: Built-in heart rate monitor for continuous tracking.
• Cons: Battery life can be affected by heart rate monitoring.

Jawbone Up:

• Pros: Can sync with external heart rate monitors.
• Cons: Lacks a built-in heart rate monitor.

Battery Life: Staying Powered Up

The Fitbit Surge boasts a battery life of up to 7 days, making it a reliable companion for extended trips and adventures. The Jawbone Up, on the other hand, offers a battery life of 7 days with normal use and up to 14 days with power-saving mode. Both devices offer respectable battery life, but the Surge edges out in terms of longevity.
Fitbit Surge:

• Pros: Longer battery life, up to 7 days.
• Cons: None.

Jawbone Up:

• Pros: 7-day battery life with normal use.
• Cons: Shorter battery life compared to the Fitbit Surge.

Water Resistance: A Splash of Confidence

Both the Fitbit Surge and the Jawbone Up are water-resistant, making them suitable for everyday wear and even light swimming. The Surge is rated water-resistant up to 50 meters, while the Jawbone Up is rated splash-proof. While both can withstand splashes and rain, the Surge offers greater water resistance for more active water-based activities.
Fitbit Surge:

• Pros: Water-resistant up to 50 meters.
• Cons: None.

Jawbone Up:

• Pros: Splash-proof.
• Cons: Limited water resistance compared to the Fitbit Surge.

Connectivity and App Integration: Staying Connected

Both trackers seamlessly integrate with smartphones via Bluetooth, allowing you to sync your data and access a wealth of information through their respective apps. The Fitbit app is known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive data visualization, while the Jawbone Up app offers a more minimalist and intuitive experience. Both apps provide detailed insights into your activity, sleep, and heart rate data, allowing you to track your progress and set personalized goals.
Fitbit Surge:

• Pros: User-friendly app with comprehensive data visualization.
• Cons: None.

Jawbone Up:

• Pros: Minimalist and intuitive app.
• Cons: Less comprehensive data visualization compared to the Fitbit app.

Price and Value: Finding the Right Fit

The Fitbit Surge is priced higher than the Jawbone Up, reflecting its additional features like GPS and built-in heart rate monitor. However, if you prioritize these features and are willing to pay a premium, the Surge offers excellent value. The Jawbone Up, with its lower price point, provides a solid and stylish fitness tracker with essential features for those seeking a more affordable option.
Fitbit Surge:

• Pros: Offers a comprehensive range of features.
• Cons: Higher price point.

Jawbone Up:

• Pros: More affordable option.
• Cons: Fewer features compared to the Fitbit Surge.

The Final Verdict: Choosing Your Fitness Companion

Ultimately, the best fitness tracker for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize GPS, heart rate monitoring, and a comprehensive data experience, the Fitbit Surge is the clear winner. However, if you seek a sleek and comfortable tracker with exceptional sleep tracking and a more minimalist app experience, the Jawbone Up is an excellent choice.

Beyond the Comparison: Finding the Right Fit for You

Consider these factors when making your final decision:

• Your fitness goals: Do you prioritize outdoor activities, heart rate monitoring, or sleep analysis?
• Your budget: Are you looking for a budget-friendly option or willing to invest in a more feature-rich device?
• Your personal style: Do you prefer a bold and athletic design or a sleek and minimalist aesthetic?

Common Questions and Answers

Q: Can I use a Jawbone Up for swimming?
A: The Jawbone Up is splash-proof, meaning it can withstand splashes and rain but is not designed for swimming.
Q: Does the Fitbit Surge track sleep automatically?
A: Yes, the Fitbit Surge automatically tracks your sleep duration and quality without requiring you to manually start or stop tracking.
Q: Can I use the Jawbone Up to track my runs without a phone?
A: No, the Jawbone Up does not have built-in GPS and relies on your phone’s GPS for outdoor activity tracking.
Q: Which app offers more customization options?
A: Both apps offer a decent level of customization, but the Fitbit app generally provides more options for tailoring your data views and setting personalized goals.
Q: Is the Jawbone Up still available for purchase?
A: Jawbone discontinued the Up line of fitness trackers in 2017. However, you may still find refurbished or used devices available online.