When you buy the Fitbit Air, it comes with a standard fabric band called the Performance Loop. It’s simple, fuss-free, and incredibly comfortable.
But it’s definitely sporty. If you’re keen to change things up and wear your Fitbit Air to evening soirées and dinners with dignitaries, you can splash out an extra $50 to buy the much flashier Elevated Band.
For the last few weeks, I’ve worn my Fitbit Air with the Elevated Band, ensuring the world knows I’m not just gym-ready, but red carpet-ready, too. Was it worth the $50?
Fitbit products and history
Trivia challenge
From step counts to smartwatches — how well do you really know Fitbit and its iconic devices?
HistoryProductsHealthFeaturesWearables
In what year was Fitbit founded?
Correct! Fitbit was founded in 2007 by James Park and Eric Friedman in San Francisco. The company officially launched its first product, the Fitbit Tracker, at a TechCrunch conference in 2008.
Not quite. Fitbit was founded in 2007 by James Park and Eric Friedman. Despite being founded that year, the company didn’t release its first wearable tracker until the following year in 2008.
What was the name of Fitbit’s very first wearable fitness tracker, released in 2009?
Correct! The original Fitbit Tracker was a small clip-on device released in 2009. It could track steps, distance, calories burned, and even sleep patterns, which was groundbreaking at the time.
Not quite. The first Fitbit product was simply called the Fitbit Tracker. It was a small clip-on device that tracked steps, distance, calories, and sleep — a remarkable feature set for 2009.
Which tech giant acquired Fitbit in January 2021?
Correct! Google completed its acquisition of Fitbit in January 2021 for approximately $2.1 billion. The deal faced significant regulatory scrutiny over privacy concerns before it was finally approved.
Not quite. It was Google that acquired Fitbit in January 2021 for around $2.1 billion. The acquisition was heavily scrutinized by regulators in the EU and elsewhere due to concerns about how Google might use Fitbit’s vast health data.
Which Fitbit device was the first to feature a built-in GPS?
Correct! The Fitbit Surge, released in 2014, was Fitbit’s first device to include built-in GPS. It was marketed as a ‘fitness superwatch’ and also featured continuous heart rate monitoring and smartphone notifications.
Not quite. The Fitbit Surge, launched in 2014, was the first Fitbit device with built-in GPS. It was a major step forward for the brand, offering runners and outdoor athletes real-time pace and route tracking without needing a phone.
What is the name of Fitbit’s health and wellness subscription service, launched in 2020?
Correct! Fitbit Premium launched in 2020, offering advanced health insights, guided programs, sleep analysis, and mindfulness content for a monthly fee. It integrates deeply with the Fitbit app to give users a more personalised health picture.
Not quite. The service is called Fitbit Premium, and it launched in 2020. It provides subscribers with deeper health metrics, personalised insights, sleep tools, and guided wellness programs beyond what the free Fitbit app offers.
The Fitbit Versa 2 introduced which virtual assistant feature?
Correct! The Fitbit Versa 2, released in 2019, was the first Fitbit device to include Amazon Alexa built in. Users could ask Alexa questions, set alarms, and control smart home devices directly from their wrist.
Not quite. The Fitbit Versa 2 integrated Amazon Alexa, not Google Assistant or any other voice assistant. This was a notable partnership, allowing users to interact with Alexa hands-free right from their smartwatch.
Which Fitbit model was the first to receive an ECG (electrocardiogram) app for detecting atrial fibrillation?
Correct! The Fitbit Sense, launched in 2020, was the first Fitbit device to offer an ECG app. It could detect signs of atrial fibrillation, a potentially serious heart condition, helping position Fitbit as a serious health monitoring device.
Not quite. The original Fitbit Sense, released in 2020, was the pioneer here. It brought an ECG app capable of screening for atrial fibrillation, alongside other advanced sensors like an EDA sensor for stress tracking.
The Fitbit Ionic smartwatch was discontinued by Fitbit in 2022. What was the primary reason given for the recall?
Correct! In March 2022, Fitbit recalled the Ionic smartwatch due to reports that the lithium-ion battery could overheat, posing a burn hazard to wearers. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission was involved, and Fitbit offered a $299 refund to affected customers.
Not quite. The Fitbit Ionic was recalled in 2022 because its battery could overheat and cause burns to the skin. The recall involved over one million units worldwide, and Fitbit offered a $299 refund as part of the settlement with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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Does the Elevated Band elevate the Fitbit Air?
Yes, but there’s a catch
The Elevated Band is Google’s attempt to dress up the Fitbit Air. It comes in Moonstone, Obsidian, and Porcelain colors, and is made of polyurethane with a stainless-steel buckle and clasp.
It costs $50, which is more expensive than the other optional Fitbit Air band, the $35 silicone Active band. The Fitbit Air’s module clips into the Elevated Band, just as it does with the other bands.
Polyurethane is a posh word for plastic, and the Elevated Band’s smooth surface makes it look less sporty than the fabric or silicone band.
The underside has a ribbed texture that keeps the clasp in place and the band itself stable on your wrist.
Before we go further, it’s important to state the Elevated Band is the smarter-looking option for the Fitbit Air. If you don’t dress sportily, wear jewelry, or don’t want to advertise your sportiness, it’s a decent alternative to the standard one.
However, while it meets the criteria visually, it stumbles when it comes to comfort.
It’s not all good news
The material just isn’t good enough
I’ve worn the Fitbit Air with the Performance Loop band since the beginning, and it’s excellent. The fabric is soft and flexible, the hook-and-eye fixing system is highly adjustable, and the whole package is light and comfortable.
The Elevated Band is different. The polyurethane isn’t very flexible, and even after a week of wearing it 24 hours a day, it still hasn’t fully conformed to the shape of my wrist.
This stiffness also means the band often sits proud of the main module, and can stop the heart rate monitor from pressing against your wrist.
I’ve noticed the Fitbit Air hasn’t measured my blood oxygen levels overnight several times since switching to the Elevated Band, something which did not happen when I used the Performance Loop band.
The clasp slips over the band and doesn’t move around, but there’s a lack of quick and easy adjustability. If you exercise regularly and want the Fitbit Air tight against your wrist, the Performance Loop makes this easier and more comfortable.
Unfortunately, the Elevated Band also wobbles around, and you will notice you’re wearing the Fitbit Air more than with the standard Performance Loop band.
Is it worth buying?
Look for cheaper alternatives first
The Elevated Band’s slightly more stylish appearance makes it suitably different to the fitness-focused Performance Loop and Active Band.
It could be purchased as a once-in-a-while alternative to the sportier options, but for me, I know I’d quickly go back to wearing the Performance Loop, and then not be bothered to change it out for the Elevated Band.
The minimal style benefits aren’t enough to overcome the issues with the material. What a shame Google didn’t make the polyurethane softer and more supple. Not only would it have made the band fit better, but it would have felt more luxurious.
Before you spend your $50 on Google’s Elevated Band, spend some time on Amazon and other similar sites. There are dozens of third-party options available, all for a lot less than the Google versions. Sure, they’re a risk, but a much cheaper one.
