Apple Watch Series 5 vs Fitbit Sense 2
The Apple Watch Series 5 and the Fitbit Sense 2 sit in the same everyday smartwatch class, but Apple and Fitbit don’t always agree on what matters most. There is a favorite. The Fitbit Sense 2 beats the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2 of 4 areas, and battery life is its biggest advantage. The Fitbit Sense 2 launched $99 lower than the Apple Watch Series 5, so every advantage on the pricier side has to earn its keep.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Fitbit Sense 2 wins
- Battery Life Fitbit Sense 2 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Series 5 wins
- Price Fitbit Sense 2 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors4.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity10.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors7.1
- Smart Features & Connectivity5.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Fitbit Sense 2 has 700% more rated battery life
It’s a lopsided result (6 days for the Fitbit Sense 2, 18 h for the Apple Watch Series 5) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
-
The Apple Watch Series 5 has a cellular option
Some features are nice extras; for some people, a cellular option is a deal-breaker. Only the Apple Watch Series 5 has it. A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
-
The Fitbit Sense 2 has blood-oxygen readings
The Fitbit Sense 2 brings blood-oxygen readings, and the Apple Watch Series 5 has no equivalent. Blood-oxygen readings can add context to sleep tracking and to training at altitude.
-
The Fitbit Sense 2 has skin-temperature sensing
This is a feature gap rather than a spec gap: the Apple Watch Series 5 simply lacks it. The Fitbit Sense 2 includes a temperature sensor, which feeds into its health trends; the Apple Watch Series 5 does without.
Design & Size
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Fitbit Sense 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.29 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on display. Both cover display well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Fitbit Sense 2 leads
It’s a narrow one, but the health & fitness sensors round goes to the Fitbit Sense 2. The Fitbit Sense 2 delivers blood-oxygen readings. Wrist-based blood-oxygen data is a wellness indicator rather than a medical measurement, so treat it as a trend. For health & fitness sensors, the Fitbit Sense 2 is the one to beat.
Blood oxygen
Apple Watch Series 5: no Fitbit Sense 2: yes The Fitbit Sense 2 can take blood-oxygen readings; the Apple Watch Series 5 can’t.
Skin temperature
Apple Watch Series 5: no Fitbit Sense 2: yes Temperature data is most useful over weeks, so it rewards people who wear their watch to bed.
Battery Life
Fitbit Sense 2 leads
The Fitbit Sense 2 wins the battery life section decisively. Point to the Fitbit Sense 2 for 700% more rated battery life. The Fitbit Sense 2 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends. Bottom line for battery life: the Fitbit Sense 2 has the edge.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Series 5: 18 h Fitbit Sense 2: 6 days Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 5 leads
The Fitbit Sense 2 keeps it close on smart features & connectivity, yet the Apple Watch Series 5 holds a small lead. On its side, the Apple Watch Series 5 has a cellular option. Cellular models usually cost more and need a plan, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the freedom. On smart features & connectivity alone, the Apple Watch Series 5 gets the nod.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Series 5: yes Fitbit Sense 2: no With the Apple Watch Series 5, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Fitbit Sense 2 depends on it for connectivity.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Fitbit Sense 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED | Color AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 368 x 448 | N/A (not specified) |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Fitbit Sense 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | No | Yes (winner) |
| Skin temperature | No | Yes (winner) |
| GPS | Built-in GPS/GNSS | Built-in GPS + GLONASS |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Fitbit Sense 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 6 days (winner) |
| Charging | Magnetic charging cable | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Fitbit Sense 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S5 | N/A (not specified) |
| Storage | 32 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| Cellular option | Yes (winner) | No |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | iPhone and Android |
| Software | watchOS | Fitbit OS |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Fitbit Sense 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.29 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Fitbit Sense 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $399 | $300 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
A launch price gap of 33% is hard to ignore, and in this case it amounts to $99 in favor of the Fitbit Sense 2. The Fitbit Sense 2 is both $99 cheaper and ahead on more of the specs we compared.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2022. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 5 if…
- you want a cellular option
- you prefer staying with Apple
Choose the Fitbit Sense 2 if…
- you want the longer rated battery life (6 days vs 18 h)
- you want blood-oxygen readings
- you track sleep and recovery trends closely
- you don’t need the extras that cost $99 more
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Apple Watch Series 5 or the Fitbit Sense 2?
We’d point most buyers to the Fitbit Sense 2. The main exception is if your top priority is a cellular option.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Series 5 or the Fitbit Sense 2?
On paper, the Fitbit Sense 2 has the edge: 6 days of rated battery life against 18 h for the Apple Watch Series 5. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the Apple Watch Series 5 cheaper than the Fitbit Sense 2?
The Apple Watch Series 5 launched at $99 more than the Fitbit Sense 2, based on prices as of September 2022.
Executive Summary
The Apple Watch Series 5 versus the Fitbit Sense 2 is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Apple and Fitbit made different bets. What tips it for me is that the Fitbit Sense 2 has 700% more rated battery life. Beyond that, blood-oxygen readings gives the Fitbit Sense 2 another edge. Fairness check: the Apple Watch Series 5 does come with a cellular option.
I think of the Apple Watch Series 5 as the one for smart features & connectivity and the Fitbit Sense 2 as the one for health & fitness sensors.
My pick: I think most people will be happier with the Fitbit Sense 2, unless you’d trade the rest for a cellular option.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.