| Manufacturer | Google (Fitbit) |
|---|---|
| Type | Smartwatch |
| Series | Sense |
| Released | September 2022 |
| Price at launch | £219.99 / $299.95 |
| Predecessor | Fitbit Sense |
| Successor | None confirmed |
| Band size | Small (130mm to 180mm) and large (165mm to 220mm), both included in the box |
| Colours | Shadow Grey/Graphite Aluminium, Lunar White/Platinum Aluminium, Blue Mist/Soft Gold Aluminium |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Expert opinion | What’s new versus Fitbit Sense | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Sensors and health features | Software updates | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
The Fitbit Sense 2 positions itself as Fitbit’s ultimate health and wellness tracker. It excels at holistic body monitoring with its continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor for real-time stress tracking, an integrated ECG app, skin temperature tracking, and detailed sleep analysis, alongside a lightweight design with an updated tactile physical button and up to six days of battery life.
Google significantly downgraded its utility as a true smartwatch by stripping out third-party app support, Wi-Fi connectivity, and all music controls or offline storage, while basic Google utilities like Maps and Wallet were added strictly as bare-bones utilities. Its workout performance is held back by slow built-in GPS lock times, unreliable optical heart rate accuracy during dynamic exercise, a lack of external sensor support, and a paywall that locks long-term health trends behind a Google Health Premium subscription. The Sense 2 is a highly capable lifestyle and stress-management wearable for casual users, but tech-focused buyers wanting a full smartwatch experience or serious athletes needing robust training analysis are much better served by alternatives from Apple, Samsung or Garmin.
Google Fitbit Sense 2
Advanced health and fitness smartwatch
What’s new versus Fitbit Sense
Hardware
- A physical side button replaces the original Sense’s capacitive touch strip, which was prone to missed and phantom presses.
- The case is slimmer and roughly 15% lighter than the original Sense, with narrower bezels around the same 1.58in display.
Software
- A continuous EDA (cEDA) sensor replaces the original Sense’s manual EDA Scan app, which required placing a palm over the screen for around two minutes to take a single stress reading. The Sense 2 measures body response passively throughout the day.
- Google Assistant is removed. The Sense 2 supports Amazon Alexa only, where the original Sense let the wearer choose between Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Music controls are removed entirely. The original Sense supported Spotify and Deezer playback controls; the Sense 2 has none.
- Google Wallet and Google Maps are built in, both absent from the original Sense.
- Workout modes expand to 40+ under the newer Fitbit OS, though this update did not extend back to the original Sense.
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Type | AMOLED |
| Cover glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 40.5mm (L) x 40.5mm (W) x 11.2mm (H) |
| Weight | 37.64g |
| Materials | Flexible band, aluminium case and buckle |
| Water resistance | 50 metres (5 ATM, ISO 22810:2010) |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| Positioning | Built-in GPS and GLONASS |
| Heart rate | Multi-path optical heart rate sensor |
| Motion | 3-axis accelerometer |
| Elevation | Altimeter |
| Blood oxygen | Red and infrared SpO2 sensors |
| Skin temperature | Device temperature sensor, variation shown in the Google Health app |
| Electrical | cEDA sensor for continuous stress tracking, plus ECG app and EDA app compatible electrodes |
| Other | Ambient light sensor, vibration motor |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Connectivity, voice and storage | |
| Radio | Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
| Wi-Fi | Present in hardware but deactivated; cannot be turned on |
| Voice and audio | Speaker (75dB SPL at 10cm), microphone, Amazon Alexa built in |
| Sync range | Up to 30ft (9m) |
| On-device storage | 7 days of minute-by-minute motion data |
| Operating temperature | -10°C to 45°C |
Battery life
| Mode | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Typical use | 6+ days |
| Continuous GPS | Up to 5 hours |
| Quick charge | 12 minutes for 1 day of use |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Battery life and charge cycles vary with use, settings and other factors. The always-on display, SpO2 tracking and the cEDA sensor all require more frequent charging.
Features
The Sense 2 pairs with the Google Health app, which replaced the Fitbit app, and requires a Google account.
- Stress Management Score draws on the cEDA sensor for all-day body response tracking, alongside heart rate and skin temperature.
- ECG app checks heart rhythm for signs of atrial fibrillation, available in select countries.
- Sleep Score rates the previous night’s sleep.
- 40+ exercise modes cover running, cycling, weights, yoga and more, with live stats on the wrist.
- Menstrual health tracking logs periods and symptoms in the Google Health app.
- Google Wallet enables contactless payments from the wrist.
- Amazon Alexa handles voice queries, alarms and weather checks through the built-in speaker and microphone.
- Choose from hundreds of clock face designs, with up to 5 favourites stored on the wrist.
- Three months of Google Health Premium are included at launch, unlocking AI-based coaching built with Gemini. It renews at £7.99 a month after the trial.
Sensors and health features
The cEDA, SpO2 and skin temperature sensors are not available in all countries and are not intended for medical diagnosis; Google positions them as wellbeing tools rather than clinical measurements. The ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notifications are restricted to select countries and are not intended for users under 22 or those with known arrhythmias, with heart rhythm data recorded only when the wearer is still or sleeping.
Advanced trend analytics for stress, sleep and SpO2 require a Google Health Premium subscription. The Sense 2 has no external sensor support, so heart rate accuracy during dynamic exercise depends entirely on the wrist-worn optical sensor.
Fitbit Sense 2 software updates
The current Fitbit Sense 2 software is version 220.31. The latest version was seen by 10 November 2026. This section is updated when Fitbit releases a new version.
| Current version | 220.31, seen by 10 November 2026 (Fitbit gives no release date). |
| Last update | 220.31, seen by 10 November 2026 (Fitbit gives no release date). |
Full version history, 1 release including betas and fixes
| Version | Type | Date | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 220.31 | Stable | By 10 November 2026 | Listed as the current firmware on Google’s Fitbit support page, which gives no release dates or notes. |
Version history is recorded from November 2026. See also known problems and fixes and Fitbit’s release notes for the current version.
Quick answers
When was the Google Fitbit Sense 2 released?
Google released the Fitbit Sense 2 in September 2022. The launch price was GBP 219.99 or USD 299.95.
Is the Fitbit Sense 2 waterproof?
Sense 2 is water resistant to 50 metres, rated 5 ATM under ISO 22810:2010.
What is the Fitbit Sense 2 battery life?
Google quotes 6+ days of typical use and up to 5 hours of continuous GPS. A 12-minute charge gives a day of use.
Does the Fitbit Sense 2 have ECG?
Yes, Sense 2 has an ECG app that checks heart rhythm for signs of atrial fibrillation, available in select countries.
Does the Fitbit Sense 2 have music?
No, Sense 2 has no music controls and no offline music storage.
What size and weight is the Fitbit Sense 2?
Sense 2 measures 40.5 x 40.5 x 11.2mm and weighs 37.64g. Small and large bands are both included in the box.
Further reading
- Fitbit Versa 4 specifications
- Fitbit Charge 6 specifications
- Google Fitbit specifications
- All specifications
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin with any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafing stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable arches, perfect position. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Health, recovery and sleep
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet. Occasional use.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors. I use it.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used. Occasional use.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions. I use both.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
- Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides.
- Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash.
- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home via Starling. I use it.
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