Last Updated on July 24, 2022 by Senior Editor
The Fitbit Inspire is the latest fitness tracker to join the rich list of Fitbit’s fitness-focused wearables, and the Inspire is available in two models; the Inspire HR and Inspire. The main difference between these two is that the Inspire HR going by its name has a heart rate sensor which the Inspire lacks. As a result, the Inspire HR has more activity tracking features than the Inspire which we have detailed below. In this guide, we take a look at the differences between these two to help make the right choice.
Fitbit Inspire vs Inspire HR Specifications Compared
| Product Info |
 Fitbit Inspire Specifications, Features and Price |
 Fitbit Inspire HR Specifications, Features and Price |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $109.00 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Fitbit Inspire | Fitbit Inspire HR |
| Device type | Fitness smartband | Fitness smartband |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Release date | March, 2019 | March, 2019 |
| Predecessor | — | — |
| Successor | — | — |
| Versions | — | — |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 37 x 16.7 x 12.6 mm | 37 x 16.7 x 12.6 mm |
| Weight | 20g | 20g |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
| Case material | Plastic Resin | Plastic Resin |
| Strap material | Elastomer | Silicone |
| Bezel material | Plastic Resin | Plastic Resin |
| Strap size | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) |
| Interchangeable strap | Yes | Yes |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | — | — |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Black, Sangria | Black, Lilac, White |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.4 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Display type | Monochrome, OLED | Monochrome, OLED |
| Display resolution | 126 x 36 px | 126 x 36 px |
| Pixel density | — | — |
| Always on | No | No |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | 1 Physical button, Touchscreen | 1 Physical button, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.0 | Bluetooth v4.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No |
| GPS | No | (connected GPS), No |
| NFC | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | — | — |
| ROM | — | — |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None |
| Band | — | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
| Reply to Notifications | - | - |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | No | No |
| Bluetooth music | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | No |
| Microphone | No | No |
| Camera | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Sensor(s) | Vibration motor | Vibration motor |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | No | No |
| Blood Pressure | No | No |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No | No |
| Heart rate monitoring | No | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | No | No |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max | — | — |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | No | No |
| On-screen workout | No | No |
| Sport modes | No | 15 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
| Battery capacity | — | — |
| Battery life | Regular: 5 days+, Standby: 8 days+ | Regular: 5 days+, Standby: 8 days+ |
| Charging type | Charging dock | Charging dock |
| Charging time | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Solar charging | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | — | — |
| CPU | — | — |
| GPU | — | — |
| Operating system | Fitbit OS | Fitbit OS |
| MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Fitbit App | Fitbit App |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Payment system | None | None |
| Voice command | No | No |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Fitbit Inspire, Manual, Straps | Charger, Fitbit Inspire HR, Manual, Straps |
Which is Better?
- DESIGN AND DISPLAY:
- ACTIVITY TRACKING:
Both the Inspire and Inspire HR have same appearance, and the design is the same except for the difference in available colors. Each of the two has a 1.4 inches display size powered by a monochrome OLED display. Both trackers also have a touch-sensitive screen.
The main difference between Inspire and Inspire HR comes in their respective activity tracking capabilities.
- While each of these two is equipped to track your daily activities such as steps, distance, active minutes, calories burned, automatic recognition for select sport modes, menstrual cycle logging via the Fitbit app, and sleep tracking, the Inspire lacks a heart rate sensor, and as a result, is unable to track your sleep stages and heart rate. The Inspire HR can track your sleep stages, it will track your heart rate 24/7 as well as track your heart rate zones and resting heart rate.
- Moreover, the Inspire HR will give you a fitness score based on your fitness level.
- Furthermore, while each of these two lacks a built-in GPS, only the Inspire HR can track your routes and locations when you carry your phone along. In other words, Fitbit Inspire lacks connected GPS functionality.
- The Inspire HR features a breathing app that can guide you through a breathing session when you’re stressed. There is no breathing app on the Fitbit Inspire.
- The Inspire HR also features a sedentary reminder that reminds you to move when you sit idle for too long. This isn’t present on the Fitbit Inspire.
- Moreover, with the Inspire HR, you get 15 preloaded workout modes to choose from which are not present on the Fitbit Inspire.
VERDICT: Although these two are great choices for keeping tab on your fitness goals, the Inspire HR being more equipped with a heart rate sensor is a more comprehensive activity tracker and is clearly a better choice.