Simple yet stylish, with a range of features at the very heart of their design, Fitbit Ace 2 and Ace 3 are comfortable and practical kids’ fitness trackers worth their salt.
But how do they compare? And, which model should you buy for your child?
Well, here’s the deal:
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and equally improved version of the original Ace, Fitbit Ace 2 is an ideal choice.
But if you want your child to wear a fitness tracker with an improved battery life, brighter screen, multiple fun challenges, and water protection, go for Fitbit Ace 3.
Fitbit Ace 2 Vs Ace 3 Comparison Chart
At a first glance, Fitbit Ace 2 and Ace 3 looks almost identical. It’s only until you start to dig deeper that you notice quite some significant differences between the two models.
Here’s a comparison chart showing the similarities and differences between the two devices:
| Fitbit Ace 2 | Fitbit Ace 3 | |
 |  | |
| Display | AMOLED touchscreen | PMOLED touchscreen |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM rated | 5 ATM rated |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 days | Up to 8 days |
| Sensors | 3-axis accelerometer and vibrating motor | 3-axis accelerometer and vibrating motor |
| Tracking | Bedtime reminders, sleep tracking, 60 minutes workout, reminder to move | Bedtime reminders, sleep tracking, 60 minutes workout, reminder to move |
| Compatibility | Android 7 and Apple 12.2 or higher | Android 7 and Apple 12.2 or higher |
| Suitability | For kids 6 years old | For kids 6+ years old |
| Price | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
Fitbit Ace 2 vs Ace 3: How These Fitness Trackers Compare
It first started with Ace for the kid’s Fitbit series. But the Alta lookalike didn’t cut it for the younger nearly as much.
The introduction of Ace 2 saw significant changes to the origin model, which, in my opinion, demonstrates that Fitbit takes kids activity and fitness tracking seriously.
As if Fitbit Ace 2 wasn’t a good enough improvement of the original model, Fitbit released the Ace 3, a partial overhaul with enhanced features to help kids grow their passion for health and fitness.
Here’s how the Ace 2 and Ace 3 compare:
Fitbit Ace 2 and Ace 3 Design
Both Ace 2 and 3 are stylish and practical fitness trackers with slim and adjustable bands that fit on kids with small wrists as well as youngster with growing hands.
Ace 2 has a rectangular display and the Ace 3 features a rounded edge, but it’s unlikely that screen size modification sacrifices the Ace 3’s display real estate.
Your child can navigate Ace 2 by pressing the button on the left or by tapping on the OLED touchscreen display. The Ace 3 doesn’t feature a button, but its PMOLED display is so responsive to touches that it makes the tracker easy to navigate.
Although we all would have loved a color display for both devices, the black and white screen contrast quite well, with the Ace 3 having a more brighter screen for better visibility.
Ace 2 and Ace 3 earn top scores for the comfortable bands.
The bands feel soft to touch. And when wrapped around the wrist, your child can have either devices on their non-dominant wrist for longer.
You’ll love how easy the band is to adjust. And if you feel like your child could use some customization, you can get some replaceable bands for some personalization.
Fitness and Activity Tracking
When it comes to activity and fitness tracking, Fitbit Ace 2 and Ace 3 monitor pretty much the same metrics.
They can count steps and active minutes, teach kids the concept of time, and vibrate to remind them that it’s time to get 60 minutes of physical exercise.
Both fitness trackers feature the 3-axis accelerator technology, which counts steps more accurately. Beyond step tracking, the accelerator comes in handy when skipping, jumping, and running.
Both fitness watches fall into the class of waterproof Fitbits with 5 ATM rating.
While the brand bases the water resistance test on simulation rather than an actual child swimming with the device up to 50 meters deep, the device an stand up to such an immense pressure just fine.
The Fitbit’s sleep tracking technology is also present in the Ace 2 and 3. However, it’s disappointing that kids can’t see their sleep stats on the watch.
And given that they can’t have their own account until they’re 12 years of age, the only way to check their sleep data is via the family account in the Fitbit app.
A concept that I love about the two fitness watches is the integration of bedtime reminders, which tells your child that it’s time to get ready to go to bed. Add to this the vibrating alarm, and what your child gets is a device that can help them develop healthy sleeping habits and time management skills.
Fitbit Ace 2 vs Fitbit Ace 3: Motivation
In a world where you can raise your child into anything you want, wellness should be right at the top of your list.
And by introducing them to the world of fitness tracking with Fitbit Ace 2 or Fitbit Ace 3, they can develop an active lifestyle without force.
Here’s why:
First, the Reminder to Move function encourages kids to get out of their sedentary comfort and feed some steps. With this technology alone, getting about 60 minutes of physical activity isn’t difficult at all.
Second, the animated clock faces, which grow as kids move, is another feature that can motivate kids to feed the fitness watch with more steps every day.
Fitbit goes even as far as to integrate the option of family interaction in both models. And to me that’s something that stands out.
Imagine getting an entire family involved in step competition, with the option to send cheers and motivating messages upon hitting milestones. Your children will more than likely want to wear their Ace 2 or Ace 3 every second of the day.
Battery Life
A long battery life is one of the hardware design aspects that makes Fitbit wearable devices exceptional.
If you read my Fitbit and Apple Watch comparison, you’ll realize that a Fitbit can last more than 18 hours in standard mode, making them a better if you prefer a longer runtime on a single charge.
Fitbit Ace 2 and Ace 3 have a decent battery life.
In testing, the Ace 2 battery runs for nearly 5 days on a single charge. If you kid owns this, it means they will never have to bring a charger with them to school or become overly disappointed with battery drainage.
The Fitbit Ace 3 is even better. The improved battery can run for up to 8 days on a single charge. That’s 3 additional days of uninterrupted activity and fitness tracking for your child.
If you want your child to wear a Fitbit with the best battery life, get them the Ace 3.
Note that the charging mechanism differs for both devices.
Fitbit Ace 2 offers a magnetic charger option that effectively reduces the risk of falling. Fitbit Ace 3 uses a second-generation charger equipped with clips that pose the risk of slipping, but its biggest win is that it keeps charge for longer.
Price
It’s a common trend for a newly released smartwatch or fitness tracker to cost more than the previous model.
But Fitbit has a different pricing culture altogether.
Apparently, Fitbit Ace 2 is more expensive than the Ace 3.
I expected that the improved display, extended battery life, and all-day activity tracking would make the Ace 3 more expensive. But it’s about $10 cheaper, making it an impressive choice considering the price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Fitbit Ace 2 Suitable for 12-year-old?
The Ace 2 is suitable for kids aged six years and above, and it can work perfectly for teenagers and children at 12 years.
A twelve-year-old can use the watch well because they understand the features built into the watch, not to mention that they don’t need guidance to explore the watch.
2. Does Fitbit Ace 2 Have GPS?
The Fitbit Ace 2 does not have a GPS. There is also no option to use the connected GPS system.
So if you need a device that your child can use to determine distance covered and even map routes, look past Ace 2.
3. Is Fitbit Ace 3 Only for Kids?
There are rewards and challenges in Fitbit Ace 3 that encourage children to continue with their physical activities.
However, you can use the device to track activities as an adult in a similar way or change the display to suit a mature view.
Related Wearable Comparisons
- Fitbit vs Letscom Fitness Tracker: Why The Later is Obsolete
- Comparing Apple Watch and Fitbit Smartwatches
- Fitbit vs Google Fit: How the Two Apps Compare
Final Thoughts
Fitbit Ace 2 and Ace 3 may not have features such as heart rate sensors and stress management tools.
But what your child gets for the price point is good enough.
The major difference between the two is that the Ace 3 has an improved display and a decent battery life. Also, the price point went down, as you can get it at roughly $10 less the price of Ace 2.
Everything else stays the same.
