Is The Charge 5 Fitbit Waterproof?

Using a fitness tracking watch is a great way to track activity levels and health stats. A popular brand of such watch is the Charge 5 by Fitbit. This watch is a smartwatch that can track fitness, has an ECG reader, can pair with a phone, and offer news alerts. It is an intuitive piece many people love. When exercising, though, they often wonder, is the Charge 5 Fitbit waterproof?

The Fitbit Charge 5 is not waterproof but water-resistant. You can swim and shower with it. When submerged in up to 50 meters of water for short periods, it should function properly without causing any long-term damage to the device and its functionality.

Despite the temptation to take a quick dip in the lake or take the Fitbit into the shower, it is important to understand the Fitbit and its water-resistance rating. You will discover more about how the rating can be applied to various situations in everyday life as you read on.

Waterproof Vs. Water-Resistant

It is important to note that water-resistant does not necessarily mean waterproof. In fact, many people mistakenly believe that most water-resistant items are waterproof. It is important to note that if a user mistakes water-resistant for waterproof, they may find themselves out of a brand new watch, tablet, or phone relatively quickly.

Waterproof means that an object can be completely submerged in water and not suffer the effects of water damage. It is completely dry and free of water particles when removed from the water. If a water or moisture test was conducted on the device, it should test negative.

Water-resistant, on the other hand, does not mean waterproof. This is a method used to test the amount of pressure a device can stand up to when submerged in water. It is measured in a laboratory through a pressure test. The device is submerged in 10cm of water for one hour as it is constantly subjected to static water pressure. If it makes it, it is given this term.

Can I Swim with the Charge 5 by Fitbit?

Quite a few users have asked if they can swim with the Charge 5 Fitbit. In addition to being a good exercise for cardiovascular health, swimming is also great for building muscle. Those who are interested in swimming will be glad to know that they can use their Fitbit Charge 5 to go swimming. This is because the Fitbit Charge 5 is water-resistant up to 50 meters. 

After swimming, you should remove the Fitbit Charge 5 by Fitbit and dry it off afterward if it has been wet. Make sure to pay attention to the bands and make sure they are thoroughly dried. A wet watchband can rub on the skin over time and cause a rash or skin infection due to constant friction. Additionally, a wet band can begin to deteriorate over time.

Can I Shower with the Charge 5 by Fitbit?

After a long day of exercising, it can be tempting to just jump straight into a shower. This is because most people are sweaty, hot, or dirty from the activity they were partaking in. Showers after an exercise are also refreshing and a great way to cool off, but can you wear the Charge 5 by Fitbit into the shower?

The answer is yes; a user can wear the Charge 5 by Fitbit into the shower. This is again because it is rated as water-resistant up to 50 meters. It is recommended to avoid binging the Fitbit into contact with soap. Soap has a different chemical makeup, and it can cause the chips and hardware inside the Fitbit to malfunction if it comes into contact with it.

Following a shower, it is also important to wipe down the watch and the band. Doing so prevents the water from causing skin irritation or infection. In addition to preventing discoloration of the watchband, it also prevents any metal parts on the band that are not water-resistant from rusting.

You might also be wondering, if water and soap can deteriorate the band, how can you clean it? There are special ways to clean different Charge 5 bands.

Other Water Safe Scenarios

The Earth is made of 71% water. This means that we are naturally surrounded by water wherever we go. We will likely encounter other scenarios with a Charge 5 by Fitbit that will require the user to get their watch wet. Here are some other common watch safe water scenarios:

• A day at the beach
• Shallow water scuba diving
• A swim at a lake or pond
• Kayaking and canoeing
• White water rafting
• Waterpark fun
• Jumping in puddles
• Exercising in the rain

As long as users stay outside of the 50-meter mark, they are likely to have a positive experience with their watch. It will not cause them trouble if they care for it properly after it gets wet as well.

Get Out, Get Wet

It is safe to get your Charge 5 by Fitbit a little wet every now and then. Just remember to care for it properly after the fact. You can always grab a waterproof case or take it off and track your swim another way when in doubt. The options are endless.