I spent two weeks with the $99 Fitbit Air — here are my 3 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve been living with the Fitbit Air for two weeks now, and I’ve been impressed with the affordable screenless tracker. The Fitbit Air is a new, $99 device, taking on the likes of Whoop with its simplistic design. It’s designed for people like me who want to keep track of all their health and sleep, without the constant distraction of a buzzing wrist.Yet no fitness tracker is perfect, and after two weeks, here’s everything I love about the Fitbit Air, plus the things to consider before investing. For a more in-depth look, check out our Fitbit Air review here, as well as the results of my colleague Dan’s Fitbit Air vs Garmin Forerunner 70 walk test.3 reasons to buy the Fitbit Air It’s distraction-free I struggle to live in the moment, and the constant buzz of my Apple Watch 11 on my wrist doesn’t make it any easier. One of the huge selling points of the Fitbit Air is that it’s completely distraction-free, with no screen to stare at. The device fits neatly on your wrist and quietly collects data in the background.Like the Whoop or Oura Ring 5, a screenless device is only ever as good as its connected app, and the updated Fitbit app, now Google Health, is excellent. It’s simple and easy to use, and the Google Health Coach is the best AI health tool I’ve used, helping translate data into actionable advice.It’s extremely comfortable One of the first things I loved about the Fitbit Air was how lightweight and discreet it was on the wrist. The unit I got in for review came with the Performance Loop in Lavender, but you can also choose a hardy plastic Active Band.The sensor easily pops in and out of the band in seconds. The Performance Loop is extremely comfortable — it’s long enough to wear around the wrist or the top of my arm if I’m lifting weights in the gym, and it’s extremely comfortable and lightweight. My colleague Dan has reviewed all of the Fitbit Air bands here.A pet peeve of mine, as a female, is that sports watches in particular often feel like they’ve been designed for the male wrist. If you want the top tech and safety features, you’ll often have to choose a bulky device that just isn’t comfortable. The Fitbit Air, on the other hand, disappears, which is what you want from a screenless tracker.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.