When you buy the Fitbit Air, it comes with a standard fabric band called the Performance Loop. It’s simple, fuss-free, and incredibly comfortable.

But it’s definitely sporty. If you’re keen to change things up and wear your Fitbit Air to evening soirées and dinners with dignitaries, you can splash out an extra $50 to buy the much flashier Elevated Band.

For the last few weeks, I’ve worn my Fitbit Air with the Elevated Band, ensuring the world knows I’m not just gym-ready, but red carpet-ready, too. Was it worth the $50?

Fitbit products and history

Trivia challenge

From step counts to smartwatches — how well do you really know Fitbit and its iconic devices?

In what year was Fitbit founded?

What was the name of Fitbit's very first wearable fitness tracker, released in 2009?

Which tech giant acquired Fitbit in January 2021?

Which Fitbit device was the first to feature a built-in GPS?

What is the name of Fitbit's health and wellness subscription service, launched in 2020?

The Fitbit Versa 2 introduced which virtual assistant feature?

Which Fitbit model was the first to receive an ECG (electrocardiogram) app for detecting atrial fibrillation?

The Fitbit Ionic smartwatch was discontinued by Fitbit in 2022. What was the primary reason given for the recall?

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Does the Elevated Band elevate the Fitbit Air?

Yes, but there’s a catch

The Elevated Band is Google’s attempt to dress up the Fitbit Air. It comes in Moonstone, Obsidian, and Porcelain colors, and is made of polyurethane with a stainless-steel buckle and clasp.

It costs $50, which is more expensive than the other optional Fitbit Air band, the $35 silicone Active band. The Fitbit Air’s module clips into the Elevated Band, just as it does with the other bands.

Polyurethane is a posh word for plastic, and the Elevated Band’s smooth surface makes it look less sporty than the fabric or silicone band.

The underside has a ribbed texture that keeps the clasp in place and the band itself stable on your wrist.

Before we go further, it’s important to state the Elevated Band is the smarter-looking option for the Fitbit Air. If you don’t dress sportily, wear jewelry, or don’t want to advertise your sportiness, it’s a decent alternative to the standard one.

However, while it meets the criteria visually, it stumbles when it comes to comfort.

It’s not all good news

The material just isn’t good enough

I’ve worn the Fitbit Air with the Performance Loop band since the beginning, and it’s excellent. The fabric is soft and flexible, the hook-and-eye fixing system is highly adjustable, and the whole package is light and comfortable.

The Elevated Band is different. The polyurethane isn’t very flexible, and even after a week of wearing it 24 hours a day, it still hasn’t fully conformed to the shape of my wrist.

This stiffness also means the band often sits proud of the main module, and can stop the heart rate monitor from pressing against your wrist.

I’ve noticed the Fitbit Air hasn’t measured my blood oxygen levels overnight several times since switching to the Elevated Band, something which did not happen when I used the Performance Loop band.

The clasp slips over the band and doesn’t move around, but there’s a lack of quick and easy adjustability. If you exercise regularly and want the Fitbit Air tight against your wrist, the Performance Loop makes this easier and more comfortable.

Unfortunately, the Elevated Band also wobbles around, and you will notice you’re wearing the Fitbit Air more than with the standard Performance Loop band.

Is it worth buying?

Look for cheaper alternatives first

The Elevated Band’s slightly more stylish appearance makes it suitably different to the fitness-focused Performance Loop and Active Band.

It could be purchased as a once-in-a-while alternative to the sportier options, but for me, I know I’d quickly go back to wearing the Performance Loop, and then not be bothered to change it out for the Elevated Band.

The minimal style benefits aren’t enough to overcome the issues with the material. What a shame Google didn’t make the polyurethane softer and more supple. Not only would it have made the band fit better, but it would have felt more luxurious.

Before you spend your $50 on Google’s Elevated Band, spend some time on Amazon and other similar sites. There are dozens of third-party options available, all for a lot less than the Google versions. Sure, they’re a risk, but a much cheaper one.