A Fitbit Air user has found out the hard way that the tracker doesn't mix
well with one particular substance
Date:
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:10:27 +0000
Description:
If you're heading into the great outdoors with your Fitbit Air, maybe take heed of this tale of woe.
FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Real-life experiment shows bug spray can kill Fitbit Airs It's to do with the chemicals inside the repellent Spray carefully, as you won't be covered under warranty Here at TechRadar we've been rather impressed by what the Fitbit Air has to offer , but one unfortunate user has found out the hard way that you shouldn't use bug spray when the fitness tracker is wrapped around your wrist.
The problematic incident was recorded on Reddit (via Phandroid ), and it
seems that a thorough and protective application of bug spray has eaten into the plastic component of the Fitbit Air, stopping it from functioning. "Went on a hike this weekend with my Fitbit Air," reads the original Reddit post. "I've had it for 14 days now, and I found out that bug spray will destroy it. I had put some on the cuffs of my hiking shirt and it transferred over to the device and broke down the plastic." Latest Videos From Watch full video here:
To make matters worse, the user reports that the same fate befell his wife's Fitbit too (though it's not clear if that's also a Fitbit Air). The original post ends with a recommendation to "save your cash for something built better". Little sympathy Fitbit air and bug spray don't mix from r/fitbit The Reddit detectives went straight to work, determining that it was likely the chemical DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) causing the problem. It's widely used in insect repellents, and is pretty harsh on plastics as well as bugs. You may like Google Fitbit Air vs Whoop: Should you get Fitbit's new screenless tracker? Google Fitbit Air review: The affordable Whoop
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And sympathy seems to be in short supply on the Reddit thread. "The documentation very clearly states that it shouldn't come in contact with sunscreens and bug sprays," writes one poster , while another says : "This is on you buddy."
Google isn't being particularly sympathetic either, telling the affected
user that the damage counts as environmental or accidental damage, and so isn't covered under the warranty. No replacement Fitbit Air will be forthcoming in this case. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
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There have been other stories like this in recent days , so it seems a substantial number of people aren't aware about the damage that insect repellent can do. As ever, always read the small print on both your fitness trackers and your bug sprays. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Today's best fitness tracker deals Oura Ring 5 399 View Prime Day See all prices Google Fitbit Air 49.99 View See all prices Apple Watch SE 3 219 View See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/fitness-trackers/a-fitbit-air-user-ha s-found-out-the-hard-way-that-the-tracker-doesnt-mix-well-with-one-particular- substance
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