Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa 3: Which is the best sports watch for you?

Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa 3: Which is the best sports watch for you?

If you're thinking about buying a fitness tracker, you may be torn between the Fitbit Versa 2 and the Fitbit Versa 3. Now that the Fitbit Versa 4 has come out, both of the above devices have very low prices, so now is the time perfect for getting on board, especially since the Versa 4 didn't score as highly as its previous iterations in our review. With their impressive set of features, the Versas 2 and 3 are likely to top your list of possible options. We are here to help you make the right decision.

It's not just that the Versa 3 is the best Fitbit for everyone. The Versa 2 is a few years older, but it has stood the test of time well and packs many features you'd expect to find in a modern smartwatch, including blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) tracking, music streaming, compatibility with Amazon Alexa and the ability to make contactless payments via NFC. Check out our Fitbit Versa 2 review for more here.

It also offers built-in music storage, which the new Versa 3 lacks, and is cheaper, which can be a deal breaker if your budget is tight.

Fitbit Versa 3

(Image credit: Fitbit)

More importantly, the Versa 3 has its own built-in GPS, which gives more accurate results than the Versa 2, which has to piggyback on your phone to track location. If you're training for your first running event, this could be what tips the scales in the Versa 3's favor. You can read our full Fitbit Versa 3 review for a full breakdown of this watch from feature-packed fitness.

Read on to learn about all the most important differences between the two devices, so you can make the right choice.

Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa 3: price and availability

Fitbit Versa 2 launched in September 2019 and is still available direct from Fitbit. It currently retails for $109.95 / £149.99 / AU$199.95, but there are still plenty of cheaper units available from third-party stores.

The Versa 3 launched in September 2020. It costs slightly more than the previous model in the US and UK, and is significantly more expensive in Australia.

As of this writing, the Versa 3 is available from Fitbit for $159.95 / £169.99 / AU$219.95, though you might be able to find a better price at a third-party store. We've rounded up the best deals below.

When you buy either watch, you can also sign up for a free trial of Fitbit Premium, which will give you additional features on the smartphone app, including access to more historical data, as well as meditation sessions led by Deepak Chopra and additional workouts. . Trials of the Versa 2 and Versa 3 run for six months, saving you around an extra $30 / £24 / AU$45 on top of the device.

Filter: 35mm AMOLED
Battery: Battery life of more than 6 days.
Music storage: 2,5 GB
Speaker: No
GPS: No

Fitbit Versa 2 is an oldie, but a gold one. With a touch button so popular it was brought back for the Versa 4, it also included on-device song memory, though the lack of onboard GPS limits its use when, say, you want to run phone-free.

For

Versus

Filter: AMOLED the 40 mm
The battery: Battery life for 6 days
Music storage: No
Speaker: Yes
GPS: GPS + GLONASS

The Fitbit Versa 3 provides an updated sensor network, menstrual health tracking, on-device Spotify controls (but not music storage), and more. It's a great upgrade from the 2, but it loses the touch button and the touch replacement can be difficult to use.

For

Versus

Fitbit Versa 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 3: Design

The Fitbit Versa 2 and Versa 3 look pretty similar at first glance, but there have been several updates.

For Versa 3, the company introduced new design principles, using curved shapes that it says are inspired by the human body. It's a more modern look overall, which can help tip the scales in your favor if design is one of your priorities.

In fact, the Versa 3 looks almost identical to the original Fitbit Sense, which launched at the same time, but has a noticeably different set of features, including a sensor that detects changes in skin conductivity, whether it's used for Estimate your stress. level.

Fitbit Versa 2

(Image credit: Fitbit)

Both Versa watches have a polymer case, with a smart aluminum bezel and soft silicone strap as standard, though the Versa 2 also comes in a special edition version with an additional jacquard woven strap included.

Whichever watch you buy, you'll get both small and large bands in the box, and you can shop for alternative models if you feel like switching up.

The Versa 2 is available in three colors:

The Versa 3 offers five color options:

Fitbit Versa 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 3: Screen

Both watches share the same square-shaped AMOLED display with rounded corners.

The Versa 2 has a 300 x 300 pixel resolution, while the Versa 3 has a 336 x 336 pixel resolution, which means it's capable of displaying more detailed graphics, sharper graphics, and more text at once (especially useful when receiving a smartphone). notifications).

Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa 3: Health and Fitness Features

The biggest difference between the two watches is that the Versa 3 has its own built-in GPS, while the Versa 2 has to use your phone's GPS receiver.

This means Versa 3 owners can run, bike or walk without their phone, and their route, distance and speed are always recorded during their workout.

Watches with built-in GPS also tend to give more accurate results than those that rely on a smartphone connection, making the Versa 3 a better choice if you're training for an event like the 5k or 10k, where every yard counts. For a more casual exercise, the Versa 2 will do.

Both the Versa 2 and Versa 3 feature 24/7 heart rate tracking, as well as all-day step tracking. They also have more than 20 dedicated training modes, as well as automatic tracking if they detect that you have started training without manually starting tracking.

They also monitor your sleep and give you a report on your sleep patterns and sleep quality in the Fitbit smartphone app each morning.

(*two*)

(Image credit: Fitbit)

Both watches can also track your breathing rate, but only the Versa 3 also includes a pre-installed app that offers guided breathing sessions.

Both the Versa 2 and Versa 3 offer blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, but it's worth noting that they only do this while you sleep, unlike some more advanced sports watches, which allow you to do a spot check. At any time.

It's not a medical tool, but it can be useful for checking for signs of conditions like sleep apnea (which causes you to briefly stop breathing during the night), which is worth talking to your doctor about. The Fitbit app can generate reports that you can share with your GP.

Fitbit Versa 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 3: Smartwatch Features

There are big differences between the Fitbit Versa 2 and Versa 3 when it comes to overall smartwatch functionality, which can make the new watch more appealing.

The Versa 2 and Versa 3 are compatible with Amazon Alexa, but the Versa 2 is also compatible with the Google Assistant, making it the best option if you've outfitted your home with Google Home smart devices.

There are also differences when it comes to music. Both watches let you control your Spotify playlist from your wrist (as long as you have a Spotify Premium subscription), and the Versa 3 also supports streaming from Deezer.

However, while the Fitbit Versa 2 can store up to 300 songs, the Fitbit Versa cannot. If you don't use a music streaming service, you can opt for the Versa 2.

Fitbit Versa 3

(Image credit: Fitbit)

Unlike the Versa 2, the Versa 3 lets you take calls on your wrist and send calls to voicemail if you're in the middle of a workout, as long as your phone is within Bluetooth range.

Both devices can receive app notifications and support contactless payments via Fitbit Pay, though it's worth checking that your bank is one of the supported ones. Apple Pay and Google Pay are much more compatible.

You can download additional apps for either watch through the Fitbit app store, accessible through the smartphone app.

Today's best Fitbit Versa 2 and Fitbit Versa 3 deals