Fitbit has also changed the strap mechanism – the same as in the Fitbit Sense – and we think it’s better than the mechanism on the Versa 2. A small button acts as a latch, which when pulled slightly down releases the clasp. It gives the watch a much more streamlined look and makes it remarkably easy to swap out the default sporty strap it comes with. The Fitbit Versa 3 has essentially the same design as the Fitbit Sense, with a large square display and rounded corners (Image credit: TechRadar) Design and display Watches with on-board 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 a 5k or 10k, where every meter matters. For more casual exercise, the Versa 2 will be fine. There are also differences when it comes to music. Both watches allow you to control your Spotify playlist from your wrist (provided you have a Spotify Premium subscription), and the Versa 3 also supports streaming from Deezer. At night, you'll want to enable sleep mode, which dims the display and mutes incoming calls and texts. If you sleep with someone else, you can set a silent alarm, so it will wake you with a gentle vibration on your wrist.

Based on this data, Fitbit provides a daily Sleep Score between 0-100. Most mornings my score landed in the 80s, although on one particularly restless night I landed in the 40s with hardly two hours of sleep under my belt (or covers.) Fitbit Versa 3 review: Smartwatch features The Versa 3 was released in September 2020. It costs a little more than the older model in the US and UK, and is substantially more expensive in Australia. That includes the presence of Alexa on your wrist. Trigger the Alexa app via a shortcut and you can ask your question to the virtual assistant, who will duly reply in text on the screen. Given Google is in the process of buying Fitbit at the moment, it’s no surprise that Google Assistant is also an option, but it’s not quite ready for showtime yet, with the company promising support later in the year. This article was originally published in December 2020. It was updated in September 2021 with the following changes. As with other recent devices like the Charge 4 and Sense, the Versa 3 can measure your SpO2 — or blood oxygen variation — while you sleep and display your results in the app on in an attractive watch face right on your wrist. Then with a tap, you can transition from SpO2 to step count, to heart rate, to Active Zone Minutes, to floors climbed. Pretty cool, and very useful and readable.

Fitbit Versa 3 review: The verdict

Despite that, performance is excellent, as we've come to expect from Fitbit devices. Battery life is about six days on a dim screen setting, but it drops to half that if you have the display set to always-on. GPS isn't as pinpoint accurate as on some other bands we've reviewed, but for the average user that won’t matter very much. The heart rate monitor is now a bit more precise than the Versa 2, but without a chest strap to compare, it’s hard to judge exactly how accurate it is. The haptic side "button" is a clever solution to streamline and waterproof the device, but it can be a bit hit or miss in everyday use. Whichever watch you buy, you’ll get both small and large bands in the box, and you can buy alternative designs if you feel like a change. Like the more expensive Sense smartwatch, the Versa 3 can measure your SpO2 and skin temperature from your wrist. The Google Assistant is actually much more responsive on the Versa 3 than on other smartwatches. Couple that with the better fitness suite, and you've no reason to even look at a WearOS device.

Another great option to consider is the new Garmin Venu Sq. It sports many of the same health sensors as the Versa 3, and many users swear that the Garmin ecosystem is the best for fitness fanatics. Plus, it's a bit more affordable than the Versa 3. Alternatively, the newer Venu 2 is a more premium counter to the Versa 3, though it's priced accordingly.

On the right edge of the watch chassis is a tiny mic and a speaker which, in theory, should allow you to take calls. To charge a Fitbit, you will need to connect the charging cable to the device and then plug the other end into a power source, such as a computer or wall outlet. Some Fitbit models come with a wireless charging pad that you can use to charge the device by placing it on the pad. How accurate is a Fitbit heart rate monitor? There’s also a lot more fitness monitoring features on the Versa 3, making the on-device interface a lot busier than what was available on the Versa 2 at launch. There are ways to manage them all, but they do take time to get used to.

Fitbit has made a move to challenge Apple's dominance in the smartwatch market, realising that a huge chunk of the market prioritises fitness applications. And you can see this in the comparison between the Versa 2 and the Apple Watch 5 (the most realistic comparison as of early 2020). If you own an Apple iPhone, you can probably do a lot more with the Watch 5, and Apple have paid a bit more attention to aesthetics. If you're shopping for a watch to show off at work, rather than at the gym, the Watch 5 will probably be preferable. But the sleep analysis tools, variety of fitness programs, and the relatively low Fitbit Versa 2 price tag makes it a far better option for most fitness fanatics. The Health Metrics dashboard of the Fitbit app—which is currently a Premium feature, but will be available to all users with compatible devices for free in the coming months—offers some other interesting sleep metrics, including your breathing rate (the number of breaths taken per minute), heart rate variability (the variation in time between heartbeats), and resting heart rate (the number of times your heart beats per minute when you are still and rested). The Sense, meanwhile, also measures your skin temperature during the night, a feature not available on the Versa 3. Smartwatch FeaturesI started this review by saying that Fitbit had kept the Versa design the same, and at a glance that’s true. But the company has been gradually reducing the presence of physical buttons: there were three on the first-generation device, and this was reduced to one on the Versa Lite and Versa 2. Now, there are no buttons at all: just an indent on the left-hand side which functions as a pressure-sensitive “inductive” button like the one that debuted on the Fitbit Charge 3. It also makes sense to compare the Versa 2 with the Fitbit Versa Lite. As the name indicates, the Fitbit Versa Lite is similar in design and looks, but with fewer features and a smaller price tag. If you aren't too bothered about maxing out on apps and workout routines, the Lite is a good option, but it may not have enough features for serious runners, cyclists, or gym bunnies. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. Read our editorial mission & see how we test. Daily Readiness requires a Fitbit Premium membership. Premium content recommendations are not available in all locales and may be in English only.