Fitbit Versa 2 review: The best fitness tracker under $200

Fitbit's Versa two isn't a huge upgrade from the original — in many ways it'southward but a modest "sidegrade" — but it still brings nothing simply improvements. A year agone I called the original Versa "the best fitness tracker and vesture you tin can purchase right now." A lot has changed since then, including Apple'southward dramatically improved Watch Series 4 and Serial 5. But does The Fitbit Versa ii withal accept what information technology takes?

I've spent the terminal 2 weeks with the Versa 2 and being a hardcore Fitbit fan and gym-goer I take some thoughts about information technology. Find out why despite its flaws as a true smartwatch, it'due south yet i of the best wearables for most people.

When the Fitbit Versa ii launched, it started at $200. Now, Fitbit lists information technology at $180, but it frequently goes on sale for $150. Occasionally, information technology drops even further down to $130. If you're shopping on Amazon Prime number Day and run into the Fitbit Versa 2, make sure you don't pay upwards of $180 for it. It'south too worth comparison the Fitbit Versa 2 to the Fitbit Versa three to see which is best for y'all.

Small improvements add up

Fitbit Versa 2

Minor updates go a long manner.

The Fitbit Versa 2 doesn't mess with a good thing only instead builds off information technology. A new larger AMOLED display, glass bezel, Gorilla Drinking glass iii, and faster processor make for a rewarding experience. While the Versa 2 is nonetheless non a bully app-watch, it's wellness data, fettle, excellent bombardment life, and $180 price sets it apart from the competition.

Pros

Lightweight, comfortable blueprint
AMOLED and always-on-display
Microphone for Alexa and text replies
Fitbit Pay included by default
Outstanding 5+ days of bombardment life

Cons

Charging cradle is unappealing
Fitbit apps are subpar
No built-in GPS
Always-on display eats battery life

Fitbit Versa 2 What's new for 2022

From get-go looks, the Versa 2 looks strikingly like the original Versa. Only upon closer inspection, it'due south a more significant change in pattern than I had thought. But earlier we get to that, allow's talk about the noteworthy flagship adjustments.

For 2022, Fitbit is finally changing to a color OLED display instead of LCD as found in the original Versa. The 1.4-inch screen is protected by Gorilla Drinking glass 3 and can hitting upwards of 1,000 nits of brightness.

With that screen, engineering comes the ability to take a real "always-on display" – a characteristic that many analog lookout man users take wanted for years. The Fossil five and Apple Scout Series 5 also bring this feature this year, so Fitbit is thankfully keeping pace with the competition.

New Always-on-Display comes in two versions: digtial or analog.

While the processor specs are non officially known, what is known is the Versa 2's is now faster than the original Versa.

For sensor and hardware, Versa 2 has the post-obit:

3-axis accelerometer
Optical heart rate monitor
Altimeter
Ambient light sensor
Vibration motor
Wi-Fi antenna (802.eleven b/k/north)
Relative SpO2 sensor
NFC
Built-in microphone
Bluetooth iv.0
H2o-resistant to 50 meters

There is also now Amazon Alexa integration, which luckily is entirely opt-in if you do not intendance for Amazon'due south assistant. Pressing the side push calls up the helper, and with information technology, y'all tin can ready reminders, ask questions, and more. While there is no speaker, the results are displayed on the Versa 2's screen.

Fitbit Versa (left) vs. Fitbit Versa 2 (right).

That new born microphone is a bigger deal though than just Alexa because yous tin now use vocalisation responses ("speech communication to text") for notification replies. Information technology'southward arguably the best new feature except this won't work with an iPhone... because of Apple. Without a speaker, though you cannot accept the call through the Versa 2 like you could with an Apple Lookout.

Fitbit Pay is at present built-in to all Versa 2's versus last year where simply the more expensive Versa Special Edition had information technology.

	Fitbit Versa 1	Fitbit Versa 2
Product dimensions	35 mm x 24 mm ten 12 mm	forty mm x 40 mm x 12 mm
Detail weight	38 grams (1.3 oz)	38 grams (1.3 oz)
Battery Life	4+ days	5+ days
Screen	LCD	Color AMOLED
Display size	1.34 inches (34 mm)	ane.four inches (36 mm)
Screen protection	Corning Gorilla glass	Corning Gorilla drinking glass three
Wireless interface	Bluetooth four.0, Wi-Fi 802.xi b/chiliad/north, NFC	Bluetooth iv.0, Wi-Fi 802.eleven b/g/n, NFC
Input type	Touchscreen and iii buttons	Touchscreen and i push button
Casing material	Aluminum	Aluminum
Bezel Material	Aluminum	Drinking glass
Strap fabric	Polyester	Silicone
Amazon Alexa connection	No	Yep
Swim proof (-50m)	Yep	Yep

Spotify is at present available every bit an app. All the same, like the Apple Watch, it is but player controls that work through your Android or iOS phone. Yous cannot download playlists to the Versa two itself, which is a shame though you can do this with Pandora (U.S. merely). Users can nonetheless sideload 300+ MP3s direct on to the Versa 2 for local playback via Bluetooth headphones, though the process is even so as arduous as ever.

Fitbit Versa (left) vs. Fitbit Versa 2 (right).

In that location is notwithstanding no standalone GPS, you take to rely on your smartphone'due south active connection for location data for bike rides and runs. While that's disappointing, it is as well what gives the Versa two such excellent battery life and keeps the cost down to simply $180.

For blueprint, the Fitbit logo is gracefully removed from the front of the bezel, which looks much better. The chassis itself is as well different with a bottom that sweeps away more than dramatically than the Versa 1 with more roundedness. It's likewise a hair thicker, though it is non something you notice. The company also removed the two right-side buttons leaving just 1 on the left. It's a weird choice, but not disruptive either.

Fitbit Versa 2 fit, feel, and Alexa

The beauty of the Versa line is its condolement. Weighing just 38 grams, Versa two is a very comfortable watch to article of clothing. The included silicone bands are OK, simply they are proprietary — if you want a new band you need one specifically designed to work with the Versa 2. Thankfully, all original Versa bands are still compatible with the Versa ii. The good news hither is Amazon.com is loaded with hundreds of Versa and Versa 2 bands that commonly range from $6 to $14 with every design, material, and colour you tin can imagine.

The removal of the two-right buttons is peculiar. From a manufacturing and back up perspective, it is probably cheaper – after all, information technology's one less point of failure with fewer moving parts. Still, this also means you must at present use the touch screen more frequently for simple tasks similar ending your exercise session. You do lose the power to launch a favorite app quick. But one uptick is at present I don't experience those buttons press into my mitt when my wrist is bending while doing weights. On more than one occasion, I have accidentally paused my workouts because of this blueprint.

Tying this all together is a newer, faster processor. Fitbit keeps quiet on what powers their wearables (the Versa 2 is speculated to contain a single Cortex M4), but I tin say with please that the functioning difference is very noticeable over the original Versa. The custom Fitbit Bone at present responds instantly to touches and swipes. Launching alarms, timer, weather, and more than is most instant. Equally a longtime fan of Versa, this is i of the near pleasant improvements with the Versa 2 that doesn't garner plenty attention.

The ability to reply to notifications with your voice is a killer feature.

While I don't notice Alexa particularly useful or a feature I utilize every day, I am glad it is here every bit an selection for those who do. It works well plenty. You can set the side button to launch Alexa with a long press. From there, yous can set up any smart abode devices yous have connected to Alexa and then you can plow downwards your thermostat or set the lights.

Incoming SMS message has no "reply" option on iOS due to Apple restrictions.

The ability to respond to notifications including SMS, GroupMe, Skype, Slack, or anything installed on your phone with voice is killer (again, Android-only). When a message comes in and you striking respond, users tin can use a canned response, send an emoji, or at present hit the microphone and dictate a custom response. Opting for voice brings upwardly a helpful visual indicator that shows the microphone is listening, so the text translation is given. Hitting ship pushes the message out, and Fitbit even gives you about 5 seconds to "undo" the sending in case of an error.

Notifications have also not changed much. The Versa 2 nonetheless uses Bluetooth 4.0, which is odd in 2022 when Bluetooth five.0 is making the rounds. Reliability of notifications was excellent for me using the Honor 20 Pro, Huawei P30 Pro, and Apple iPhone xi smartphones. Notifications arrived virtually ane-2 seconds after the phone received them.

Fitbit Versa 2'south AMOLED is killer

The AMOLED color display on the Versa 2 is outstanding. Blacks are genuinely black now, and the myriad of watch faces just pop. While at that place is withal a rather thick bezel because of the black AMOLED outcome, the boundary between bezel and screen is nearly invisible. This optical illusion is especially true if you lot opt for a watch face with a blackness groundwork.

The curved Gorilla Glass three too helps as the edges sweep away, giving a pleasant jewel-like reflection. Information technology is also uncommonly smooth, and my finger glides on it nicely versus some other wearables. It all feels premium.

The e'er-on-display is interesting. Users are given 2 styles to choose from – one digital, the other analog. It's a simple white clock with options to display steps and other data or proceed it clean with but the time. While I honey the opportunity for the always-on-display, and I thought it looked and worked great, information technology basically destroys bombardment life cutting a five-day streak by one-half. That's a trade-off some are willing to make, but I found the traditional "raise to wake" function a much better solution.

Fitbit Versa 2 battery life is generally the same: incredible

The original Versa already did quite well for battery, letting users push v to vii days. Variation is expected if users are using the Versa for practise sessions, which default to leaving the display always-on with a running heart sensor and timer. These sessions will knock your battery life down past a twenty-four hour period or two.

Versa 2 is non much different. I can hands hit five days on a single charge, often pushing towards six. Over two days of outdoor biking and hiking with connected-GPS running for 8 hours, I dropped just 20 percent of battery.

To become away from fifty-fifty a weekly charge though it's easy plenty to toss the Versa 2 on its proprietary charger while you're in the shower. Topping it off this style volition keep the Versa 2 always charged with no surprises.

Compared to other fitness/lifestyle watches like Fossil 5 (~xxx hours) and Apple Watch Series 4 (~30 hours) the Versa two is in a league of its own.

Fitbit Versa 2 slumber, fettle, and premium

Putting bated the hardware, most users purchase a Fitbit for potential health reasons. The Versa 2 in this sense doesn't differ much from the first Versa. With it y'all become:

All-solar day activity (steps, heart charge per unit, distance, calories burned, floors climbed, active minutes, hourly activeness)
24/7 heart rate tracking
Automatic conditioning detection
15+ exercise modes
Reminders to move
Guided breathing sessions
Female person wellness tracking
Sleep tracking and stages
Cardio fitness level
On-screen workouts

I've endemic just almost every tracker Fitbit has released. I similar how their middle-tracking and do modes but fit with my conditioning manner. I primarily apply walk (for Low-intensity Steady State cardio), weights, hiking, and bicycle with GPS tracking for long bike rides.

The performance difference with the new faster processor is very noticeable with Versa 2.

While the Versa 2 doesn't count reps for weightlifting, I exercise like the on-screen timer, current center rate, and calories-burned estimation. It's all I need at the gym.

Continued GPS doesn't bother me equally I e'er have my phone with me anyway. But I understand the critique from those who are against the idea. The visitor has since delivered multiple smartwatches with built-in GPS afterwards the release of the Versa 2, the Fitbit Sense and the Fitbit Versa 3.

Using the Fitbit Versa ii on a 5 hour hike with connected GPS never failed.

The feedback that Fitbit gives in its app is easy to read and fun to navigate. Heart rates, calories burned (estimated) and more are easy to follow.

Besides exercise, sleep tracking in Fitbit is unmatched. Before I did Windows Primal total-time, I was a polysomnographer. I administered sleep studies (EEGs, ECGs, heart charge per unit, breathing, claret oxygen monitoring) and directed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to patients. I discover Fitbit's sleep analysis fascinating and quite accurate.

Fitbit has a "slumber score" feature that sums upwardly how yous slept based on times awoken, length of sleep, and estimations of sleep stages. Information technology'southward a great way to rails how y'all sleep and then you tin can learn to control external environmental factors to help meliorate.

Combing all of this information (resting middle charge per unit, age, sex, weight) and a V02 Max measurement (how well your torso uses oxygen when you're working out) gives a "cardio fitness score", which is bright for tracking centre health.

Fitbit's sleep analysis is fantabulous with no real competition.

Over the years I've tried Apple Watch, Android Wearable, Honor Band 5, Garmin, and Microsoft Band, but Fitbit still has the best overall health and fettle tracking for most people.

Regarding Fitbit Premium, the refreshed $10 a month (or $fourscore a year) program that gets your more out of your information, I have mixed feelings. The program offers more in-depth insights into your sleep, guided workouts, wellness reports for your doctor, extra Fitbit Challenges, dynamic workouts, and more.

Fitbit Premium gives some extra benefits, just is still non cheap.

Fitbit Premium is a nifty pick for people who are new to exercise, health and desire to improve sleeping habits while learning. "Pros" who already have a regimen volition get little value out of information technology. I also observe the $10 a month cost quite high - that's a Planet Fitness monthly membership! It'south merely $6 and modify if you pay in advance, simply I'd exist more comfortable with just $5.

In that location's a free month trial for regular Versa 2 owners and Versa 2 Special Edition go to attempt it for iii months. It'south worth checking out, only so far it is something I will likely skip when my trial ends.

Fitbit Versa ii What yet needs work

Equally much as I recommend the Versa two there are still plenty of areas for improvement. Here are a few that you lot should know virtually:

Syncing MP3s feels like it's from 2009 – it's terrible.
Bluetooth syncing is however hit and miss for too many users.
A college-priced Versa 2 with full GPS would be excellent. (Note: This is bachelor now in the form of the Versa 3
The watch face gallery is a disaster with no ability to save or favorite.
The new notification system with the quick drib-down menu is weird.
The pin system for sentinel bands feels dated and clunky.
The Versa 2 "pinch" charger is inelegant compared to magnetic ones.
Tertiary-party apps are mostly terrible.
The Spotify app is very hit or miss.
Syncing, music controls, etc. work better on iPhone than Android.

While these are valid criticisms, they also fall generally into the nitpicking category.

I also take had better luck using the iPhone eleven with the Versa two compared to Android. While everything worked on both things similar music thespian controls worked more reliably on the iPhone eleven.

Who should purchase Fitbit Versa 2?

Apple Sentry Series 4 (left) vs. Fitbit Versa 2 (right).

Wearables are a curious category. At that place is no "winner" as information technology entirely depends on what you lot want in a smartwatch.

The Apple Watch Serial 4/5 is a fantastic true smartwatch. The hardware is an technology accomplishment unmatched by any device on the market. The screen is brilliant, the haptics are ungodly skilful, and even the speaker blows my mind. It also just works. Unfortunately, it only works with the iPhone, which is excellent if you take an iPhone, and useless if you're into Android.

Buy Versa 2 if you are into fitness or are looking for something to motivate you to get into fettle.

I find the Apple tree Lookout man atrocious for fettle, particularly lifting weights. While detecting atrial fibrillation is impressive, it only affects 0.5 percent of the population. Sleep though is a big issue, specially sleep apnea where 26 percent of the population are afflicted. There the Apple Lookout is useless. At that place is just no sleep tracking. Conversely, the Versa two is now getting the ability to track AF likewise.

The Fossil 5 has genuinely lovely hardware, merely Google'southward Wear OS is such a mess of an operating system that I observe it hard to recommend. It'due south simply not very good at anything except looking squeamish.

Do buy a Versa 2 if you lot are into fitness or are looking for something to motivate you lot to become into fitness. It'due south the ideal beginner to accelerate fitness habiliment. It's also just fun. The ability compete against friends on the leaderboard is vivid, and there's a good chance someone you lot know is already on it. You lot'll larn then much about your wellness from using the Versa ii over any other wearable.

Don't buy a Versa ii though if you want a "smartwatch" to run apps. The apps are terrible, and I see no signs of that changing.

Fitbit Versa 2: Should you buy it?

Equally a fan of the original Versa, all the changes with Versa 2 are welcomed and enjoyable. Only these are all minor enough that it's not worth $180 to upgrade from the original Versa — the fundamental experience does not change. But if you really desire information technology, I won't tell y'all not to practice it. Yous'll love everything.

In that location is zilch else on the market place that checks nevertheless boxes every bit Fitbit Versa 2.

For those new to Fitbit or coming from an older Ionic or Charge, the Versa 2 will exist a jiff of fresh air. It'south fast, feels great, gets excellent bombardment life, and y'all are getting the all-time health tracking on the market place.

Fitbit is in an odd position with Apple dominating the wearable infinite. The $180 cost-betoken is crucial for its success as it is half the cost of Apple. But the market place is a tight i, and Fitbit is now rumored to be shopping for an outside investor (or even possible sale to Google). Fitbit needs help information technology compete against Apple at the loftier end, and Chinese firms similar Xiaomi at the low. Indeed, the Honor 5 Band has an OLED display, heart rate tracker and sleep analysis all for $40 USD (though I plant information technology to be quite inaccurate at literally everything and can't recommend it).

It'll be a shame if Fitbit folds under Google. But for at present, if you are looking for the all-time accommodating fitness wearable, there is nothing else on the marketplace that checks all the same boxes as Versa 2. Combined with a vibrant 3rd-party band ecosystem, creative watch faces, and the ex-Pebble customs, Versa two will be on my wrist for quite some time. It should be on yours too.

Small changes add up

Fitbit Versa ii

Modest updates create for an even improve fitness smartwatch.

The Fitbit Versa ii brings a more than refined and improved experience making it an fantabulous upgrade from the older Fitbits or those new to the Fitbit family. The $180 toll is accessible, the brandish is splendid, and the battery life will run the week. In that location'due south simply no better health and fitness wearable on the marketplace for those new to practice to those with years of experience.

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