Fitbit Versa 3 for Fitness and Everyday Wear – Review
Fitbit Versa 3 was released in September 2020 and is arguably one of the best fitness watches out there.
Regarded as one of the best fitness smartwatches, Fitbit Versa 3 comes with many fitness and health features: an inbuilt GPS, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, VO2 readings, active zone minutes, water-resistance to 50 meters, etc.
Fitness enthusiasts can now receive calls from this elegant device while working out. This is thanks to the added speaker and call-receiving capability, which were lacking in the Fitbit Versa 2 edition.
Fitbit Versa 3 vs. Fitbit Versa 2
Fitbit Versa 3 is without a doubt a superior product compared Versa 2. The main reason is that it has a lot more features.
Top 10 New Features
Here are the top 10 improvements over Fitbit Versa 2:
- Better display (336-by-336 pixels)
- Bigger display (1.58 inches)
- Now compatible with Google Assistant
- In-built GPS and GLONASS location
- Pulse 2.0 technology for heart monitoring functions
- High and low heart rate notifications
- Inbuilt speaker
- Ability to take calls from watch
- Fast charging
- Snore and noise detection while sleeping
Price Difference
Both Versa 2 and Versa 3 sell for approximately the same price on some retailer’s platforms. It’s a no-brainer for me: given there is no, or a very minimal price gap only; Versa 3 is a much better purchase than Versa 2.
- Related Article(s):
- Fitbit Versa 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Best Overall Features of Fitbit Versa 3
Fitbit Versa 3 is what we call a fitness smartwatch, as it comes with loads of sports and health-oriented features in addition to offering some must-have smart features.
Sports enthusiasts can record their sporting activities, track their sleep, distance, steps, floors climbed, activity per hour, burned calories and much more, with Fitbit Versa 3.
This section is all about Fitbit Versa 3 functions. Here are the most valued sports, health, and smart features of Fitbit Versa 3:
Fitbit Integrated GPS + GLONASS
Not just one, but two satellite systems to geo-locate you during an outdoor exercise. It’s common now for sports watches like Fitbit and Garmin to combine two systems (eg. GPS + GLONASS or GPS + GALILEO), as it gives a better user-experience: 1) the watch locates you more quickly, and 2) more accurately.
- Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Charge 5, Fitbit Charge 4 and Fitbit Ionic are also equipped with GPS + GLONASS
- Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Inspire 2, Fitbit Luxe and other earlier or more basic Fitbit trackers do not have onboard GPS, but will sync with your phone’s GPS to map and track your runs.
The upgraded integrated GPS of Fitbit Versa 3 allows you to leave your mobile device at home. Even without your phone nearby, the Versa 3 can track your location when you are engaging in an outdoor fitness exercise.
GLONASS is a Russian-created space-based navigation system – their own version of GPS – which provides quicker GPS connection and performance.
Answer Calls on Versa 3
Answering phone calls is not difficult with Versa 3’s mic and speaker. You can also control the volume of the conversation and re-direct a call to voicemail directly from the watch.
Fitbit Versa 3 Active Zone Minutes
The Active Zone Minutes show a record of time spent in the fat burning, cardio, or peak heart-rate zones. I personally love this feature as it helps me visualize the intensity of my workout. The best thing about the active zone minutes is that they’re calculated based on your personal parameters like age, weight, etc.
The Active Zone Minutes and reminders can also help you and motivate you to reach the WHO and AHA recommended 150 minutes of activity per week.
Fitbit Versa 3’s Display has 336-pixels
Fitbit Versa 3 comes with an amazing 336-by-336-pixels display, providing users with a very clear on-screen image. The display is also slightly larger than that of the Versa 2. By way of comparison, Versa 3 has a much better resolution than Garmin’s popular Forerunner 945 watch with a display of 240-by-240 pixels.
Fitbit Versa 3 Sensors
Fitbit Versa 3 has lots of sensors that will give you easy-to-read, insightful and accurate stats about yourself. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the Versa 3 sensors:
- heart rate monitoring with advanced Pulso 2.0 technology
- blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring
- VO2 readings
- breathing rate
- skin temperature variation
- altimeter
- 3-axis accelerometer, etc.
Advanced Sleep Monitoring
The sleep tracking tools of Versa 3 are some of the best out there. The Versa 3 can keep track of your sleep’s duration, how much time you spend in different stages of sleep, give you a sleep score and monitor ambient noise and snoring.
The oxygen saturation sensor (SpO2), whilst it’s not a sleep tracking feature per se, helps identify deficiencies in blood oxygenation and acts as an indicator of sleep apnea.
Fitbit Versa 3 Battery Life
With a battery life of up to six days, you can track your fitness and wear your watch to sleep without having to worry about charging the battery. While you actively track your location, Versa 3 can stay on for up to 12 hours.
Versa 3 also comes with fast charging technology, which can get your device back to 100% in a very short time. In about 12 minutes, you can get an extra day’s worth of battery life.
Tip if you want to track your sleep rather than charge the watch overnight: put on charge during your shower.
Fitbit Smart Assistant
Fitbit Versa 3 comes with Google Assistant and Alexa support features, giving users access to major voice assistants. However, you can only access one at a time.
Highlights
- Phone calls from your wrist
- Music streaming
- Onboard GPS
- 20 exercise modes
- Super-fast charging
- Advanced sleep tracking
- 50 meters water-resistance
- Heart rate monitoring
Specifications of Fitbit Versa 3
Fitbit Versa 3 is more of a fitness watch than most smartwatches you know. Below are the main specifications of the Fitbit Versa 3 fitness smartwatch:
- Integrated GPS tracking + GLONASS
- SpO2 monitor for blood oxygen levels
- Mic and speaker for phone calls
- Water-resistant to 50m/164ft (can survive a dip in saltwater)
- Up to 6 days battery power
- Fast charging
- Voice assistants
- Notifications: calls, texts, calendar, popular messaging apps
- Sleep monitoring, including light, REM and deep stages
- Breathing rate
- Lightweight
- 336 X 336 pixels display
- Bluetooth iOS and Android support
- Active Zones Minutes
- Pulse 2.0 technology for improved heart rate monitoring (24/7 HR tracking, resting HR, HR variability, high & low HR notifications)
- Vibration and sleep modes
Fitbit Versa 3 Review
Fitbit Versa 3 Exercise Modes
Fitbit Versa 3 takes the prize for fitness activity features. A swipe to the left on this device’s larger screen lets you access 20 fitness exercise modes such as swimming, walking, running and cycling. Other modes include Bootcamp, treadmill, yoga, pilates, and more.
Fitbit Versa 3’s SmartTrack feature automatically recognizes and records an exercise even if you have not set it on the watch. However, this will only take effect about 15 minutes into the activity.
Fitbit Versa 3 has the following sports modes:
- Bike
- Bootcamp
- Circuit training
- Elliptical
- Golf
- Hike
- Interval workout
- Kickboxing
- Martial arts
- Outdoor workout
- Pilates
- Run
- Spinning
- Stair climber
- Swim
- Tennis
- Treadmill
- Walk
- Weights
- Workout
- Yoga
- Related Article(s):
- Full List of Workout Modes on Apple, Fitbit, Garmin and Samsung sports watches
Control
Great touchscreen, but the responsiveness of the haptic side button is not optimal (the haptic button is the indented side button on Versa 3). A real button would have been nicer.
Sleep Monitoring on Versa 3
The sleep tracking feature provides you with detailed stats on the duration or length of your sleep and how long you spent in each of sleep stage (such as REM, light, and deep) with good accuracy.
The watches’ sensors estimate your blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) which can be connected to various health issues such as asthma, allergies, or even sleep apnea. This hints you to see a doctor for investigation if your readings go beyond the safe mark.
Women’s Health
Women who use this device can have their menstrual cycle health monitored. This is not a unique offer, as there are many standalone apps that serve the same purpose, but it’s nice to have everything in one place. In your Health & Fitness Stats section, you can log your periods, symptoms, ovulation test results, etc. to get personalized trends and fertile window estimates that will help with family planning for instance.
Versa 3 Battery Life
Fast-charging and six days battery life is plenty for most people. It’s great to be able to wear the watch overnight without having to compromise on day-time power. My tip: have your charger permanently located in or near the bathroom, and charge it while you have a shower. It should give you enough extra power to last another few days.
Note that the Garmin Fenix 7 and Garmin Forerunner 945 will last twice as long without charge, but they’re also about twice the price.
Looks of Versa 3
Fitbit Versa 3 is a beautiful light and smart wearable device. There’s a lot of color options for Fitbit Versa 3 and plenty of retailers selling compatible non-Fitbit branded bands.
Pros & Cons of Fitbit Versa 3
PROS
- Inbuilt GPS
- Advanced sleep tracking
- Voice assistants
- Phone calls on wrist
- Improved heart monitor
- Fitness features
- Larger screen
CONS
- Requires Fitbit Premium subscription to unlock advanced features
- No offline Spotify support
- Delay in providing results for SpO2 readings
- Side haptic button response not as good as that of a real button
Color Options and Variations on Fitbit Versa 3
- Aluminium: Black or Soft Gold
- Band: Black, Pink Clay, Midnight Blue, Thistle, Olive
In addition to the official band colors mentioned above, there are plenty of compatible accessory bands on offer. We like these affordable mesh metal bands that come in various sizes.
Fitbit Sense vs. Fitbit Versa 3
Similar to Fitbit Sense, Versa 3 has all the basic health and fitness functions needed to track activities: in-built GPS + GLONASS to record your pace and distance, and map your workout, 24/7 heart rate tracking, step count, calorie tracker, active minutes and zones, recovery score, etc.
Compared to Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 3 is lacking more advanced “health” monitors:
- no built-in electrocardiogram
- no electrodermal activity scanner
- no stress management tracking
Both watches have the same long list of sports modes to track your workouts: running, walking, treadmill, weights, spinning, bootcamp, yoga, elliptical, etc.
Both Versa 3 and Sense allow you to take and make calls directly from your watch and download hundreds of apps making them strong competitors on the smartwatch market. And, again, a sought-after feature for runners, both watches allow you to stream music off your watch!
Versa 3 is slightly cheaper than Fitbit Sense, but doesn’t have the ECG and electrodermal sensor features. And the extra perks you get with Fitbit Sense (at the time of writing this article you get a longer Fitbit Premium membership and Calm subscription) make the price gap look even slimmer. If you do intend to use these subscriptions, you may be better off buying a Fitbit Sense as the overall price differential will be minimal.
Compare prices
Verdict: Is Fitbit Versa 3 a Good Watch?
Joining other smartwatches and fitness watches on the market, Fitbit Versa 3 has advanced fitness tracking features and better lasting battery life.
Considering the awesome health-related features of Versa 3, and the minimal price differential relative to Versa 2, it’s not even worth buying the Versa 2. They got me at “in-built GPS” and “calls on wrist”!
Most people believe Fitbit Versa 3 offers everything they need regarding measurement and accuracy as a fitness watch. This is especially so because it has Active Zone Minutes, SpO2 readings, Pulse 2.0 heart rate monitoring, breathing rate tracking, active zone minutes, etc.
One of Versa 3’s most appealing features is the fast charge technology. You only have to wait a few minutes to charge before you enjoy another several hours of battery life.
Therefore, if you think you need a smartwatch for accurate measurements while you hit the gym or go for a run, Fitbit Versa 3 is definitely a strong contender.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fitbit Versa 3
When was Fitbit Versa 3 Released?Fitbit Versa 3 was released in late September 2020, but pre-orders were accepted from as early as August 2020.
Does Fitbit Versa 3 Have a Haptic Button?Fitbit Versa 3 has a haptic button on one side of the watch. It doesn’t take long to get used to the haptic button’s feedback, but because it’s built into the case and doesn’t protrude like a real button would, it can be slightly more tricky to activate for some.
What Are the Fitbit Versa 3 Exercise Modes?The Fitbit Versa 3 exercise modes are: Bike, Bootcamp, Circuit Training, Run, Swim, Weights, Interval Workout, Workout, Spinning, Golf, Hike, Tennis, Stair Climber, Pilates, Elliptical, Walk, Martial Arts, Kickboxing and Yoga.
