Fitbit Versa 3 Review: Versatile Fitness Tracker
Fitbit Versa 3 offers built-in GPS, heart rate tracking, and fitness features for a better workout experience, with optional Fitbit Premium.
Fitbit Versa 3 is a reliable smartwatch, now in its third version. It brings key upgrades like on-board GPS, allowing you to track your location during outdoor workouts without your phone. Display is larger and curvier, improving overall design. However, $229 price tag makes it more expensive than the $199 Versa 2 which means it doesn’t quite make the cut for the best budget smartwatches.
Is the higher price worth it? This Fitbit Versa 3 review dives into whether the added features justify the cost.
Table of Contents
Fitbit Versa 3 Specification
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | 📱 Fitbit |
| Category | ⌚ Smartwatch |
| Processor | – |
| Operating System | 💻 Proprietary OS |
| Display | 📺 1.58″ AMOLED, 336 x 336 pixels |
| Touchscreen | 🖱️ Multi-Touch |
| Body | 🏋️♂️ Aluminum, waterproof up to 50 meters, splash-proof, dust-proof |
| Size | 📏 40mm |
| Weight | – |
| Color Options | 🎨 Pink Clay/Soft Gold, Black, Midnight/Soft Gold |
| Battery Life | 🔋 6+ days on a single charge, 12 hours with GPS usage |
| Charging Technology | ⚡ Magnetic Charging Cable |
| Water Resistance | 🌊 Waterproof up to 50 meters |
| Glass Protection | 🛡️ Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Sensors | 📡 Gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer, Altimeter, Optical heart rate sensor, Device temperature sensor (premium only), GPS, Ambient light sensor |
| Connectivity | 🌐 Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
| Audio | 🎧 Built-in speaker and microphone for voice assistant |
| Voice Assistants | 🎙️ Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Storage | 💾 Stores 7 days of motion data |
| Compatibility | 📲 Android 7.0 or higher, iOS 12.2 or higher |
| Exercise Modes | 🏋️ 20+ goal-based exercise modes |
| Heart Rate Tracking | ❤️ 24/7 heart rate monitoring |
| Sleep Tracking | 💤 Sleep stages and sleep score |
| Activity Tracking | 🏃♀️ All-day activity tracking, Active Zone Minutes |
| Fitness Features | 💪 Guided breathing sessions |
| Smart Features | 📲 Smart notifications (calls, texts, calendar, social apps) |
| Payment Feature | 💳 Fitbit Pay (NFC) |
| Display Features | 🌟 Always-on display, custom watch faces |
| Microphone & Speaker | 🎤 Yes, for voice assistant and calls |
| Additional Features | 🎶 Music player, weather updates |
| Package Contents | 📦 Fitbit Versa 3, Charging cable, User manual |
Fitbit Versa 3 price and availability
Fitbit Versa 3 is priced at $229 and is available at Fitbit.com and other retailers. It comes in three color options: black with black aluminum, pink clay with soft gold aluminum, and midnight with soft gold aluminum. The bands are interchangeable, with additional styles like woven and leather starting at $30.
An update suggests a Fitbit Versa 4 might be on the way, though it may not run Google’s Wear OS and could have a similar design to the Versa 3.
Fitbit Versa 3 Design and display
Fitbit Versa 3 keeps the familiar squircle shape of its predecessors but features softer edges and replaces the physical button with a touch-sensitive area on the left side, complete with haptic feedback. While it took some time to get used to, the new design adds to the watch’s sleek and comfortable fit.
Versa 3 is slim and sits flush on the wrist, making it ideal for those who prefer lightweight smartwatches. For a bulkier style, a sports watch might be a better choice.
Display has also been upgraded, with a 336 x 336-pixel color touchscreen that’s sharper than the Versa 2’s 300 x 300-pixel screen. At 1.58 inches, it’s larger than 1.39-inch display on the previous model and includes an always-on mode, which makes it easier to check workout metrics mid-session.
Fitbit Versa 3 Activity Tracking Features
Fitbit Versa 3 excels in activity tracking, offering essential features like heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, VO2 max readings, workout tracking and sleep monitoring. While it lacks some advanced tools found in the $329 Fitbit Sense—like ECG monitoring, stress management and skin temperature tracking—it’s a strong choice for basic fitness needs.
A standout feature is Active Zone Minutes, which tracks time spent in fat burn, cardio or peak heart-rate zones during workouts, aiming for 150 minutes weekly as recommended by health organizations. It’s a fun and motivating way to stay active.
Versa 3 includes built-in GPS for outdoor workouts without your phone. While not as precise as the Apple Watch, it works well for the majority of people. Fitbit Premium ($9.99 per month or $79.99 per year) includes additional features such as extensive sleep and health tracking and at-home training programs.
Fitbit Versa 3 Sleep Tracking
Fitbit is known for excellent sleep tracking and Versa 3 continues this trend. It tracks how long you sleep, the different sleep stages and your blood oxygen levels overnight, which can help identify potential breathing issues like sleep apnea.
Each morning, you’ll get a Sleep Score between 0-100 based on your sleep quality. Most of my scores were in the 80s, though after a restless night with only two hours of sleep, my score dropped into the 40s. It’s a helpful tool for understanding and improving your sleep habits.
Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch Features
The Fitbit Versa 3 performs well as a smartwatch but isn’t groundbreaking. It supports both Alexa and Google Assistant, making it the first smartwatch to offer access to both. However, only one assistant can be active at a time, which could be inconvenient if you use both frequently.
The built-in speaker and microphone allow for answering phone calls directly from your wrist, but this feature is only available for Android users. iPhone users, like me, can’t use it.
Other features include Fitbit Pay and a growing library of third-party apps like Starbucks, Yelp, and The New York Times. However, the app selection still falls short compared to Apple’s watchOS.
Performance-wise, the Versa 3 can feel slower than other smartwatches, with apps taking time to open and displays being less responsive. While it’s not a major issue, those used to faster devices may find it slightly frustrating.
Fitbit Versa 3 Battery Life
Fitbit claims the Versa 3 lasts up to 6 days on a full charge, an improvement over the Versa 2’s 4-5 days. Using features like the always-on display or GPS will drain the battery faster, but it can last around 12 hours while actively tracking your location. This gives the Versa 3 an edge over the Apple Watch SE and other high-end smartwatches.
In my experience, the Versa 3 lasted nearly 7 days, although I usually charged it when the battery dropped below 20%. The best part is its fast charging—just 60 minutes to fully recharge.
Pros and Cons of Fitbit Versa 3
| ✅Pros | ❌Cons |
|---|---|
| 🧑🤝🧑 Comfortable and stylish design | 🕒 Navigation can be slower |
| 🖥 Bigger display than the Versa 2 | 🎙 Only one voice assistant can be used |
| 🔋 Impressive battery life | 📱 Fewer apps available |
| 📍 Built-in GPS | 📞 Doesn’t support iPhone calls |
| ⚡ Quick charging | 🐢 Apps may take longer to open |
| 🏋️♀️ Strong fitness tracking features | 💡 Missing some advanced health tools |
Conclusion
Fitbit Sense offers more health features for an extra $100, but most people will find the Versa 3 has everything needed for a fitness-focused smartwatch. While I might not upgrade from a Versa 2, the Versa 3’s new features like Active Zone Minutes, a higher-resolution display, sleeker design, fast charging, and GPS make it a great improvement.
If you’re deciding between the Versa 3 and the Apple Watch SE, it depends on how “smart” you want your smartwatch to be. The Versa 3 excels in activity tracking but has a smaller app library, lacks iPhone call support, and is a bit slower in performance.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Versa 3 is a solid choice for a well-rounded smartwatch under $250.
