The best Fitbit smartwatches you can buy

Publish date: 2022-02-17

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Versa 3

Google-owned Fitbit is an established fitness wearables maker, and its smartwatch game is equally impressive. From its humble and questionable first effort with the Fitbit Blaze, its smartwatches have grown into capable wrist companions. If you’re not an iPhone and Apple Watch user, Fitbit makes a solid case for offering some of the best smartwatches available.

But now that Fitbit’s smartwatch offerings are plentiful choosing one that’s the best fit for you is a challenging task. Below, we look at your choices for the best Fitbit smartwatch.

See also: The best Fitbit fitness trackers

Buying the right Fitbit smartwatch for your needs

Fitbit smartwatches offer a good balance between health and fitness tracking and general smartwatch features. Like the Versa 3 and Sense, its premium offerings pack microphones for commanding voice assistants or sending speech-to-text replies to messages. Fitbit smartwatches also support a growing list of apps, but this remains one of the platform’s biggest pain points. If app functionality is of utmost importance for you, you’ll be better off with a Wear OS smartwatch or another Fitbit alternative.

While more recent Fitbit smartwatches look similar, they excel in different ways. For runners, a smartwatch with built-in GPS is key. Thankfully, both the Sense and Versa 3 include this particular feature. However, gym-goers would be happy with any of the models listed below. Fitbit products track several activities and sports. Thankfully, the products feature a stepped pricing model, so you’ll have little trouble finding a Fitbit smartwatch to match your budget.

If you’re willing to extend the definition of “smartwatch,” don’t require a large display or apps running on your wrist, you may also consider Fitbit’s extensive list of fitness trackers. We’ve included several options beyond the Sense and Versa series in the honorable mentions section below.

More reading: The best smartwatches you can buy

The best Fitbit smartwatches

Fitbit Versa 3: The best Fitbit smartwatch

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Fitbit Versa 3

The Fitbit Sense may be the flagship Fitbit watch, but the Versa 3 is the better value buy. It sports a 1.58-inch AMOLED display, a built-in speaker and microphone for calls and voice assistant duties, and packs a built-in GPS for runners. The Versa 3 features Fitbit’s second-generation Pure Pulse heart rate sensor and an SpO2 reader.

So why is the Versa 3 the best Fitbit smartwatch and not the Sense? For one, it trades a lower list price for three sensors. Beyond these, the Versa 3 is nearly identical to the Sense. Realistically, the average user could live without these three sensors, and the Versa 3’s health tracking performance doesn’t suffer without them, either. That’s largely why we consider the Versa 3 the superior value offering in the Fitbit family. By extension, it’s also one of the best smartwatches for Android.

Fitbit Versa 3

One of the best smartwatches for most Android users

If you're looking for the best all-around smartwatch at a pretty good price, you're likely looking for the Fitbit Versa 3. Fitbit's cheaper flagship smartwatch sports standalone GPS, an accurate heart rate sensor, and plenty of nice smartwatch features.

Pros

Cons

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Versa 3.

Fitbit Sense: The best Fitbit smartwatch for data lovers

Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

The Fitbit Sense is the company’s flagship smartwatch, offering everything the Versa 3 has and a little more. It packs a large AMOLED display, comfortable fit, and excellent build quality but trumps the Versa 3 with its sensor offerings. On top of the usual health metrics, the Sense also tracks body temperature and stress levels via its electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor. In addition, it can provide heart health insight with its electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor. These three sensors provide more health data and context for those who need them. But not everyone does.

We don’t quite rate the Sense as highly as the Versa 3 primarily because of its price. It’s regularly pricier than the Versa 3, and unless you absolutely require its additional health sensors, it doesn’t offer anything above the Versa 3. You also might be better off waiting for Fitbit’s EDA and ECG technology to mature. We found both to be hit and miss in our review. That said, if you can snag the Fitbit Sense on special, it may ultimately be a better buy.

Fitbit Sense

Manage your stress and heart health

The Fitbit Sense is Fitbit's flagship health-focused smartwatch. It has built-in ECG, GPS, and heart rate sensors, plus a new EDA Scan app that measures your body's stress levels. This is by far Fitbit's most advanced health watch so far.

Pros

Cons

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Sense.

Fitbit Versa 2: The best cheap Fitbit smartwatch

The Fitbit Versa 2 may lack its newer siblings’ sleeker design and improved sensor array, but it’s still a capable smartwatch. While its luster may have faded slightly with age, it remains an excellent value offering. You still get advanced sleep tracking, SpO2 monitoring, heart rate tracking, and more with the Versa 2. It also packs a microphone for quick vocal replies to messages and commanding Amazon Alexa if you’re so inclined.

It does have its drawbacks, though. For runners, the Versa 2 lacks built-in GPS. It also doesn’t have the nifty quick-change strap features of the Sense.

Despite these shortcomings, the Versa 2 makes a great first Fitbit or smartwatch for those on a tighter budget.

Fitbit Versa 2

The old hotness

The Fitbit Versa 2 offers plenty of smartwatch features and basic activity tracking. You can use Amazon's Alexa voice assistant, control Spotify, and make hands-free payments.

Pros

Cons

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Versa 2.

Honorable mentions

That’s it for our list of the best Fitbit smartwatches you can buy, but it’s only a fraction of what’s out there. We also want to give an honorable mention to the following products:

FAQs

Q: Can I use these Fitbits on iOS and Android?
A: Yes. iPhone or Android smartphone users can use the Versa 2, Versa 3, and Sense with their devices.

Q: Is any Fitbit smartwatch best for runners and cyclists?
A: The Versa 3 or the Sense will be your best options. The Versa 2 doesn’t have onboard GPS support, making it a less viable option. That said, the Versa 2 still makes a fine and affordable gym companion.

Q: Where can I find replacement bands for my Fitbit?
A: A slew of aftermarket Fitbit bands are available through retailers like Amazon. You can also peruse our extensive Fitbit band buyer’s guide for more information.

Q: Do Fitbit smartwatches support Google Assistant?
A:
The Fitbit Versa 3 and Fitbit Sense both support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Versa 2 only supports Alexa.

Q: Are Fitbit’s smartwatches water resistant?
A: Yes, the Versa 2, Versa 3, and Sense are water resistant up to 50 meters.

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