The Fitbit Sense VS Fitbit Versa 3

Introduction

Fitbit is about to release three new devices; the Fitbit Inspire 2, Sense and Versa 3. The latter is what we’re going to talk about here, but we’ve covered the Inspire 2 in another article if you’re interested in that.

Now, the Sense and the Versa 3 are quite similar. The designs are uncanny and they share some features. The Sense has more bells and whistles. Like a skin temperature sensor and ECG monitor. The significant difference is that it costs around $100 more for the Sense.

We’ll discuss if the price difference is really worth it in this comparison of the Fitbit Sense versus the Fitbit Versa 3.

Fitbit Sense VS Fitbit Versa 3 – Price

The Fitbit Sense comes in at $329.95 whereas you’ll be able to get a Versa 3 for $229.95. 

The Sense does come with a six month free trial of Fitbit Premium which is normally $10 a month or $79 for the year. This opens up your world to additional and more in-depth features like sleep scoring, custom workouts and guided meditations and relaxation activities.

Fitbit Sense VS Fitbit Versa 3 – Design

To look at the devices, there’s little difference. They are identical sizes and have the same display. The Sense has two notches either side of the display, but they’re not for any function. 

You can get the Sense with two types of case: either a gold or graphite stainless steel.

The Versa 3 comes in black or gold aluminium.

You can swap the bands on both models and there are infinite options to suit your taste or mood.

Fitbit Sense VS Fitbit Versa 3 – Health and fitness features

The most significant difference between the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 is the health and fitness features. They share features, like built-in GPS, allowing you to track a run without having your phone about your person. 

They also both have a heart rate sensor, which provides data to the Workout Intensity Map. This indicates when your heart was working the hardest. It’ll monitor your heart rate 24/7 which means it can work out your sleep score too.

The Fitbit Sense has a better offering here. It has an ECG app which will hopefully be FDA approved for activation. This will monitor your heart health for early signs of AFib (atrial fibrillation). This is a condition that makes your heart beat irregularly. In theory, this is a potentially life-saving feature. The Sense will alert you to any extreme heart rate, be it high or low.

You’ll find a skin temperature sensor on the belly of the Sense. This monitors your epidermis temperature through the night. This could help indicate illness, ovulation or pregnancy. Fitbit doesn’t claim any medical certifications for this, but it is useful. 

The Sense also has an EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor; which monitors the electricity flowing around the outer skin layer. This information is accessed by placing your palm over the display. The Sense is marketed as a device to help you manage stress and this feature, in particular, is what they’re talking about. The EDA is how you can measure your bodily response to stress. You use the app to access mediation and relaxation activities as a way of mitigating stress.

Fitbit Sense VS Fitbit Versa 3 – Smart features

The Sense and Versa 3 share smartwatch features. This includes Fitbit Pay, phone notifications like calls, texts and calendar appointments, custom watch faces, apps, music storage and control.

Both offer compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa.

Both offer a 6 day battery life (although only 12 hours when you’re in GPS mode).

Which is best?

The biggest deciding factor is the importance you place on health and fitness features.

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker with some smart options, the Versa 3 will suit you. At this price point, it competes with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, the Garmin Forerunner 45 and the Apple Watch Series 3.

However, if you’re in the market for a smartwatch that will help manage stress as well as your fitness, the Fitbit Sense is a far more holistic device.

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Last Updated on December 13, 2020