Fitbit has established itself as a leader in the health and fitness wearables space. Its popular lineup of activity trackers and smartwatches appeals to a wide range of consumers looking to monitor and improve various aspects of their wellness. Two of Fitbit‘s newest and most advanced offerings are the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3. These two models share quite a few features but they also have some important distinctions.
In this comprehensive guide, we will compare the Sense and Versa 3 across various parameters to help you decide which one better matches your preferences and budget.
Overview of Fitbit Sense and Versa 3
Before we delve into the nitty gritty comparison, let‘s briefly introduce both products.
Fitbit Sense is Fitbit’s most advanced health smartwatch to date. It builds on the Versa series with additional sensors designed to help users monitor overall wellness and identify signs of ill health early.
The Sense tracks heart rate, sleep patterns, steps, calories and other standard activity metrics. What sets it apart is that it goes beyond fitness to provide various health monitoring features like skin temperature tracking, stress measurement via EDA scan, ECG app to detect irregular heart rhythms, etc.
It also offers all the usual smartwatch functions like notifications, apps, contactless payments and voice assistant integration. With its sleek, squircle watch case design and bright AMOLED display, the Sense combines comprehensive health insights with fashionable looks.
Fitbit Versa 3 is an upgraded version of the popular Versa line with features like built-in GPS, Active Zone Minutes, on-screen workouts with animated coaches and improved heart rate tracking.
While it lacks some of the advanced health sensors present on the Sense, the Versa 3 offers accurate activity and sleep tracking combined with top-notch smart features like taking calls via Bluetooth. With a similar squircle watch profile and AMOLED display as the Sense, the Versa 3 monitors your fitness 24/7 while looking good on your wrist.
Now that we know what each product is all about at a high-level, let’s examine them more closely across various aspects.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Health & Fitness Tracking Features
As fitness trackers, health and activity monitoring are the main draws of the Sense and Versa 3. Let‘s see how they compare when it comes to the metrics tracked.
Heart Rate Tracking
Both devices use Fitbit‘s PurePulse technology to provide continuous heart rate monitoring. You get real-time heart rate data during workouts as well as resting heart over the course of your day. Sleep tracking also reveals insights into your heart rate variability while you sleep.
The Sense goes a step further with high and low heart rate notifications. You can set thresholds, and it will alert you if your heart rate goes above or below those levels when inactive. Low/high heart rate alerts can identify early signs of medical conditions.
So for overall heart rate tracking during fitness/daily activities, Versa 3 is on par with Sense but the latter has an edge with additional alerts.
GPS
Built-in GPS was missing on the earlier Versa units but the Versa 3 finally incorporates it just like the Sense. So with both watches, you can track pace, distance, routes of outdoor activities like running, cycling hiking without carrying your phone.
After your workout, see an intensity map of your heart rate zones in the Fitbit app to determine which parts of your run or ride pushed you the most. Versatile workout tracking with GPS puts Sense and Versa 3 on equal footing.
Activity & Sleep Tracking
When it comes to all-day activity tracking, the Versa 3 can match everything the Sense does. Both keep tabs on steps taken, distance covered, calories burned, floors climbed and active minutes.
You also get Reminders to Move that nudge you take a brief walk if you’ve been inactive for an hour as well as celebration messages when you meet daily/weekly goals. As typical for Fitbits, the Sense and Versa 3 provide comprehensive sleep tracking – monitoring sleep stages (Awake, Light, Deep, REM), sleep score and bedtime/wakeup trends.
Sensors
This is an area where Sense pulls far ahead of the Versa 3. Here are some unique sensors it incorporates:
EDA scan app: Uses sensors to detect electrodermal activity which indicates sweat gland levels. This reflects your body‘s response to stress. Place palm over the watch face and it will guide you through a stress measurement session.
Skin temperature sensor: Tracks overnight skin temp variation which can indicate issues like fever or the onset of illness. Women can also use it to monitor ovulation.
ECG app: Currently awaiting FDA-clearance, this feature will help screen for atrial fibrillation which is an irregular heart rhythm that can increase stroke risk. Users can check for AFib and share results with doctors.
The Versa 3 misses out on these specialised sensors but it does have an SpO2 sensor to track blood oxygen levels overnight plus it supports Fitbit‘s temperature trend data calculated via the device temperature sensor.
The Sense offers a lot more health monitoring muscle with its sensors that can provide deeper insights beyond just fitness stats. These innovative features make it very appealing for users who want a more holistic view of their health.
Smart Features
Beyond just fitness, the Versa 3 and Sense also pack in all the expected smartwatch capabilities letting you view phone notifications, access apps and more.
You get call, text, app alerts and calendar events at a glance on your wrist. Android users can send quick reply messages from their wrist to SMS texts and messenger notifications. For iPhone users, the quick replies feature is limited to just accepting/rejecting calls and texts.
Music control, timers/alarms, weather and finding phone features are present across the board. Voice assistant access is available with Amazon Alexa built-in and the option to link Google Assistant if you prefer.
Keep tabs on news, sports scores, stocks via apps or just set the device in Relax mode for some guided breathing. Fitbit Pay for contactless payments rounds out the smartwatch perks that both Sense and Versa 3 share.
When it comes to smart functionality, the Sense and Versa 3 are evenly matched. So picking between them really comes down to the advanced health sensors you get in the Sense versus the savings from going with the Versa 3.
Design & Interface
The Versa 3 and Sense share an incredibly similar square watch case design with rounded edges. They offer the same vibrant AMOLED displays stretching edge to edge.
With identical 1.58” screen sizes and 336 x 336 px resolutions, all content from smartphone notifications to workout stats are sharp, vivid and visible even in bright daylight.
The Sense has a stainless steel ring around the squircle watch face which gives it a sleeker look compared to the Versa 3‘s plain polycarbonate plastic casing. However, the Versa 3 is correspondingly lighter at just over 38 grams while the Sense weighs in at almost 46 grams.
Available colors also differ with the Sense in carbon/graphite stainless steel and white/gold stainless steel versus black/black aluminum or pink clay/copper rose aluminum for the Versa 3.
But otherwise they share a buttonless, touch-centric user interface. You navigate via swipes and taps on the display. With interchangeable straps from sleek canvas to stainless steel mesh and more, both smartwatches let you customize looks to your heart’s content.
In summary, the Sense has an edge thanks to its stainless steel body but the Versa 3 counterbalances with a lighter frame and flashier colors. Display and UI interactions are virtually identical across the two.
Accuracy
For any wearable device that tracks fitness metrics and health indicators, accuracy is paramount. Here is an assessment of how precise the data is across various parameters for the Sense and Versa models.
Heart Rate: Very good correlation of Versa 3 measurements versus a chest strap heart rate monitor during exercise sessions across multiple users. Resting heart rate data also stacks up well against dedicated devices. The PurePulse 2.0 technology powering the Sense should produce comparable results.
Step Count: Fitbit trackers tend to slightly overestimate step count by 3-5% versus the actual number according to studies. The Sense and Versa 3 seem to continue this trend of modestly inflating step count but overall accuracy is sound.
Calories Burned: For total energy expenditure tracking, Fitbits fare pretty well though the accuracy declines as exercise intensity increases. This holds true for both Sense and Versa models.
Sleep Stages: While sleep cycle tracking matches well against broad benchmarks of Awake/Light/Deep sleep durations, the exact time spent in different stages doesn‘t perfectly align with medical-grade sleep lab assessments. Still, Fitbit provides better sleep stage insights than most competitors.
SpO2 Monitoring: Testing revealed occasional nighttime discrepancies in blood oxygen percentages reported by various Fitbit devices versus clinical readings. Average results were still comparable so take individual variances with a grain of salt.
Overall, in terms of tracking accuracy, these devices are solid performers considering their reasonable price range. The metrics may not achieve medical-grade precision but are quite reliable for most casual users.
Comfort, Usability & Battery
Determining ideal fit and ease of use requires assessing these models in real world settings. Let‘s examine how Sense and Versa handle on these fronts:
Comfort: Very lightweight and slim profiles allow comfortable long-term wearability for most. Interchangeable band options help get the right fit. The Sense‘s heavier steel frame could deter some from 24/7 use.
Ease of Use: Smooth learning curve thanks to intuitive touch-based UI. Swiping between key data screens is straightforward. Settings offer ample customizations without being overly complex.
Battery Life: 6 days battery time meets Fitbit‘s official claims according to various tests. With continuous GPS or heavy usage, expect closer to 3 days which is still decent reserves before needing a recharge.
Both models charge from 0 to 100% within an hour or less so powering back up is quick when the battery depletes. Overall usability, comfort and battery performance makes the Versa 3 and Sense capable daily companions.
Pricing
The Fitbit Sense debuted at $329 while the Versa 3 was priced lower at $229 reflecting the difference in features. Currently, the Sense retails for $299 while Versa 3 costs around $229 with occasional sale prices dropping it under $200.
You get 6 months free of Fitbit Premium with both which gives you guided health & fitness programs plus deeper analytics. Regular subscription is $9.99 per month after the trial.
Given the $70 price gap between the two models, if budget is no barrier, the Sense offers compelling value with its range of health sensors justifying the higher cost. For those seeking basic activity/sleep tracking with top-tier smartwatch powers, the Versa 3 hits a sweet spot.
Verdict – Which is the Better Buy?
The Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 target slightly different needs but with plenty of overlapping capabilities:
Key Takeaways:
- Virtually identical fitness/health tracking for steps, calories, heart rate along with all-day activity monitoring
- Built-in GPS on both for tracking pace & distance during outdoor workouts
- Sense offers additional health metrics like skin temperature, EDA stress scans, ECG app
- Matches Versa 3 for notifications, apps, payments and other smart features
- Very similar squircle watch profile with touchscreen display, customisable bands
- Sense provides advanced health insight, Versa 3 saves you $70
The main question to ask is: Am I willing to pay extra for the body stress sensing and other health sensors present only on the Fitbit Sense?
If the answer is yes, its comprehensive insights make it a very compelling investment for around $300. But if you are satisfied with robust activity tracking and want those smartwatch upgrades over earlier Versas, then saving $70+ with the equally capable Versa 3 is your best value pick.
At the end of the day, it‘s hard to go wrong with either of these feature-packed Fitbit models that combine holistic health tracking with functional style. Analyze your exact needs and decide whether the Sense‘s sensors justify splurging or if the Versa 3 fits your budget. Hopefully this detailed face-off has helped compare these two fantastic fitness smartwatches to make that buying choice easier!
