Fitbit Versa 3 Review

Smartwatches tend to fit into one of two categories - lifestyle or fitness. Unsurprisingly the Fitbit Versa 3 slots swiftly into the fitness category, but it’s also the kind of watch that can do both well enough. While it’s not the most groundbreaking design for lifestyle wearers, it’s got everything that you need to run, walk, climb, dine and drink in well-documented comfort.

Fitness is great, I think we all can appreciate being able to walk up the stairs without getting winded - but Fitbit thrives in the health and wellbeing sector with more than just steps and movement goals.

While the device has a range of exercise modes, GPS tracking and extra motivation to push yourself in the form of ‘active zone minutes’, the goal tailoring in the app is far more cohesive with setting healthy habits. 

Fitbit devices have a nudge like reminder system that is tailored to your goals. Your wrist may buzz and tell you to get up and walk for five minutes, or to do some deep breathing exercises - whatever suits your goals.

Like so many other people I have a tendency to get distracted throughout the day, or maybe it’s more accurate to say that I don’t. During a work day especially, it’s not uncommon for me to forget to eat, drink water, stand up, or take my headphones off even when my playlist finished three hours ago. So for me the Fitbit nudges are efficient reminders to do all those things you need to do in order to survive and well, I’m still alive and better hydrated. The unobtrusive buzz on my wrist has Pavloved me into taking better care of myself, so if that’s something you could benefit from as well then it’s a big plus.

If you’re more interested in physical movement then the Versa 3 is there for you as well. There are 17 basic workout modes, all tracking heart rate, calories, exertion zones and ‘active zone minutes’. Active Zone Minutes track the time that you spend getting your heart rate up, you’re awarded a ratio of 1:1 minutes when in the Fat Burn zone, and 2:1 minutes in cardio or peak zones. While Fitbit isn’t the first fitness tracker to account for these zones, it’s another metric to measure yourself against - if you’re into that sort of thing.

The on-watch functionality is simple to use, it takes a couple of swipes and a tap to be up and running on a workout. However most of the features are controlled directly from the app, which is great but also universal across all Fitbit products. Within the app you can track everything from heart rate, to sleep, GPS plots of your running routes, mindfulness exercises, water intake and even more. It's easily the most all-encompassing smartwatch application with all features available across Android and Apple, unlike other models such as the Huawei GT2e smartwatch.

If you’re tossing up between a Versa 3 and another Fitbit model then it will come down to the lifestyle you lead and how the features are able to fit into that.

Everyone’s lifestyle is different of course, but if we’re looking at a ‘lifestyle device’ it’s important to look at the day-to-day functionality and of course the design features. You’re going to want your watch to be practical, somewhat stylish and non-invasive to use - no one wants to feel like a Spy Kid. 

The Fitbit Versa 3 doesn’t have a groundbreaking design, the square, pillowed watch face is surrounded in a dusty bronze (called Soft Gold) or black casing and finished off with the usual silicone strap as standard. It looks very much like most other fitness watches, but at the very least the display is lovely.

Sporting a crisp AMOLED display the Versa has a beautiful display going for it. Emphasised with minimalist and tasteful notifications and icons, you’re not going full on Juni Cortez and can get away with wearing the device for most occasions. 

Unfortunately I did come in to a few performance issues in general usage. Despite having the device set to light up when I moved my wrist, the watch would hardly ever start up when prompted. A couple of times throughout the review period I needed to re-enable to quick start for my Fitbit wallet, and notifications came through a bit later than my preferred smartwatch does.

These issues were annoying, but nothing that couldn't be fixed in under 10 seconds. The presiding issue here is that if you're paying $400 for a device you don't want to have to deal with issues - be them 10 second or not - consistently.

I do, however have to give props to the indented design of the side button. While most will interfere if you do push ups or hold a barbell, simply because of the extra pressure your arm will put on it, this submerged design means you'll never have this issue.

Equipped with NFC payment, notifications and a couple of bonuses features like ‘Find my Phone’ you’re getting just about everything you need to live your best-tracked life from the Versa 3.

Fitbit Versa 3 - Final Thoughts

When it comes to Fitbit products you know that you’re getting a good base standard, and that’s pretty much where the Versa 3 sits - as standard. Of course there are some great features but the vast majority of these come from the Fitbit app more than from the device itself. Your watch is simply the catalyst to relay the message rather than the presenting sponsor.

The Versa 3 is a good option, but does just a little bit less than you'd expect for the money. It's perfectly fine and it's an amicable option but the Versa 3 isn't giving you anything extra for what you're paying for. While the Fitbit Versa 3 is easy enough to recommend, it's nothing overly exciting - but then again most smartwatches aren't. 

Anula Wiwatowska

Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram

Anula is the Off-Site Editorial Lead for WhistleOut Australia, and an award winning tech journalist. She has been writing about the Australian telco industry, and consumer technology for over five years, and has been known to tell her Uber driver which phone they should upgrade to next.

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