Fitbit Versa review

A week in San Francisco with Fitbit's latest smartwatch shows a better design, with a few drawbacks.

Follow CNET on Snapchat: CNETsnap

[mnguyea]

Frankly I don't know why 'reviewers' all compare to the Apple watch. I think people who are going to buy the Apple watch will buy the watch because it is Apple. They aren't going to be the same people who buy Fitbit's watch. They aren't inclusively the same demographics.

[mjselvig]

"Almost out of battery" after three days. Having worn a Blaze for the last two years, I know that red bar can stay for a day. Plus, it all depends on the features you use and how much you use it. If you have worn it and tested everything on it, three+ days is pretty good. My Blaze would last maybe 4 or 5 days usually. I imagine the Versa is about the same.

[henklin]

"It has sleep tracking...to remind myself how little I sleep I'm getting" hahaha

[DasSuperschaf]

This is the first non-Apple Watch, that I really like. However, the lack of a microphone, GPS and NFC is a bummer. For me, Apple Pay, Siri, responding to messages by voice and text and GPS are amongst the most important features on my Apple Watch...

The next Fitbit smartwatch might be a real competitor to Apple though - provided Apple do not advance their watch offer too much this year.

[riez]

Something tells me that Fitbit is still keeping its best card. Remember when they first introduced Surge? That's their first GPS watch followed by Blaze with connected GPS. Now, they came out with Ionic then followed by Versa. I could see the pattern there.

[ian.bertram]

I think that garmin of all companies has become a good alternative for those coming from pebble. The screen technology in many of their watches is comparable to what the pebble time used and the battery life far exceeds watches like the versa. Might be worth checking out if you haven't already!

[bignikoli]

Does it count cals burned all day or just during exercise

[davidsimons]

I love working out with this watch and it’s totally awesome.they say if you don’t use it you lose it so I hope I’m a little bit more active more than most 45 year old men

[tags]

Unfortunately, after pre-order ordering the Versa I learned that I would have to disconnect the Ionic that cost me $299 only 6 months ago to use it! Fitbit doesn't allow you to use/swap it's two most recent & expensive products simultaneously like it's other devices. You have to choose one or the other. Since Versa is lighter I wanted to use it for the gym and wear my Ionic with leather band to work. But when Fitbit customer service confirmed this limitation, I was forced to return my Versa.

[eyeenn]

Still bring smartphone if running outdoor? Is this gps smartwatch like garmin?

[caitlinwilliams]

you literally dont have to call people on a watch I think people expect way too much tbh

[jon]

First of all...you don't know people that use Pandora? Second, side loading music is not a pain. It allows you to leave your phone in your locker at the gym and really focus on your workout.

[Swindonisforlovers]

Strange how you conclude it’s the “best fitbit out there” when the versa doesn’t have GPS, ability to answer/decline calls and built in contactless payment (unless you get the special edition) like the Ionic does. That’s why it retailers cheaper than the ionic. Definitely not the best fitbit out there.

[childamnerd]

Pebble still the best smart watch you can buy

[davidsimons]

I gave my mom one of these watches used and she likes it

[rockyescape]

i prefer the ionic. it's more geared towards fitness

[ApertureLabs]

Do you mean to tell me, that this Fitbit Watch is geared towards FITNESS?

And not RECREATION AND COMMUNICATION?!

Impossibruuuu

[Gabztar]

Assistant, GPS, Waterproof, better screen, storage for music, apps, 16 gb storage, a simple interface that motivates you and 1000 nits screen. Wait it’s the Apple Watch, not this.

[nikehp]

Fitbit is like saga genesis. It had its nice run and is still trying to hold on. I had a Fitbit hr and it fell apart in 9 months. My Apple Watch 2 is amazing and is still great even after a year. Fitbit won’t be around in 5 years.

[georgefleming]

You don't know anyone who uses Pandora?