Fitbit Versa 4 Review: A Deep Dive

The Fitbit Versa 4 brings Fitbit’s health and fitness features to the next level, with a refined design, improved workout tracking, and practical smartwatch capabilities. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes the Versa 4 stand out and where it falls short.

Design and Display

The Fitbit Versa 4 keeps the familiar, slim profile of the Versa series while refining it with a lighter, sleeker design. It has a 1.38-inch display that provides sharp visuals, even in direct sunlight. The display features always-on mode options, which allow you to keep an eye on the time and your metrics without lifting your wrist. With customizable clock faces, the Versa 4 can easily adapt from a workout companion to a stylish accessory.

Fitbit offers a variety of band options that make it easy to transition from gym wear to business casual. The device itself is lightweight and comfortable, making it ideal for all-day wear and sleep tracking without any discomfort.

Photo:Amazon

Health and Fitness Tracking Features

The Versa 4 is packed with advanced tracking options, making it one of the best choices for health-conscious users. Here are some highlights:

Heart Rate and Active Zone Minutes: It constantly tracks your heart rate, and with the Active Zone Minutes feature, it measures the time spent in different intensity zones (Fat Burn, Cardio, and Peak). This helps you understand the effectiveness of your workouts.
Sleep Monitoring: Fitbit’s sleep-tracking feature breaks down your sleep into light, deep, and REM stages. The Sleep Score gives you a simple, overall rating of your sleep quality, which can be reviewed over time to help you improve sleep habits. The device also tracks breathing and blood oxygen levels during sleep, which is valuable for users wanting deeper insights.
Stress Management: The Versa 4 offers guided breathing sessions and tracks daily stress. Premium users also get a Stress Management Score, a unique metric from Fitbit that combines heart rate variability, exertion levels, and sleep metrics to provide insights on how your body is managing stress.
Menstrual Health Tracking: The Versa 4 allows users to log menstrual cycles, symptoms, and predict fertility windows, which can be incredibly useful for women tracking health patterns.

GPS and Workout Modes

One major upgrade in the Versa 4 is the addition of built-in GPS, allowing users to track distance, pace, and route during outdoor activities without needing to carry a phone. It’s especially accurate for runners, cyclists, and hikers who want real-time data on their routes and performances.

Photo:Amazon

With over 40 exercise modes, users can now track specific workouts like yoga, spinning, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and even mindfulness sessions. The smart coaching insights from Fitbit Premium also help personalize training regimens, whether you’re a beginner or a regular gym-goer.

App Experience and Compatibility

Fitbit’s mobile app offers an intuitive interface where users can review metrics and compare progress over weeks and months. The app dashboard displays a holistic view of your daily steps, calories, heart rate, sleep score, and more, making it easy to pinpoint areas for improvement. Additionally, Fitbit’s social community feature allows users to join groups and challenges, adding a social aspect to health goals.

In terms of compatibility, the Versa 4 works with both iOS and Android, but its integration is more robust with Android (where users can reply to notifications directly). It also syncs well with third-party apps like Strava, Apple Health, and Google Fit, allowing users to keep their fitness data centralized.

Fitbit Versa 4 Features

The Versa 4 balances fitness-focused features with some key smartwatch functions:

Voice Assistant: Alexa is integrated, allowing users to set reminders, check the weather, and control smart home devices. However, there is no support for Google Assistant, which limits options for some users.
Notifications: It displays notifications for calls, texts, emails, and select apps. While you can respond to texts on Android, iOS users are limited to viewing notifications.
Payment Options: Fitbit Pay allows for contactless payments on the go, but it’s worth noting that not all banks support Fitbit Pay, which could be a limitation for some users.

Battery Life and Charging

With up to 6 days of battery life, the Versa 4 outlasts many competitors in its class. Daily users can expect to charge it once or twice a week, even with moderate GPS and heart rate usage. Fitbit’s fast-charging technology provides a quick boost, with just 12 minutes of charging giving enough battery for a day’s usage.

Accuracy of Metrics

Fitbit has enhanced the accuracy of its heart rate sensor and GPS. The heart rate monitoring is generally precise during steady cardio activities, though it can slightly lag during intense HIIT workouts. GPS performance is accurate, though like most smartwatches, it can take a few seconds to lock onto satellites.

Fitbit Versa 4 vs. Competitors

The Fitbit Versa 4 competes closely with the Apple Watch SE and the Garmin Venu SQ. Here’s a quick comparison:

Fitbit Versa 4: Excellent for comprehensive health tracking with a lightweight design and long battery life. Limited third-party app support but excels with detailed health insights.
Apple Watch SE: Offers a richer app ecosystem and smoother integration with iOS. Ideal for those seeking a balance between fitness tracking and a robust smartwatch experience.
Garmin Venu SQ: Strong GPS capabilities and fitness features but lacks some of Fitbit’s health-focused metrics like sleep and stress tracking. Garmin is better for users who prioritize GPS over health monitoring.

The Fitbit Versa 4 is a great mid-tier smartwatch for users seeking a robust health and fitness tracker. It strikes a balance between smart functionality and fitness features, making it an ideal choice for fitness enthusiasts who don’t need extensive third-party app options. Its accurate fitness tracking, long battery life, and comfortable design make it an excellent option for health-conscious users looking for a more streamlined experience than traditional smartwatches.

Photo:Amazon

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