Fitbit Versa 3 vs Charge 4: Which one will fuel your workout?

Can’t choose between Fitbit’s newest trackers yet? Fitbit’s Versa 3 and Charge 4 were launched at the end of September, and March 2020 respectively.

Keep in mind that Versa 3, a smartwatch, was designed to help reach your goals. Charge 4 is a fitness tracker; created to inspire and motivate you to live a healthy life. Both offer the best of two worlds! So, which one has the potential to fit your needs?

For those who can’t decide we will share the pros and cons of these two contenders to help you make a wise decision. Also, we will also share the similarities, differences, and features that make them unique. If you are a Fitbit fan and are looking for a motivational tool to help you attain your goals, then you are in the right place.

Not only the Fitbit Versa 3 smartwatch (check out current pricing on Amazon here) can track health and fitness but also is cheaper than the Apple Watch 6. Ever since it has launched, this smartwatch is one of the most popular on Amazon smartwatches as we speak with 4.2 out of 5 stars.

Recommended reading: Think You Don’t Need A Fitness Watch? Then Read This First!

The most advanced smartwatch from the Versa Series, Versa 3 can motivate you while you stay connected.

On the other hand, Charge 4 (Find more on Amazon here) is a fitness tracker and according to Fitbit “the most advanced tracker with built-in GPS”. As of now, it is #1 in Amazon activity trackers with more than 13,500 reviews and 4.4 stars. Besides, this fitness tracker has seen a great reception and strong pre-orders, which was better than Versa in its first six weeks.

Versa 3 vs Charge 4: How do they differ?

Although both fitness watches have similar features, they are different in many ways. This comparison chart below shows some of the most important functionalities that will be discussed further.

Can Charge 4 be your fitness companion? Is Fitbit Versa 3 the smartwatch you have been looking for?

Design Features

Versa 3 is lightweight, modern, and comfortable that you can wear all the time. It comes with two classic accessory bands small and large plus the charging cable. You can choose from these colors: Black/Black Aluminum, Pink/Soft Aluminum, and Midnight/Soft Gold Aluminum. Now, unlike Versa 2, this motivational watch does not have a Special Edition.

The other contender, Charge 4, is not only stylish but also slim. Like Versa 3, it is comfortable as well but it is smaller.  Besides, it comes with two classic accessory bands, small and large, and the charger. You can choose from these colors: Black, Rosewood, and Storm Blue Black. The Special Edition is available in a Granite Reflective Woven and a classic black band.

Accessory bands

Both have interchangeable bands that are sold separately. However, Versa 3 has a trendier and diverse choice in sport bands.

Fitbit versa 3 replacement bands include classic lunar white, black, pink clay, and midnight. You can also find sporty look bands in grey/mint, melon/rose, sapphire/fog grey, black/lunar white, and evergreen/lunar white. If you want to make a fashion statement with your Versa 3, Fitbit has partnered with Victor Glemaud and Pendleton. Their bands are made with REPREVE® recycled plastic fibers. They have exclusively created trendy and unique watch bands.

Glemaud is about uniqueness, inclusivity, and gender-neutral elements. Watchbands are in Metalic/Gold Black, layered black/red, and Chevron red/Gold. Pendleton is inspired by heritage, nature, and the outdoors. These bands can be bought in these colors: Blue/Pink Basket Maker and Blue/Grey Canyonlands. Fitbit has its exclusive watch bands such as woven band in coral and Pride Band in rainbow colors. Also, leather bands in perforated charcoal, black, poppy, and walnut.

That said, watchband accessories range from $29.95 to $49.95. If you are on a budget Poshei watch bands are made of soft silicone and it is way affordable than the Fitbit watch bands. Check out this economical watch band for Versa 3 we found on Amazon.

While Charge 4 has a great variety of interchangeable premium bands for every occasion, it does not offer designer watch bands. This selection includes REPREVE® recycled woven bands in midnight and rosewood colors. Also, you can find breathable silicone watch bands in evergreen and frost white and Horween® handcrafted leather in black. These accessories start at $29.95USD. For a more budget watch band check out these waterproof sport bands for Charge 4 on Amazon.

Touch screen

The Versa 3 screen size of 40.48 mm x 40.48 mm is larger but less thick (12.35 mm) than Charge 4’s. The clock face comes with a bright AMOLED display and is large enough to see notifications and fitness progress in rich colors. Besides, you can select from hundreds of clock face designs and store up to 5 of your favorites or just your own pics. The Always-On display is great when you want to see your stats or time without waking the screen. To save battery charge or be discreet you can turn it off.

With a thickness of 12.5mm, Charge 4 watch face is 34.45mm x 19.8mm. Although it does not have a color screen it is slimmer and lighter. However, the backlit OLED display responds to natural scrolling and swiping. Additionally, this fitness tracker comes with 24 clock faces that can be changed depending on your mood or occasion. Like Versa 3, you can save up to 5 preferred watch faces. Unfortunately, Charge 4 does not have the Always-On Display functionality.

Health/fitness features

So, if you are looking for a fitness tracker watch, both Charge 4 and Versa 3 have the functionalities to motivate you to exercise and take care of yourself.

One is a fitness tracker and the other is a smartwatch. Which one can help you stay in the game? Let’s compare each feature:

Continuously monitors your heart rate without using a chest strap

Versa 3 features PurePulse® 2.0, an advanced HR technology that monitors heart rate 24/7 not only during the workout but every moment. You can follow trends over time and see real-time heart rate zones. Furthermore, this smartwatch can help you maintain the right intensity or avoid overtraining.

You can optimize effort during workouts, see your resting heart rate trends, and discover your cardio fitness level. Keep in mind that all fitness gadgets that track heart rate, accuracy is affected by physiology, the location of the device, and different movements.

Both Versa 3 and Charge 4 include Active Zone Minutes which alerts you when you reach your personalized target HR zone and when you earn extra minutes of physical activity. This function helps you exercise at the right intensity which also prevents over-exercising and injuries.  You can see your effort and if you reach “150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week” recommended by the American Heart Association.

Although Charge 4 does not feature PurePulse® 2.0 it monitors heart rate continuously. It uses heart rate data to track calorie burned, see any patterns on resting hr=eat rate, and get real-time feedback to maximize your plan.

Tracks your physical activity 24/7 and sleep stages

There is not much difference here. Like Versa 3, Charge 4 can automatically recognize and record your workout or physical activities with SmartTrack™. You can choose more than 20 exercise modes including running, hike, yoga, and walking.

Guided breathing sessions

Charge 4 and Versa 3 feature Relax, a personalized guided breathing session based on your heart rate data. You can choose either 2 or 5 minutes of breathing exercise. Additionally, this functionality helps you chill after your routine, for stress management, or anytime.

The Relax app monitors your heart rate using PurePulse and any changes in your heartbeats between activities. Then it will determine a comfortable breathing rate for you.

This feature can help you lower your heart rate and control your stress which helps improve quality of life.

Moreover, both Fitbit smartwatches can automatically monitor your breathing rate with Fitbit Premium. This feature will help you find any sudden health patterns or to understand your body functions.

With Fitbit Premium, you can automatically measure your breathing rate while you sleep, This function can help you understand your wellness and learn if there are signs of significant changes. View your nightly average and trends over time in the Health Metrics dashboard.

Female Health tracking

Versa 3 and Charge 4 feature Menstrual health tracking that can be used to log periods, track ovulation, input symptoms, and find out any patterns in your menstrual cycle. You can compare this data with sleep quality, activity, heart rate, and other metrics.

In fact, it even predicts ovulation days and the next menstrual period. It is a great way to know what’s going on with your menstrual cycle.

Cardio Fitness Level

This feature is available on both Versa 3 and Charge 4 to improve fitness levels and see where you stand. Besides, it shows your fitness progress using a unique Cardio Fitness Score using your age and gender. You can view the score on the heart rate section of the Fitbit App.

As a matter of fact, this score is an estimation of your VO2 Max. This metric is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use when you’re working out at your hardest. Fitbit automatically provides you with a Cardio Fitness Level in the app using your resting heart rate and user profile.

Furthermore, you can obtain a more precise Cardio Fitness Score & Level by going for a run of at least 10 minutes on a flat area. The higher your Cardio Fitness Score, the better your cardiovascular fitness. It shows you how making changes in your fitness plan can help improve your cardio fitness.

Swim-proof

Both Versa 3 and Charge 4 are water-resistant to 50 meters. You can use them for swimming, in the shower, in the rain, in the pool, and other water sports.

Indeed, it tracks laps, duration, and calories during your swimming.

Personalized on-screen fitness plans

If you want to follow a customized routine, there is no doubt the Coach app will not let you down. This is a paid subscription that can be purchased through Fitbit Premium.

As of right now only Fitbit Ionic, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa, Fitbit Versa 2, and Fitbit Versa 3 have access to the Coach app.

You can stream workout videos from these smartwatches, mobile, and computer.

You cannot use a Charge 4 to view personalized workout on the Coach app although you can subscribe to Fitbit Premium to receive personalized insights.

Blood oxygen saturation

All Versa Series, including Versa 3 can monitor SpO2 or oxygen levels in the blood. This is an important indication of any changes in your health. Fitbit has launched the free SpO2 clock face to show the nightly oxygen level. Now, if you want to see any patterns in the data or estimated oxygen variation you need to upgrade to Fitbit Premium.

This watch face shows the average oxygen level from your most sleep session. Also, you can see the lowest and highest values recorded. However, any values less than 80% will show “<80%”

However, Charge 4 lacks the SPO2 watch face although it can track estimated oxygen variation or EOV like Versa 3 which shows any changes in your blood oxygen saturation levels. This advanced smartwatch estimates your oxygen saturation while you sleep. You can find it in the “Sleep Tile”; then tap a sleep log and swipe to find this data. If you are a Premium user once you tap on the “Sleep Log” tap on “Restoration”. Then swipe to see the estimates.

Fitbit Premium

Whether you get Versa 3, Change 4, or any Fitbit fitness watch, you can get a 90-day free trial for new Fitbit Premium subscribers only. You need to enter a valid payment method although you can cancel before the trial is over to avoid any fees. This free trial can change or canceled at any time.

For more information visit the Fitbit Premium web page.

It is great to stay connected while you monitor your physical performance. Charge 4 can deliver a great music experience while Versa 3 Voice Assistant can keep you in-the-know without issuing your watch. Let’s explore some of the smart functionalities that are available and you be the judge!

Built-in GPS

If you like both Versa 3 and Charge 4, the great news is that these two Fitbit contenders feature GPS built into them. You can see your pace and distance without accessing your phone. Also, you can access the Workout Intensity Map which is available in the Fitbit app. This map can show your heart rate zones throughout your route and learn where you put in the most effort.

Voice Assistant

Versa 3 features both Google Assistant and Alexa Built-in. You ask questions, check the weather, set reminders, and even control your smart home devices.

However, as of now Charge 4 does not have this functionality.

Phone calls, anyone?

Versa 3 has a built-in mic and speaker to take Bluetooth® phone calls right from your wrist. Also, it can send callers to voicemail and adjust the volume. You can reply to texts with voice commands. Keep in mind that your phone has to be nearby and Versa 3 has to be connected to your phone via Bluetooth. I think this feature is really convenient especially when you are working out. The reply to a text is limited to Android users. According to Fitbit, Bluetooth calling and volume control are coming soon.

In contrast, Charge 4 lacks this function although you can get calls and text alerts right from the wrist. Quick text replies can be sent from this device (Android users).

Music Control

Like the previous Versa and Versa 2, you can store and play 300+ songs on Versa 3.  Save/play either music and podcasts on Pandora or Deezer on your wrist. You can enjoy your favorite music or preloaded playlist for your fitness sessions. However, you will need your smartphone to control the Spotify app which is a disappointment.  Keep in mind that paid subscriptions are required and Pandora is available in the US only. Just wear your Bluetooth headphones and enjoy the music experience.

Unlike Versa 3, Charge 4 can control the Spotify app right from your wrist. You can choose the music/podcast, play, shuffle, or skip content. Also, you can Like the songs. However, a Spotify premium subscription is required and it is not available in all countries. Also, it only works when your phone is nearby and you cannot control the volume from Charge 4.

Which battery life is longer?

The Versa 3 smartwatch has a battery life of 6 days and it can take just 12 minutes to get a full day battery charge.

Keep in mind that battery life, charge cycles, and settings may vary with use. Fitbit recommends charging your watch every few days to ensure you are always tracking.

Like Charge 3, Charge 4 battery life is of up to 7 days. Keep in mind that battery life can be reduced to 5 hours on the GPS mode. It also varies with use, settings, and charging frequency.

Secure Payments

Fitbit Pay™ is the feature that allows you to add your debit or credit card in the Wallet section of the Fitbit App. Furthermore, it is available on some Fitbit devices but the great news is that it works with both Charge 4 and Versa 3.

According to Fitbit, Fitbit Pay™ has many security features. For example, it uses an “industry-standard tokenization platform” To protect your card information is protected. Also, it requires you to use a 4 digit PIN code for security purposes.

You can use it in any store or transit system that accepts Fitbit Pay™. The below symbol should appear at a payment terminal.

Find participating banks supporting FitPay here. Please note that the list may be updated at any time.

Final words

Ultimately, when it comes to features, Versa 3 and Charge 4 have very few differences.

Both are swim-friendly, have GPS built-in, and feature 20+ exercise modes. Battery life is similar although Charge 4 is just one hour larger than its counterpart. In terms of music, both can play and store 300 songs or podcasts. However, you can control the Spotify application from the Charge 4 device,  Another big difference between the two is that you can answer phone calls from Versa 3 although this feature is not ready as we speak.

If your oxygen levels are a priority, both fitness watches can track the estimated oxygen variation (FOV). However, a free SPO2 watch face is included on the Versa 3 and not on Charge 4.

In summary, either Versa 3 or Charge 4, both fitness watches offer the best of two worlds but with very few compromises. Your decision depends not only on whether you like a fitness tracker or smartwatch but also on your preference, lifestyle, or fitness goals.

We hope that our post “Fitbit Versa 3 vs Charge 4: Which will fuel your motivation” can help you make a smart buying decision.

BLA

B.L.A is a webmaster, content creator, and blogger who loves fitness watches and working out.

After many attempts to stick to a fitness plan, she found inspiration in fitness wearables which has helped her remain active and lead a healthy lifestyle. She is committed to encouraging individuals who need help with their motivation.

When she isn’t researching fitness technology market trends and writing, you might find Brenda cooking delicious meals, connecting with nature, growing veggies, reading about technology, and enjoying life with her husband C. A.

Check out her other blog Breathe Out Panic Attack.