If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Fitbit Versa 2 is packed with the super successful original Versa’s tech – with a few nifty new features thrown in for good measure.
What we love:
- The app is super easy to use
- The price is great
- Alexa integration
- It’s gorgeous – rose gold, anyone?
What it's missing
- No integrated GPS
- No offline support for Spotify
Key specs:
- £199.99 (£219 for the special edition)
- 5-day battery
- OLED display
- HR tracking
- 15 exercise modes (including run, bike, yoga, bootcamp and swim)
The original Versa was a serious money-maker for Fitbit – the company earned $10 million net profit for the third quarter of 2018 after the Versa release, after making a loss the previous year – and for good reason. The device was a step above even its high-end offering, the Ionic, and for a better price. With its on-point activity tracking and sleek design, the Versa bridged the gap between tracker and smartwatch for Fitbit. The Fitbit Versa 2 builds on that success. It’s got all the usual suspects: HR, step, calorie, sleep, exercise and menstrual cycle tracking, with some great new additions. Let’s take a look under the hood.
What’s new in the Fitbit versa 2?
Alexa
Amazon assistant Alexa has finally left home – it comes to wearables for the first time in the Fitbit Versa 2. With it, you can ask Alexa questions, and tell it to set alarms for you, order things on Amazon (you want to be careful with that one), or even reply to texts or emails (but only on Android, soz).
Of course, Amazon has just announced its own range of Alexa wearables (including, interestingly, earbuds and a ring), so it wasn’t going to give Fitbit all the good stuff. Alexa can't talk back to you from your wrist, but you will still be able to whisper into your watch like a spy – a win, if you ask us.
Spotify integration
Nope, this doesn’t mean you can store music directly on your Versa – but’s it’s pretty nifty when you want to switch playlists or tracks and can’t be bothered digging your phone out your bag. It’s kind of like having a Bluetooth remote control on your wrist.
Always-on display
No more awkward wrist tilts to check the time on this device – you can set the Fitbit Versa 2 display to stay on permanently. Side note: this will reduce the five-day battery life to two.
A bigger, brighter screen
A bigger OLED screen combined with more screen real estate – slightly smaller bezels and removal of the Fitbit logo at the bottom centre of the screen – makes for a bolder, brighter interface that the original Versa.
The verdict
If you’re looking for a tracker with a smartwatch edge, the Fitbit Versa 2 is a great choice – especially if you want a wearable that you can wear outside of the gym too.
The Fitbit app translates your health stats into easy-to-understand graphs and recommendations, and the sleep score is a win if you struggle with getting enough Zzz.
Polar's new Ignite is retailing at a similar price point (£175) but it's glitchy where Fitbit is slick, and the latter translates stats and data into info that's much easier to understand than what Polar's app Flow churns out. If you're looking for a all-rounder, a tracker-come-smartwatch, the Versa 2.0 hits all the sweet spots.
On the other hand, if you’re a serious runner or cyclist who needs GPS for accurate tracking then you might want to look to brands like Garmin or Polar (even the Ignite has a built-in GPS).
Pros
- 24/7 Heart Rate Tracking
- Water Resistant & Tracks Swims
- 15+ Exercise Modes
- Amazon Alexa Built-In
Cons
- No GPS
- Need to Run with Phone
- No integration with Apple Health or Google Fit
Tempted to take the plunge? Here are a few FAQs.
Can you reply to texts and emails on the Fitbit Versa 2?
If you sync notifications from your phone, you can indeed. You can tap to use standard quick replies like ‘Yes’, ‘No’ and ‘Can’t talk now, will reply later’, but thanks to that Alexa microphone, you can reply verbally too. A bit awkward in Sainsbury's veg aisle, but handy nevertheless.
Can you take calls on the Fitbit Versa 2?
Yes – and no. Depends on your definition of taking calls, really. If notifications from your phone are on, you can reject or answer calls on the watch, but you’ll have to use your phone to actually talk to someone.
Is the Fitbit Versa 2 water resistant?
It is indeed. Not only will the watch handle showers and epsom salt baths just fine, it’ll also survive a dip in the pool – up to 50m in fact, so much deeper than your local Lido. If you’re a water baby, you can use the Versa 2 to track your swim length, duration, distance and pace too.
Does the Fitbit Versa 2 have a built-in GPS?
Sadly no – but this is likely what makes Fitbit able to keep the cost of this device so reasonable. It will track your pace and distance on your runs though, as long as you have your phone with you.
Does the Fitbit Versa 2 come with Fitbit Premium?
It dropped around the same time as the Versa 2, but Fitbit’s subscription service isn't exclusive to Versa. Not is it included with your watch. Fitbit Premium is like Netflix for fitness fans. Sort of. For £7.99 per month or £79.99 a year, you get access to programmes tailored to your stats and goals – think a three-week ‘Beginner Running’ programme or a one-week guide to help you ‘Kick Your Sugar Habit’. It’ll also give you a more in-depth analysis of that sleep score (as opposed to just a number which you get without the plan).
The subscription service includes access to Fitbit Coach – a separate app – which is essentially Fitbit’s workout library. Coach is a great option if you often find yourself wondering around the gym aimlessly and in need of a nudge in the right direction. PT in your pocket? Yes please.
If this doesn’t entice you to sign up, watch this space – Fitbit has promised to unlock more Premium features in the coming months.
What is Fitbit Sleep Score?
It’s a new sleep-tracking functionality launched by Fitbit, and it’s not only coming to the Versa 2. With the latest update, any Fitbit with HR tracking will be able to rate your sleep according sleep duration, sleep depth (how much time you spend in deep and REM sleep) and something that the brand has dubbed sleep restoration, in which it uses your resting heart rate and movement during the night to measure how refreshed you should feel in the morning. All that and a fancy algorithm will give you an easy-to-understand sleep score out of 100. Turns out there’s more to a good night’s rest than just getting your eight hours…
What is Fitbit's blood oxygen sensor used for?
This feature has been on Fitbit devices for a while, but it’s the first time it’s actually going to be used for, well, exactly what it says on the tin. The blood oxygen sensor will measure your oxygen variation while you sleep, helping to detect breathing irregularities as you sleep to check for conditions like sleep apnoea.
Do I have to pay extra for Fitbit Pay on the Fitbit Versa 2?
Nope – unlike the Versa, all Versa 2 models come with the handy-dandy tap to pay function.
And yes, it’ll work on the tube.
Want more?
Fitbit Charge 4
fitbit Fitbit Versa 3
Fitbit Inspire HR
Fitbit Ionic
Kirsti is a health and fitness journalist, a personal trainer and tech junkie. She’s a South African journalist who followed her passion for health and fitness all the way to the UK, where she now spends her days sweating it up and perfecting her form in gyms all over London.
