Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Versa 4: Which fitness smartwatch is best for you?

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• The Sense 2 is Fitbit's flagship smartwatch with several health and wellness-centric features.
• The Versa 4 aims to be a fitness-focused wearable but is plagued by connectivity and tracking issues. 
• We compared the two premium Fitbits to see which one is the better buy.

Fitbit's smartwatch lineup is headed up by two distinct flagship wearables: the Versa 4 and the Sense 2. Although they both offer a near-similar overall experience, there are a few clear differences that set them apart. 

Namely, the Sense 2 offers a few more extras than the Versa 4, including ECG readings, skin temperature sensing, and real-time stress tracking, a set of advanced tools that debuted with the release of the watch. It also offers all the features found on the Versa 4 and totes a price tag of $300. 

Meanwhile, the Versa 4 does not include Fitbit's latest and greatest health sensors, but it does cost $100 less. However, due to minimal upgrades over the older-gen Versa 3, and some connectivity and tracking issues we came across in our testing, it fails to live up to that standard.

Below, we compare these two Fitbit smartwatches head-to-head to see which is best and who would benefit from wearing either one. Here's how the two stack up.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Specs at a glance

Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Design

Both the Sense 2 and the Versa 4 are near-identical clones of one another and feature a similar design to the generations that came before. Each has the same square watch face with subtle, rounded edges, as well as a display size of 336 x 336 pixels.

Other similarities include a water-resistance rating of 50 meters and the ability to use the same interchangeable watch bands. They both also have a small side button that can be used in conjunction with the watch's touchscreen controls.

One area where they do differ, however, is with their case size. While the Versa 4 measures 40.4mm, the Sense 2's case size is 40.5mm. Although this is technically a difference in size, it's so minimal that it's hard to notice which watch is which when they're sitting next to each other. 

Though perhaps the biggest difference between the two comes down to the available colors. The Versa 4 is available in Graphite, Platinum, and Copper Rose, while the Sense 2 comes in Shadow Grey, Lunar White, and Soft Gold.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Smartwatch performance

One of the main nitpicks we have with these watches is their disappointing lack of smartwatch capability. Specifically, neither watch supports third-party app access nor do they allow for any music storage or playback via something like Spotify (i.e. a third-party app). Each of these are (or should be) hallmarks of modern smartwatches. 

Because of this, the Sense 2 and Versa 4 both come up short concerning actual smartwatch performance. Sure, they get notifications like text messages, emails, and phone calls, but these are the absolute bare minimum you'd expect to find on any wearable in the "smart" category. 

Additionally, they both only offer Amazon Alexa voice assistance support, not Google Assistant, which is a bit strange considering Google owns Fitbit. Alexa works fine on both watches, though a smartphone does need to be tethered to the watches for the feature to actually work.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Health and fitness tracking

The biggest difference between the Versa 4 and the Sense 2 comes down to their individual health and fitness tracking performance. And although the Versa 4 seems designed to be more of a legit fitness tracker, it's actually the Sense 2 that proves to be the more reliable everyday wearable. 

We find the Sense 2 connects to a GPS signal far quicker than the Versa 4, which can have a major impact on fitness tracking. Waiting for the Versa 4 to connect can be a frustrating experience, yet it's imperative to do so to ensure accurate tracking. During our Versa 4 tests, we decided to forgo the GPS connection before a few runs and found that the tracking accuracy was off by as much as 1/8th of a mile. Though it seems minimal, that difference can have a significant impact on your mile time.  

Let's say the Versa 4 logs you at around a 9-minute mile. If you factor in the 1/8th of a mile discrepancy, you might've actually run that mile in closer to 8 minutes. That's a huge difference for anyone training for a marathon or any sort of running event. We never encountered this issue with the Sense 2. 

The Sense 2 edges out the Versa 4 in terms of available health-tracking tools, too. In addition to its new skin temperature sensor, it offers real-time stress tracking via a cEDA sensor as well as an ECG app. The ECG app is especially interesting as it's capable of tracking your heart rhythm and can assess for signs of Afib. While only a doctor can diagnose Afib, the ECG app can at least detect potential signs of it.

Standard tracking features like heart rate, blood oxygen levels, menstrual cycles, and heart rate variability are also available on both the Sense 2 and Versa 4.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Battery life

Perhaps the best feature native to both the Sense 2 and the Versa 4 is their battery life, which lasts roughly six days depending on how it's used. During our tests, we consistently hit the six-day estimate, even during periods when we used the GPS often (which could tend to make the battery drain a little quicker). 

Compared to something like an Apple Watch, which often requires a daily recharge, the extended battery life of the Sense 2 and Versa 4 is a major benefit. Furthermore, both watches need around 12 minutes on the charger to go from 0% to a full day's worth of battery life.

Which should you buy?

Both the Sense 2 and Versa 4 are similar watches that mostly represent the Fitbit experience. However, due to the Versa 4's shortcomings in both smarts and fitness tracking, it pales in comparison to the Sense 2. 

That's not to say the Sense 2 is without its own faults. The lack of third-party app support and the ability to store or play music holds this wearable back from being a legit smartwatch. What ultimately gives it the edge over the Versa 4 is its better GPS connectivity, its new skin temperature-sensing and stress-tracking features, and access to the ECG apps and heart rhythm data.

However, if those advanced features aren't something you need or necessarily care about, then you're better off saving the $100 and investing in the Versa 4 (or the more impressive Versa 3) instead.

If you're looking to upgrade from something like the first-generation Sense, a Versa 2 or 3, or even one of Fitbit's basic trackers like the Charge or Inspire, the Sense 2 is a great option. It may leave you desiring a bit more in the smartwatch department but it's still a step above everything else in the brand's lineup.