Wearable fitness trackers are one of the big things of the current wellness movement, and among those trackers, Fitbit is a big name. It’s constantly putting out new watches and other devices to help you monitor various indicators of fitness. So where exactly does the Versa 4 fit among the ranks?
In many ways, the Versa 4 is a natural continuation of other Fitbit models, using a similar design in its app to provide for all your needs. There have been some changes, some of which may be annoying but most of which should be for the better.
It has removed some features we previously liked, most notably third-party app support. This is particularly irritating for those who want to stream music while working out. Other removals include noise detection, snore detection, advanced tracking and Google Voice. Some would argue this makes it more of a pure fitness device than a smartwatch. We also have some criticism of the strap, which isn’t particularly comfortable in either the larger or smaller version.
On the other hand, the Versa 4 does see the return of the much-missed raised physical button. Alongside a much simpler interface, this makes the device easier to use, especially for those who may otherwise have accessibility issues. Whether you’re using the button to switch on, open your favorites list or launch a customized feature, or you prefer to. use the brightly lit screen to slide and swipe through functions, it shouldn’t take long to master. We also appreciate that the Versa 4 is both lighter and thinner than the Versa 3.
The Versa 4 has a fairly good battery and GPS tracker, in addition to being water resistant down to 164 feet. The Bluetooth range has been upgraded. Where it shines is in having significantly more workout tracking choices (41) than other low-priced trackers, although you can only view one at a time. Its tracking of your health metrics while asleep is comprehensive, although we’re not sure that every score is quite right. The heart rate tracker does seem to have a slight lag.
Google Wallet and Maps haven’t been integrated with the Versa 4 yet, so their effectiveness can’t be reviewed, but overall this seems to be a simple, easy-to-use tracker that does what it does well. It’s just missing a few of the features that would justify the smartwatch-level price.
