Watch Out, Apple Watch Fans: You Have Competition!
Hi all – It’s Jennifer, one of Collin’s sidekicks.
I know there are die-hard Apple fans out there, and while I admit a lot of Apple products outperform their competitors… the Fitbit Versa is LEGIT! I now have a product that is not running on an iOS system that gives the Apple Watch a run for its money and it’s A LOT cheaper!
And, good news! It can sync up with iOS, Android, and a Windows Phone. Apple Users now have a smartwatch that (in my opinion) is better and cheaper.
I’m not going to do a side by side comparison of everything the Apple Watch and Fitbit Versa can do, but I’ll just focus on my favorite features.
First of all, the battery life on an Apple Watch is around 18 hours. If you want to track your sleep, this becomes a problem unless you decide to charge your watch during the day – but then you want to use it during the day.
The Fitbit Versa has a battery life of a whopping FIVE days! YES! Five days – and mine has never been less than a full five days before I need to charge it. There are several benefits to this, including sleep tracking and not having to stop and charge your watch.
And GET THIS, I left town on Wednesday and returned Sunday, and I still didn’t have to charge my Versa until Monday. That means you can take vacations without bringing a charger, which is nice when you have to bring all sorts of chargers for your phone, tablets, and other devices already. I should also mention it only takes one hour to fully charge my Versa, whereas an Apple Watch takes 2.5 hours to fully charge.
I can check the weather with a tap. And, not just the daily, I can check a detailed 10-day forecast. Yes, I know you can check the weather on an Apple Watch, but I wanted to make sure you knew the Versa had this fun feature as well.
With the Versa, I can track my periods, cramps, and other symptoms. The female health-tracking feature is already on the watch. It helps predict your next fertile window based on the data you enter. While you can’t log the information directly on the watch, you can see your information directly from your wrist. The Apple Watch has third-party period-tracking apps you can get as well, but they’re not part of the original interface.
I like that I can walk away from my phone, but I still receive notifications. If I’m out working in the garden, my Versa buzzes on my wrist when someone is calling, and I can see who it is. This helps me remember to call them back or to grab my phone. The Apple Watch has this same feature, and it works essentially the same.
The Versa has workout routines/plans. It shows you the moves right on your wrist – and you can initiate a guided training session right in your living room. Fitbit’s reminders are also more focused on motivating regular movement (for example, by requiring 250 steps an hour to “win”). This focus is not part of the Apple Watch.
Fitbit consolidates all your fitness data into its main phone app, making it much easier to interpret. The Apple Watch splits your fitness data across 3 apps: the Watch app, the Activity app, and the Health app on the iPhone.
Both the Versa and Apple Watch have a lot of the same cool features. They’re both waterproof, show notifications, track fitness, heart rate, play music, track steps, and more. But did I mention battery life? It’s worth mentioning again – Versa’s battery life is 667% longer than the Apple Watch. And, as you can see, I love the clock faces, too!
Want the best price on a Versa?
Fitbit Versa’s are the same as Apple Watches in the fact that they don’t go on sale. I’ve found the best way to buy the Versa is from Kohl’s when they’re offering Kohl’s Cash. You pay $199 out-of-pocket and earn $40 Kohl’s Cash. This is free money you can use in about a week’s time on other things you need at Kohl’s.
Otherwise, if you shop anywhere else, you pay the $199 and get nothing in return – Still, at less than 50% of the cost of an Apple watch, you’ve still got a great watch!
Note: I’m not being paid by the Fitbit company for this post. I just love this watch and wanted to share my experience with you.❤
I received the Versa a few months ago – no complaints! ✌🏻
Great to hear! Thanks, Hhotz!
Thanks for all the helpful info
You are welcome, Jessica!
The versa watch doesn’t have capability to make and receive calls does it? I was going to buy an Apple Watch but that’s the whole reason I want one….
I don’t think you can make a receive calls. I haven’t gotten that far into mine and it’s not an option I would use.
My SO has the newest series Apple Watch and paid the extra $10 a month to have capability to make/receive calls from it. While he could hear the caller it often was poor quality and he was very hard to understand. He went to the Apple Store to find out what was wrong. They said the call option was designed to work with the Air Pods (cordless earbuds) so you must have them in order to use the call option (not surprising as Apple tends to have things like this up their sleeves). The Air Pods are another $160. So $400 for watch, $160 for Air Pods, and $120+ a year for cellular cell phone add on.
I have the Apple Watch and the ability to make and receive calls with voice is a deal breaker for me. I work from home and don’t have a landline so I work with the Apple Watch quite often. It’s nice to have an alternative for people who don’t need that feature though.
Does the Versa also have a metal back on the watch?
Yes it has a metal back.
Thx Jennifer …I am really going to look into this option… It seems to have everything I want…,and it seems like a great price …of course at Kohl’s. keep up the good work and God bless…
You are so welcome, Babymair!
Not all Apple Watch versions are considered water resistant. Also ideally you should put turn on the water setting (I don’t know the term but if you swipe up from the bottom of your home screen there is a water drop – leave that on until you are no longer swimming.) It does fine in rain and things like that but I believe that setting is supposed to be used if you are submerging it
Im a swim instructor and my Apple Watch has had water damage twice and I’ve had to pay to repair it both times. Mind you I teach in a super shallow pool and my watch is barely submerged for very long. I can’t wear my Apple Watch in the water any more. How is the water resistant feature on the versa? Anyone know? Thanks!
Hi Ally! I have submerged and had my Versa wet many times without issue, however I have not been in a pool or swam with it. I used to have a Fitbit Charge 2 and had an issue at one time (not with water) and they had excellent customer service. I was even out of warranty and they sent me a free refurbished one to replace my old one. I’ve had friends who also received great customer service with Fitbit. So, while I don’t know the answer to your question, I do know that if you own one and have any issues they are quick to resolve them without you paying more out of pocket.
I’ve taken mine swimming a couple times this summer and so far so good! No water damage!
Also I forgot to mention I’ve only tested it in a swimming pool.
Thanks so much, Jasmin!
I swim once a week with mine for an hour each time and have had no issues. I’ve been swimming with it since April when I first got it.
Thanks, Leah!
I’ve taken my Versa swimming in a pool and the Pacific Ocean and have had no issues.
I have had mine for a month and have swam at least 20 times with it, in the chlorinated pool water and in the lake. I swim for 20-40 minutes doing laps. I also just have it on when i am in the pool for hours with my daughter. It functions very well and when i let it know i am swimming it accurately counts my laps! When i swam in the lake yesterday it detected i was swimming and counted it as exercise!
The first two series of Apple Watch was that you could shower not swim with it. The Apple Watch 3 series u can actually swim with. So it depends on what series of Apple Watch u have. I have the first one n still swam with it it many times. But after a year I had issues. It dries up n works just fine after 2 years. I only want the new one because of the GPS capabilities. I have everything Apple n love their products. Anytime I switch I find myself more frustrated n money waisted because I go back to the simplicity of their product n did I mention longevity.
I’m surely going to look into this myself! Thank you!
You are welcome! It’s worth it, Missyv!
I love my Versa. I wear it swimming all the time and also wear it in the ocean.
I can’t make calls with it but I can decline them. Also you can reply to texts using some prepared messages.
Wahoo, Krista! Thanks so much for giving us more information on the Versa!
I love my versa!
Yay!
Love my Apple Watch. I have a Series 3 with cellular and it works great. Allows me to leave my phone at home when I go for a run or walk and still make and receive calls and messages. I do pay extra on my cell plan for it but I lead an active lifestyle and can’t always take my phone (nor do I want to). Apple also has AMAZING customer service that it’s well worth the extra cost to me.
Thanks, Anna! I’m so happy you like yours and it sounds like you use all the features and it’s worth it for you. 🙂
I have the same and feel the same. I love my Apple Watch 3. It does everything and more!
Can you use the Fitbit Versa to control your phone camera? My husband uses this feature on his Apple Watch to take pictures or videos of himself and the kids when no one is around to snap the picture for him. I like the sound of the versa but I really want this feature.
I have not seen that feature myself, Sarah. Maybe someone will comment and let us know, but the Apple Watch may be a better fit for you.
My mom has Versa, loves it. I have Apple, adore mine. But the top title is a little weird. Apple Watch “fans” don’t have competition, if you are an Apple head, you will prob remain an Apple head. I think Apple Watch is the one with the competition.
I’m not so sure. I have friends that are Apple Heads, but like the idea of a longer battery life. They are now considering switching. I do think both products are great, but it’s nice to see if you are on the fence that you have cheaper options. I can see both watches being useful depending on your needs.
So true.
I refuse to give up my Apple Watch even if the fitbits started handing out cookies!
LOL!
Lol, it was bothering me too…the watch is what has competition, not the fans themselves.
Agreed, the grammar on the title is wrong.
My Apple Watch is the latest version and it will fully charge in about an hour, maybe earlier versions take longer though.
That’s great to hear, Polly!
I wish I knew thay before purchasing the Skagen from a previous hip2save deal. Its not bad with iPhone, 24hr battery, receives all notifications, has exercise routines, works with google fit and guesses the exercise you are performing, its shower resistant BUT not waterproof, and cannot reply to txts.
Dont you have to pay for a monthly data plan with an apple watch?
I use an apple watch without a data plan..you only sync it with your iPhone..you only need a data plan if you plan to leave your iPhone and use the watch by itself for calls etc that needs data/cell service..like when youre running i guess?
Only if you want the cellular watch. I have the GPS which doesn’t require separate service.
I pay $10 a month to link my Apple Watch 3 to my iPhone. It’s well worth the extra cost to leave my phone at home while out on a run. And I have the peace of mind knowing I can make phone calls in emergencies. Also I can use Apple Pay on my watch to make purchases while I’m out.
I have the Garmin Vivoactive which I use to track my swimming. Does this have the same feature??? 😁
Yes, the Fitbit automatically tracks the duration of your swim and the number of pool lengths you swim. You will need to enter the pool length in meter or yard in the app on on your watch first. If you swim in the same pool often, you won’t need to put int he length each time as it keeps the default length until you change it.
Ok, I’ve been saving for an Apple Watch because I’ve researched the accuracy of many different brands and types of fitness trackers. Apple’s have proven to be the most accurate for heart rate and calorie counting. Does anyone know or have any info about the accuracy of the Versa? I’d love to pay less for a fitness tracker but I’ve been sooo disappointed in previous fit bit purchases.
I don’t have the versa but I have the fitbit blaze and it’s pretty accurate with calories burned. I can’t comment on the heart rate piece but in my honest opinion none of them are 100% accurate without wearing a chest strap.
I’ve worn both my chest strap and my fitbits (first the charge, now the Alta hr) and the numbers have been extremely close every time I’ve done it so in my experience the Fitbit is nearly as accurate as wearing a cheat strap.
I purchased one on the QVC website and chose the 5 payments. Took the sting out of a big gift purchase to spread the payments out at no interest.
That was a good idea, Lindsey!
True, monetary issues might cause a switch but I still personally would have no competition. I make no profits from their sales! That is my issue with the title of the article 🙂
I totally understand! 🙂
I have a Fitbit Versa and love it. I’ve been in the swimming pool and submerged and have had no problems. Battery life is great and very easy to change bands.
Thanks for letting us know, Mrsyancy!
You can purchase it from Target and get 5% off with a Red Card. Not as much as the money back from Kohl’s but just a heads up if you don’t use Kohls cash.
Good point, Shay!
I got my versa a couple of months ago and I love it. I had the Alta HR and the versa is a major upgrade.
Yay!
I own a Fitbit Versa. I love it, only beware, it counts your wrist movements when you aren’t walking!! I crocheted myself to 23356 steps the other day.
Whoa! I had no idea as I don’t crochet!
I have fitbit blaze and it’s the same thing with the wrist movements.
Can you send and receive text msg from the Fitbit watch?
You can receive text messages and you can reply to texts using some quick reply messages.
But don’t you have to be an Android phone user to reply to messages? This is what I’ve heard.
I have an Android phone. In some of the comments a reader did mention it’s Android only. I’m not an Apple user so I cannot test it for you.
While I cannot comment on the Versa specifically, I have had a different Fitbit. I had to deal with their customer service as it magically stopped working one day. It’s replacement did the same thing less than a year later. Their CS were difficult to deal with and while eventually replacing my first Fitbit, would not stand by the replacement (which fell apart & wouldn’t charge anymore). I’ve also had numerous friends with Fitbit issues and similar customer service hassles. All this alone will keep me from ever buying any of their products again.
Awww, I’m really sorry to hear that, Cat. Thank you for your honest feedback.
I had the exact opposite experience with Fitbit customer service. The band on my Fitbit Charge started coming apart and Fitbit sent me a new one….no questions asked. I eventually upgraded to a Fitbit Alta and it stopped holding a charge. It could be fully charged and 10 minutes later would be dead. Fitbit customer service was able to see the problem and sent me a new Alta. Their great customer service is why I chose the Versa over Apple when I chose to upgrade again. No regrets. I love my Versa.
I have been debating an Apple Watch vs Versa but want to know if the Versa has a GPS option without bringing my phone-would defeat the whole purpose if I had too. Thanks!
Versa does not have GPS unfortunately. The Blaze does but it’s more expensive.
I’ve been using my Versa since Monday and I’m loving it so far. The screen position is a little odd, but otherwise this thing has been the best smartwatch I’ve owned.
My Apple Watch take 45 minutes, maximum 1 hour to charge fully from 0 and will last me 2 days most of the time
I’ve had the fitbit versa for a few weeks and my step count and stair count keep going crazy. I’ve chatted with fitbit cs twice and they’ve had me reset it a few different ways, but it still appears to be busted. I’m hoping they send me a new one because its so obviously broken, I get 38 flights of stairs some days when I don’t do any stairs at all!
I totally agree with you. I purchased the Fitbit versa. And loving it also. You don’t drag any apple product. Through the mud. Without someone racking you through the goal. You might have a fight on on hands. Because apple product s are supposed to be in a league of there own.
Does it have a built in GPS?
Speaking from someone who’s had them both the fitbit Versa is amazing. We left apple when the x came out for Android it was a hard switch I loved my apple watch so I got a gear s2 it was horrible. So when the Versa came out I wanted it. Being a former fitbit user before my apple watch I new I missed the challenges and social aspect of the app. The Versa is hands down amazing. I wear it in the pool I get notifications and can do quick replies (this feature is only for Android so far) heart rate steps female info sleep patterns also amazing watch faces. Plus the battery life is great. I get about 3 to 4 days in a heavy user with several notifications coming to my wrist. Only thing it doesn’t have is GPS but the ionic does if that’s a feature you need.
I have a charge 2 and was very happy with it. I decided to upgrade my husband to the versa for Father’s Day. It was the 4th Fitbit we have purchased. As he has had one since 2007. He had it for one week. He was wearing it at the beach and it somehow came apart. I have called Fitbit and they do not care that it fell apart because we have no way to prove it. I can say he was really starting to like it but I am not sure I will ever buy something that comes apart that easily.
Thank you so much for this post. I have a fitbit Hr 2 and cracked my screen and have been debating what to purchase next. I was trying to decide if a Samsung smart watch was the way to go. I’d love more of people’s comments about that too. It sounds like this fitbit is the way to go!
Both my hubby and I have had the Samsung watches. Neither of us wear them. They just sit in a drawer. He has the frontier and I had the s2. They are very limited on the features. Even with their own built in GPS. The battery life is horrible. I love. My Versa and I have have the apple watch and prior fitbits.
Same here – bought a refurbished S2 model from Amazon that I used for a short period of time. Has no bells and whistles. Only advantage was the cheap price and that I could speak into my wrist like Inspector gadget.
Does it need to be connected to a phone to work? I am looking for a smartwatch that I can buy my son that can double as a planner/calendar to help with homework reminders. It would be nice if it could send and receive texts, but I really don’t want to get him a phone!!! Would something like this work?
Ooof thank you haha.
I hit reply to 50ShadesofLipstick up top but it popped up at the bottom. Odd. Oh well this is for you 50! 🙂
Does it display steps on the watch face, like the charge 2 does? I really miss that feature on my apple watch
Yes..it has the option to display steps on the watch face….you can also toggle between heart rate and calories burned with just a tap of the screen.
Yes it does you choose your watch face. Most of them have step counts shown.
FYI- fertility tracking apps. Oh, apparently you can be well outside of your fertile window and still get pregnant.
My surprise daughter will be born in October!
Congratulations on your bonus baby! Mine will be 18 soon. She was meant to be 🙂
It’s just a title, not that big of a deal. Geesh!
Right? Why focus on a title when it’s the content that matters. Notice, though, that the only people upset and actually taking the time to complain about the title are Apple users…lol
Right? Why focus on a title when it’s the content that matters. Notice, though, that the only people upset and actually taking the time to complain about the title are Apple users…lol
Because it is directly speaking to us.
Kohl’s is offering $30 Kohl’s cash and not $40
Hi there! “You can actually spend just $48 after all applicable discounts and before tax instead of the usual $50 and still receive a $10 Kohl’s Cash Reward”. Find more details on that over here – https://hip2save-com-develop.go-vip.co/2018/01/09/20-kohls-shopping-hacks-that-really-work/ and HERE. Hope that helps!
I talk on my iwatch daily no problems. I don’t use airbuds. Sorry your So had issues.
FYI….If you work for a large company there is a chance that you might can get the Fitbit Versa or any of the Fitbit watches at a discounted price through your the Active Health program if your work offers it. I was able to get the new Versa for only $117 and I love my new Fitbit! 😊
Love the review, I do wish you could have taken a picture of the apple and this next to each other for size comparison. I have seen how big the apple one is on other people, so would give me a size comparison 🙂
This website has a side by side pic – this is what I used to pick it for my mom.
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/apple-watch-3-vs-fitbit-versa-which-smartwatch-is-best/
thanks!
When I go to the Kohls website it says you get $30 in Kohls cash. It’s $10 for every $50, this purchase is one cent short. Add something cheap to your basket to get the full $40 in Kohls cash.
I see that as well! However you will still grab the $40 in Kohl’s cash. Grab more details on how that works over here –> https://hip2save-com-develop.go-vip.co/2018/01/09/20-kohls-shopping-hacks-that-really-work/
My husband has the Apple Watch and I got the Versa for Mother’s Day. They both have their advantages, but I definitely would choose the Versa. I love my Versa!!!
I have never had a smartwatch of any kind so I am hoping some of y’all could help me out with my question. First, I am an android gal all the way so an apple watch is out of the questions so just focus on the fitbit here. I have other devices that use bluetooth on my phone such as my headsest for work calls and android auto in my car. Would tethering this watch interrupt any of my other devices? I guess what I am asking is can multiple devices be used at the same time? I would really like to get the watch but I need to determine if peripheral devices are going to fight each other LOL
No, your bluetooth can accumulate a bunch of things. On mine I have the watch, my car, my speaker on my desk, my keys trackers, my laptop monitor. It just helps to name each item or else you will get confused LOL. I always mix up my laptop tracker with my keys tracker.
I have the Fitbit blaze and I love it!!!
Just got mine and I love it!! Watch Ebay for deals. I got mine tax free, with free shipping for $170. I have seen them as low as $160 on there, so watch for good ebay coupon codes!!
Wow! Awesome, Kclark!
What’s the name of that clock face? I must have it lol
I don’t know the name. When you have the Versa, you go into the app and pick the clock faces. I just liked that one and used it! 🙂
Watchface is called “toriwatch”, listed under “digital” faces! So CUTE!!!