Fitbit Versa 4 review: Is it still worth the upgrade?

We're two years on since the release of the Fitbit Versa 4 but it remains one of the brand's most popular smartwatch designs - and it's easy to see why with advanced features for fitness fans and interfaces to keep an eye on everything from sleep to stress and even the weather. 

As the digital health editor at woman&home, I've tested pretty much all the best fitness trackers - from the latest Apple Watch to the best Fitbits. When looking at the trackers, I always keep in mind a couple of key things: how easy it is to use, the range of smartwatch features (as these should be a given on modern fitness trackers), how comfortable the watch is to wear, and the extent to which it offers practical improvements to fitness and overall health. 

How does all this compare on the Fitbit Versa 4 to the newest models on the market? I reviewed the device again for two weeks to find out. 

Fitbit Versa 4: £139 at Amazon or bundle up with a band accessory for £159 (limited time only!)
The Fitbit Versa 4 is available in four colourways - black, blue, light pink, and dark pink. While I miss the cream/neutral colourway that's available in other devices, there's one here for most styles. 

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Fitbit Versa 4 review

Specifications

• Size: 1.5" l x 1.5" w x 0.45" h
• Battery life: 6+ days
• Charge time: 2 hours
• Waterproof: Water resistant to 50m
• Colour range: 4
• RRP: £199.99 (now reduced to around £139 at many retailers)

Who does the Fitbit Versa 4 suit?

The Fitbit Versa 4 suits all those who like to exercise regularly, tracking their sessions to improve their fitness. It's also a good choice for those focused on recovery as well as exercise, with advanced sleep and stress sensors, and works as a great middle ground for those who'd otherwise be interested in the Apple Watch Series 9 - but want something a little more budget-friendly.

If you're a seasoned buyer of the many Fitbit types and looking to upgrade from the Fitbit Versa 3 or an older model, the Versa 4 also makes for an excellent choice with a longer battery life and more workout modes than previous Versa models. Unlike the older models, it also has a full-colour display and includes the re-introduction of the physical side button for better navigation. 

What is it like to use?

Using the Fitbit Versa 4 is an incredibly easy and sleek experience. With one push of the button on the side, you can access a whole variety of apps - from your statistics for the day to over 40 exercise modes, plus alarms and timers, useful apps like Fitbit Pay, and even the weather. It sounds like an eclectic mix but, realistically, they're all very useful and I made the most of them all in my first week of retesting. 

Slide your finger across the screen and you'll see your 'Main Goal' as the first slide, customisable in the Fitbit app (which everyone has to download to set up a Fitbit, though what you get in Fitbit Premium vs free is quite different with the Versa 4). Choose your chosen goal from Steps, Distance, Calories Burned, Floors Climbed, or Active Zone minutes to track how much exercise you do every week. 

Onto the next slide and you'll see an overview of your progress, which includes your step count, calories burned, Active Zone Minutes, distance travelled, and floors climbed. I loved these two slides, especially together, as it helps you to focus on your main fitness goals and you can easily check in on your progress throughout the day. From there, you can focus on your heart rate, sleep, set a timer, see the weather forecast, or start an exercise program. 

It's these slides that take the Fitbit Versa 4 up a notch from the previous model and it's why I originally swapped out my tired Fitbit Versa 3 for the new watch. While the Versa 3 did offer these insights, they were displayed minimally on the watch with little to no detail or exclusively on the smartphone app. Having all the insights on your wrist feels premium and compared to other, older models like the Fitbit Luxe, for instance, it's a huge upgrade.

It's also simple to navigate to exercise programs from the home screen by swiping to the left rather than the right. With three of your most-used exercises displayed, you can quickly start your workout - another big change from the Versa 3. 

Is the Fitbit Versa 4 comfortable?

Yes, the Fitbit Versa 4 is incredibly comfortable to wear. It comes with the classic Infinity Band made of tough silicone in shades matching the metallic finish on the watch. While the band can become uncomfortable and cause a light red rash if you wear your Fitbit all the time, knowing how to clean a Fitbit properly and taking it off for the night should resolve this very quickly. 

If the Infinity strap isn't for you and you want something a little more sporty or stylish, Fitbit has a range of other accessories you can buy to vamp up your experience of the Fitbit Versa 4. I found that the Infinity strap as always was just fine for me, provided I took it off once in a while, so I didn't feel the need to explore these options. 

Battery life and charging on the Fitbit Versa 4

The charging method on the Versa 4 is exactly the same as any other Fitbit device: a small magnetic charging platform made of black plastic connected to a USB cable that plugs into a head in the mains. While the USB charger is provided, it's worth noting that the head for the cable is not. 

The Fitbit Versa 4 boasts a battery life of six days - even two years down the line, I found this to be true. I wore the device for four workouts and overnight, and I found it lasted the full seven days. In the end, I decided to charge it before the battery died - so who knows, it could have gone on for longer.

Compared to other models, however, the Fitbit Versa 4 falls short in charging. One of my favourite elements of the Versa 3 was the incredible charging time - I found I could leave the device on charge for just 12-15 minutes and have a smartwatch that was ready to go again. As I'm someone who regularly forgets to charge their Fitbit, this was a lifesaver many times. It takes 2 hours to fully charge the Versa 4 - leaving me out of options for when I did forget to charge the tracker before heading out to the gym one evening. If you do opt for the Versa 4 and you're anything like me, it will be a lesson in getting more organised. 

Fitbit Versa 4 features

Even with the introduction of advanced Fitbits - like the Fitbit Sense 2 - and now having tested several other fitness trackers from the likes of Polar, Garmin, and even the Oura Ring, the Versa 4 stands strong with an impressive range of features.

The most notable are the Stress Score and Daily Readiness Score, which you do need Fitbit Premium to access on this device. The Daily Readiness Score is a number ranging from 1 to 100 that's entirely based on your activity, sleep, and heart rate variability. If your score is 30 or above then your body has recovered enough to exercise again today, if not, it's worth taking a backseat. In the era of burnout and our struggle with exercise burnout particularly, this is a real essential for proper training.

The Versa 4 is a lot simpler than other fitness trackers - but that's for the best with this device. Here's our lowdown of the latest Fitbit features, some of which are standard across the Fitbit range and you can also find on other devices - and some that are new to this model. 

Features of the Fitbit Versa 4 as standard

• Heart rate tracking
• Active Zone Minutes 
• Automatic exercise tracking
• Exercise modes
• Swimproof (with depths of up to 50m)
• Steps, distance, and calories
• Menstrual health tracking
• Sleep tracking and sleep stages
• Sleep Score
• Call, text, and app notifications
• Fitbit Pay

Features new to the Fitbit Versa 4

• Built-in GPS
• Cardio Fitness Score
• Daily Readiness Score
• SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking
• Resting heart rate 
• High and low heartrate notifications
• Heart rate variability 
• Skin temperature variation 
• Breathing rate 
• Wellness report
• Blood glucose tracking (in app)
• Smart Wake alarm 
• Stress Management Score 
• Mindfulness sessions (including relax breathing sessions and reflections)
• Built-in Alexa
• Google Maps
• Google Wallet
• Find My Phone
• Color touchscreen

Is the Fitbit Versa 4 worth buying?

Yes, the Fitbit Versa 4 is one of the best fitness trackers around still, even after two years of technological advancements from Fitbit themselves and other brands. Now it's come down from the £200+ price tag, it's even more of a bargain. 

However, it's now comparable in price to the brand-new Fitbit Charge 6. This device is a fitness tracker at heart but has some key smartwatch features, like call and text notifications, on-screen and turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, Google Wallet, and Bluetooth connectivity to your favourite workout equipment. So, if your heart isn't set on the Versa 4, it's worth weighing up the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6 before making a final decision.

Is it worth upgrading from older models? Absolutely. I'm hugely impressed with the range of features the Fitbit Versa 4 offers and would be happy to pit it against even the newest Apple Watch for fitness tracking. 

Fitbit Versa 3 vs Versa 4

As the list of new features shows, the Versa 4 is a significant upgrade to the Versa 3. While the two are comparable in many ways, the Versa 4 bridges the gap between fitness tracker and smartwatch with ease. The newer model also takes a more serious look at health and wellness tracking outside of exercise, with the inclusion of various new sensors, stress tracking, and mindfulness exercises alongside the 10 more workout modes. 

Where apps are concerned, the Versa 4 also offers more, adding to the generalised wellness approach of the model. I was particularly impressed to see the addition of Google Maps, Google Wallet, and Find My Phone to the list of downloadable additions to the watch interface, making it a great choice for hikers, dedicated gym-goers, and busy city dwellers alike.