Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6: What's the difference? I tried them both for a month to find out

Deciding between the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6? These two watches sit among the bestsellers in the Fitbit range for good reason. They are excellent devices for tracking your daily activity, workouts, sleep, stress, and so much more.

Being two of the best Fitbits, these watches walk the line between smartwatches and fitness trackers, providing the best of both worlds. However, the Fitbit Charge 6 is the real fitness tracker of the two, while the Versa 4 focuses on smartwatch features.

As two of the best fitness trackers, either one is a great choice, but some will be suited to one more than the other. I've had both in my collection for two years - here's what you need to know about them and how to choose the one for you.

Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6

Overview of the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6

If you're looking to count your steps, track your workouts (like running, cycling, strength training, or Pilates), keep an eye on your heart health, or monitor your sleep, then either the Fitbit Versa 4 or Charge 6 would be a good option.

The key will be to decide whether you want a smartwatch (the Versa 4) or a fitness tracker (the Charge 6).

Released in September 2022, the Fitbit Versa 4 is a smartwatch. It's larger, with a bigger screen that makes the on-screen text easier to read. It also offers complete integration with Google apps, such as Maps, Wallet, Voice Assistant, and more, along with the various workout modes, sleep, and stress insights.

The Fitbit Charge 6 was released in October 2023. It's slimmer in design, so it fits neatly on the wrist and feels comfortable to wear during high-intensity workouts and overnight, but the smaller screen means the text isn't as easy to read. As it's a fitness tracker, rather than a smartwatch, you can connect to some treadmills, rowing machines, and stationary bikes via Bluetooth to receive accurate and live heart rate tracking on your machine.

Wondering which one is for you? Here, I review them both side by side, highlighting the key differences and what you need to know before buying. But it's also worth checking out the latest from the Google collaboration, and weighing up the Google Pixel Watch vs Fitbit before you buy.

Specifications

Design of the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6

The key difference between the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6 is in the design. While the Versa 4 sports a square-shaped touchscreen measuring 1.58 inches, with a thick silicone band, the Fitbit Charge 6 has a rectangular touchscreen measuring 0.86 by 0.58 inches and a slimmer silicone band. Both are made from aluminium, glass, resin, and silicone and have a premium, durable feel, and are available in various colourways.

Neither is particularly heavy (weighing just over 36g), but those with smaller arms and wrists may find the Charge 6 a better option, especially when wearing the device to bed to track sleep, as it's a bit smaller.

The Versa 4 offers more viewing space thanks to the larger screen, making the information on the screen easy to see at a glance. This is particularly useful if your priority is to have the device as an extension of your phone, with calls and text replies available at the touch of a button, as well as to use it as an activity tracker.

The Fitbit Charge 6 has a fitness-first approach. The text on the screen is significantly smaller, but still readable. You'll tap the home screen to see your activity insights one at a time, rather than having them all there at once. The idea is to use the Charge 6 to check in on your stats, start and stop workouts, and be notified of calls and texts, but to primarily capture this data and view it on your phone instead. In return, you get a sleeker and more streamlined design.

Winner: Personal preference

Activity and sleep tracking on the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6

The Fitbit Versa 4 and Charge 6 boast 40+ workout modes, including the essentials like running (all types), walking, cycling, and hiking, along with niche activities like stand-up paddleboarding and rock climbing. Having the specific workout modes to support these sports allows you to enjoy your data to its full potential, with specific sport-related insights available in each mode.

Both also have in-built GPS, so you can leave your phone at home and still get an accurate measure of the distance you've travelled when walking, running, cycling, etc. However, you'll have to bring it with you anyway if you like to listen to music on the move since neither device supports any streaming service. If swimming is your choice of exercise, you'll suit either device as they are water resistant up to 50m. You can also take them in the shower after your workout to clean your Fitbit.

I would like to see the Fitbit Charge 6 with an altimeter to complete its fitness offering. This sensor tracks elevation gain, and on the Versa 4 (which includes the sensor), it allows the watch to record the number of floors you climb along with outdoor elevation. It's not essential, but it feels like a missing piece in the Charge 6's otherwise-impressive lineup of activity-tracking features.

The Charge 6's unique Bluetooth connection to workout machines, like treadmills and bikes, sits within this lineup. Provided you have a NordicTrack, Peloton, Concept2, Hydrow, or Echelon machine, you can connect your Fitbit Charge 6 and view real-time statistics on the machine. No other Fitbit offers this.

If you have a little more budget to spend and you're looking to focus on your fitness over the coming year, I'd recommend weighing up Fitbit vs Garmin before buying. While the Charge 6 has a lot to offer, a Garmin device like the Forerunner 265 or Vivoactive 6 can offer even more.

Winner: Fitbit Charge 6

Health monitoring Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6

The Fitbit Charge 6 is the better option of the two when it comes to advanced health-tracking sensors. Unlike the Fitbit Versa 4, it has an ECG and EDA sensor. The echocardiogram (ECG) sensor monitors your heart rhythm, allowing you to spot anything unusual. While many people won't ever use it, this can be particularly beneficial for those with a long-standing heart condition who may be at risk of heart problems, though it should never be used as a diagnostic tool.

The electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor essentially monitors changes in your sweat levels on the skin. Combined with your heart rate, the device uses the insights to offer readings on your stress levels and creates pattern reports.

The Fitbit Versa 4 can also monitor your stress levels. However, as it produces the Stress Management score and reports with less data, I would say it's less trustworthy than Charge 6. What the Fitbit Versa 4 does offer, however, is breathing exercises on-screen to help lower your stress levels and help you relax. But if this feature is important to you, it's worth weighing up the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Sense 2, as this newer smartwatch has even more features in this department.

Both devices can also measure your blood oxygen saturation levels via a Sp02 sensor. This is a surprisingly advanced feature for the Fitbit range, given that it's absent on even the newest Apple Watch, but I'd say it's a 'nice to have' rather than a 'need'.

Both devices offer the same features for tracking sleep. The Fitbit Versa 4 and Charge 6 will record your sleep metrics provided you wear the device to bed, allowing you to see how long you've slept, the various types of sleep you had (light, deep, REM), and the quality of your sleep.

Both devices also come with a 6-month free Fitbit Premium trial, which can deliver even more detailed insights into your sleep and tips on improving it. It's £7.99 a month if you want to keep the subscription, which I'd recommend doing if you're looking to improve your wellbeing with better sleep, fitness, and nutrition insights.

Winner: Fitbit Charge 6

Smartwatch features on Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6

For those who want to track their workouts and record daily activities but whose focus is also on having an on-wrist virtual assistant, the Versa 4 is a better option. As the mid-tier smartwatch in the range, it's a much cheaper alternative to the Apple Watch Series 9, which offers many (but certainly not all) of the same features.

Exclusively on the Versa 4, provided you are connected to an Android device via Bluetooth, you can accept incoming calls on your wrist, check the weather, and use Amazon's Alexa features. Though not exclusive to the Versa 4 since the Charge 6 offers these actions too, you can 'Quick Reply' to messages on your wrist, use Google Wallet to pay in shops, and navigate around using Google Maps. There are also timer and stopwatch features accessible in just a few swipes on both devices.

I was disappointed to see that there is no support for offline music streaming from the likes of Spotify on either device. While the Charge 6 supports YouTube Music, which is an adequate compromise, I wouldn't want to use this over my regular streaming service. Also, previous iterations of the Versa have supported Spotify in the past - namely the Fitbit Versa 3 - so I question whether the Google integration has stopped this from happening in the upgrade.

Winner: Fitbit Versa 4

Price of the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6

When it comes to price, the Charge 6 is a no-brainer. At £139.99 RRP (and cheaper if you can get it among the Fitbit deals), it's a great bargain given the advanced features, premium appearance, and smooth app integration.

Though if the Fitbit Versa 4 is more your speed, this smartwatch sits at £179.99 RRP. Despite its higher price point, this is still a budget-friendly tracker compared to the Oura Ring 4, Apple Watch, and Garmin devices.

Winner: Fitbit Charge 6

Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6: Which one is better?

Weighing up the Fitbit Versa 4 vs Charge 6, it's difficult to say which one is truly the best. Although they are relatively similar in many ways, their key feature differences and appearance make them stand out across all Fitbit types. It really depends on what you're looking for from your device.

I personally prefer the Fitbit Charge 6. Being someone who regularly exercises and finds the constant ping of smartwatch notifications distracting at best (and irritating at worst), I'd rather have the superior fitness, sleep, and stress-tracking features than the lifestyle assistance. It also comes in a fun coral / orange colour, which is unique to the range.

I'd choose the Fitbit Versa 4 if I were looking for an all-rounder that combines activity tracking, health insights, and lifestyle assistance, and perhaps if I were someone who'd otherwise buy the Apple Watch Series 10.