Fitbit Sense 2 vs Versa 4 vs Charge 6: comparison feature

Despite the Google’s acquisition, Fitbit has maintained its steady course continuing to release updated versions of its flagship wearables. The most recent addition to this lineup is the Fitbit Charge 6, a device that has garnered attention for its features and capabilities.

If you’re in the market for a top-tier Fitbit device, the decision has become increasingly complex. The Sense 2, Versa 4, and the newly launched Charge 6 are all strong contenders. All three of these are very good options for someone after a health and fitness wearable. So, how do you make an informed choice among these three? This article aims to dissect the nuances of each device, comparing their specifications, user experience, and overall value proposition.

View on Amazon (Versa 4, Sense 2, Charge 6).

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Hardware & design
Technical specs
Functionality
The bottom line

Fitbit Sense 2 vs Versa 4 vs Charge 6: Hardware and design

Look & feel

Let’s start off with the two smartwatches. Most of the differences between Sense 2 and Versa 4 lie under the hood. Having said that, there are a few subtile ways to distinguish the two.

While both come with the same squarish design with curved edges, Sense 2 has aluminium and more premium metal parts in its chassis. This makes it about 5 grams heavier.

The company has managed to slim down the chasis by about 10% on both these smartwatches as compared to their predecessors. The weight is also down.

The Charge 6, on the other hand, is an entirely different animal. It takes the form of a classic fitness band, ideal for someone who wants something more discreet on their wrist. The thing measures 36.7 x 22.7 and 11.2mm in depth. As far as build, the device stands out for its use of 100% recycled aluminum in its case and design, aligning with the growing consumer demand for sustainable products.

High quality displays

Moving on to the dispaly, and the one that can be found on Charge 6 is a 1.04 inch AMOLED with 260 x 170 pixels in resolution. This means it is on par with the display that can be found on Sense 2 and Versa 4. They pack a 1.58 inch, 336 x 336 pixel resolution, AMOLED. Up to 1000 nits, it comes with Corning Glass 3 protection. Needless to say, this makes it pretty easy to read stats, even in the middle of a run. 

All three of these devices have the always-on option. But switching it on will eat into battery life so it is something to be aware of.

Navigation across these devices is done via a touchscreen and a single button. The Charge 6 features a haptic button on the left, while the Versa 4 and Sense 2 have upgraded to a more responsive physical button on the right, a change from their predecessors’ haptic buttons.

Under the hood

The more interesting differences are under the hood. This is the important stuff.

The trio comes with the standard gamut of Fitbit sensors. The long list includes a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, optical heart rate monitor, temperature sensor PulseOx, vibration motor and NFC chip for contactless payments. There’s also built-in GPS for smartphone-less tracking of outdoor exercise.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Unlike the other two Charge 6 is missing an altimeter for counting floors. We’re not sure why Fitbit has made this decision as it is a strange one. Apart from that, the fitness band has the exact same sensors as Sense 2. Unlike its predecessor, its EDA sensor is capable of around the clock readings. The one on Charge 5 is only on-demand.

Versa 4 is the one that packs less under the hood. It lacks the ECG sensor and electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor. This makes it a less serious health device. Fitbit refers to it as an “exercise-focused watch” and to Sense 2 as a “health watch”. To this end, Sense 2 has a metal frame around its display which is used to measure EDA responses on your skin.

As you’d expect from Fitbit, at 5 ATM, the trio has excellent water-resistance. The same can be said for battery life. Charge 6 is good for about a week on a single charge, and Sense 2 and Versa 4 a day less. This, of course, drops quite a bit with GPS switched on. Built-in sattelite connectivity can be found on all three of these devices.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs Versa 4 vs Charge 6: Technical specs

Fitbit Sense 2 vs Versa 4 vs Charge 6: Features

Fitness and health tracking

No point in delving too much on the fitness tracking abilities of these devices. Fitbit is a pioneer in the wearable tech space and has this side of things nailed down. Let’s just say, if you’re after something to track your activity and sleep around the clock any of these devices will suffice.

Built-in GPS

With the addition of built-in GPS/GLONASS, they are also more serious exercise trackers. It means you can leave your phone behind and still get detailed stats and maps of your outdoor runs and cycling adventures. The good thing is that Fitbit has allowed for the Connected GPS option. If you’re running low on battery, switch to this and your wearable will keep going longer.

The benefit of having Sense 2 or Versa 4 is that they have a larger display than Charge 5. This makes them a more user friendly workout tracker. Meaning, you are actually able to read the stats on the go, plus the screen can show more info at the same time.

Lots of health tech on-board

All three of these devices have some pretty sophisticated sensors on-board. This includes the ability to read skin temperature and blood oxygen levels. The bad news is you will need a premium subscription to access the metrics beyond the latest seven days. It runs at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year after the 3 month trial run expires.

The premium subscription also allows you to access raw heart rate variability (HRV) data. This is useful for fitness buffs as it gives them an insight into how stressed their body is. A low value as compared to your baseline is an indicator you should take it easy that day. Respiratory rate can be found as well.

Another metric that sits behind the pay-wall is something called the Daily Readiness Score. It takes into account the account your activity level over the past few days, HRV data and sleep info to let you know how fatigued you are. A glance at the reading (which ranges from 0 to 100), and you’ll be able to decide whether to exercise hard that day or take it easy. Fitbit also has activity recommendations which tap into this metric so can suggest appropriate exercises for you.

Sense 2 and Charge 6 go further than Versa 4

Moving on to Sense 2 and Charge 5 and we get some more goodies. They have the ability to measure your electrocardiogram. The Apple Watch has made headlines with its ECG sensor a couple of years ago but now other companies, such as Samsung and Withings, are getting in on the fun. To take a reading you’ll need to place your fingers on the corners of the case.

The other novelty is the stress score. It combines info from a number of sources including resting heart rate, HRV, temperature and more. This is put together with info from the electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor (which reads moisture in the skin) into a single figure that ranges from zero to 100. The higher your score the less stressed you are.

Versa 4 can also dish out a stress figure. However, this it is simplified in the sense that it doesn’t rely on information from the EDA sensor.

But Charge 6 is missing an altimeter for floor count

As mentioned above, Charge 6 is missing one fitness feature that can be found on Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4. For some reason, it doesn’t have an altimeter for counting floors climbed. This is not a big deal as the metric can be inaccurate at the best of times. But for those of us that are used to having a floor count it is an annoyance.

Smart functionality

As far as non-fitness functions, Versa 4 and Sense 2 are the clear winner over Charge 6. Not surprising as they are smartwatches, not fitness bands. What’s common across the range are notifications, the ability to accept or reject calls, contactless payments via the NFC chip and Amazon Alexa. Google Assistant support is also on this list, along with Google Maps integration with turn-by-turn directions.

However, Versa 4 and Sense 2 don’t have as much smart functionality as their immediate predecessors. That’s because access to third-party apps and watch-faces has been switched off.

You do get ability to tap into music streaming services but no ability to store music on your device or control smartphone music. Charge 6 owners will need to take comfort in the knowledge they have the ability to control YouTube Music directly from the device. Unfortunately there is no native music storage. A purchase of the tracker does get you one free month of Youtube Premium, though.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs Versa 4 vs Charge 6: The bottom line

If you’re after a fitness band, Charge 6 is one of the best options out there. Retailing for $160, it tracks a wealth of stats, has decent water resistance and battery life, along with a functional design which packs a beautiful colour display. The ECG and EDA sensors make it a serious health device.

Versa 4 and Sense 2 are for those that are after a smartwatch experience. They have the benefit of a larger display and additional smart features.

Sense 2 will set you back an extra $70 over Versa 4. For that you get EDA and ECG sensors. These will provide you with a more in-depth look at your health. You also get this tech on the Charge 6 but will not have an altimeter for floor counts.

It all really depends on what you are after. If you want an exercise tracking device Versa 4 presents itself as a decent option (check Amazon price). Sense 2 (check Amazon price) will pique the interest of those after all the health tracking bells and whistles. Fitness band lovers won’t go wrong with Charge 6 (check Amazon price). It is also the least expensive option of the three.

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