Choosing the right smartwatch in today’s crowded wearable market is no easy task. Among the standout contenders are the Fitbit Versa 4 and the Fitbit Sense 2 — both sleek, feature-rich devices launched in 2022. At a glance, they seem like similar offerings, but closer inspection reveals important differences that could sway your decision depending on your needs, health focus, or budget.
TLDR
If you’re looking for a fitness-focused smartwatch with a streamlined user experience, the Fitbit Versa 4 is likely your best bet. However, if you want more advanced health-tracking capabilities like stress management and ECG monitoring, the Fitbit Sense 2 is worth the higher price tag. Both devices share core features like GPS, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking, but key health sensors differentiate them. Ultimately, your ideal pick comes down to whether you prioritize advanced health data or a lower cost with solid fitness features.
1. Design and Build Quality
At first glance, it’s hard to tell the Versa 4 and Sense 2 apart. Fitbit kept the design nearly identical for both models: a square face with rounded corners, an aluminum case, and a lightweight feel suitable for all-day wear.
- Display: Both devices feature a 1.58″ AMOLED touchscreen with vibrant colors and responsive touch sensitivity.
- Buttons and Controls: Each device has a physical button for easier navigation, a welcome improvement over previous models.
- Comfort: Whether you’re sleeping, running, or lounging, the soft silicone band included with both makes either watch comfortable to wear 24/7.
From a design perspective, there’s no clear winner here — it’s largely a tie. Both watches are attractive, durable, and very lightweight at around 37g without the band.
2. Fitness and Activity Tracking
Fitness tracking is a core strength of all Fitbit devices, and both the Versa 4 and Sense 2 offer a comprehensive set of tools to keep you moving, training, and recovering smartly.
Features they both include:
- Built-in GPS for phone-free location tracking
- 24/7 heart rate monitoring with PurePulse 2.0
- Active Zone Minutes to help you stay in target heart rate zones
- Step count, calorie burn, and workout tracking for over 40 types of exercises
- Sleep tracking with detailed sleep stages (light, deep, REM)
Where these two deviate slightly is in their support for motivation features:
Daily Readiness Score: Available on both, this feature assesses how ready your body is for exercise, but it requires a Fitbit Premium subscription on either device.
Verdict: Both the Versa 4 and Sense 2 are excellent for fitness tracking. Neither has a decisive edge unless you’re looking for more advanced health monitoring, which is explored next.
3. Health Monitoring and Sensors
This is the area where the Fitbit Sense 2 truly sets itself apart from the Versa 4. While the Versa 4 focuses on fundamental fitness metrics, the Sense 2 expands into in-depth wellness analysis with powerful sensor additions.
Sense 2 exclusive health features:
- EDA Sensor (Electrodermal Activity): Measures stress through skin conductance and contributes to a personalized Stress Management Score.
- cEDA Sensor (continuous EDA): Monitors stress indicators throughout the day for real-time insights.
- ECG App: Allows on-demand electrocardiogram readings to detect signs of atrial fibrillation.
- Skin Temperature Sensor: Tracks nightly changes, which can highlight potential signs of illness.
By comparison, the Versa 4 lacks these specialized sensors. It still offers SpO2 tracking, sleep scoring, and heart rate monitoring but cannot match the physiological insights of the Sense 2.
In short: Choose the Sense 2 if you are particularly focused on stress, heart health, or managing long-term wellness metrics. For general fitness, the Versa 4 is more than sufficient.
4. Smartwatch Features and Software Experience
In real-world use, your smartwatch needs to be more than just a sensor suite — it should offer convenience, connectivity, and a smooth user experience. Fortunately, both the Versa 4 and Sense 2 benefit from recent improvements to Fitbit’s software interface.
Features common to both:
- Notifications for calls, texts, and apps
- Google Maps and Google Wallet support
- Voice assistant (Google Assistant/Alexa — varies by region)
- Smart alarms and apps such as a timer, weather, and calendar
However, Fitbit has removed support for some third-party apps and music services like Spotify controls, which might limit smartwatch functionality for some users.
Bottom line: Both devices offer solid, though not groundbreaking, smartwatch features. If you’re seeking a smartwatch first and fitness tracker second, you might find these options somewhat limited beyond basic functionality.
5. Battery Life and Charging
One of Fitbit’s strongest competitive advantages over more power-hungry wearables like the Apple Watch is its long battery life — and that holds true for both the Versa 4 and Sense 2.
Battery performance:
- Up to 6 days of battery life on a full charge (usage varies by features used)
- Fast charging: A 12-minute charge gives around 1 day of battery life
There’s virtually no difference between the two in this category. Both will easily last through a weekend getaway or extended trip without needing daily top-ups.
6. Price and Value Comparison
Retail pricing is where the Versa 4 recaptures some ground. At launch, the Fitbit Versa 4 was priced around $199 USD, while the Sense 2 retailed closer to $299 USD. That $100 difference becomes particularly important if you don’t need the advanced health metrics offered by the Sense 2.
Let’s break it down:
- Versa 4: Excellent value for fitness tracking, light smart features, and long battery life
- Sense 2: Better for users who want comprehensive wellness tracking and medical-grade insights
If budget is your primary concern, the Versa 4 delivers tremendous value. But if comprehensive health tracking is your priority, the extra investment into the Sense 2 will be well worth it — especially if you use the features consistently and subscribe to Fitbit Premium.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Ultimately, both the Fitbit Versa 4 and Sense 2 are strong contenders in the world of smart fitness wearables, but they serve slightly different audiences.
Choose the Fitbit Versa 4 if you:
- Are looking for a budget-friendly, feature-rich fitness tracker
- Don’t need detailed health diagnostics like ECG or stress analysis
- Want built-in GPS, heart rate tracking, and sleep monitoring without breaking the bank
Choose the Fitbit Sense 2 if you:
- Want a smartwatch with advanced health metrics
- Suffer from stress or heart-related concerns and value added sensors
- Plan to use the device as an all-around wellness assistant, not just a fitness tracker
Both devices are polished, well-integrated into the Fitbit ecosystem, and supported by Fitbit Premium, which enhances their capabilities significantly. Your choice ultimately hinges on one key question: Do you want more medical-grade wellness metrics or will standard fitness features suffice?
Answer that — and you’ll know which watch belongs on your wrist.
