Skip to main content

Amazon slices Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Ionic smartwatch prices by up to 20%

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Amazon recently cut prices on Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa smartwatches. Miss the Rakuten sale in April? While Rakuten has sold out of its stock, Amazon is matching Rakuten’s price, saving you up to 20%. The entry-level Versa is down to $180 and the flagship Ionic smartwatch is now just $200

We think both watches are great buys, even more so for fitness enthusiasts. While the smartwatches from Apple and Samsung are high-quality devices, fitness is something of an afterthought. Both the Fitbit Ionic and Versa are fitness watches first and foremost, just as you’d expect from a fitness tracker manufacturer.

Fitbit Versa:

Fitbit Ionic:

With the Versa, you have your choice of black or silver with a gray band, and two band options with a rose gold case — either peach or periwinkle. Three options are available with the Ionic, silver with a blue/gray band, charcoal with a smoke gray band, and burnt orange with a slate blue band.

So which one is better? While the Versa is the cheaper model (but the newer one), it’s not as fully featured as the Ionic. The Versa doesn’t have built in GPS, and there’s no NFC support. The lack of GPS is probably the bigger loss for most fitness junkies: you’ll need to carry your phone with you to get better distance accuracy with the Versa — but not with the Ionic.

Either watch is solid, though, so you won’t go wrong purchasing either of them. The Ionic is a better choice for those who prefer a more smartwatch-like experience, while the Versa might be a better choice for more budget-conscious folks. In our opinion, the Versa is ever-so-slightly better overall, mainly due to its better design.

Check out the chart below to get a better idea of the differences between the two (there aren’t many). Act quickly though, as Amazon has already sold out of a good deal of their models of either watch, so this deal is likely to be gone in the not-too-distant future.

[infogram-responsive id="80077cf4-9797-4a34-b412-ccb75beb52f9" title="Fitbit Versa vs Fitbit Ionic Specs"]

Looking for more great stuff? Both Fossil Men’s smartwatches and Apple Watch Series 4 are being discounted from Amazon just in time for Father’s Day. And be sure to check out smartwatch deals, Apple Watch deals, Fitbit alternatives, and more, prepared for you on our curated deals page.

Ed Oswald
For fifteen years, Ed has written about the latest and greatest in gadgets and technology trends. At Digital Trends, he's…
Fitbit Luxe gets major updates with SpO2 measurement and always-on display
The Fitbit Luxe tracker has received major updates Credits: Fitbit official.

 The Fitbit Luxe launched in July 2021 and was reviewed by our smart home editor, John Velasco, as a beautifully designed and modestly sized fitness tracker. It has now received two major updates bringing new features to the table. 
Version 1.151.16 has added SpO2 measurements that allow users to track their blood oxygen saturation levels when asleep. SpO2 tracking is currently available in devices such as the Fitbit Charge 4, Charge 5, Fitbit Versa 2, and the Fitbit Versa 3, so it's nice to see it roll out to other devices in Fitbit's lineup.  To use the function, check the SpO2 tile on the watch face or the Health metrics tab on the mobile app. Additionally, Fitbit has published a detailed manual on tracking Sp02 levels with this model.
The second major update enables always-on-display functionality. As the name suggests, users no longer need to wake up their Luxe trackers to check the time or their workout tracking data. To use the feature, it's essential to enable the updated display functionality in Settings. You'll be warned that the feature can increase battery drain, so keep that in mind if runtime is important to you. 
The new Fitbit Luxe Fitbit
Apart from these two updates, there are several smaller ones. A bigger font size has been added to the trackers' screen, along with a series of bug fixes and patches. These updates are being rolled out on an incremental basis and may take some time to reach particular regions. To check if an update is available for the device, you should be able to see a pink banner when you log into the Fitbit App, and you'll be notified of further updates once they're available.
 

Read more
Fitbit Charge 5 adds sweat-based stress sensor, rounded design
Fitbit Charge 5

Following a high-profile leak that spilled most of the beans, Google-owned Fitbit today announced the Charge 5, an upcoming addition to the company's lineup of fitness trackers. On the outside, the Charge 5 borrows heavily from the Fitbit Luxe, with a sleek, rounded, colorful display. Under the hood, though, is where you can find all the goodness.
Vibrant always-on display
The most noticeable change in the Charge 5 is the always-on display that lets you check your health stats instantly and curves to fit the wristband. The always-on feature can be turned off to help you eke more battery life from the device. If you want to wake the display, all you need to do is raise your wrist.

Built-in GPS
Similar to the Charge 4, the new Charge 5 will ship with built-in GPS to track your outdoor activities. Not only will you be able to view your activity on a map, but the Charge 5 will also display your workout intensity along the GPS track. You'll be able to see at a glance where you were pushing yourself to your limit and where you were taking it easy.
New stress-monitoring sensor
The Charge 5 joins the Fitbit Sense as Fitbit's first trackers to feature an EDA sensor, which measures your sweat to monitor your stress levels. The sensor is used to generate a Stress Management Score to help you manage your daily stress levels.
Daily Readiness
Daily Readiness is a new metric added to Fitbit's Premium service. Like Garmin's body battery, the Daily Readiness Score takes heart rate variability, sleep, and activity into account to calculate your overall energy level. This new metric determines whether you are ready for a crushing workout or an extra-long nap. Daily Readiness helps athletes manage their exercise and recovery schedule so they can get the most out of their activities.

Read more
Fitbit Versa 3 vs. Apple Watch SE: Can Fitbit outrun Apple?
Fitbit Versa 3 on a wrist.

The Fitbit Versa 3 is arguably the best fitness-tracking smartwatch out today, particularly if you have less than $300 to spend. At only $230, it's highly comfortable and easy to use, while its tracking features are comprehensive for its price, covering heart rate and blood-oxygen sensors, the ability to monitor skin temperature, and built-in GPS. However, as good as it is, it isn't the only low-cost and high-functioning smartwatch. Another contender is the Apple Watch SE, which, despite being priced at around $300, does pretty much everything the more expensive Apple Watch Series 6 does, even throwing in a timer to ensure you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

Both devices have their strengths, but which is the best? We pit them against each other in a head-to-head comparison to find out. By looking at their specs, designs, displays, health and fitness tracking features, batteries, and special features, we also help you decide which is the right one for you.
Specs

Read more