Fitbit Versa Lite vs. Fitbit Charge 3: Which is better for you?

The Fitbit Charge 3 and the Fitbit Versa Lite have a similar price point and similar feature set, so they are bound to attract similar customers. However, there are some essential differences between them, and which one you choose will be determined which features mean the most to you.

The main thing to consider is if a richer health and fitness feature set or the smartwatch experience is more important to you. The Fitbit Charge 3 is not a smartwatch, but it does have more fitness tracking features than the Versa Lite. However, the Fitbit Versa Lite is a smartwatch. You can download apps such as news, weather, sports, travel, and transit on the larger-screened Versa Lite. Fitbit also sells more upscale designer bands for the Versa Lite.

Breaking down the similarities and differences

Let's start with how similar these two similarly-priced health and fitness trackers really are, even though they don't look alike. Both will track your steps, activity, and calories burned. You can wear either of them around the clock, and it will track your sleep and even your sleep stages. Track your menstrual cycles with either one. Wear either one in the shower, ocean, or pool: they're both swim-proof, meaning they are water-resistant up to 50 meters.

Using your smartphone's GPS, you can see real-time pace and distance on your runs and bike rides. Get notifications from your smartphone's apps, texts, and phone calls right on your wrist with either of these devices. Use the Quick Reply feature to respond to texts on either of these Fitbits, if you have an Android phone. Customize the clock face to your taste and mood on either the Charge 3 or the Versa Lite. Swap out the bands for different looks as well.

So how are they different? The most significant difference is that the Fitbit Charge 3 is a relatively slim fitness band, while the Fitbit Versa Lite is a smartwatch with a larger face and lots of apps that you can download. There are just a few simple apps available for the Fitbit Charge 3.

If you want to be able to download apps onto your wrist and not have to pull out your phone to access apps for news, weather, sports, travel, transit, and more, then you need a smartwatch such as the Fitbit Charge 3. However, the Fitbit Charge 3 offers a few features that the Versa Lite does not. The Charge 3 will track how many stairs you climb and will track your swims in a more specific way than the Versa Lite.

Get the look

You have fewer color options with the Fitbit Charge 3. Choose from two colorways (the band color is first): Black/Graphite Aluminum and Blue Gray/Rose Gold Aluminum. The Fitbit Versa Lite comes in five color options: White/Silver Aluminum, Lilac/Silver Aluminum, Marina Blue/Marina Blue Aluminum, Mulberry/Mulberry Aluminum, and Charcoal/Silver Aluminum.

Fitbit makes additional bands for both the Versa Lite and the Charge 3, so you can have different looks. However, the selection of bands for the Versa Lite is larger, and it includes designer bands. Of course, there are always third-party options for both the Charge 3 and the Versa Lite.

Bottom line

For most people, the slightly less expensive Fitbit Charge 3 will be the better pick. It has enough features for most people, with a focus on health and fitness tracking. However, if the smartwatch experience is what you're looking for, go for the Fitbit Versa Lite. The minor price difference will be worth it to get a smartwatch with apps you can download to manage a variety of tasks right from your wrist.

Fitness-focused

Fitbit Charge 3

Keep an eye on health and fitness

From $124 at Amazon

If your goal is to track your fitness and health, the straightforward Fitbit Charge 3 is the better choice. Its job is to measure your health and fitness on several metrics. While it does have many smart features, it's not a smartwatch.

Smartwatch

Fitbit Versa Lite

Get the smartwatch experience

From $120 at Amazon

If you're looking to track your health and fitness, but you also want a smartwatch, the Fitbit Versa Lite is the way to go. With its larger screen and lots of apps you can download, it's more than just a tracker.