Fitbit Sense buyer's guide: Everything you need to know

Fitbit jumped into the smartwatch game in 2018 with the first Versa. Given Fitbit’s forte, there was a lot of interest surrounding a device expected to offer the perfect balance of fitness tracking and smartwatch features, something you’d be hard-pressed to find even today.

The original Versa was far from perfect, but things have continued to get better with every successor. The Versa 2 was solid, and the most recent addition to the series — the Fitbit Versa 3 — is excellent. However, headlining the company’s smartwatch portfolio is the Fitbit Sense. It brings all the features you’d expect from a high-end smartwatch. It is also the most expensive Fitbit yet. Here’s everything you need to know about Fitbit Sense.

Our verdict: Fitbit Sense review

Fitbit Sense at a glance

Fitbit launched the Sense alongside the Versa 3 in August 2020. The Sense may not share the “Versa” moniker, but it’s definitely a part of the same lineup, just with more features. It’s essentially a Pro iteration of the Versa 3, leaving the high-end smartwatch a potential series of its own down the road.

The Fitbit Sense offers everything you’d expect from a Fitbit smartwatch — accurate health tracking, sleep monitoring, SpO2 tracking, built-in GPS, voice assistant (Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa) support, solid battery life, and more.

However, it earns its health-focused bona fides by adding an EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor for stress tracking, a medically certified ECG (electrocardiogram) monitor, and a skin temperature sensor. It’s certainly not the first smartwatch to come with these features, but it’s great to see Fitbit keeping up with the competition.

See more: The best Fitbit trackers and smartwatches

Is the Fitbit Sense worth buying?

The Fitbit Sense is certainly worth considering. At close to $300, however, it’s the most expensive Fitbit yet, so it depends on how much you’re willing to spend and whether the extra features are worth the surcharge.

The three additions — the EDA sensor, ECG monitor, and skin temperature sensor — aren’t up to scratch just yet and show the growing pains you’d see with any first-generation implementation. The EDA sensor’s stress tracking information is quite basic and not particularly accurate for now, at least compared to other watches that use heart rate variability for stress metrics. The ECG and skin temperature are useful but likely niche features for most users. The Fitbit Versa 3 is essentially the same device for $70 cheaper if you can do without the extras.

The other consideration is its premium smartwatch pricing itself. The Fitbit Sense is far from a glorified fitness tracker and its smart features are still somewhat lacking compared to the competition. It gets the basic smartwatch features right. You can get smartphone notifications and respond to them if you have an Android device. You can use contactless payments via Fitbit Pay and download and store music on the watch (even though Spotify offline listening is still missing). However, app selection remains limited, Fitbit OS is sometimes quite laggy, and it’s just not as capable as a smartwatch as others on the market.

The Fitbit Sense is ideal for:

• Anyone looking for an excellent fitness tracker
• Someone who considers features like the ECG monitor, EDA sensor, and skin temperature sensors “must-haves”
• Anyone already invested in the Fitbit ecosystem (Fitbit Premium in particular)
• Someone looking for a worthy alternative to Garmin watches, the Apple Watch, or Samsung smartwatches

The Fitbit Sense may not be for you if:

• You’re looking for full-fledged smartwatch features
• You’re looking for a budget-friendly watch

See also: The best smartwatches you can get in 2021

What reviewers are saying about the Fitbit Sense

In his review, Android Authority’s Jimmy Westenberg says the Fitbit Sense is a good upgrade over the Versa 2. It definitely nails the basics and is an excellent fitness tracker. However, he adds that while “Fitbit’s hardware and fitness tracking efforts should not go unnoticed,” its software issues and limitations aren’t something we should see in a $300 smartwatch, particularly one that’s in its third generation.

He adds that Fitbit might not have done enough to justify Sense’s higher price tag over the similarly capable Versa 3. The extra features are useful, but the EDA sensor and available information “is not there yet.” He concludes by saying, “if Fitbit wants to compete in a world where the Apple Watch exists, it needs to be on its A-game. Right now, it feels like Fitbit is playing for the B-team.”

What other reviewers from around the web think

Here’s what other reviewers from around the web have to say about the Fitbit Sense.

• Cnet’s Lexy Savvides and Scott Stein have mixed feelings about the Fitbit Sense. They say that “if you want a health device to monitor your daily stats, and also wanted ECG on a Fitbit, this is your watch.” However, if you can do without the extra features, the Versa 3 is more than up to the task and is a great and cheaper alternative. “That way, you’ll save some dollars and wait for Fitbit to iron out the kinks for the next generation of Sense.”
• PCMag’s Angela Moscaritolo says the Fitbit Sense seems like a timely release given the ongoing pandemic. She adds that “while it’s first and foremost a health-tracking wearable, the Sense offers a few nice smartwatch features.” the ability to check your blood oxygen saturation level, heart rate, skin temperature, and stress level are useful features to have at this time. However, she notes that the Sense’s high price point “might give you pause,” considering the competition it’s up against.
• TechRadar’s Cat Ellis says that “the Fitbit Sense is one of the best Fitbits around right now, and builds on the success of the Fitbit Versa line with several thoughtful new upgrades.” She says it’s designed to put your well-being front and center. However, she adds that the Fitbit Sense “isn’t perfect, though,” and the Fitbit companion app could use some work in particular.

Fitbit Sense specs

Fitbit Sense hardware and design

In his review, Jimmy calls the Fitbit Sense “a premium smartwatch through and through,” which starts with the design. It’s not a new look compared to its predecessors, but Fitbit uses premium materials for better build quality and makes other minor refinements.

The 1.58-inch AMOLED panel is impressive, gets plenty bright outdoors, and has good viewing angles. There’s a big bezel around the screen once again, which is almost a signature look at this point. It is significantly smaller than what we’ve seen on its predecessors, though. An inductive button on the side acts as a home button but isn’t placed very well and can be unresponsive at times. It’s a good idea in theory, but we’re hoping for better implementation with future generations.

Another useful upgrade doesn’t have to do with the watch itself but its charger. The clasp-dock setup is thankfully gone, and the charger is now magnetic. You also get fast charging with the Fitbit Sense, allowing you to charge the watch from 10% to 80% in about 40 minutes.

How is the Fitbit Sense’s performance?

The Fitbit Sense is the company’s most health-focused wearable yet, with the addition of the ECG monitor, skin temperature sensor, and an EDA sensor for stress tracking. The issues with these new features don’t lie with the hardware itself but rather with how they’re implemented. Scan results across the board are accurate for the most part.

However, the EDA scans didn’t offer much additional data regarding what the scans actually mean. Taking an ECG reading is a clunky process, but the results were pretty accurate. The skin temperature sensor doesn’t let you check your temperature throughout the day. Instead, it records the temperature of your skin at night, compares it to your personal baseline, and shows you trends over time. It’s useful for catching early signs of illness but it isn’t the thermometer replacement some might have hoped to see. Ultimately, these are all first-generation issues that will definitely improve with Fitbit Sense successors.

The good news is the Fitbit Sense nails the usual health and fitness tracking features. Sleep tracking continues to be the best feature of any Fitbit, and the new heart sensor works extremely well unless really pushed. The Sense comes with built-in GPS, so you don’t have to carry your phone on a run. The Sense’s GPS recordings are the most accurate we’ve seen on a Fitbit so far.

Also read: The best running watches you can buy from Garmin, Coros, and more

Fitbit Sense vs Fitbit Versa 3: What’s different?

The Fitbit Sense and the Versa 3 were launched together, and there actually aren’t many differences between the two. The design and build quality are practically identical, you get the same screen on both, and smartwatch features are consistent. The Versa 3 is available with a few different strap combinations, but you can always switch what you get with the Sense if there’s one you particularly like.

Don’t miss: Fitbit Versa 3 review

The Versa 3 covers all the essential health and fitness tracking features as well. It comes with an SpO2 sensor, built-in GPS, and even gets the new skin temperature sensor. The only extras you get with the Sense are an ECG monitor and an EDA sensor. Given the similarities in design and hardware, you can expect similar performance and battery life with both.

For most users, budget and advanced health features are ultimately going to be the deciding factors. If the new form of stress tracking and ECG are must-haves, the Sense is a no-brainer. However, you can save between $70 and $100 with the Fitbit Versa 3, and you’re not really making a significant compromise regarding the overall experience.

For most people, we recommend buying the Fitbit Versa 3 over the Sense.

What are some good Fitbit Sense alternatives?

The Fitbit Sense is pretty great, but it’s up against some stiff competition in its price range. These are some of the Fitbit Sense alternatives worth considering:

• Apple Watch Series 6: This one’s a no-brainer if you have an iPhone. For iOS users, the Apple Watch is hard to beat. It trounces the Fitbit Sense with third-party app support and smartwatch features. It is also beginning to rival the Fitbit in terms of fitness features. The Apple Watch Series 6 includes an ECG monitor, reliable GPS tracking, and excellent heart rate tracking. You may also consider the Apple Watch Series 7, though we think the Series 6 is a better buy over the latest generation.
  • Check it out on Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: The Galaxy Watch 4 is the best Wear OS watch you can buy, and the only option boasting Wear OS 3. It’s a classy device offering Android users a very good balance of fitness tracking and smartwatch features.
  • Check it out on Amazon
• Garmin Venu 2: For a smartwatch that can compete with the Sense for accurate fitness and health stats, the Garmin Venu 2 is a great option. It’s one of our favorite fitness watches of all time. Like the Sense, it’s more focused on fitness than smartwatch features, but it’s definitely a long list of fitness features.
• Garmin Venu 2 Plus: If your budget allows, the Garmin Venu also has a pricey successor the Garmin Venu 2 Plus. This device sprinkles in a few of the smartwatch features missing in the former iteration. In our review, we call it one of the best smartwatches Garmin has ever created.
  • Check it out on Amazon

These smartwatches are on sale quite often. Be sure to check our best smartwatch deals hub for discounts on today’s popular wearables.

Where to buy the Fitbit Sense

The Fitbit Sense is available from Fitbit.com, Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers for $329.95 in Carbon/Graphite and Lunar White/Soft Gold colorways. You’ll often see deals and discounts, though, and may be able to find one for as low as $279.95 with the right deal.

FAQs

Q: Does the Fitbit Sense support contactless payments?
A: Yes, all versions of the Fitbit Sense come with Fitbit Pay support.

Q: Is the Fitbit Sense waterproof?
A: It comes with a 5ATM rating for water resistance, so you can use it for swim tracking.

Q: What watch straps can I use with the Fitbit Sense?
A: With a new latch, the Fitbit Sense is unfortunately limited to straps specifically for the Sense and Versa 3. Luckily, there are quite a few first- and third-party straps to choose from on Fitbit.com and Amazon

Q: Is the Fitbit Sense compatible with my smartphone?
A: Most likely. The Fitbit companion app is available on both iOS and Android. However, only Android users have the ability to respond to phone notifications and answer calls.

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