When you see a smartwatch on someone’s wrist, chances are it’s an Apple Watch. Apple has managed to dominate the smartwatch market. Thing is, it may not be the right smartwatch for you. In fact, my favorite smartwatch isn’t from Apple, it’s from Fitbit. The new Fitbit Versa 2 can even do things that the Apple Watch can’t.
The Basics
The Fitbit Versa 2 looks very similar to the Apple Watch. It works with both iPhone and Android. The watch handles the basics pretty well. You can see your notifications, quickly reply to text messages or emails, track your steps, heart rate, and more. The Versa 2 also has a microphone so you can talk to send a custom text message. However, you can’t make or receive phone calls directly though the watch since it doesn’t have a speaker.
Alexa on My Wrist
The Versa 2 brings Amazon’s Alexa to your wrist. Press the button on the side and ask Alexa for the weather forecast, to set a reminder, or add an item to your shopping list. I was a little disappointed that Alexa couldn’t send a text message for me or initiate a phone call while I was driving. Hopefully those features will be added in the future.
It’s a Fitbit
Like any Fitbit device the Versa 2 excels at tracking your fitness. It can track your heart rate, your workouts, your steps, your menstrual cycle, and even your swimming. It connects with the Fitbit app, so if you’ve ever used a Fitbit device you know what to expect here—a fitness app that has been time-tested.
My Favorite Feature is…
The battery life! Depending on which options you have turned on you can get up to six days of battery life out of a single charge. Compare that to most smartwatches which usually need to be charged daily. As a busy parent I don’t want to charge my watch every night and I personally like tracking my sleep. You can’t track your sleep if your smartwatch is charging.
Overall, I think the Fitbit Versa 2 is the best smartwatch on the market for a busy parent who wants something simple, that doesn’t need to be juiced up daily, is waterproof, and won’t break the bank. The Fitbit Versa 2 is $200, but is often on sale for as low as $150. I think it’s well worth every cent.
