We’re testing Fitbit’s latest smartwatch model

With an OLED display, on-board Alexa, and amazing battery life, the Fitbit Versa 2 is ready to take on all comers—including the Apple Watch.

Nice design with an excellent display; Amazon Alexa and Spotify controls are nice addition; Amazing battery life

No on-board GPS; Alexa has no wake word and limited functionality

Fitbit’s sequel to the popular Versa is affordable, lasts a long time, and doubles as an effective fitness tracker as well as a smartwatch, though a lack of built-in GPS is a detriment.

Attractive and comfortable design; Alex integration feels useful; Long-lasting battery without Always On Display

Finicky connectivity; Unintuitive OS

The Fitbit Versa 2 is an improvement over the original Versa, but Fitbit still has plenty of work to do....

OLED display is a nice upgrade Accurate fitness and health tracking Sleep tracking/Sleep Score are very useful Fitbit Pay now available on all models When it works; Alexa is convenient New Fitbit app is cleaner; easier to use

Fitbit OS still needs plenty of work No built-in GPS Quick release straps are a pain Amazon Alexa is slow and missing features

The Versa didn’t single-handedly save Fitbit, but it gave the struggling wearable company a way forward. The smartwatch demonstrated the potential for life beyond the fitness tracker.

Are there sexier things you could put on your wrist than the Versa 2? Sure. One glance at an Apple Watch with a glittering Milanese loop strap could verify that. Are there smarter devices you could strap on to yourself which let you dictate message replies to your mates? Absolutely. Are there more complete fitness packages with built-in GPS to save yourself the hassle of lugging out your giant, expensive phone? Yep. Despite all that however, the Versa 2 keeps things simple and uncluttered, bar a few niggly issues like changing the watch faces, setting up music controls and having some app features locked behind monthly payments. The lack of GPS will of course be a deal breaker for some, and we won’t argue with you, especially when you can nab the GPS-toting Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music or Polar Ignite – both of which are cheaper than the Versa 2. They arguably don’t look as nice however, with the former having a comparatively lacklustre screen and no on-board music playback, and the latter also missing music as well as NFC payments. If GPS is a must though, then the Ignite is the better choice, given its cheaper price tag and matching six days of battery life (if no GPS is used at all). If you’re not fussed about taking your phone out while you chase that runner’s high however, then the Versa 2 provides enough smartwatch and fitness tracking smarts for most people, in a well built, durable, and comfortable package, that simply refuses to die.

Great screen; Superb battery life; Solid fitness/sleep tracking; Extremely comfortable; NFC payments; Alexa smart assistant;

No GPS; Changing certain settings via the app can be tedious;

With the Versa 2, Fitbit proves that less is more. The fitness brand has taken everything that made the original a compelling budget smartwatch, improves on those features, adds a somewhat fiddly voice assistant, and spits out a near-perfect fitness tracker that comes with some smartwatch perks. It’s one of the best fitness watches from Fitbit but the lack of a GPS chip means you’ll need to carry your phone wherever you go.

Improved lightweight design; Always-on display option; Good battery life;

Lacks GPS; No offline Spotify playback; No integration with Apple Health or Google Fit

Editors' note, Oct. 31, 2019: Thanks to its $200 (£200, AU$325) price, long-lasting battery and compatibility across Android and iOS, we've awarded the Fitbit Versa 2 an Editors' Choice. It's one of the best examples of a hybrid fitness tracker and smartwatch you can buy. Our review, originally published Oct. 13, follows.

The Versa 2 is a great hybrid of a fitness tracker and a smartwatch, but lacks built-in GPS which may be a deal-breaker for runners. It's still one of the best wearables you can buy for under $200.

The Fitbit Versa 2 battery lasts for days and days; There's a clear, easy-to-understand breakdown of your fitness and sleep metrics in the Fitbit app; You get a wide selection of watch faces; It's faster and more responsive than the first watch; The Versa 2 works on iOS or Android.

Alexa integration is not as fleshed out as it could be; Connected GPS means you have to take your phone with you when doing outdoor workouts.

There are better smartwatches out there in terms of interface and third-party app support - for iOS users, the Apple Watch Series 3 is the same price as the Versa 2 with built-in GPS, great fitness tracking and more apps, for example - but the Fitbit platform is excellent and the Versa 2 is a great performer with a good battery life, some great features including excellent sleep tracking and at a decent price point.

Refined design; Lovely AMOLED display; Alexa voice control; Always On display mode; Spotify support; Great sleep tracking; Good fitness tracking; Excellent Fitbit platform; Good accessory selection;

No built-in GPS; Limited third-party app support; Fitbit Pay support from banks is still minimal; Fitbit Premium required for extra features; No speaker; Smartwatch functions limited compared to competitors;