Fitbit has announced two new smartwatches, the Fitbit Sense and the Fitbit Versa 3 Both look similar and have many overlapping features, but the Sense has many additional perks, including ECG monitoring and a skin temperature sensor It also costs $100 more than the Versa 3

So is the pricier Sense worth it? Let's compare the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 and see which is best for you

The Fitbit Sense is $329 and the Fitbit Versa 3 is $229, a $100 difference; the Fitbit Sense comes with a 6-month trial of Fitbit Premium (usually $999/month or $79/year) and includes personalized guidance and workouts, additional sleep score data, and access to additional features such as guided audio tracks to help calm the mind

Externally, there is little to distinguish Sense from Versa 3 Both are the same size and have the same screw design and display; the front of the Sense has two small marks on either side of the screen, but otherwise appears identical to the Versa 3

The Sense's case is available in graphite stainless steel or soft gold stainless steel, while the Versa 3 is available in soft gold aluminum or black aluminum The bands on both watches are interchangeable, and Fitbit offers dozens of options [The biggest difference between the Fitbit Sense and the Versa 3 is in their respective health and fitness features Both devices have built-in GPS to keep track of your runs

Both also have a heart rate sensor, which allows the user to use Fitbit's Workout Intensity Map, which shows where the heart moved the fastest during a run or bike ride Both can track heart rate and activity throughout the day and can also record sleep at night

However, Fitbit Sense has several additional health features First, there is an ECG app (pending FDA approval) that helps monitor for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib); Sense also sends alerts if the heart rate is too high or too low above the normal zone

There is also a skin temperature sensor on the back of Fitbit Sense that tracks epidermal temperature nightly Changes in skin temperature may indicate the onset of disease, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, etc According to Fitbit, while not medically certified, changes in skin temperature can be an early indicator

Finally, Fitbit Sense includes a skin electrical activity (EDA) sensor, which measures the amount of electricity transmitted through the outer layer of skin To use this feature, place the palm of your hand on the Sense Skin electrical activity is one way to measure the body's response to stress, and the Sense and Fitbit app then guides you through mediation sessions and other stress-relieving activities and suggests ways to help relieve stress

Sense and Versa 3 have all of the same smartwatch features, including Fitbit Pay, notifications, customizable watch face, apps, and the ability to store music on the device itself

Both smartwatches also have Alexa and, this winter, Google Assistant built in And both have a battery life of 6 days, up to 12 hours for constant GPS use

The best way to distinguish Sense from Versa 3 is health vs fitness

If you are looking for a smartwatch primarily for fitness purposes, the Fitbit Versa 3 is a better choice; at $229, it is a better option than the Garmin Forerunner 45, Apple Watch Series 3, Samsung Galaxy Watch It is competitive with other sports watches such as the Active 2, all of which cost $199

However, if you want a Fitbit smartwatch that can track your overall health (both mental and physical) better, the Fitbit Sense is a better choice, even if it costs $100 more

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