Best Budget Smartwatches – Consumer Reports

What it is: A versatile, inexpensive smartwatch designed to please Fitbit fans.

What’s to like: If you own a Fitbit fitness tracker, you’re likely to feel at home with the Versa 3, especially if you see the benefit of this smartwatch’s larger display. The model works with Android phones and iPhones, although it’s probably a better option for the Android user.

Unlike earlier Versa models, the Versa 3 has built-in GPS, which allows you to go for a run or a ride without hauling your smartphone along, plus a blood oxygen sensor, which enhances its sleep-tracking capabilities. It also has a mic and a speaker, allowing you to take calls via a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone. Our testers find that it’s a solid performer when it comes to counting steps and tracking heart rate.

What’s not to like: The Versa 3 still looks a bit like a fitness tracker, so it might not be your first choice for an important meeting or a first date. It also lacks the stress-tracking features found on Fitbit’s higher-end Sense smartwatch.

Bottom line: A fitness tracker at heart, the Versa 3 adds enough smartwatch features that you’ll be happy to wear it all day.