My Versa smells bad! None of my previous watches have...

[LolaTX]

My Versa started to smell bad after just a few days of wear. Yes, I have washed myself and the band. I have had three other smartwatches over the years and none smelled bad after months of wearing in extreme heat and exercise. This band STINKS even when wearing it around the house. Please do not insult my intelligence nor my hygiene habits by telling me it is bacteria buildup. I would like a straight answer as to what material comprises the regular band that  comes on the Versa. I have searched Google several times and the entire Fitbit Versa product specifications, and cannot find a direct answer. I suspect that is the only difference in the cause of the disgusting smell. The only change I have made is LESS exercise in MUCH less extreme heat. 

Update: So, I have used maybe forty cotton balls soaked in hydrogen peroxide to clean the bands. It didn't completely solve the problem, but it helped. Thank you for mentioning the other bands. That's what I was thinking about, too. I have read that it is VERY TRICKY to change the bands out. Does anyone have any tips on changing the bands to lessen the frustration? 

[tiaralynn]

I’m not really sure what the standard bands are made of but it feels like silicone or something, which can be porous causing odors to linger. Doesn’t help that everything that gets sweaty generally gets stinky! I’d suggest replacing it with one of the woven or stainless steel bands. There’s a lot of cost friendly options on Amazon! 

[LZeeW]

@LolaTX  Hello, and welcome to the forums.  The Versa classic band is made of a "flexible, durable elastomer material, similar to that used in many sports watches."  I can't find anything more specific than that.

I'm sorry that I don't have an answer for you about the cause of the smell, how to get rid of it, or how to prevent it.

[bjacks96]

I'm having the same problem! Please let me know how the new band is holding up (smell wise haha). I thought it was the fitbit itself not the band but I could be wrong from what everyone else is saying. 

[LolaTX]

When I clean the bands, I have also noticed that the watch base ALSO smells! I swear I can't be any more stinky than the last few years! 🤪

[Joanmcdaniel582]

My band stinks and after about 2 weeks, I couldn’t wear it because it caused a blister on the outside of my wrist. I wash my hands a lot because I work for the state and there are germs EVERYWHERE!! 😳

the band is a silicone or rubber. My daughter bought me a material band so there isn’t as bad a problem but I have to figure out how to wash it without it falling apart. I guess the answer will be to purchase the expensive band. 🙄  My daughter got this for me because I had an atrial flutter and had to have an Ablation. My heart rate was lowest 42 bpm and I was very tired all the time. My average bpm was 49. It took a while but the Cardiologist figured soy the main cause was my allergy medicine. I still run an average of 52 so I wear the Fitbit all the time, unless it’s charging or I’m showering. The smell from the band is like nasty feet! 🤮

[GD23]

my actual tracker smells, as does the skin under it. I am guessing this is a reaction to the metal and/or bacteria from skin contact. I am wondering if using an antifungal cream on my skin might help. I have a leather strap from amazon, and the cheap looking strap that came with it, no problem there. Someone suggested a coat of clear nail polish but i am afraid of getting it in the tracker and ruining it. Again, this is the actual tracker, not the band causing the issue. 

[Mimi030312]

Has anyone ever found the reason or better a solution to this issue. I ditched the original band but my device smells as well and leaves my arm smelling bad. I have cleaned the back of the device but the smell comes back. 

[LolaTX]

Interesting to me, at least... I bought some metallic bands at a discount store called DIRT CHEAP-exactly the same thing you see at Best Buy, etc...but for $5.00 each!!! I am allergic to almost everything - especially metals when I perspire- and not only do these NOT break me out AT ALL, they really don’t smell. The watch ITSELF is still stinky sometimes, but I place 70% Isopropyl Alcohol on a cotton pad, and gently wipe the watch. I try to avoid the sensors that connect with the contacts on the charger. 

BTW: BEWARE! These watches are VERY SENSITIVE to sunscreen and bug spray!!!! It’s a highly guarded secret, IMO, but it IS in the fine print. My Fitbit Versa did not work AT ALL for four MONTHS-and I truly believe it was because I placed it on my wrist after applying the two products mentioned above. Now I just try to avoid the area in which I wear my Versa. 

[Kat581]

I’m in the same situation...the whole watch...band, base, blaaaah smells so weird I can’t even describe it.  I even shower with it on sometimes, how can it smell this weird?? I too have had other fit bits in the past but they were the basic narrower kind. So u say peroxide can work? I’d get a different band but it looks super hard to change them out 

[LolaTX]

I am not coordinated at all, so a friend changed my band for me. He said it was not difficult. I ended up buying some metal bands- and have not had any trouble since! I thought I would hate them because I am allergic to almost everything, but I really like them! 

[ygahley]

It smells like cat urine!
The first time I smelled it I thought my cat had peed someplace inappropriate and I had gotten it on my sleeve. I finally realized it was under my tracker and thought this was weird because I had just showered. I scrubbed everything REALLY well and realized it's the tracker base and not the band. I suspect it's the clear resin holding the sensors.

It always smells a bit off and sometimes still outright stinks!!

[Kat581]

So I ordered a stainless steel band from StrapsCo.com almost 2 months ago and when I took the original band off i could see all the crudus stuck up in where the pins are. I took rubbing alcohol and a q-tip and cleaned it well and nothing on this watch has smelled since!!! The original band is just nestled super tight and it get EVERYTHING stuck in it.  Hope this helps 

[Jak10101]

Mine smells like cheese! Ive never had any watch or anything like like it smell that way. It's weird but I just laugh about it with friends who have the same issue. The more I work the more it smells - some strange unexpected issue i expect. I just wash it off often but its not ideal! How is this different to anything else? I dont know the answer. But if it doesn't smell - i havent done enough 🤣

[JodiZ1]

Update: not a long term solution. I just purchased bands from a seller on Amazon. I got a multipack of 10 bands for $20.00. They go on easily. Some reviews said otherwise. So far no smell in the band or my wrist.

I finally figured out how to clean the band. Remove the band and clean with a baking soda and water solution. When I removed the band one side of the watch face was very dirty. I cleaned it with a q-tip lightly moistened with rubbing alcohol. The stink went away with both. To keep it clean I moisten a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and clean the band and watch face and back after every workout. 4 days in and no stink. Throughly wash my wrist after every workout as well. 

[Lawunmilee]

Its the actual watch that smells. I have never used the silicone straps. the smell is awful. I might have to stop wearing it.

[GD23]

Amazon has some nice leather replacement bands.

Sent from my iPad

[JodiZ1]

How do you wear the watch if you do not use the silicone straps? When you remove the straps, clean the area where the strap attaches to the watch head. That that area can get smelly.

Sent from my iPhone

[JodiZ1]

How are you wearing the watch if you’re not using straps? When you remove the straps, clean the area, the straps attach to the watch head. That area would get smelly if you get skin cells sweat dirt in it.

[GD23]

I don’t wear the plastic ones. You can find cheap leather ones on amazon.

Sent from my iPad