Versa 3 heart rate is inaccurate

[Laurie655]

I recently switched to Versa from Ionic. I do the same workouts( Aqua Zumba. Elliptical and hillwalking) as before but according Versa, I am more or less half dead compared to before. I breathe hard, feel my heart pounding but NO, am below zone most of the time. 
ready to throw Versa away and buy Apple Watch. Any suggestions, that don’t offer ridiculous comments about humidity changes etc. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there, @Laurie655. Thanks for stopping by in the Community Forums and sharing the details about the issue with your Versa 3. We‘re taking your comments and sentiments in regards to our products into consideration.

Note that you might notice slight variations between your heart-rate reading on your new Fitbit devices compared with your old ones due to improvements in the heart rate sensor and algorithm.

Differences between heart-rate readings on your device and on exercise equipment are likely due to wrist or hand position. Make sure the back of your device is in contact with your wrist and that your band is snug.

Several factors can affect heart rate, including air temperature, stress level, alcohol or caffeine intake, immune response to illness, and medication use (source).

Exercising in cold weather can make it more difficult for your device to track your heart rate, as environmental conditions can affect skin perfusion (the amount of blood that flows through your skin). Spikes in your heart rate during sleep may be caused by sudden movements (for example, waking up and getting out of bed), or a weak signal due to wrist placement. 

As with all heart-rate tracking technology, accuracy is affected by personal physiology, device location on your arm, and type of movement. For a more accurate heart-rate reading:

• Wear your Fitbit device on top of your wrist, and make sure the back of the device is in contact with your skin.
• When you’re not exercising, wear your device a finger’s width above your wrist bone.

• During exercise, wear your device a bit tighter and higher for an improved fit. The band should be snug but not constricting (a tight band restricts blood flow, potentially affecting the heart-rate signal). Many exercises such as bike riding or weight lifting cause you to bend your wrist frequently, which could interfere with the heart-rate signal if the watch is lower on your wrist.

To resolve common issues, see our troubleshooting steps in What factors can affect my heart-rate reading on my Fitbit device?

Hope this helps. 

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

@MarreFitbit forgot to mentions that HR sensor of Sense is a little bit "strange" and definitely impacts calories tracked.

Look for HR accuracy in this forum section or the sense one (as Sense share the same HR sensor of V3) to know a bit more.

[GustaveXXX]

Yes, it's happening to me.  I went from a Versa to the Versa 3... it's totally inaccurate.  And yes ...the active zone minutes is totally off...it's like I'm a zombie compared to before...the switch.  

[GustaveXXX]

I disagree. I've tried almost everything.  I compare my acitve zone minutes to my old versa to my new Versa 3 and it's like I'm a totally different person!  From averaging 175 plus active zone minutes to now I average 50...or less.  There is something wrong but .....I'm stuck with the Versa 3 for a while until I find another tracker...  I should have researched more.  Totally my fault.

[Laurie655]

It is still driving me crazy! After all if it isn’t recorded it didn’t happen. Lol. I can’t go back to Ionic because it’s been recalled.

Sent from my iPhone

[Colprimus]

I'm having the same problem with the versa. It is way off regards recording my workouts compared to my Ionic and my Huawei. I only wanted it for tracking workouts AND it cannot do that. I wish I'd kept the Ionic.
How do I return it for refund?

[GustaveXXX]

I know what you mean... I only used my Versa to track work out and active zone minutes...  My Versa was so accurate.  Now with the Versa 3 I feel cheated .... My own fault.  I won't be purchasing anything from Fitbit again.  Total waste of money.  Fibit lost a good and loyal customer... From my first step counter...Never again... I'll use it till it I get sick of and sell it off on Ebay.

[Laurie655]

So what would you buy instead? I took the extended warranty and I am going to try and get a replacement.

Sent from my iPhone

[GustaveXXX]

I’d get the Versa I had before… that just died! I really hate that s Versa 3… I should NEVER have wasted my money…. But live and learn… as for the warranty… it’s defective so the warranty won’t fix the problem.  I have years logged w/ Fitbit and hate to leave the community and company but… I really disappointed.  

I may bow down and go to the Apples watch 7 !  Yes expensive but Apple is high quality…. I also order a Wahoo chest monitor …. Very accurate for workouts ..  I’ll post results while wear the Fitbit and the wahoo at the same time!  I know what he Versa 3 will fail but I’ll post!  

I’ve been using Fitbit for quite a number years .. since I’ve he beginning…. I don’t want to leave the brand but… I may 

[Colprimus]

Like you, I'm very disappointed with this product. I  used Ionic for 4 years and the Versa3 is just not good enough. I've done workouts with heart pounding in chest and sweat running down face yet I'm only in 'fat. burning'.

I am however fortune that I bought Versa online and had 14 days to return for any reason...which I have.

I now don't know what to get instead..can't get Apple watch because my phone is android.

[Lilly.b]

I have used fitbit for 8-9 years the ionic work for 5 of those years it died last so years and got a versa 3 for Christmas. I returned it two months later for same problems with the HR you are having it affects so many other functions it was useless to me. I have charge 3 I am using until new device come out this year. The reply from the moderator is a prepared statement from the company it’s the same statement they issued for a year and half.I thought about the apply watch I really like the fitbit app. I am going to give them one more chance this fall and if they still have the same problems Apple hear I come.

[ADKgirl]

• My Versa 3 heart rate monitor is so inaccurate it is worthless as an exersice tracking device. It doesn’t matter what position I wear it. Heart rate was actually 185 and Versa read 113 in todays workout. I feel robbed of the actual workout I did. Miss my Ionic. Come on Fitbit. This is my third device and likely my last!

[Laurie655]

I feel your pain. It’s terrible that they have screwed up the technology so badly. I really don’t know what to do about it.

Sent from my iPhone

[BeckyBQuilts]

Exactly- it’s worthless. I went biking twice last week and my Versa 3 registered below zones for the whole ride. Never did that last fall. Today I measured my HR manually right after I stopped. Versa said 110, my HR was actually 132. What is the point of having one. And customer service was no help at all. 

[BeckyBQuilts]

So not an answer. My Versa 3 tracked fine last fall. Now I bicycle (in highest gear) and it says I’m below zones. And I am having trouble breathing while my HR is 80, what? That’s not slight off or a variation. It’s just plain defective. Today I rode and manually measured my HR right when I stopped. There was 30 bpm different. Customer service was totally worthless. I received an email saying that you all are aware of the problem and cannot provide a fix in the immediate future. What is the point have having one if it doesn’t measure heart rate accurately? So frustrated and disappointed.

[GustaveXXX]

Hi, I've purchased a Wahoo chest strap monitor and when I compare the states to the Versa 3.... the Versa is way off...still.  I also am wearing the Versa 3 and an iwatch at the same time to compare.... Of course the iwatch is much more accurate.  I think its a programing issue...  It's sad because like I've posted I've been with fitbit since 2017...  

[GustaveXXX]

I got the the iwatch 7 last week and yes it's way more accurate....   I'll let you know after a few more weeks.  I highly recommend the Wahoo chest strap...the stap is very accurate...the app is a little slow to sink but OK.

[Lilly.b]

Please let me know. I am interested the app that comes with it. I just need an app that just tracks I don’t need one that has a lot of workouts just tracking.

Sent from my iPhone

[TommyIzzo]

@GustaveXXX If it was a programming issue, it likely would have been fixed by now.