Versa 3 heart rate is inaccurate

[Hbrew]

It is tracking my heart rate but I feel like it’s not correct. I was using a Versa and during a 20 to 25 minute walk outside going up and down hills I was burning 130ish calories. My heart rate would go as high as 140 ish going up the big hill. I steadily did this for weeks. And it always came out to about that many calories. My new watch is saying my heart rate is barely going to 110. And I’m like panting and breathing heavy. And am exerting myself. But during this same 20 to 25 minute walk my heart rate only made it has high as 120 and that was during the hardest part. Burning like 92 calories. I can’t help but feel it’s totally off in accuracy because knowing my body I would expect it to be higher. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there, @Hbrew. Welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided in your post about the issue with your Versa 3. I understand where your concern is coming from. 

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.

Yes, 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. 

[Podenco]

A while ago I also posted about my Versa 3 showing low bpm during intensive exercise. The response I got from you was:" We’re aware of it and are working to identify a resolution as quickly as possible. We hope we get you back on track soon". You also thanked me for my patience. 

- MarreFitbit could you please give me an update about the progress Fitbit is making concerning this issue? Reading about it in the community showed me that this issue is going on for 2 years now, so I think that's a lot of time for identifying a problem.

I don't need to say that I am running out of patience. So when will I be back on track again?

I thank in advance for your reply

[SunsetRunner]

@Podenco Running out of patience. I totally agree!

When FitBit say "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."   🤣

The depth of their denial beggars belief!   The only thing the Versa3 does reliably is tell the time.  

[Hbrew]

It’s ridiculous. I pay alot of money for this watch and I think I’d know my heart rate is much higher than 105 while working out. I might end up contacting support in the long run. I pay for warranty and I don’t want a faulty watch.