Versa 3 is tracking my heart rate too low

[Kajones104]

Does anyone else notice their hr is tracking much lower than before? 

In the middle of a strenuous workout, it registers as 110 or so. I have an Apple Watch to compare which is registering much higher. I also wore my old versa and it registered higher too. Any ideas? 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @Kajones104, it's nice to see you around the Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided in your post, I understand where your concern is coming from. I'll be glad to help you with your concern about the heart rate accuracy on your Versa 3.

At times, you might notice slight variations between your heart-rate reading on your Fitbit device versus on another device (such as a chest strap or another wrist-based heart-rate tracker) due to the differences in technologies.

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.

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.

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?

Let me know if you need further help, I'll be around. 

[Fra.84]

hi, not alone with this problem, we are many here who have the same bug. I hope they fix it with a software update.

[NRL102]

I experience the same thing.  I workout regularly, and on my old Versa, I definitely got into max heart rate zones a number of times.  I've had the Versa 3 since it's come out, and have yet to see my heart rate logged in the max zone.  I'm doing the same workouts, and same intensity.  Like you, I'll often be going all out, and my heart rate registers at around 110 or so.  It's terribly inaccurate, and very disappointing.

[Gibbz]

Hi guys , same here I've taken one versa 3 back already because of this issue. I train very strenuous in the max heart rate zone and on times I look at my heart rate and it's at 107 bpm which is totally incorrect. Through trail and error its seems to be a syncing issue , as if I go in and sync on the app the heart rate flys up to 150 - 160bpm. It's quite annoying as I have to keep checking and syncing to ensure my heart rate is tracking correctly so I get correct calories recorded. 

[Mari00]

I went from the Versa to the Versa 3. I am doing the same HIIT workouts and my heart rate is up to 97 bpm and I feel like my heart is gonna come out of my chest. very discouraging because seeing my heart rate go up motivates me. I was definitely hitting higher heart rate zones with my old fitbit. 

So did you get a new versa 3 when you took one back?

Moderator Edit: Merged replies

[cfed02]

I had my Versa 3 for about a month and I'm sending it back tomorrow and going back to my Versa 1.  I'm experiencing the same issue as everyone else in that no matter how hard I work out, my heart rate doesn't or barely goes into Active Zone.  I's a shame; I really like the Versa 3. If I hear that this issue is corrected, I'll purchase again or just wait for the Versa 4.

[joe3175]

I have compared my Versa 3 heart rate with the machine at the chemist and the machine I have at home and the Versa 3 is within 2-4 beats higher then the machine, so that is a probably reasonable variance, given the Versa 3 or any other smart watch is not a medical device. Having said that as I live with a disability and therefore I rarely have a really heart rate due to exercise, as I am somewhat limited. When my heart rate is showing high on the watch and I check with my home machine, it is still within the 2-4 beats higher on the watch.

[Gibbz]

Yeah new versa 3 and the same issue , seems to be related to syncing .

[egzak]

I just switched from a versa 2 that ran out of life to a 3. It’s pure junk.  Heart rate at least 40 beats low. I do HITT with weighs and cardio abs I have yet to hit the new cardio active zone lmfao!  Bs. My heart is hammering In my chest, would be around 165 on versa 2. Fitbit messed up bad.  I’d send it back for a refund. I tried all their cut and paste solutions! Nothing works. Sometimes it shows 90 while I’m doing cardio! It’s perfect on my wrist etc. Junk

[egzak]

See my reply above.  Feel free to call me with other solutions or email me

[Kajones104]

I ended up returning the versa 3 and I’m going to try a sense. If it’s the same I’m gonna hold off on updating. I just really wanted the ability to answer calls with my watch. 

[Mithras90]

I've had the same issue ever since I first got my Versa 2.

I also made a thread about reviews on the Versa 3 saying the exact same thing as you.

[conkl1]

I agree.  My heart rate is also measuring much lower during workouts.  I always got into the peak zone, with Versa 3 its hard to even get it to the Cardio Zone.  This is disappointing.

[abdul2961]

I make it tight when I'm training... Send to record better. Maybe try that

[mcmorgan7]

I'm actually having the same problem with my new Sense--registering HR way too low. I wanted to stay with Fitbit because I've been a loyal customer for years and have loved it. I was considering returning the Sense for a Versa 3, in hopes that its HR might be more accurate. But it sounds like that's not the case?

[conkl1]

Making it tighter during workout helps, but it still doesn’t seem as
accurate as my Versa 2 was.

[Kajones104]

No.  I've had both the sense and versa 3 and they're both terrible.. the charge 4 is more accurate. 

[Fmaura7]

I've been having the same issues and its super frustrating. Same workouts I used to be in the 135-160 bpm ranges, I'm now anywhere from 80-110 bpm. It is seriously awful and throws off the whole workout because I am "burning" significantly less calories per workout with the device. I'm contacting them to have it replaced or refunded all together. I've been a loyal Fitbit customer for years and never had issues quite like this. I'n thoroughly disappointed,

[Lockback]

I'm having the same issue. Running seems ok, but other workouts are significantly lower, and not consistent workout to workout. I am going to look to do a return if I can't find a solution soon. Tried all the "wear it higher, make sure it's tight" etc. This wasn't a problem with my Versa 1 but that one fell apart instead.