Torn between Versa 4 and Charge 6 - How important is the ECG app?

[mclerandrew]

I like how Versa 4 looks, but I wonder if Charge 6 has better monitoring features. The main difference I'm seeing is Versa 5 does not have the ECG app. Anyone else feel this is a deal breaker for deciding or is the ECG not really that useful anyway?

[Guy_]

Hi @mclerandrew - the Versa or Sense models are smart watch with loads of features, such as a multitude of clock faces to choose from. Some of the older models can manage calls, etc. The latest Versa and Sense models don't support apps though.

Perhaps someone could report on the Charge 6 heart rate accuracy, the Versa 4 is not terrific during exercising as it can over or under read but the rest of the time should be similar and Sleep is generally precise.

I have a Sense and rarely use ECG - it is available with

The ECG app is available on Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Charge 6 and Fitbit Charge 5 in the following countries:
American Samoa ᐧ Australia ᐧ Austria ᐧ Belgium ᐧ Canada ᐧ Chile ᐧ Czech Republic ᐧ France ᐧ Germany ᐧ Guam ᐧ Hong Kong ᐧ India ᐧ Ireland ᐧ Italy ᐧ Luxembourg ᐧ Netherlands ᐧ New Zealand ᐧ Norway ᐧ Poland ᐧ Portugal ᐧ Puerto Rico ᐧ Romania ᐧ Singapore ᐧ South Africa ᐧ Spain ᐧ Sweden ᐧ Switzerland ᐧ Taiwan (excluding Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Charge 5) ᐧ United Kingdom ᐧ United States ᐧ U.S. Virgin Islands

So unless you need ECG, the other feature differences are more significant.

Bear in mind Google is currently removing the Google Assistant feature from its watches.

[LZeeW]

Hello @mclerandrew and welcome to the Community.  To address your specific question, let me explain what the ECG app can and cannot do.  It records a 30 second single lead ECG.  It gives one of three results: normal sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, or inconclusive.  It will give you an inconclusive reading for several reasons and it will be inconclusive if your heart rate is less than 50 bpm or greater than 120 beats per minute.  It can't diagnose any other arrhythmias.  This article from the American Heart Association might help you decide if you are at risk for developing atrial fibrillation.

All current Fitbit models have a different feature called Irregular Rhythm Notifications.  This feature analyses your heart rate 24/7 using the heart rate monitor (green LED).  This feature might help you more if you are low risk.

I think you should base your decision on your atrial fibrillation risk.

[vee]

My versa 4  is not good with heart rate during exercise. This is almost a dealbreaker because it doesn’t give me the correct zone minutes or cardio load.  I have a friend who got a new charge six and she reports the same thing. This was a case of a so-called improvement that was actually a big step back and it’s very discouraging. I did a fast walk yesterday over 2000 steps in 15 minutes and got zero cardio because it said my heart rate only went into the 80s. 
I had one glitch last week where it thought my heart rate went close to a 200 during a walk so that’s not correct either,  but that was a one time deal. At least it gave me cardio load, LOL

The EKG that I have on an older charge five is not something that I use as it’s never been abnormal