Fitbit Versa 4 vs Amazfit Active 2: Comparison
Hey there! Today I'm taking a close look at two incredibly popular budget fitness smartwatches: the established Fitbit Versa 4 and the brand-new Amazfit Active 2. Both promise comprehensive health tracking and multi-day battery life for under $130, but they take surprisingly different approaches to delivering value.
I've spent the last month wearing both watches in rotation, testing everything from morning runs to sleep tracking accuracy. In this head-to-head comparison, I'll reveal which smartwatch delivers the best bang for your buck and help you choose the right tracker for your fitness journey. Let's dive in!
Fitbit Versa 4 vs Amazfit Active 2: Quick Overview
Here's the bottom line: The Fitbit Versa 4 and Amazfit Active 2 target budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts but deliver different value propositions. The Versa 4 offers a larger 1.58-inch AMOLED display, Google ecosystem integration with Fitbit Premium features, 40+ exercise modes, Daily Readiness Score, 6-day battery life, built-in Alexa, and polished software at $119. The Active 2 counters with a blazing 2,000-nit brightness display, premium stainless steel build, 160+ sports modes, offline maps with turn-by-turn navigation, 10-day battery life, AI voice assistant, and no subscription requirements at $99.
For most people, I'd recommend the Amazfit Active 2. Its unbeatable $99 price, superior hardware specs, and zero subscription fees make it the better value for fitness tracking. However, grab the Fitbit Versa 4 if you're already invested in Google's ecosystem, want the most polished user interface and app experience, need seamless integration with Android or iPhone health apps, prefer Fitbit's proven sleep tracking algorithms, or value the Daily Readiness Score for workout planning.
Table of Contents:
- Fitbit Versa 4 vs Amazfit Active 2: Full Comparison
- Active 2 vs Versa 4: Design & Build
- Versa 4 or Active 2: Owner Reviews
- Fitbit Versa 4 and Amazfit Active 2 Alternatives
Fitbit Versa 4 vs Amazfit Active 2: Full Comparison
| Specification | Fitbit Versa 4 | Amazfit Active 2 |
| Image | ||
| Case Size | 40.5 x 40.5 x 11.2mm | 44mm (round) |
| Weight | 37.6g | 29.5g |
| Display Size | 1.58 inches | 1.32 inches |
| Display Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 336 x 336 pixels | 466 x 466 pixels (353 PPI) |
| Peak Brightness | ~1,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Always-On Display | Yes | Yes |
| Case Material | Aluminum | Stainless steel (Premium: Stainless steel) |
| Glass Type | Gorilla Glass 3 | Tempered glass (Premium: Sapphire) |
| Water Resistance | 50m (5 ATM) | 50m (5 ATM) |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Optical PPG | BioTracker 6.0 PPG (5 photodiodes, 2 LEDs) |
| GPS | Built-in (multi-band) | Built-in (5 satellite systems) |
| Additional Sensors | SpO2, accelerometer, ambient light | SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, ambient light |
| Exercise Modes | 40+ | 160+ |
| Offline Maps | No (requires phone connection) | Yes (with turn-by-turn navigation) |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa | Zepp Flow AI |
| Music Storage | No (control only) | No (control only) |
| Bluetooth Calling | Yes | Yes |
| NFC Payments | Fitbit Pay, Google Wallet | Zepp Pay (Premium model only, Europe only) |
| Battery Life (Typical Use) | 6+ days | 10 days |
| Battery Life (GPS Use) | 12 hours | 21 hours |
| Charging Time | 12 minutes for 1 day | ~2 hours full charge |
| Operating System | Fitbit OS | Zepp OS 4 |
| App Compatibility | iOS 15+, Android 9+ | iOS 14+, Android 7+ |
| Third-Party Apps | Limited (no app store) | Yes (Zepp App Store) |
| Subscription Service | Fitbit Premium ($10/month) | None (all features included) |
| Premium Included | 6 months free | N/A |
| Price | $119 | $99 (Standard), $129 (Premium) |
Display quality creates the most striking difference. The Versa 4's 1.58-inch screen offers more viewing area, but the Active 2's 2,000-nit peak brightness doubles the Versa 4's luminance for dramatically better outdoor visibility. The Active 2's 353 PPI resolution also delivers sharper text despite the smaller size.
Exercise tracking capabilities differ in approach. The Active 2 provides 160+ sports modes covering niche activities like HYROX racing and skiing with resort maps. The Versa 4's 40+ modes focus on mainstream workouts with deeper ecosystem integration. The Versa 4's Daily Readiness Score analyzes recovery to suggest workout intensity, a feature the Active 2 lacks. The Active 2 wins for sport variety, the Versa 4 for guided training.
Navigation represents a major gap. The Active 2 supports offline maps with turn-by-turn directions for phone-free exploration. The Versa 4 offers no mapping features at all. For trail runners and travelers, this alone justifies the Active 2.
Battery life strongly favors the Active 2. Its 10-day runtime versus 6 days eliminates weekend charging. The Active 2 also delivers 21 hours of GPS tracking versus 12 hours. The Versa 4's fast-charging (1 day in 12 minutes) helps but can't match the Active 2's endurance.
Software ecosystem tilts toward Fitbit. The Fitbit app feels more polished with better visualization and social features. Fitbit Premium unlocks advanced analysis worth $10 monthly for serious users. The Active 2's Zepp OS feels less refined but includes all features without subscriptions. Build quality reflects pricing - the Active 2's stainless steel and sapphire glass (Premium) beat the Versa 4's aluminum and Gorilla Glass.
Active 2 vs Versa 4: Design & Build
Both smartwatches sport modern aesthetics but diverge in their design philosophies, with the Versa 4 prioritizing lightness and the Active 2 emphasizing premium materials.
Fitbit Versa 4 Design:
Amazfit Active 2 Design:
The Versa 4 maintains Fitbit's rounded square design at 40.5mm. The aluminum body weighs just 37.6 grams, barely noticeable during sleep. A single physical button handles navigation and quick access, replacing the Versa 3's frustrating touch sensor. Available in Black/Graphite, Waterfall Blue/Platinum, and Pink Sand/Copper Rose.
The Active 2 adopts a traditional round 44mm watch face with stainless steel construction. Despite premium materials, it weighs only 29.5 grams. Two buttons flank the right side for apps and workouts. The 1.32-inch display delivers sharp 353 PPI visuals. Premium models upgrade to sapphire glass and include leather plus silicone bands.
The Versa 4's lightweight design disappears on the wrist but sometimes catches on sleeves. The Active 2's round profile slides under cuffs easily. Both rate 5 ATM water resistance for swimming. The Active 2's brighter screen handled wet conditions better during pool testing.
Fitbit Versa 4 or Amazfit Active 2: Owner Reviews
Let's examine real-world experiences from owners who've lived with these smartwatches through daily workouts and beyond:
Fitbit Versa 4 Owner Reviews:
Praises: "The Daily Readiness Score changed how I approach training. Some mornings it tells me my body needs recovery, and honestly, listening to it has prevented injuries. The Fitbit app makes everything easy to understand."
"Battery life is fantastic for my needs. I charge it while showering on Sunday mornings and it lasts the whole week tracking everything. GPS locks quickly for runs and the routes sync perfectly to the app."
***
Drawbacks: "Really disappointed they removed music storage from the Versa 3. I used to run phone-free with Spotify playlists on my watch. Now I'm stuck carrying my phone or paying for Premium features that should be standard."
"Heart rate accuracy during high-intensity intervals is questionable. It often lags 10-20 seconds behind my chest strap, showing lower numbers when I'm actually working hard. Fine for casual tracking but not reliable for serious training zones."
Amazfit Active 2 Owner Reviews:
Praises: "Incredible value at $99. The display brightness is better than my friend's Apple Watch, build quality feels like a $300 watch, and the 10-day battery means I forget about charging. The offline maps are fantastic for trail running."
"The variety of sports modes is insane. It automatically recognized when I started playing tennis and tracked my movements. The HYROX mode is perfect for my CrossFit-style workouts. No subscription fees is a huge bonus."
***
Drawbacks: "The Zepp app feels clunky compared to Fitbit or Garmin. Finding specific settings takes too many taps, and some menu translations are awkward. The AI voice assistant is slow and often misunderstands commands."
"Sleep tracking seems less accurate than my old Fitbit. It frequently misses when I wake up during the night, and the sleep stage breakdown doesn't match how I actually feel. Health metrics are there but not as actionable."
Fitbit Versa 4 and Amazfit Active 2 Alternatives
If neither smartwatch perfectly matches your priorities, here are two compelling alternatives worth considering:
- Garmin Venu Sq 2: Advanced training metrics, 11-day battery, music storage, superior GPS accuracy at $249.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch FE: Full Wear OS with app ecosystem, rotating bezel, body composition analysis at $149.
The Garmin Venu Sq 2 targets users wanting professional-grade tracking. Body Battery rivals Fitbit's Readiness Score, while Training Status provides scientific guidance. Music storage enables phone-free running. You gain legendary Garmin GPS reliability and detailed metrics for $150 more.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE delivers full smartwatch functionality with Wear OS apps including Google Maps and Spotify. The rotating bezel offers intuitive navigation. Samsung Health rivals Fitbit's ecosystem with sleep coaching and body composition analysis. Main tradeoffs are shorter 40-hour battery and $149 price.
Should You Buy the Versa 4 or Active 2?
After a month testing both the Fitbit Versa 4 and Amazfit Active 2, both prove that excellent fitness tracking no longer demands $300.
Choose the Fitbit Versa 4 if ecosystem integration matters most. Seamless connection with Google Fit, Apple Health, and Strava simplifies data management. Fitbit Premium's Daily Readiness Score and Sleep Profile justify $10 monthly for serious training. The larger display and lighter 37.6g weight create comfortable all-day wear. Fitbit's track record for updates means your $119 investment stays relevant.
Choose the Amazfit Active 2 if specs and value drive decisions. The $99 price delivers features from $200+ watches - offline mapping, 2,000-nit display, stainless steel build, 160+ modes. The 10-day battery eliminates charging anxiety. Zero subscription fees mean lower total ownership cost. The barometric altimeter and sport-specific features satisfy advanced athletes. The Premium model's sapphire glass justifies $129 for maximum durability.
For most users, the Amazfit Active 2 delivers better value. Superior hardware, longer battery, and no subscriptions create a compelling package at $20 less. However, Fitbit ecosystem users or those prioritizing polish should choose the Versa 4. Your decision depends on valuing specifications versus software refinement.
Go Deeper: