Fitbit Surge vs Garmin Vivosmart 5: A Comprehensive Fitness Tracker Comparison You Can’t Miss!

Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, with countless options vying for your attention. Two popular contenders often find themselves in the spotlight: the Fitbit Surge and the Garmin Vivosmart 5. Both devices offer a comprehensive suite of fitness tracking features, but their strengths and weaknesses differ significantly. This detailed comparison will help you determine which tracker best aligns with your fitness goals and lifestyle.

Fitbit Surge: A Legacy of Features

The Fitbit Surge, despite being discontinued, remains a popular choice for many fitness enthusiasts. Its robust feature set and sleek design have cemented its place in the fitness tracker hall of fame.
Strengths of the Fitbit Surge:

• Comprehensive Fitness Tracking: The Surge excels in tracking a wide range of activities, including steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate, sleep, and even GPS-enabled workouts. Its detailed metrics provide valuable insights into your progress.
• Built-in GPS: The Surge’s integrated GPS allows you to track your runs and walks outdoors, providing accurate distance, pace, and route information.
• Long Battery Life: With up to 7 days of battery life, you can enjoy extended use without worrying about frequent charging.
• Stylish Design: The Surge boasts a sleek and stylish design, making it an attractive accessory for everyday wear.
• Large Color Display: The Surge’s large color touchscreen display offers excellent visibility, allowing you to easily navigate menus and view data.

Weaknesses of the Fitbit Surge:

• Discontinued: The Fitbit Surge is no longer in production, making it difficult to find new units and limiting access to support and updates.
• Bulky Design: Compared to newer models, the Surge is relatively bulky, which may feel uncomfortable for some users.
• Limited Smartwatch Features: While the Surge offers some smartwatch features like notifications and music control, it lacks the advanced capabilities of newer smartwatches.

Garmin Vivosmart 5: A Modern Fitness Companion

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a newer model that offers a blend of fitness tracking and smartwatch functionality. Its sleek design and advanced features make it a compelling choice for modern fitness enthusiasts.
Strengths of the Garmin Vivosmart 5:

• Sleek and Comfortable Design: The Vivosmart 5 boasts a slim and lightweight design, making it comfortable to wear all day long.
• Advanced Health Monitoring: Beyond basic fitness tracking, the Vivosmart 5 offers advanced health monitoring features, including blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and stress tracking.
• Smartwatch Features: The Vivosmart 5 seamlessly integrates with your smartphone, providing notifications, music control, and even contactless payments (depending on the region).
• Long Battery Life: With up to 7 days of battery life, the Vivosmart 5 offers extended use without requiring frequent charging.
• Water Resistance: The Vivosmart 5 is water-resistant up to 5 ATM, allowing you to wear it while swimming or showering.

Weaknesses of the Garmin Vivosmart 5:

• Limited GPS Functionality: The Vivosmart 5 lacks built-in GPS, so you’ll need to rely on your smartphone for accurate tracking during outdoor workouts.
• Smaller Display: The Vivosmart 5’s display is smaller than the Surge’s, which may make it challenging to view information at a glance.
• Higher Price: The Vivosmart 5 is generally more expensive than the Surge, especially if you consider the Surge’s discontinued status and potential for discounts.

Comparing Key Features: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Fitness Tracking: Both devices excel in basic fitness tracking, including steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and sleep. The Surge offers more detailed sleep data, while the Vivosmart 5 provides advanced health metrics like SpO2 and stress tracking.
GPS: The Surge boasts built-in GPS, allowing for accurate outdoor workout tracking without relying on your smartphone. The Vivosmart 5 lacks GPS, requiring the use of your phone for location data.
Smartwatch Features: The Vivosmart 5 offers a broader range of smartwatch features, including notifications, music control, and contactless payments. The Surge offers basic smartwatch functionality, but it’s not as comprehensive.
Design and Comfort: The Vivosmart 5’s slim and lightweight design makes it more comfortable for everyday wear, while the Surge is slightly bulkier.
Battery Life: Both devices offer comparable battery life, lasting up to 7 days on a single charge.
Price: The Surge is generally more affordable due to its discontinued status, while the Vivosmart 5 is more expensive but offers newer features.

Choosing the Right Tracker for You

Ultimately, the best fitness tracker for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Choose the Fitbit Surge if:

• You prioritize a comprehensive fitness tracker with built-in GPS for accurate outdoor workout tracking.
• You’re looking for a device with a large color display and detailed metrics.
• You’re comfortable with a slightly bulkier design.
• You’re on a tighter budget and are willing to compromise on some smartwatch features.

Choose the Garmin Vivosmart 5 if:

• You value a sleek and comfortable design that you can wear all day long.
• You’re interested in advanced health monitoring features like SpO2 and stress tracking.
• You want a device with comprehensive smartwatch functionality, including notifications, music control, and contactless payments.
• You’re willing to pay a premium for the latest features and technology.

Beyond the Comparison: Exploring Alternatives

While the Fitbit Surge and Garmin Vivosmart 5 are excellent choices, other fitness trackers deserve consideration.

• Fitbit Charge 5: A more affordable alternative to the Vivosmart 5, the Charge 5 offers a similar design and many of the same features, including SpO2 monitoring and NFC for contactless payments.
• Garmin Forerunner 245: If you’re a serious runner, the Forerunner 245 offers advanced running metrics, built-in GPS, and a comprehensive training plan feature.
• Amazfit Band 7: A budget-friendly option with a large AMOLED display, the Amazfit Band 7 offers a wide range of fitness tracking features and a competitive price tag.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Your Fitness Journey

Whether you choose the Fitbit Surge, Garmin Vivosmart 5, or another fitness tracker, the most important factor is finding a device that motivates and empowers you to reach your fitness goals. By carefully considering your needs and preferences, you can choose the perfect companion for your fitness journey.

What People Want to Know

Q: Is the Fitbit Surge still supported by Fitbit?
A: No, the Fitbit Surge is no longer supported by Fitbit. This means you won’t receive any software updates or bug fixes.
Q: Does the Garmin Vivosmart 5 have built-in GPS?
A: No, the Vivosmart 5 lacks built-in GPS. You’ll need to use your smartphone for accurate location tracking during outdoor workouts.
Q: What is the difference between the Fitbit Surge and the Fitbit Charge 5?
A: The Fitbit Charge 5 is a newer model that offers a slimmer design, a more advanced color display, and additional health monitoring features like SpO2 tracking. The Surge has a larger screen and built-in GPS, but it’s discontinued.
Q: Can I use the Garmin Vivosmart 5 for swimming?
A: Yes, the Vivosmart 5 is water-resistant up to 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and showering.
Q: Which fitness tracker is better for beginners?
A: Both the Fitbit Surge and Garmin Vivosmart 5 are great for beginners. The Surge offers a more comprehensive set of features, while the Vivosmart 5 is more user-friendly and comfortable for everyday wear. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual preferences and budget.