What To Know
- The Garmin Vivofit 3 boasts a classic, minimalist design with a rectangular display and a comfortable, lightweight silicone band.
- The Garmin Vivofit 3 boasts an impressive battery life of up to a year, making it a great choice for users who don’t want to constantly charge their device.
- The Huawei Band 3 offers a decent battery life of up to 10 days, which is still respectable but significantly shorter than the Vivofit 3.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, with so many options available in the market. Two popular choices that often come up in comparisons are the Garmin Vivofit 3 and the Huawei Band 3. Both devices offer a range of features to help you track your activity, sleep, and overall health, but they also have their own strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key differences between the Garmin Vivofit 3 and Huawei Band 3, helping you decide which fitness tracker best suits your needs.
Design and Comfort
Garmin Vivofit 3: The Garmin Vivofit 3 boasts a classic, minimalist design with a rectangular display and a comfortable, lightweight silicone band. It’s available in various colors to match your style. The band is customizable, allowing you to swap it out for different colors or materials. The Vivofit 3 is designed to be worn 24/7, even while swimming, thanks to its water resistance rating of 5 ATM.
Huawei Band 3: The Huawei Band 3 adopts a more modern, sleek design with a curved OLED touchscreen display. It features a slim, lightweight design, making it comfortable to wear even during sleep. The band is also customizable with a variety of straps available. The Huawei Band 3 is also water-resistant up to 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming.
Verdict: Both the Garmin Vivofit 3 and Huawei Band 3 offer comfortable and stylish designs. The Vivofit 3 leans towards a more classic look, while the Band 3 boasts a modern, sleek aesthetic. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference.
Display and Navigation
Garmin Vivofit 3: The Garmin Vivofit 3 features a monochrome LCD display that is always-on, providing constant visibility of your data. The display is relatively small, but the large font size makes it easy to read. Navigation is simple, using a single button to cycle through menus and data.
Huawei Band 3: The Huawei Band 3 features a vibrant, full-color AMOLED touchscreen display. The display is larger than the Vivofit 3, offering a more visually appealing experience. However, the touchscreen can be less intuitive for navigating menus, especially in humid or wet conditions.
Verdict: The Huawei Band 3 wins out with its vibrant, full-color display, offering a more immersive experience. However, the Garmin Vivofit 3’s always-on monochrome display provides constant visibility and is easier to navigate with its single button.
Activity Tracking and Features
Garmin Vivofit 3: The Garmin Vivofit 3 excels in activity tracking, accurately monitoring steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep. It also features Move IQ, which automatically detects and records activities like walking, running, and cycling. The Vivofit 3 offers basic heart rate monitoring through its built-in optical sensor, which can be used to track your heart rate during workouts.
Huawei Band 3: The Huawei Band 3 offers comprehensive activity tracking, including steps, distance, calories burned, sleep, and heart rate. It also features several workout modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and more. The Band 3’s built-in optical heart rate sensor provides more accurate and detailed heart rate data than the Vivofit 3. It also includes advanced features like GPS tracking for outdoor workouts and sleep stage analysis.
Verdict: The Huawei Band 3 offers a more comprehensive set of features for activity tracking, including advanced heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and sleep stage analysis. However, the Garmin Vivofit 3’s Move IQ feature automatically detects and records activities, making it more convenient for casual users.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivofit 3: The Garmin Vivofit 3 boasts an impressive battery life of up to a year, making it a great choice for users who don’t want to constantly charge their device.
Huawei Band 3: The Huawei Band 3 offers a decent battery life of up to 10 days, which is still respectable but significantly shorter than the Vivofit 3.
Verdict: The Garmin Vivofit 3 wins out with its exceptional battery life, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize long-lasting performance.
Price and Value
Garmin Vivofit 3: The Garmin Vivofit 3 is generally priced lower than the Huawei Band 3, making it a more budget-friendly option.
Huawei Band 3: The Huawei Band 3 is priced slightly higher than the Vivofit 3, reflecting its more advanced features and modern design.
Verdict: The Garmin Vivofit 3 offers excellent value for money, providing a solid set of features at a lower price point. The Huawei Band 3 offers a premium experience with its advanced features and sleek design, but comes at a higher cost.
The Verdict: Which Fitness Tracker Is Right for You?
The choice between the Garmin Vivofit 3 and Huawei Band 3 ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Choose the Garmin Vivofit 3 if:
- You prioritize long battery life.
- You prefer a simple, classic design.
- You want a budget-friendly option.
- You’re looking for a reliable tracker for basic activity monitoring.
Choose the Huawei Band 3 if:
- You want a vibrant, full-color display.
- You require advanced features like GPS tracking and sleep stage analysis.
- You’re willing to pay a premium for a more stylish and feature-rich device.
- You prefer a touchscreen interface.
Beyond the Comparison: Considerations for Choosing a Fitness Tracker
While the Garmin Vivofit 3 and Huawei Band 3 are both excellent options, remember that these are just two examples in a vast sea of fitness trackers. Here are some broader considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right device for you:
- Your Fitness Goals: Determine what you want to track and achieve with your fitness tracker. Are you focused on steps, calories burned, heart rate, sleep, or specific workouts?
- Your Budget: Set a budget and stick to it. Fitness trackers range in price from affordable to premium.
- Compatibility: Ensure the tracker is compatible with your smartphone and preferred apps.
- Features: Consider the features that are most important to you, such as GPS, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, workout modes, and smartwatch functionality.
- Design and Comfort: Choose a tracker that you find comfortable and stylish, as you’ll be wearing it every day.
- Battery Life: Decide how often you’re willing to charge your device. Some trackers offer longer battery life than others.
Questions You May Have
Q: Does the Garmin Vivofit 3 have GPS tracking?
A: No, the Garmin Vivofit 3 does not have built-in GPS tracking.
Q: Can the Huawei Band 3 track swimming workouts?
A: Yes, the Huawei Band 3 is water-resistant up to 5 ATM and includes a dedicated swimming workout mode.
Q: Which fitness tracker is better for sleep tracking?
A: Both the Garmin Vivofit 3 and Huawei Band 3 offer sleep tracking, but the Huawei Band 3 provides more detailed sleep stage analysis.
Q: Is the Garmin Vivofit 3 compatible with Android phones?
A: Yes, the Garmin Vivofit 3 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Q: Can I use the Huawei Band 3 to make calls?
A: No, the Huawei Band 3 does not have cellular connectivity and cannot be used to make calls.