What To Know
- If you’re considering a Garmin Vivosmart, you’re likely torn between the Vivosmart 5 and the Vivosmart HR Plus.
- The Vivosmart HR Plus, on the other hand, has a slightly shorter battery life of up to 5 days.
- The Vivosmart HR Plus, while less expensive, offers a solid set of features, making it a great value for budget-conscious buyers.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. If you’re considering a Garmin Vivosmart, you’re likely torn between the Vivosmart 5 and the Vivosmart HR Plus. Both offer a compelling blend of features and affordability, but which one truly reigns supreme? This in-depth comparison will help you make an informed decision.
Design and Comfort
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 boasts a sleek, modern design with a vibrant color touchscreen display. It’s available in a variety of colors to suit your style. The device is incredibly lightweight and comfortable to wear, making it ideal for all-day use.
The Vivosmart HR Plus, while slightly older, still holds its own in terms of design. It features a more traditional, rectangular display with a smaller screen size. It’s also available in various color options and is comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Winner: While both are comfortable, the Vivosmart 5 edges out the Vivosmart HR Plus with its more modern design and vibrant color display.
Features and Functionality
Both fitness trackers offer a comprehensive suite of features, including:
- Activity Tracking: Track steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes.
- Sleep Monitoring: Monitor sleep duration, stages, and quality.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Track heart rate throughout the day and during workouts.
- Stress Monitoring: Measure stress levels throughout the day.
- Smart Notifications: Receive notifications from your smartphone, including calls, texts, and app alerts.
- Water Reminder: Stay hydrated with personalized water intake reminders.
- Safety and Security Features: Includes emergency SOS and incident detection.
Key Differences:
- Pulse Oximeter: The Vivosmart 5 features a Pulse Oximeter sensor, allowing you to measure blood oxygen saturation levels. This feature is absent in the Vivosmart HR Plus.
- Body Battery Energy Monitoring: The Vivosmart 5 provides Body Battery energy monitoring, which helps you understand your energy levels throughout the day. This feature is not available on the Vivosmart HR Plus.
- GPS: The Vivosmart HR Plus includes built-in GPS, allowing you to track your outdoor workouts without needing your phone. The Vivosmart 5 relies on connected GPS, which uses your phone’s GPS signal.
- Music Control: The Vivosmart 5 offers music control, allowing you to control your music playback directly from your wrist. This feature is absent in the Vivosmart HR Plus.
Winner: The Vivosmart 5 takes the lead with its advanced features, including the Pulse Oximeter, Body Battery monitoring, and music control.
Battery Life
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode. This makes it ideal for users who don’t want to constantly worry about charging their device.
The Vivosmart HR Plus, on the other hand, has a slightly shorter battery life of up to 5 days. While this is still decent, it falls short of the Vivosmart 5’s endurance.
Winner: The Vivosmart 5 wins with its longer battery life, providing users with peace of mind and less frequent charging.
Price and Value
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is priced slightly higher than the Vivosmart HR Plus. However, its advanced features and longer battery life make it a worthwhile investment.
The Vivosmart HR Plus, while less expensive, offers a solid set of features, making it a great value for budget-conscious buyers.
Winner: The Vivosmart 5 offers better value for money, considering its advanced features and longer battery life. However, the Vivosmart HR Plus remains an excellent option for those seeking a more affordable fitness tracker.
Performance and Accuracy
Both fitness trackers are known for their accurate performance and reliable data collection. The Vivosmart 5’s advanced sensors and software ensure accurate tracking of steps, heart rate, sleep, and other metrics.
The Vivosmart HR Plus, despite being an older model, also delivers accurate readings and reliable data. It’s a solid performer for tracking your fitness progress.
Winner: Both trackers offer accurate and reliable performance, making it a tie in this category.
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between the Garmin Vivosmart 5 and the Vivosmart HR Plus depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Choose the Vivosmart 5 if:
- You prioritize advanced features like Pulse Oximeter, Body Battery monitoring, and music control.
- You value longer battery life.
- You’re willing to invest a bit more for a feature-rich tracker.
Choose the Vivosmart HR Plus if:
- You’re looking for a more affordable fitness tracker.
- You need built-in GPS for outdoor workouts.
- You’re satisfied with a more basic set of features.
Ultimately, the best choice comes down to what matters most to you. Both trackers offer a compelling blend of features and affordability, making them excellent choices for fitness enthusiasts of all levels.
Choosing the Right Fitness Tracker: A Quick Guide
- Consider your budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on a fitness tracker.
- Identify your needs: What features are most important to you? Do you need GPS, sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, or other advanced features?
- Read reviews: Check out reviews from other users to get real-world insights into the tracker’s performance and accuracy.
- Compare features and specifications: Compare the features and specifications of different trackers side-by-side to find the best fit for you.
- Try it out: If possible, try out the tracker before you buy it to ensure it’s comfortable and easy to use.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q: Does the Vivosmart 5 have GPS?
A: The Vivosmart 5 uses connected GPS, which means it relies on your phone’s GPS signal to track your location. It doesn’t have built-in GPS like the Vivosmart HR Plus.
Q: Can I use the Vivosmart 5 for swimming?
A: The Vivosmart 5 is water-resistant up to 5 ATM (50 meters), making it suitable for swimming. However, it’s not designed for diving or high-impact water sports.
Q: What is the difference between the Vivosmart 5 and the Vivosmart 4?
A: The Vivosmart 5 offers several upgrades over the Vivosmart 4, including a larger color touchscreen display, Pulse Oximeter, Body Battery monitoring, and music control. It also has a longer battery life.
Q: Is the Vivosmart HR Plus still a good option?
A: While the Vivosmart HR Plus is an older model, it’s still a solid fitness tracker with a good set of features. It’s an excellent option for budget-conscious buyers who don’t need the latest and greatest features.