Unveiling the Ultimate Showdown: Garmin Vivosmart HR vs Polar A370 – Which Fitness Tracker Reigns Supreme?

Choosing the right fitness tracker can feel like navigating a maze. With so many options available, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of features and specs. Two popular contenders often top the list: the Garmin vivosmart HR and the Polar A370. Both offer a compelling blend of features and affordability, but which one emerges as the ultimate champion?
This comprehensive comparison dives deep into the Garmin vivosmart HR and Polar A370, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and key differences to help you make an informed decision.

Design and Comfort: Sleek Style Meets Everyday Wear

Both the Garmin vivosmart HR and Polar A370 prioritize comfort and style. The vivosmart HR boasts a sleek, minimalist design with a vibrant color display. Its slim profile and lightweight construction make it comfortable to wear all day long, even during sleep. The A370, on the other hand, adopts a more sporty aesthetic with a larger, color touchscreen display. It’s slightly bulkier than the vivosmart HR, but still comfortable enough for everyday wear.
Here’s a breakdown of their design features:

• Garmin vivosmart HR:
• Sleek, minimalist design with a vibrant color display.
• Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.
• Available in various color options.
• Polar A370:
• Sportier design with a larger, color touchscreen display.
• Slightly bulkier than the vivosmart HR.
• Offers a more robust feel.

Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a sleek, understated look, the vivosmart HR might be your ideal companion. If you prefer a more sporty and functional design, the A370 could be a better fit.

Activity Tracking: Measuring Every Step and Burn

Both trackers excel in activity tracking, offering detailed insights into your daily movements. The Garmin vivosmart HR monitors steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. It also provides advanced metrics like sleep tracking and floors climbed.
The Polar A370 boasts similar capabilities, tracking your steps, distance, calories burned, and active time. It adds a unique feature called “Activity Guide,” which encourages you to move more throughout the day.
Here’s a comparison of their activity tracking features:

• Garmin vivosmart HR:
• Tracks steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, sleep, and floors climbed.
• Provides detailed activity summaries.
• Polar A370:
• Tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and active time.
• Features an “Activity Guide” to encourage movement throughout the day.

Both trackers deliver accurate and reliable data, making them valuable tools for monitoring your progress and staying motivated.

Heart Rate Monitoring: Keeping a Pulse on Your Fitness

Heart rate monitoring is a crucial feature for any fitness tracker, and both the Garmin vivosmart HR and Polar A370 deliver on this front. The vivosmart HR utilizes an optical heart rate sensor, providing continuous heart rate readings throughout the day. It also tracks your heart rate during sleep, giving you insights into your sleep quality.
The A370, known for its advanced heart rate technology, also uses an optical sensor and offers continuous heart rate monitoring. It shines in providing accurate and reliable heart rate data, even during intense workouts.
Here’s a comparison of their heart rate monitoring features:

• Garmin vivosmart HR:
• Uses an optical heart rate sensor for continuous monitoring.
• Monitors heart rate during sleep.
• Polar A370:
• Utilizes an optical sensor for accurate and reliable continuous heart rate data.
• Known for its advanced heart rate technology.

Both trackers offer reliable heart rate monitoring, but the A370 might be a better choice for those seeking the most accurate and detailed heart rate data.

Sleep Tracking: Unlocking the Secrets of Your Rest

Sleep is an essential aspect of health and fitness, and both trackers provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns. The Garmin vivosmart HR monitors your sleep duration and quality, providing data on REM sleep, light sleep, and deep sleep.
The Polar A370 also tracks sleep duration and quality, offering insights into your sleep stages. It adds a unique feature called “Sleep Plus Stages,” which analyzes your sleep patterns and provides personalized feedback.
Here’s a comparison of their sleep tracking features:

• Garmin vivosmart HR:
• Tracks sleep duration and quality, including REM, light, and deep sleep.
• Provides sleep summaries and insights.
• Polar A370:
• Tracks sleep duration and quality, including sleep stages.
• Features “Sleep Plus Stages” for personalized feedback.

Both trackers offer comprehensive sleep tracking, but the A370 might be more appealing if you’re looking for detailed sleep analysis and personalized recommendations.

GPS and Workout Tracking: Mapping Your Fitness Journey

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, GPS functionality is essential. The Garmin vivosmart HR doesn‘t feature built-in GPS, but it can connect to your smartphone’s GPS to track your runs, walks, and bike rides.
The Polar A370 boasts built-in GPS, allowing you to track your outdoor workouts without relying on your phone. It also provides detailed workout summaries, including pace, distance, and elevation.
Here’s a comparison of their GPS and workout tracking features:

• Garmin vivosmart HR:
• Doesn’t have built-in GPS but can connect to your smartphone’s GPS.
• Tracks runs, walks, and bike rides.
• Polar A370:
• Features built-in GPS for accurate outdoor workout tracking.
• Provides detailed workout summaries.

If outdoor activities are a priority, the Polar A370’s built-in GPS makes it a more attractive option.

Battery Life: Staying Powered Up for Your Fitness Goals

Battery life is a crucial factor for any fitness tracker, and both the Garmin vivosmart HR and Polar A370 offer decent battery life. The vivosmart HR boasts a battery life of up to 7 days on a single charge, while the A370 can last for up to 5 days.
Here’s a comparison of their battery life:

• Garmin vivosmart HR:
• Up to 7 days of battery life.
• Polar A370:
• Up to 5 days of battery life.

The vivosmart HR edges out the A370 in terms of battery life, making it a better choice for those who don’t want to constantly worry about charging their tracker.

Smart Features: Beyond Fitness Tracking

Both trackers offer basic smart features to enhance your daily life. The Garmin vivosmart HR provides notifications for calls, texts, and emails, and it also allows you to control music playback on your smartphone.
The Polar A370 also offers call, text, and email notifications, but it lacks music control features.
Here’s a comparison of their smart features:

• Garmin vivosmart HR:
• Notifications for calls, texts, and emails.
• Music control.
• Polar A370:
• Notifications for calls, texts, and emails.

While both trackers provide essential smart features, the vivosmart HR offers a more comprehensive set of capabilities.

Final Verdict: Choosing the Right Tracker for You

The Garmin vivosmart HR and Polar A370 are both excellent fitness trackers with their unique strengths and weaknesses. The vivosmart HR excels in its sleek design, comfortable wear, and longer battery life. It also offers music control, making it a more versatile option for those who want to control their music on the go.
The Polar A370 stands out with its advanced heart rate technology and built-in GPS, making it a better choice for serious athletes and those who prioritize accurate heart rate data and outdoor workout tracking.
Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you prioritize a sleek, comfortable tracker with longer battery life and music control, the Garmin vivosmart HR might be your ideal companion. If you’re a serious athlete seeking accurate heart rate data and built-in GPS for outdoor workouts, the Polar A370 could be the better choice.

Weighing the Pros and Cons: A Final Decision

Garmin vivosmart HR
Pros:

• Sleek and comfortable design.
• Longer battery life.
• Music control.
• Comprehensive activity tracking.

Cons:

• No built-in GPS.

Polar A370
Pros:

• Built-in GPS.
• Advanced heart rate technology.
• Detailed sleep analysis.
• Sporty design.

Cons:

• Shorter battery life.
• No music control.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Which tracker is better for everyday wear?
A: Both trackers are comfortable enough for everyday wear, but the Garmin vivosmart HR‘s sleeker and more minimalist design might be better suited for those who prefer a less sporty look.
Q: Which tracker is better for serious athletes?
A: The Polar A370’s built-in GPS and advanced heart rate technology make it a better choice for serious athletes who prioritize accurate data and outdoor workout tracking.
Q: Which tracker has better sleep tracking?
A: Both trackers provide comprehensive sleep tracking, but the Polar A370’s “Sleep Plus Stages” feature offers more detailed analysis and personalized feedback.
Q: Which tracker is more affordable?
A: The Garmin vivosmart HR is generally more affordable than the Polar A370.
Q: Which tracker is better overall?
A: The best tracker for you depends on your individual needs and priorities. The Garmin vivosmart HR is a great all-around tracker, while the Polar A370 is a better choice for serious athletes.