Amazfit Neo vs Garmin Vivosmart HR Plus: The Fitness Tracker Battle You Can’t Miss

Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular contenders in the affordable fitness tracker arena are the Amazfit Neo and the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus. Both devices offer a range of features to help you track your activity, sleep, and heart rate, but which one comes out on top? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Design and Comfort

The Amazfit Neo and Garmin Vivofit HR Plus take different approaches to design. The Amazfit Neo boasts a retro digital watch aesthetic, featuring a square-shaped display and physical buttons for navigation. This design might appeal to those who prefer a classic look, but it can feel slightly bulky on smaller wrists.
The Garmin Vivofit HR Plus, on the other hand, adopts a sleek and modern design with a rectangular color display and a comfortable, slim band. It’s more discreet and blends seamlessly with everyday attire. Both trackers are lightweight and comfortable to wear, making them suitable for both casual wear and intense workouts.

Display and User Interface

The Amazfit Neo features a monochrome LCD display, which is highly visible even in bright sunlight. However, the display is small and lacks the vibrant colors of the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus. The Garmin Vivofit HR Plus offers a color touchscreen display that provides a more intuitive user experience and allows for more detailed information to be displayed.
In terms of navigation, the Amazfit Neo uses physical buttons, which can be a bit cumbersome compared to the touch-sensitive interface of the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus. The intuitive menu system of the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus makes it easy to navigate through the various features and settings.

Activity Tracking and Metrics

Both the Amazfit Neo and Garmin Vivofit HR Plus excel in activity tracking. They accurately monitor steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. Both devices also offer sleep tracking, providing insights into your sleep duration, quality, and stages.
The Amazfit Neo, however, has a unique advantage with its built-in PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) feature. PAI uses a proprietary algorithm to analyze your activity levels and provide a personalized score that reflects your overall fitness. The Garmin Vivofit HR Plus, on the other hand, provides more detailed metrics like floors climbed, intensity minutes, and Move IQ, which automatically detects and records activities.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Both trackers offer heart rate monitoring using optical sensors. While both perform well in general, the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus tends to provide more accurate and consistent heart rate readings, especially during intense workouts. Both devices also offer a resting heart rate tracker, which can be helpful for monitoring your overall cardiovascular health.

Battery Life

One of the main selling points of the Amazfit Neo is its impressive battery life. It can last up to a month on a single charge, making it a great option for those who don’t want to worry about frequent charging. The Garmin Vivofit HR Plus, while offering a decent battery life, falls short of the Amazfit Neo, lasting around 1 week on a single charge.

Connectivity and Features

Both trackers connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and offer a variety of features. The Amazfit Neo offers basic notifications, including calls, messages, and app alerts. The Garmin Vivofit HR Plus, on the other hand, provides more advanced features like smartphone music control, weather updates, and safety features like incident detection and assistance.

Price and Value

The Amazfit Neo is significantly cheaper than the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus. This makes it a very attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. However, the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus offers a more premium experience with its color display, advanced features, and longer battery life.

The Verdict: Which Fitness Tracker is Right for You?

The choice between the Amazfit Neo and Garmin Vivofit HR Plus ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize affordability, long battery life, and a classic design, the Amazfit Neo is a great choice. If you prefer a more feature-rich tracker with a color display, advanced features, and more accurate heart rate monitoring, the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus is the better option.

The Final Verdict: A Fitness Tracker for Every Need

Both the Amazfit Neo and Garmin Vivofit HR Plus offer valuable features for tracking your fitness journey. The Amazfit Neo shines with its affordability, long battery life, and PAI feature, making it a great option for budget-conscious individuals. The Garmin Vivofit HR Plus, on the other hand, provides a more premium experience with its color display, advanced features, and accurate heart rate monitoring. Ultimately, the best fitness tracker for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.

Answers to Your Questions

Q1: Can I use either tracker for swimming?
A: Neither the Amazfit Neo nor the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus is waterproof enough for swimming.
Q2: Do these trackers offer GPS tracking?
A: No, neither tracker comes with built-in GPS.
Q3: Can I customize the watch faces on these trackers?
A: The Garmin Vivofit HR Plus allows for watch face customization, while the Amazfit Neo offers limited options.
Q4: Which tracker is better for tracking sleep?
A: Both trackers offer sleep tracking capabilities, but the Garmin Vivofit HR Plus provides more detailed insights into sleep stages.
Q5: Are there any other fitness trackers in this price range that I should consider?
A: Yes, there are other popular fitness trackers in the same price range, such as the Fitbit Inspire 2 and the Xiaomi Mi Band 5.