What To Know
- The Fitbit Flex 2 is a simple, minimalist tracker with a small, removable band that can be swapped for different colors and styles.
- The Garmin Vivosmart 5, on the other hand, features a larger, more prominent display with a touchscreen interface.
- You can pair it with a separate heart rate monitor, such as the Fitbit Heart Rate Tracker, to get more accurate calorie burn estimates and insights into your workout intensity.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. Two popular contenders in the market are the Fitbit Flex 2 and the Garmin Vivosmart 5. Both devices offer a range of features to help you track your activity, sleep, and even stress levels. But which one is the better choice for you? This comprehensive comparison of the Fitbit Flex 2 vs Garmin Vivosmart 5 will help you make an informed decision.
Design and Comfort
The Fitbit Flex 2 and Garmin Vivosmart 5 both boast sleek and comfortable designs. The Fitbit Flex 2 is a simple, minimalist tracker with a small, removable band that can be swapped for different colors and styles. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear, even during sleep. The Garmin Vivosmart 5, on the other hand, features a larger, more prominent display with a touchscreen interface. It’s slightly bulkier than the Flex 2 but still comfortable enough for everyday wear.
Both trackers are water-resistant, allowing you to wear them while swimming or showering. However, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 has a higher water resistance rating, making it suitable for swimming in deeper water.
Activity Tracking and Features
Both the Fitbit Flex 2 and Garmin Vivosmart 5 offer comprehensive activity tracking features. They can monitor steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, and sleep duration. The Garmin Vivosmart 5 goes a step further by incorporating advanced metrics like floors climbed, intensity minutes, and Body Battery energy monitoring.
Fitbit Flex 2:
- Step tracking: Accurate and reliable step counting.
- Distance tracking: Calculates distance based on your stride length.
- Calories burned: Estimates calories burned based on your activity level and personal data.
- Active minutes: Tracks time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity.
- Sleep tracking: Monitors sleep duration and quality, including light, deep, and REM sleep.
Garmin Vivosmart 5:
- Step tracking: Accurate step counting with advanced algorithms.
- Distance tracking: Calculates distance based on GPS data (when connected to a smartphone).
- Calories burned: Provides more accurate calorie burn estimates using heart rate data.
- Active minutes: Tracks time spent in different intensity levels of activity.
- Sleep tracking: Monitors sleep duration, quality, and sleep stages.
- Body Battery energy monitoring: Measures your body’s energy reserves throughout the day.
- Stress tracking: Monitors your stress levels and provides insights into your stress response.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The Fitbit Flex 2 does not have built-in heart rate tracking. You can pair it with a separate heart rate monitor, such as the Fitbit Heart Rate Tracker, to get more accurate calorie burn estimates and insights into your workout intensity. The Garmin Vivosmart 5, on the other hand, features built-in wrist-based heart rate monitoring. This allows for continuous heart rate tracking throughout the day and night, providing more detailed insights into your fitness levels and sleep quality.
Display and User Interface
The Fitbit Flex 2 has a small, minimalist display that shows only basic information like time, steps, and activity progress. It doesn’t have a touchscreen interface, so you need to use the Fitbit app to access more detailed data. The Garmin Vivosmart 5 boasts a larger, color touchscreen display that shows more detailed information, including heart rate, notifications, and even weather updates. It’s easier to navigate and provides a more comprehensive user experience.
Battery Life
The Fitbit Flex 2 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 5 days, while the Garmin Vivosmart 5 offers up to 7 days of battery life. Both trackers can be charged quickly, with a full charge taking about 1-2 hours.
Smartphone Compatibility and Connectivity
Both the Fitbit Flex 2 and Garmin Vivosmart 5 are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. They connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to sync your data, receive notifications, and control music playback.
Price and Value
The Fitbit Flex 2 is generally more affordable than the Garmin Vivosmart 5. However, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 offers a wider range of features and a more advanced user experience. Ultimately, the best value for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
The Verdict: Which is Right for You?
The choice between the Fitbit Flex 2 and Garmin Vivosmart 5 ultimately depends on your individual preferences and priorities.
Choose the Fitbit Flex 2 if:
- You value simplicity and affordability.
- You’re looking for a comfortable tracker with a long battery life.
- You don’t need advanced features like heart rate monitoring or stress tracking.
Choose the Garmin Vivosmart 5 if:
- You want a tracker with a larger, more informative display.
- You need advanced features like heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and Body Battery energy monitoring.
- You’re willing to pay a premium for a more feature-rich device.
A Final Thought: Beyond the Specs
It’s important to consider more than just the technical specifications when choosing a fitness tracker. Think about your individual fitness goals and lifestyle. If you’re a casual user who simply wants to track your steps and sleep, the Fitbit Flex 2 may be a good choice. If you’re a more serious fitness enthusiast looking for detailed insights into your health and performance, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 might be a better fit.
Common Questions and Answers
Q: Can I use the Fitbit Flex 2 or Garmin Vivosmart 5 for swimming?
A: Both trackers are water-resistant, but the Garmin Vivosmart 5 has a higher rating, making it suitable for swimming in deeper water.
Q: Do I need a smartphone to use these trackers?
A: You’ll need a smartphone to set up and sync your data with both the Fitbit Flex 2 and Garmin Vivosmart 5. However, you can use the devices to track your activity without a smartphone.
Q: Can I use either tracker to track my sleep?
A: Yes, both trackers can track your sleep duration and quality.
Q: What are the main differences between the Fitbit Flex 2 and Garmin Vivosmart 5?
A: The Garmin Vivosmart 5 offers more advanced features, including heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and Body Battery energy monitoring. It also has a larger, more informative display.
Q: Which tracker is better for someone who wants to lose weight?
A: Both trackers can help you lose weight by tracking your activity and calories burned. However, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 offers more detailed insights into your calorie burn and activity levels, which can be helpful for weight loss.