What To Know
- However, the Wena Wrist Active’s design sacrifices some comfort, as the band can feel a bit stiff and less flexible compared to the Vivofit 2.
- The Garmin Vivofit 2 is renowned for its impressive battery life, lasting up to a year on a single charge.
- The Garmin Vivofit 2 offers a few additional features, including a timer, stopwatch, and the ability to set reminders and alarms.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, with countless options flooding the market. Two popular contenders often top the list: the Garmin Vivofit 2 and the Sony Wena Wrist Active. Both devices offer a range of features designed to monitor your activity and motivate you to achieve your fitness goals. But which one emerges as the victor in this head-to-head comparison? Let’s dive deep into their functionalities, strengths, and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Comfort: A Tale of Two Approaches
The Garmin Vivofit 2 and Sony Wena Wrist Active take vastly different approaches to design. The Vivofit 2 boasts a classic fitness tracker aesthetic, featuring a rectangular, monochrome display encased in a durable plastic frame. It comes in a variety of vibrant colors, allowing you to personalize your tracker to match your style. The band is comfortable and adjustable, ensuring a secure fit for most wrist sizes.
The Sony Wena Wrist Active, on the other hand, adopts a more sophisticated and subtle approach. It resembles a traditional wristwatch, with a sleek, circular stainless steel case and a customizable watch face. This makes it blend seamlessly with your everyday attire, making it ideal for those who prefer a less sporty look. However, the Wena Wrist Active’s design sacrifices some comfort, as the band can feel a bit stiff and less flexible compared to the Vivofit 2.
Display and User Interface: A Clear Winner?
The Garmin Vivofit 2 features a monochrome, transflective display that remains visible even under direct sunlight. While not as vibrant as a color display, it offers excellent readability and is known for its long battery life. The user interface is straightforward and intuitive, with simple icons and clear text. Navigating through menus and accessing information is a breeze, even for first-time users.
The Sony Wena Wrist Active, on the other hand, boasts a vibrant color OLED display that offers a more visually appealing experience. However, it comes at the cost of battery life, which is significantly shorter compared to the Vivofit 2. The user interface is also slightly more complex, requiring some learning curve to navigate effectively.
Activity Tracking: A Detailed Comparison
Both the Garmin Vivofit 2 and Sony Wena Wrist Active excel in activity tracking capabilities. The Vivofit 2 accurately monitors steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep duration. It also features a built-in Move Bar that encourages you to stay active throughout the day, prompting you to move every hour. Additionally, the Vivofit 2 offers automatic activity detection for various sports, such as running, walking, and swimming.
The Sony Wena Wrist Active also provides accurate step counting, distance tracking, and calorie burn estimations. It incorporates GPS for more precise outdoor activity tracking and offers a wider range of sports modes, including cycling, golf, and tennis. However, it lacks the Move Bar feature found in the Vivofit 2.
Heart Rate Monitoring: A Crucial Feature
The Garmin Vivofit 2 doesn’t include a built-in heart rate monitor. If you want to track your heart rate, you’ll need to purchase a separate heart rate strap, which can be an additional expense.
The Sony Wena Wrist Active, on the other hand, comes equipped with a built-in optical heart rate sensor. This allows for continuous heart rate monitoring, providing valuable insights into your fitness levels and workout intensity.
Battery Life: A Key Consideration
The Garmin Vivofit 2 is renowned for its impressive battery life, lasting up to a year on a single charge. This makes it an excellent choice for those who don’t want to worry about frequent charging.
The Sony Wena Wrist Active, with its color display and GPS capabilities, has a significantly shorter battery life, lasting around 3-4 days on a single charge. This means you’ll need to recharge it more frequently, which might be inconvenient for some users.
Additional Features: Beyond the Basics
The Garmin Vivofit 2 offers a few additional features, including a timer, stopwatch, and the ability to set reminders and alarms. It also allows you to track your progress over time and share your data with friends and family.
The Sony Wena Wrist Active, in addition to its core fitness tracking capabilities, also offers NFC functionality for contactless payments. This allows you to make purchases directly from your wrist, adding convenience to your daily life.
The Verdict: Choosing the Right Tracker for You
Ultimately, the best fitness tracker for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
The Garmin Vivofit 2 is a great choice if you prioritize:
- Long battery life: Its impressive battery life eliminates the need for frequent charging.
- Simplicity and ease of use: Its straightforward design and intuitive interface make it easy to navigate.
- Affordability: It’s generally more budget-friendly than the Wena Wrist Active.
The Sony Wena Wrist Active is a better option if you value:
- A stylish and sophisticated design: Its watch-like appearance blends seamlessly with your everyday attire.
- Color display: Its vibrant color display offers a more visually appealing experience.
- Built-in heart rate monitor: It provides continuous heart rate tracking without the need for a separate strap.
- NFC payments: Its contactless payment feature adds convenience to your daily routine.
Final Thoughts: Beyond the Comparison
While the Garmin Vivofit 2 and Sony Wena Wrist Active offer distinct advantages, both devices are capable fitness trackers that can help you achieve your fitness goals. The key is to choose the one that best aligns with your individual needs, preferences, and budget.
Popular Questions
Q: Can I use the Garmin Vivofit 2 for swimming?
A: Yes, the Garmin Vivofit 2 is waterproof and can be used for swimming.
Q: Does the Sony Wena Wrist Active have GPS capabilities?
A: Yes, the Sony Wena Wrist Active includes built-in GPS for accurate outdoor activity tracking.
Q: Can I customize the watch face on the Sony Wena Wrist Active?
A: Yes, you can customize the watch face on the Sony Wena Wrist Active with a variety of options.
Q: Does the Garmin Vivofit 2 provide sleep tracking?
A: Yes, the Garmin Vivofit 2 tracks your sleep duration and quality.
Q: Is the Sony Wena Wrist Active compatible with Android and iOS devices?
A: Yes, the Sony Wena Wrist Active is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.