Shocking Differences Between Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone UP3 Fitness Trackers!

Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of options available. Two popular contenders in the market are the Garmin Vivofit and the Jawbone Up3. Both devices offer a range of features to help you track your activity, sleep, and overall well-being. But which one comes out on top? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the Garmin Vivofit vs. Jawbone Up3, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and key differences to help you make an informed decision.

Design and Comfort

The Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone Up3 take distinct approaches to design. The Garmin Vivofit is a classic fitness tracker with a rectangular display and a comfortable, lightweight band. It’s available in various colors and sizes to suit different preferences. The Jawbone Up3, on the other hand, boasts a sleek and minimalist design with a slim, oval-shaped body. It’s designed to be worn comfortably on the wrist like a bracelet, and it comes in a variety of stylish colors.
Garmin Vivofit:

• Pros: Comfortable and lightweight, classic design, various colors and sizes available.
• Cons: Display can be small and difficult to read in bright sunlight, lacks advanced features like heart rate tracking.

Jawbone Up3:

• Pros: Sleek and minimalist design, comfortable to wear, stylish colors available.
• Cons: No display, relies on smartphone app for data visualization, shorter battery life.

Activity Tracking

Both the Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone Up3 excel in activity tracking, providing detailed insights into your daily movement. The Garmin Vivofit tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. It also features a built-in Move Bar that encourages you to stay active throughout the day. The Jawbone Up3 uses a combination of motion sensors and algorithms to track your steps, distance, calories burned, and active time. It also provides insights into the intensity of your activity.
Garmin Vivofit:

• Pros: Accurate step counting, detailed activity data, Move Bar encourages movement.
• Cons: Lacks advanced features like heart rate tracking and GPS.

Jawbone Up3:

• Pros: Accurate activity tracking, provides insights into activity intensity, sleek design.
• Cons: No display, relies on smartphone app for data visualization.

Sleep Tracking

Sleep tracking is another key feature of both devices. The Garmin Vivofit monitors your sleep duration and quality, providing insights into your sleep patterns. It also features a silent alarm to wake you up gently. The Jawbone Up3 uses advanced sensors to track your sleep stages (light, deep, and REM), providing a more comprehensive analysis of your sleep quality. It also offers sleep insights and recommendations based on your sleep patterns.
Garmin Vivofit:

• Pros: Tracks sleep duration and quality, provides sleep insights, features a silent alarm.
• Cons: Lacks advanced sleep stage tracking.

Jawbone Up3:

• Pros: Tracks sleep stages, provides detailed sleep insights, offers sleep recommendations.
• Cons: No display, relies on smartphone app for data visualization.

Battery Life

Battery life is a crucial factor for any fitness tracker. The Garmin Vivofit boasts an impressive battery life of up to a year, making it a low-maintenance option. The Jawbone Up3, on the other hand, has a shorter battery life of around 7 days. This means you’ll need to charge it more frequently, which can be a hassle for some users.
Garmin Vivofit:

• Pros: Excellent battery life of up to a year.
• Cons: None.

Jawbone Up3:

• Pros: None.
• Cons: Short battery life of around 7 days.

Water Resistance

Both the Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone Up3 are water-resistant, making them suitable for everyday wear and light swimming. The Garmin Vivofit is water-resistant up to 50 meters, while the Jawbone Up3 is water-resistant up to 1 ATM (equivalent to 10 meters).
Garmin Vivofit:

• Pros: Water-resistant up to 50 meters, suitable for swimming.
• Cons: None.

Jawbone Up3:

• Pros: Water-resistant up to 1 ATM, suitable for light swimming.
• Cons: Lower water resistance than Garmin Vivofit.

Smartphone Integration

Both the Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone Up3 integrate seamlessly with smartphones. The Garmin Vivofit uses Bluetooth to sync your data to the Garmin Connect app, where you can track your progress, set goals, and connect with friends. The Jawbone Up3 also uses Bluetooth to sync your data to the Jawbone Up app, which provides detailed insights into your activity, sleep, and overall well-being.
Garmin Vivofit:

• Pros: Seamless integration with Garmin Connect app, provides detailed insights.
• Cons: None.

Jawbone Up3:

• Pros: Seamless integration with Jawbone Up app, provides detailed insights.
• Cons: None.

Price and Value

The Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone Up3 are both affordable fitness trackers, offering a good value for money. The Garmin Vivofit is generally priced lower than the Jawbone Up3, making it a more budget-friendly option.
Garmin Vivofit:

• Pros: More affordable than Jawbone Up3.
• Cons: None.

Jawbone Up3:

• Pros: None.
• Cons: More expensive than Garmin Vivofit.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

The best fitness tracker for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly fitness tracker with a long battery life and a comfortable design, the Garmin Vivofit is an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a sleek and minimalist design with advanced sleep tracking features, the Jawbone Up3 is a good option.

Beyond the Comparison: Choosing the Right Fit

While the Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone Up3 are both solid fitness trackers, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider the following factors:

• Your budget: The Garmin Vivofit is more affordable than the Jawbone Up3.
• Your priorities: Are you looking for advanced features like heart rate tracking or sleep stage tracking?
• Your lifestyle: Do you need a water-resistant tracker for swimming or other activities?
• Your comfort level: Which design do you find more comfortable and appealing?

Questions You May Have

Q: Does the Garmin Vivofit track heart rate?
A: No, the Garmin Vivofit does not track heart rate.
Q: Does the Jawbone Up3 have a display?
A: No, the Jawbone Up3 does not have a display. You’ll need to use the Jawbone Up app to view your data.
Q: Which tracker is better for sleep tracking?
A: The Jawbone Up3 offers more advanced sleep tracking features, including sleep stage tracking.
Q: Can I use both the Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone Up3 with my smartphone?
A: Yes, both trackers are compatible with most smartphones.
Q: Which tracker has a longer battery life?
A: The Garmin Vivofit has a significantly longer battery life of up to a year, compared to the Jawbone Up3’s 7 days.