What To Know
- Both the Vivosmart HR and Vivosmart HR Plus sport a sleek and stylish design, making them suitable for both casual and athletic wear.
- The Vivosmart HR Plus adds a few extra features to the mix, including advanced sleep monitoring with REM sleep stages and a built-in barometric altimeter for accurate elevation tracking.
- The Vivosmart HR Plus, with its additional features and color display, sees a slight decrease in battery life, lasting up to 5 days on a single charge.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of options available. If you’re considering a Garmin Vivosmart, you’re likely torn between the original Garmin Vivosmart HR and its successor, the **Garmin Vivosmart HR Plus**. Both devices offer a compelling blend of features and affordability, but which one truly comes out on top? This blog post will delve into a comprehensive comparison of these two popular fitness trackers, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Display: A Familiar Feel with Subtle Differences
Both the Vivosmart HR and Vivosmart HR Plus sport a sleek and stylish design, making them suitable for both casual and athletic wear. They feature a comfortable, lightweight band that seamlessly integrates with the display module.
The Vivosmart HR boasts a monochrome OLED display, which is perfectly legible in most lighting conditions. It provides a clear view of your stats, but lacks the vibrant colors of its successor. The **Vivosmart HR Plus** takes things up a notch with a vibrant color touchscreen display, offering a more visually appealing experience and easier navigation. This upgrade makes it easier to view data, customize watch faces, and interact with the device.
Fitness Tracking: A Comprehensive Suite of Features
Both Vivosmart models provide a comprehensive suite of fitness tracking features, making them suitable for a wide range of users. They accurately track steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep patterns, providing valuable insights into your daily activity levels.
The Vivosmart HR excels in heart rate monitoring, thanks to its built-in optical heart rate sensor. This feature allows for real-time heart rate tracking during workouts and throughout the day, providing valuable data for optimizing your fitness routine.
The Vivosmart HR Plus adds a few extra features to the mix, including advanced sleep monitoring with REM sleep stages and a built-in barometric altimeter for accurate elevation tracking. These additions cater to more serious fitness enthusiasts who want detailed insights into their sleep quality and performance during outdoor activities.
Smart Features: Connectivity and Notifications
Beyond fitness tracking, both Vivosmart models offer a range of smart features that enhance their usability and functionality. They seamlessly connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, enabling you to receive notifications for calls, texts, emails, and social media updates.
The Vivosmart HR allows you to control music playback on your phone, providing a convenient way to manage your tunes without having to pull out your device.
The Vivosmart HR Plus takes things a step further by incorporating NFC technology, enabling contactless payments through Garmin Pay. This feature allows you to leave your wallet behind and make purchases with a simple tap of your wrist, adding a layer of convenience to your daily routine.
Battery Life: A Trade-Off Between Features and Endurance
Battery life is a crucial factor for any fitness tracker, and both Vivosmart models offer decent performance in this regard.
The Vivosmart HR boasts a battery life of up to 7 days, providing ample time between charges for most users.
The Vivosmart HR Plus, with its additional features and color display, sees a slight decrease in battery life, lasting up to 5 days on a single charge. This trade-off is understandable given the increased functionality of the Plus model.
Water Resistance: Staying Active in Any Weather
Both Vivosmart models are water-resistant, allowing you to wear them during light rain or while swimming.
The Vivosmart HR has a water resistance rating of 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming in shallow water.
The Vivosmart HR Plus offers the same 5 ATM water resistance rating, allowing you to track your swim workouts without worrying about damaging the device.
Price: Finding the Right Value for Your Needs
The Vivosmart HR is typically priced at a lower price point than the **Vivosmart HR Plus**. This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious users who are looking for a solid fitness tracker with core features.
The Vivosmart HR Plus, with its additional features and color display, comes at a higher price point. This premium is justified by the enhanced functionality and user experience it offers.
The Final Verdict: Choosing the Best Fit for You
Ultimately, the best choice between the Garmin Vivosmart HR and Vivosmart HR Plus depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Choose the Vivosmart HR if:
- You’re on a budget and prioritize core fitness tracking features.
- You don’t need advanced sleep monitoring or elevation tracking.
- You prefer a longer battery life.
Choose the Vivosmart HR Plus if:
- You’re willing to spend a bit more for additional features.
- You value a vibrant color display and improved user experience.
- You want advanced sleep monitoring and elevation tracking.
- You appreciate the convenience of contactless payments.
Beyond the Comparison: Exploring Other Options
While the Vivosmart HR and Vivosmart HR Plus are excellent choices, it’s worth considering other options within the Garmin fitness tracker lineup. The Garmin Vivofit 4 offers a similar feature set at a lower price point, while the **Garmin Vivomove HR** blends fitness tracking with a stylish watch design.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: Can I use the Vivosmart HR or HR Plus for GPS tracking?
A: No, both Vivosmart models lack built-in GPS. They rely on your smartphone’s GPS for location tracking during workouts.
Q: Are the Vivosmart HR and HR Plus compatible with Android and iOS devices?
A: Yes, both models are compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Q: Can I customize the watch faces on the Vivosmart HR Plus?
A: Yes, the Vivosmart HR Plus allows you to customize watch faces from a selection of pre-loaded options.
Q: What is the difference between the Vivosmart HR and the Vivosmart 3?
A: The Vivosmart 3 is a newer model that offers a larger color display, more advanced fitness tracking features, and a longer battery life. It also includes built-in GPS for independent location tracking.
Q: Is the Vivosmart HR Plus worth the extra cost compared to the Vivosmart HR?
A: The answer depends on your individual needs and budget. If you value a color display, advanced sleep monitoring, elevation tracking, and contactless payments, the Vivosmart HR Plus is a worthwhile investment. However, if you’re on a budget and prioritize core fitness tracking features, the Vivosmart HR offers excellent value for money.