Those of you more interested in fitness first, smartwatch features second, will really enjoy this watch. My Vivoactive HR just died after having it for over 3 years, so I upgraded to the Vivoactive 4. This is a major upgrade in terms of looks and features. Here are all the things I love:
1) Two buttons - I originally bought the Vivoactive 3 Music because it was on sale for $200, but I quickly realized that missing the second button was a major pain point for me. Having the two buttons is so much more convenient for overall navigation. Also when you're in a workout, the second button can be used for setting a lap (instead of the vivoactive 3 where you have to double tap the screen). The second button alone was worth the extra spend. The vivo3 had a 20mm band, where the vivo4 is 22mm. The bigger band makes it look a lot better. The extra 0.1in screen space is well utilized also. It does make a difference.
2) Touch screen - I also tested out the Fenix 5 Plus for a while; now that is a great watch. The only issue I had with the Fenix was that you had to navigate all with buttons. The buttons are great for fitness and water sports, but when you're in the office, it's a little awkward when you're sitting in a meeting pressing buttons to navigate through texts or emails. Fenix was an amazing fitness watch, don't get me wrong, but it didn't work for my professional life expectations. Because it felt weird to have to press 5 buttons on the Fenix at the office, I wanted to go back to the touchscreen. Touchscreen is so much quicker and easier than the buttoned Garmins. It also looks cooler, and makes it truly feel more like a smartwatch.
3) Fitness features - If you're never had a Garmin before, they are amazing tools to help your fitness. The data it collects is leaps and bounds better and more accurate than any other smart watch. This watch has way more than the average athlete would ever need as it pertains to fitness features. There are tons of apps available, and its so easy to navigate and customize to your need. I use it mainly for running, golf and open ocean canoe paddling, using the SUP app. Though it's a touch screen, it still responds decently well when you're using it on the water soaking wet. You just have to kinda dry it off before you try to navigate while on the water. But here's the deal, if you're truly serious about your training, you're probably working too hard to even mess with your watch during the workout anyway, so focus on your training, not tapping away at your watch. I set it to buzz after every mile so I can see each mile pace. It works well for the 5-10+ mile sessions when I'm trying to beat my time. I listen to music when I'm out paddling, and it's a really nice feature. Haven't had any issues connecting to my waterproof earphones, even with all the movement during a workout. I use the Mpow Flame waterproof earphones. Golf app is awesome: front, middle and back of the green yardage.
4) Battery life - this is the biggest reason for me to get a Garmin instead of an Apple, Fossil or Samsung. I didn't want to be glued to my charger every night so instead I got this and get a full week's worth of battery. The always-on display is bright enough to see in daylight and at nighttime, but technology is what helps it save energy instead of the higher end amoled screens. It charges really quickly too so if I forget to charge it, I can just juice it up really quickly. A 10 minute charge gets me about 30% of battery.
5) Smart features - The fact that Garmin has begun to integrate smart features to their watches is amazing. Yes, you can't do everything one would like to do on a watch like talk to siri, look at pictures, or make phone calls. But why are you looking on your watch for all that stuff anyway? Is it really necessary when our phones are so advanced now? I get all my selected phone notifications, I can read texts and preview emails, and that's really all i need. Remember, fitness first, smartwatch second.
All in all, this is an amazing fitness watch, and I'd definitely recommend if you're in the market for a new watch. Totally worth the spend, and for my needs I'd say it is a major upgrade from the apple/samsungs.
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Garmin vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Ivory
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This Item  Garmin vivoactive 4S, Smaller-Sized GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors, Rose Gold with White Band |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $342.99 | $299.99 | $239.99 | $309.99 | $299.99 | $449.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 5 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 5 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 5 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 5 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 5 | Get it as soon as Sunday, May 5 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Mobile App | ||||||
| Sleep tracking | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Tech-Boutique | Tech-Boutique | Sports-and-Gadgets | Tech-Boutique | Amazon.com |
| size | 40mm | 27.9 mm | — | 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm | 33 mm | 41 MM |
| operating system | Proprietary OS | android | — | GarminOS | android | android |
| display size | 1.1 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.2 inches | 1.2 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.2 inches |
| connectivity tech | GPS | Bluetooth | GPS | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Wireless |
| supported applications | Sleep Monitor, GPS, Phone, Reminders, Contacts, Messages, Calendar | GPS | GPS | GPS | GPS | GPS |
| input interface | buttons | buttons | touch screen | touch screen, dial | buttons | buttons, touch screen |
| wireless standard | bluetooth | — | bluetooth | — | bluetooth | bluetooth |
| case material | — | — | aluminum,nylon | Aluminum | — | Stainless Steel |
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Garmin Vivoactive 4 - Watch Before You Buy
The Product Lab
Reviews with images
Going from Fitbit to Garmin (or Polar?)
I have been a Fitbit user for a few years and it just suddenly died on me so I was in the market for a new fitness watch. I like to take gym fitness classes, I teach yoga, and also do martial arts. After looking at 7 different watches I narrowed it down to the Polar Ignite and the Garmin Vivoactive 4s. I bought both and this is my own review.Polar has a $190 price tag, 4-5 day battery life, GPS, VERY accurate heart rate monitoring (that’s what they are known for), in my experience the sleep monitoring was more accurate than the Garmin, but not as user friendly as the Fitbit. The polar has a very bright and clear screen, but like the Fitbit you have to flip the wrist to see it light up. In contrast, the screen is actually harder to see than the Garmin when out in the sun, (say on a run). Polar will give you suggestions for recovery that go with what you did to workout and I thought that was neat. It also has a nightly recharge score (like Garmin’s “body battery”). Cons: it is slow to wake, like the Fitbit. It would occasionally disconnect from my phone, it does not have music downloadable to the watch so you have to have your phone nearby, and the texts that come through are too big so you only see a portion of it. It also does not have menstrual tracking which I found handy on the Fitbit.I ended up returning the Polar and keeping the Garmin vivoactive 4s and here’s why. Garmin may have a higher price tag ($230), and a duller screen. See picture. But many good qualities that after a few weeks of trial made me choose it. It says the battery life is 7 days, but I got 4-5 days. Has GPS (on par with Polar). Has music you can download to the watch so you don’t have to take your phone with you! I did not have any music when using the Fitbit so I didn’t know this was something I would like so much, but it’s awesome. The watch face is 40mm as compared to the Polar’s 43mm. I like a smaller watch. The heart rate was pretty much the same as polar, or within 5bpm. If you look at the picture I have of a run I did you can see how Fitbit did NOT accurately detect when I went from walking to running and the other 2 watches did. Another plus is that the screen is always on. Also not something I had with Fitbit so I didn’t know what I was missing. When doing an activity and you want to quickly know what your heart rate is, Garmin is hands down the best option. The screen will light up more if you touch it, but you can always see the time and anything else you want on your display (I have time, heart rate, date, weather, messages, battery, and steps all on my watch face). Garmin will track your sleep, but it isn’t as detailed or accurate as the Fitbit or polar, but it does have something cool called Pulse Ox that measures your blood oxygen levels (like those clips with a red light they put on your finger at the doctor’s office). This is good to detect any problems you may have while sleeping or even during the day. Garmin does have menstrual tracking and also Garmin Pay. A con would be that Garmin does not add naps into your sleep for the day. It will only track one sleep for the day, not multiple. The display is by far the best over the 3 watches when outside. It’s almost like a kindle screen when you are in the sun. You can change settings so when you are in a workout you won’t get any messages or notifications so they won’t interrupt you (I am someone that will immediately look at my watch when it buzzes so I turned those off when in the middle of a workout).Now if you have been a Fitbit user like I had and switched to one of these watches, the apps are very confusing. Fitbit has by far the most user friendly app. But with a little time, either app will become familiar to you as well.I am not a runner, never have been, but I have turned into a runner because of the Garmin watch. It has a coach setting where you can plug in a goal and it will coach you to get to that goal. I am very competitive so I make sure I am going to get to that goal (a 5k run). It is very satisfying to see your runs displayed on the app and to rate them on how you felt that day.In conclusion, depending on what you are looking for you might choose a different watch than me, but I love my Garmin Vivoactive 4s now.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2019
Color: BlackSize: 45mmPattern Name: SmartwatchVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023
Color: Silver w/ Gray BandSize: 40mmPattern Name: SmartwatchVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2023
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I have a 7.25-inch wrist and the 4S strap was right near the end of its adjustment. Looking online the watch is actually designed for a 6.8-inch wrist maximum, though it did fit me, but I needed my wife to help put it on!
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The 40mm case diameter was well-proportioned on my arm and the display notifications were legible. The TFT screen is superb in bright light as the light is actually reflected off the colored pixels in the reflective display, unlike an AMOLED screen. The colors are not as bright and saturated as an AMOLED display but they are quite acceptable. In low light, the display looks a little dull and washed out, even with the screen illuminated. Still acceptable though and given the resulting excellent battery life. At 20% brightness, short duration illumination and low gesture sensitivity, with one GPS tracking event per day, I achieved 4.5 to 5 days of battery life. A couple hours to recharge.
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The Garmin Connect app is feature-packed and the reason why I went with Garmin. The watch performed perfectly during a 2.5-hour hike. The only problem I had was with the ‘Auto Pause’ function for the walk activity. It kept pausing intermittently, even though I was walking. I thought it was due to loss of the GPS signal while in dense woodland. However, after disabling the Auto Pause, the watch worked perfectly. It seems that if my arm was not swinging enough, the watch thought I’d stopped walking. Activity ‘Auto Start’ isn’t as reliable as I’d like either. I don’t use those functions anymore!
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When the Vivoactive 4 deal came to my attention, I expected only the strap to really make a difference and that’s why I bought it. I can put it on all by myself! It is designed for an 8-inch wrist maximum (see photos for comparison). However, the extra 5mm of case diameter also makes a surprising difference. The screen is noticeably bigger on the arm and the display even more legible. So, if you are torn between a Vivoactive 4S and 4, consider the strap length and the fit on your arm, but know that the notifications are also easier to read on the 4. Otherwise, both are identical in function.
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I am very pleased with the Garmin Vivoactive. The watch, with its app, helps with keeping a tally of my activities, including sleep, and actually gets me more active. The notifications from my phone are complete and not just short subject headings. I wear the watch 24/7 and don’t take it off. It’s very comfortable and doesn’t look so much like a smartwatch. The always-on display is what I really like about the watch. It seems to be very durable under extreme activities too.
Color: Silver w/ Gray BandSize: 40mmPattern Name: SmartwatchVerified Purchase
Check your wrist size before buying
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2023
I bought a Vivoactive 4S as the Amazon price seemed good at $199.99. However, I did return it after buying a Vivoactive 4, for $10 less from a well-known competitor! The 4S strap was short for me.Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2023
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I have a 7.25-inch wrist and the 4S strap was right near the end of its adjustment. Looking online the watch is actually designed for a 6.8-inch wrist maximum, though it did fit me, but I needed my wife to help put it on!
.
The 40mm case diameter was well-proportioned on my arm and the display notifications were legible. The TFT screen is superb in bright light as the light is actually reflected off the colored pixels in the reflective display, unlike an AMOLED screen. The colors are not as bright and saturated as an AMOLED display but they are quite acceptable. In low light, the display looks a little dull and washed out, even with the screen illuminated. Still acceptable though and given the resulting excellent battery life. At 20% brightness, short duration illumination and low gesture sensitivity, with one GPS tracking event per day, I achieved 4.5 to 5 days of battery life. A couple hours to recharge.
.
The Garmin Connect app is feature-packed and the reason why I went with Garmin. The watch performed perfectly during a 2.5-hour hike. The only problem I had was with the ‘Auto Pause’ function for the walk activity. It kept pausing intermittently, even though I was walking. I thought it was due to loss of the GPS signal while in dense woodland. However, after disabling the Auto Pause, the watch worked perfectly. It seems that if my arm was not swinging enough, the watch thought I’d stopped walking. Activity ‘Auto Start’ isn’t as reliable as I’d like either. I don’t use those functions anymore!
.
When the Vivoactive 4 deal came to my attention, I expected only the strap to really make a difference and that’s why I bought it. I can put it on all by myself! It is designed for an 8-inch wrist maximum (see photos for comparison). However, the extra 5mm of case diameter also makes a surprising difference. The screen is noticeably bigger on the arm and the display even more legible. So, if you are torn between a Vivoactive 4S and 4, consider the strap length and the fit on your arm, but know that the notifications are also easier to read on the 4. Otherwise, both are identical in function.
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I am very pleased with the Garmin Vivoactive. The watch, with its app, helps with keeping a tally of my activities, including sleep, and actually gets me more active. The notifications from my phone are complete and not just short subject headings. I wear the watch 24/7 and don’t take it off. It’s very comfortable and doesn’t look so much like a smartwatch. The always-on display is what I really like about the watch. It seems to be very durable under extreme activities too.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Camila
Muitas funções
Reviewed in Brazil on November 28, 2023Color: Silver with Gray BandSize: 45mmPattern Name: SmartwatchVerified Purchase
Camila
Reviewed in Brazil on November 28, 2023
Se não usar essas funções dura até mais de 5 dias. Sei que essa duração e menor que mtos smartwatches por aí, mas as funcionalidades compensam
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Dobson Enerbun
So far it's good.
Reviewed in Canada on August 8, 2023Color: BlackSize: 40mmPattern Name: SmartwatchVerified Purchase
Dobson Enerbun
Reviewed in Canada on August 8, 2023
The first couple of days I wore both the watch and the band and compare what data I could since it wasn't synching with my phone. They were still quite comparable and still would be quite happy with my Huawei if it still worked, but it does not.
I compared the price of the watch through many sites and including the website for Garmin. Amazon was by far the cheaper option even through it was going through Amazon Garmin store. Also, what made this an easier transaction was the payment plan over 5 months with no interest. . . .I was very tempted to buy more of an expensive watch with that option.
It wasn't an easy option of which band to purchase. I could've gotten a newer style for around the same price. Thankfully I found a website that asked multiple and more in depth questions than the Garmin website and it kept pairing me up with this watch style with two other options which were the others I was looking with, so I purchased the Vivoactive 4s.
I was quite apprehensive since there was such a broad spectrum of reviews, where people either loved it or hated it. Also, people were complaining the watch strap was too small and I don't have a delicate wrist. My wrist circumference is about 6.75" and the band definitely fits with a fair bit of holes leftover. Although I feel like I'm in between holes. I feel like the smaller face looks good on my wrist. It's not too big or small. I didn't want a computer on my wrist. It's super light and comfortable except for the between the hole sizes and my wrist does swell depending on heat etc. I've tried on a Fenix before and I'm not exactly sure which model it is, but its heavy and seems massive on my wrist.
This watch has the transflective vs the newer amoled display. I actually wanted the transflective over the amoled. My old watch was amoled and I hated it outside in the sun. I'd have to shade it and move around my arm just to see it. While I understand that other watches you can set up the always on display or have it turn on when you touch the screen, but I had that before and I've found my gloves wouldn't wake up the watch and I'd have to remove my gloves. I really like that it looks like a watch and depending on the face it just looks like a real watch. Even with the washed out screen as people have complained about I really enjoy it. I have it set at about 30% brightness and find it decent inside under lights and I can tap the screen if it's dark inside. I love the screen outside which I spend alot of time.
The face of the watch doesn't look good with high detail and isn't as rich. It looks pixelated. Thankfully I found several I really like on the IQ app. I like simple and clean so there are quite a few I can use. BUT I still love it, especially outside!!
As for the features. It's like a hybrid watch. It is touch screen but has two buttons, which I love this. I really do like touch screen. It linked perfectly with the older Samsung phone. This is being used as a fitness tracker and not as a smartwatch, so all features of texting, emails etc have been deactivated. The only thing I kept was if someone calls me it vibrates to my wrist. The stress and body battery is a nice new feature. I have pulse ox turned off to save battery but do plan on activating it around monthly for about a week to measure my advancement or any changes during my sleep. As for sleep it doesn't do naps, and isn't super correct, but this isn't a medical device but something to help me to become healthier and just keep basic records. There is so many features....it's hard to review all of them. Love that I can set my goals of stairs, steps, active mins etc. I deactivate the iq move option since I do not want to "add" extra active mins because I'm walking to my car but want to focus on my actual exercise I add daily. The move option if you've been sitting a long time actually takes a few mins of walking to deactivate vs just getting up and walking to the fridge. I find it helpful with the buttons and I can move my activities around. Couple pushes of the buttons and I'm recording the activity at the top of my list with no touching of the screen. This is perfect for me since right now I'm just doing elliptical.
It hasn't added steps when driving to work. I use a rideon and it will add a few steps, but not many. It's not really an issue to me because I push now for about an hour and it doesn't read any of those steps. It also read vigorous weeding as a few steps. It doesn't bother me, since it isn't adding 1000's of steps and it's just a tool to become active and hold myself accountable.
The battery isn't super long, but it's way longer than my old band which I charged everyday while in the shower. It generally is around the 4 or 5 day mark that I'm putting it on the charger. It has around 30% battery left and about an hour to charge fully. Now I'm not using alot of features so battery life will differ.
Unfortunately I have not used the GPS for a walk yet, or my hikes. I did connect to the GPS a few times just to see how fast it connected. I'm very happy. Way quicker than my last watch. I'm not sure if it shows a map in the app once the activity is completed. I hope so. My outdoor activities are seasonal, which may seem weird, but I do lots if hikes and walks in the cooler seasons along with other fitness activities and summer time is mostly gardening and maintaining the property along with indoor fitness.
I cannot give a review on the music aspect since I have no intentions of using it. The watch has everything and more.
Images in this review
Héctor
Excelente diseño, buena precision, diversas funcionalidades. Buena duración batería
Reviewed in Mexico on April 23, 2023Color: Silver with Gray BandSize: 45mmPattern Name: SmartwatchVerified Purchase
Héctor
Reviewed in Mexico on April 23, 2023
Images in this review
Miro
Excelente relógio
Reviewed in Brazil on March 18, 2023Color: Light Gold with Light Pink BandSize: 40mmPattern Name: SmartwatchVerified Purchase
Joseph Holt
Terrible.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2022Color: Light Gold with Light Pink BandSize: 40mmPattern Name: SmartwatchVerified Purchase
Joseph Holt
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2022
Watch arrived charged as required turned on got the watch faces as above. Couldn’t reset or force shut down, so couldn’t set up watch with smart phone as just wouldn’t do anything. Touchscreen didn’t work either. Watch felt and looked cheap also compared to my two other garmins. Requesting refund as watch doesn’t work! Only had it 6 hours photos taken in dark room tonight but crazy screens no way to set it up?! Disappointed and waste of money.
Want to give no stars but had to give 1 to submit review.
So tried to get either refund or replacement item as watch wouldn’t work company refused both options so had to get Amazon involved who refunded straight away abs on were great but this company please DO NOT BUY HERE.
Images in this review
