Dan
Are you looking for a Garmin smartwatch but are unsure of which one to get? The American tech company has released a huge range of smart devices over the years including dozens of smartwatches and fitness bands. In this post I break down the difference between the best Garmin smartwatches available right now. You can check the comparison table below for a list of specs and then continue scrolling for a breakdown of each Garmin smartwatch.
Garmin Smartwatch Comparison
| Specs | Fenix 5 | Forerunner 935 | Vivoactive 3 Music | Vivoactive 3 | Forerunner 645 | Vivomove HR | Vivofit 4 | Forerunner 235 | Forerunner 35 | Vivosmart 4 |
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| Screen Size | 1.2 Inch | 1.2 Inch | 1.19 Inch | 1.19 Inch | 1.2 Inch | 0.7 Inch | 0.43 Inch | 1.23 Inch | 0.9 Inch | 0.69 Inch |
| Screen Type | Transflective 240 x 240 Pixels | Transflective 240 x 240 Pixels | Transflective 240 x 240 Pixels | Transflective 240 x 240 Pixels | Transflective 240 x 240 Pixels | OLED 64 x 128 pixels | Transflective 88 x 88 | Transflective
215 x 180 pixels |
Trasflective 128 x128 Pixels | OLED 48 x 128 Pixels |
| Touch Screen | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Microphone | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Waterproof | No | Yes – 5ATM | Yes – 5 ATM | Yes – 5 ATM | Yes – 5 ATM | Yes – 5 ATM | Yes – Swim Proof | Yes – 5 ATM | Yes – 5 ATM | Yes – Swim Proof |
| Tracking Features | Heart Rate Monitor, 3-axis compass with gyroscope, barometric altimeter, Fitness Age, Stress Tracking | Heart rate monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass , Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Fitness Age, Stress Tracking |
Heart Rate Monitor, Gyroscope, Barometric Altimeter, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Fitness Age, Stress Tracking | Heart rate monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass , Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Fitness Age, Stress Tracking |
Heart rate monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass , Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Fitness Age, Stress Tracking |
Heart rate monitor, Barometric altimeter, Accelerometer. Ambient light sensor, Fitness Age, Stress Tracking |
Accelerometer, Step Tracking | GPS, GLONASS, heart rate monitor, Accelerometer |
GPS, heart rate monitor, Accelerometer |
Heart rate monitor, Barometric altimeter, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Pulse Ox |
| Smartphone Notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Durability | Toughened Body and Glass | Toughened Body and Glass | Toughened Glass | Toughened Glass | Toughened Glass | No | No | Toughened Glass | Toughened Glass | No |
| Battery Life | With GPS: 24hrs Without GPS: 14 Days |
With GPS: 24 Hours
Without GPS: 7 Days With Heart Rate Monitor: 60 Hours |
With GPS: 5 hrs Without GPS: 7 Days |
With GPS: 5 hrs Without GPS: 7 Days |
With GPS: 5 hrs Without GPS: 7 Days |
Smart Mode: 5 Days
Analogue Mode: 2 Weeks |
1 Year | With GPS: 11 hrs Without GPS: 9 Days |
Training Mode: 13 Hours
Watch Mode: 9 Days |
Up to 7 Days |
| Internal Storage | 64MB | 64MB | Up to 500 Songs | 64MB | 64MB or 500 Songs with “Music” Version | 64MB | 4 Weeks of Activity Data | 200 Hours of Activity Data | 7 Activities | 14 Days of Activity Data |
| Garmin Pay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Why choose Garmin?
Garmin smartwatches are often priced at the higher end of the market but as with most things you get what you pay for. Not only does Garmin produce excellent hardware but ensures its software is equally impressive. Garmin watches come with built in sports tracking software, detailed maps, payment systems, music players as well as sensors not commonly seen in other watches like a thermometer and barometric altimeter. Garmin smartwatches also make best use of its sensors by allowing you to track things such as stress levels and fitness age, making its products one of the best for health tracking.
Fexix 5
The Fenix 5 is the most expensive and most advances Garmin smartwatch ever. It’s designed for people who want the best tracking abilities coupled with a rugged design that can survive a few knocks. The Fexix 5 series features all of Garmin’s tracking abilities along with all the sensors you could ever need to track almost any activity. The screen is large enough to view your data straight away and you can receive smart notifications from your phone. There’s also a Fexix 5 Plus version which comes with more memory for music. If you want the absolute best Garmin smartwatch then this is the one to get, but you will be paying a premium for the pleasure.
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Forerunner 935
If you want all the same tracking features at the Fenix at a cheaper price then the Forerunner 935 could be your best bet. The watch doesn’t have the same level of protection as its more expensive counterpart but it can still track everything from your heart rate to stress levels and much, much more. I personally prefer the design of the 935 and its long battery life makes it perfect for those who don’t want another device to charge every day.
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Vivoactive 3 Music
The Vivoactive range of Garmin Smartwatches are probably the best value of the bunch. Not only do they provide most of the tracking abilities of the more expensive watches but also have access to the same number of apps and smart features. The downside is a more basic design and a lack of some software features such as Garmin Pay. The Vivoactive 3 music is the best in this range right now and gives you enough storage space for up to 500 songs. You’ll also have all the sensors you need to track your sporting activities and health.
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Forerunner 645
The second best watch in the Forerunner range of Garmin watches. While it’s cheaper than the 935 version it still retains almost all the same tracking features, it’s also one of the more stylish looking of the Garmin smartwatches which tend to be more rugged. On the down side the watch doesn’t have a touch screen so you’ll have to reply on manual controls, you’ll also have to put up with a shorter battery life. It’s probably a better idea to pay a bit extra for the Forerunner 935.
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Vivomove HR
Are you looking for a smartwatch that doesn’t exactly look like a smartwatch? The Vivomove HR could easily be mistaken for a standard watch and even has real moving hands. You’ll also find a touch screen as well as a heart rate monitor and stress tracking. This hybrid smartwatch is the most stylish and fashion conscious in Garmin’s line-up. While it’s not the best for tracking every metric under the sun it certainly looks the best on your wrist.
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Forerunner 235
One of the better value smartwatches with all of Garmin’s tracking abilities, sensors, a large screen and long battery life. The watch is primarily designed as a GPS running watch, it therefore uses a less clear screen to keep costs down. You’ll benefit from a rugged design and a battery life up to 7 days without GPS and 11 hours with GPS. The 235 is a good way to get access to the latest Garmin software at a lower price.
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Forerunner 35
This is the budget Garmin smartwatch with plenty of tracking features to keep you busy. The 35 has a smaller screen with lower resolution than most other Garmin watches and the design is quite basic. On the other hand you get a heart rate monitor, smartwatch notifications, GPS and accelerometer. There are less overall tracking features than on more expensive watches, but for most people it will suffice for tracking running, walking and gym workouts
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See Also: Amazfit Smartwatch Comparison
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