REASONS TO BUY
Large screen
Great step count precision
REASONS TO AVOID
No dieting feature
Poor heart rate monitoring
Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review
We recommend this pared-down tracker for data lovers who want a slim, comfy band
Credit: Garmin
RELATED: Best Fitness Trackers of 2024
Our Verdict
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 falls slightly short of claiming the top spot in our fitness tracker lineup, but it still offers impressive performance and versatility. It has a large screen that remains visible even in bright sunlight, enhancing the user's experience. The device excels in step count precision, providing accurate tracking for fitness enthusiasts. The comprehensive app offers a plethora of stats and graphs, catering to data lovers. However, it is important to note that the Vivosmart 5 lacks dieting features, and its heart rate monitoring capability could be improved. Despite these limitations, this wearable delivers reliable functionality and proves to be a solid choice for your fitness tracking needs.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product Garmin Vivosmart 5 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Value for Athletes | Best on a Tight Budget | |||
| Price | $150 List $149.99 at Amazon | $300 List $199.99 at Amazon | $50 List $44.99 at Amazon | $100 List $79.95 at Amazon | $45 List $44.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This tracker is highly recommended for data enthusiasts. It logs extensive information and presents it through numerous graphs for detailed analysis | An excellent fitness tracker for athletes at an affordable price | The device offers a lot of function and value, although it has some limitations related to heart rate monitoring and health tracking | We recommend this product if you're looking for an affordable and lightweight fitness tracker that offers excellent fitness features | This device has an intuitive interface, great step counting, and good battery performance, but it is limited as a fitness tracker, and we found the standard band annoying |
| Rating Categories | Garmin Vivosmart 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Amazfit Band 7 | Fitbit Inspire 3 | Xiaomi Band 8 |
| Fitness Impact (30%) | |||||
| Health Impact (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
| Battery (10%) | |||||
| Fit (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Garmin Vivosmart 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Amazfit Band 7 | Fitbit Inspire 3 | Xiaomi Band 8 |
| Measured Weight | .93 oz | 1.26 oz | 1 oz | .68 oz | .90 oz |
| Measured Display Diameter | 15.1 mm | 38.0 mm | 21.9 mm | 14.6 mm | 20.4 mm |
| Heart Rate Average Beats Per Second Off | 5.7 | 4.4 | 15.9 | 6.4 | 4.5 |
| Manufacturer Stated Battery Life | Up to 7 days | Up to 11 days 5 days display always-on |
Heavy Usage: 12 Days Typical Usage: 18 Days Battery Saver Mode: 28 Days |
Up to 10 days | 16 days with typical usage 6 days in AOD mode |
| Built-In GPS Tracking | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Screen Type | OLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Measured Charge Time | 1.50 Hours | 1.70 Hours | 1.75 Hours | 1.25 Hours | 0.90 Hours |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter (Elevation Tracking) | No | No | No | No | No |
| Did a single charge survive a 3 day weekend? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sensors | Garmin Elevate™ wrist heart rate monitor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, pulse OX blood oxygen saturation monitor | GPS, Glonass, Garmin Elevate Wrist Heart Rate Monitor, Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor, Compass, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Ambient Light Sensor | BioTracker™ 3.0 PPG biometric sensor (supports blood-oxygen, 1PD + 2LED), 3-Axis acceleration sensor, geomagnetic sensor |
3-Axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, red and infrared sensors for blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, ambient light sensor | High precision 6-axis senser PPG heart rate sensor Ambient light sensor |
| Memory | 28 MB (7 timed activities, 14 days of activity tracking data) |
4 GB | Not mentioned | Saves 7 days of detailed motion data, minute by minute, Saves daily totals for the last 30 days, Stores heart rate data at one-second intervals during exercise tracking and at five-second intervals all other times | 100 GB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth® Smart and ANT+ iPhone, Android |
Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi® | Android 7.0 and above, iOS 12.0 and above | Apple iOS 15 or higher. Android OS 10 or higher |
Bluetooth 5.1 LE, Compatible with Android 6+ and iOS 12+ |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM (50m) | 5 ATM (50m) | 5 ATM (50m) | 5 ATM (50m) | 5 ATM (50m) |
| Notifications | Text, call, push notifications | Text, call, push notifications | Text, call, push notifications | Text, call, push notifications | Text, call, push notifications |
| Alarm Clock Function | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Music Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color Options? | -4 colors | -4 colors | -5 colors | -3 colors | -1 color -3 band styles available in multiple colors for additional cost |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 offers impressive performance and versatility with its large screen, precise step count, and comprehensive app. However, it lacks dieting features and has room for improvement in heart rate monitoring.
Performance Comparison
The Vivosmart 5 is a data lover's best friend.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Fitness Impact
Our comprehensive analysis of the Garmin Vivosmart 5's fitness impact assessed its performance across various metrics. Our testers examined how accurately the device tracked steps, cycling, stair climbing, and workout activities, and how well the community features enhanced the user experience. Overall, this fitness tracker delivers a solid performance.
The step tracking proved to be reliable, with only a modest average difference of 13.7 steps compared to a manual counter. The distance precision was commendable, ensuring accurate tracking during activities. The cycling tracking feature provided valuable data, although the small screen made it challenging to view detailed stats.
The Vivosmart 5 will not disappoint in terms of step tracking.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Vivosmart 5 excelled in workout tracking, offering customizable interval times and rounds. This versatility allows users to tailor their workouts to specific fitness goals. However, the range of other trackable activities fell short compared to some competitors, with a limited selection of 15 options available for tracking.
While the device's community compare feature allows users to join groups and view activity stats, the interactive aspect and engagement with other users are lacking. The feed primarily consists of activity data without the ability to interact or share additional information.
You can count on the Vivosmart 5 to deliver an array of workout tracking features to fit your personal regiment.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Health Impact
In our evaluation of the health impact of the Garmin Vivosmart 5, we examined several key submetrics. Our testers assessed the performance of the heart rate monitor, dieting features, additional health indicators, and sleep-tracking capabilities.
This tracker performs adequately in HR monitoring but is nothing exceptional.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
The heart rate monitor showed average results, with a slight lag in registering increased heart rates. While it performs adequately for steady increases, it may not satisfy those who require precise and real-time heart rate tracking.
The dieting feature was rather basic, limited to logging water intake and the number of glasses consumed. It lacked comprehensive food tracking capabilities, making it less useful for users seeking detailed dietary monitoring.
On the positive side, the Vivosmart 5 offers a range of additional health indicators. It includes standing and inactivity reminders, menstrual tracking, stress detection, progress tracking, and blood oxygen monitoring. However, it does not provide ECG or skin temperature measurements.
The app for the Vivosmart 5 displays rich graphs and charts for health-related data.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The sleep tracking feature exhibited mixed results. While it accurately recorded waking moments, it occasionally missed logging sleep during initial trials. However, it functioned properly in subsequent trials. It is worth noting that wearing multiple trackers simultaneously may have contributed to the initial missed logs.
Ease of Use
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 prioritizes user-friendly features. Its battery life lasts up to seven days, although charging requires a connection instead of magnets. The app is visually appealing, especially on Android, with expanded graphs for each measurement. Navigating menus involves a separate back button and scrolling page by page. Putting on the device is made easy with multiple notches for adjustable sizing.
The Vivosmart 5 fits snugly across the wrist.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Display
The display of the Garmin Vivosmart 5 was tested for screen quality, responsiveness, and smart notifications. The screen quality has a limited color scale and tends to glisten against black backgrounds. Responsiveness was lacking, requiring bigger gestures instead of precise touches. Smart notifications include text, call, and push notifications.
The display for the Vivosmart 5 is decent.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ergonomics
In terms of ergonomics, the Vivosmart 5 was evaluated for comfort and profile design. The comfortable band wraps properly around the wrist, ensuring a secure fit without pressure points. However, the textured band made it difficult to slide past backpack straps, which was a bit irritating.
The profile design of this device is good but doesn't always fit well under a jacket.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Garmin Vivosmart 5?
The Vivosmart 5 is a quality fitness tracker that can reliably track health and fitness data. However, given the price point of this wearable, it is simply not competitive against other options.
What Other Fitness Trackers Should You Consider?
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a cheaper option and performs just as well as the Vivosmart 5. If you are looking to invest in a high-quality option, try the Apple Watch SE Gen 2.
Although this wearable is good, there are better fitness trackers at similar price points.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
—Jessica Riconscente and Jared Eastlick
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