Fitbit Versa 3 vs. Garmin Vivoactive 5: A Detailed Comparison

Top Compras Updated: January 9, 2025

Fitbit Versa 3

7/10
Fitbit Versa 3
$179
Built-in GPS
Take calls on the wrist
Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
vs

Garmin Vivoactive 5

7.8/10
Garmin Vivoactive 5
$238
Vibrant AMOLED display
Good balance of features for the price
New sleep metrics like Sleep Coach and nap tracking

Quick Overview

A detailed comparison between the Fitbit Versa 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5, covering design, features, performance, and user experience.
## Detailed Fitbit Versa 3 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5 Comparison

It’s hard to choose between the Fitbit Versa 3 and Garmin Vivoactive 5. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is better suited for your needs.

Design and Display

The Fitbit Versa 3 has a sleek, curved design with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display. The display is bright and vibrant and easy to read in all conditions. The build quality is sturdy and comfortable for all-day wear. However, some users find the tactile buttons inconsistent and less reliable than physical buttons.

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 watch, on the other hand, features a bright AMOLED display, which is a significant improvement over the previous model. The screen is bright, colorful, and easy to read both indoors and outdoors. The watch itself is lightweight, comfortable, functional and stylish. However, the plastic buttons are a bit knobby and sometimes require multiple presses.

Fitness and Health Tracking

Both watches do a great job of fitness tracking, but there are differences between the two: the Fitbit Versa 3 has built-in GPS, making it ideal for recording runs and hikes without a cell phone. The watch also tracks heart rate, sleep, and blood oxygen levels (SpO2), though SpO2 measurement is only available during sleep and on some watch faces. Sleep tracking is quite detailed, and a sleep score is displayed each morning.

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 also boasts accurate GPS tracking comparable to more expensive Garmin models, and introduces new sleep metrics like Sleep Coach and sleep tracking that are very interesting. However, it uses an older Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor, which doesn’t support ECG and may be less accurate during high-intensity activities. The watch also lacks a barometric altimeter, which negatively affects mountaineering and downhill tracking.

Smart Features

Fitbit Versa 3 has a phone function right on your wrist, which is a useful feature. It also supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. However, iPhone users can’t reply to text messages from the watch, which is a bit disappointing. The speaker volume isn’t great either, making the watch less useful in noisy environments.

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 supports offline music playback and Garmin Pay, making it convenient to use without a phone. The device also provides morning reports including weather, sleep stats, and calendar appointments. However, it lacks some advanced features found in more expensive Garmin models, such as workout animations.

Battery life

Battery life is a strong point of both devices, but there are some differences: the Fitbit Versa 3 lasts about five days with normal use, but drops to two to three days with the display on all the time; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a good battery life, seven to eight days with normal use, three to four days with the display on all the time. Therefore, the Vivoactive 5 is more suitable for those who prefer longer battery life.

User Experience

Fitbit Versa 3 is generally user-friendly, with a simple interface and good app integration. However, some users have noted that the user interface sometimes crashes or freezes. In addition, the touch buttons are sometimes unstable and do not recognize touch.

The Garmin Vivoactive 5’s interface is smooth and responsive, but the plastic buttons feel a bit choppy. The accuracy of sleep stage tracking is also questioned by some users.

Pros and Cons of the Fitbit Versa 3

  • Plusses:
    • Built-in GPS for tracking activity without a phone.
    • Calls can be made on your wrist.
    • Ability to choose between Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
    • Bright and clear 1.5-inch AMOLED display.
    • Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking.
    • Easy-to-use Fitbit app.
  • Cons:
    • The touch buttons are not always responsive.
    • Sometimes there are stutters and UI freezes.
    • Fewer apps in the Fitbit store.
    • SPO2 can only be measured during sleep and on certain watch faces.
    • iPhone users can’t reply to text messages.
    • Insufficient speaker volume in noisy environments.

Garmin Vivoactive 5

  • Benefits:
    • Bright and colorful AMOLED display is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
    • Good ratio of features to price.
    • New sleep indicators such as sleep coach and sleep tracking.
    • Accurate GPS tracking.
    • Reliable battery.
    • Offline music playback and support for Garmin Pay.
  • Cons:
    • No barometric altimeter.
    • Uses outdated Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor.
    • No smaller size options.
    • Plastic buttons are flimsy.
    • AMOLED display is glare and difficult to read outdoors without brightness adjustment.
    • Questionable accuracy of sleep stage tracking.

Final Thoughts

Fitbit Versa 3 and Garmin Vivoactive 5 are great smartwatches, each with their own pros and cons. Fitbit Versa 3 is a great choice for those looking for a comfortable device with great fitness tracking and smart features. It’s a top choice for people, while the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a great choice for those who value accurate GPS, long battery life, and advanced sleep metrics. Ultimately, the choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Specification

FeatureFitbit Versa 3Garmin Vivoactive 5

Fitbit Versa 3

Pros

  • Built-in GPS for phone-free activity tracking.
  • Ability to take calls on the wrist.
  • Choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
  • Bright and vibrant 1.5-inch AMOLED display.
  • Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking.
  • User-friendly Fitbit app with detailed health insights.

Cons

  • Inconsistent touch-sensitive button responsiveness.
  • Occasional UI stuttering and freezes.
  • Limited app selection in the Fitbit store.
  • SPO2 readings only available during sleep and with specific watch faces.
  • No text message reply for iPhone users.
  • Speaker volume is not loud enough for noisy environments.

Garmin Vivoactive 5

Pros

  • Vibrant AMOLED display is bright and colorful, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • Offers a good balance of features for the price.
  • Includes new sleep metrics like Sleep Coach and nap tracking.
  • Accurate GPS tracking.
  • Solid battery life.
  • Supports offline music playback and Garmin Pay.

Cons

  • Lacks barometric altimeter.
  • Uses older Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor.
  • No smaller size option available.
  • Plastic buttons feel gummy.
  • AMOLED display can be reflective and hard to read outdoors without adjusting brightness.
  • Sleep stage tracking accuracy is questionable.

Quick Verdict

Fitbit Versa 3

Read Full Review

The Fitbit Versa 3 is a great option for those who want a user-friendly device with good fitness tracking and smart features.

7.5/10
Features
6.5/10
Performance
7.5/10
Value
7/10
Quality
7/10
Overall

Garmin Vivoactive 5

Read Full Review

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a solid choice for those who prioritize accurate GPS, longer battery life, and advanced sleep metrics.

7.5/10
Features
8/10
Performance
8.5/10
Value
7/10
Quality
7.8/10
Overall

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