Welcome to Garmin Vivofit Reviews, an independent fan website for the best range of Garmin activity trackers and GPS smartwatches. If you’re researching the best Garmin activity trackers and which one you should buy, you’ve come to the right place. On this review website, you can read about the key features, pros and cons and compare the range in our 2017 Garmin Vivofit comparison.
Best Garmin Activity Tracker & Smartwatch Reviews
We are huge Garmin fans and have taken the time to research their latest wearables for your benefit. We hope you appreciate the site and if you have any feedback, please use the contact form provided. We have also provided links to Amazon, where you can shop for the entire range of Garmin wearables and other innovative fitness products.
Which Garmin Activity Tracker is Best?
Garmin now has a huge range of activity trackers and GPS smartwatches, ranging from entry-level trackers through to multisport watches. Deciding which one is best for you can be a challenge. Thankfully help is at hand. We’ve detailed the key features below for each model and also included a link to the full review.
On this Garmin Vivofit Review website you can learn about the following activity trackers and GPS smartwatches:
- Garmin Vivofit 1, 2 and 3 (Entry-level trackers)
- Garmin Vivosmart HR and HR+ GPS (Trackers with wrist heart rate and running features)
- Garmin Vivoactive HR (Multisport smartwatches for sport & fitness enthusiasts)
- Garmin Vivofit, Vivosmart and Vivoactive Activity Tracker Comparison Chart
There are many other brands available including Fitbit Charge, TomTom Touch, Jawbone and the Nike Fuel Band among others. However, we’ve seen a huge rise in popularity in the last 2 years for Garmin wearables. They have continued to innovate and develop their products. Once only known for in-car sat-navs Garmin has spread their wings into smart wearables for everyday fitness tracking and other sports. Other brands can be compared to Garmin in one way or another, and some have similar daily activity tracking features.
However, we believe Garmin has the edge over their competitors, due to the wealth of GPS experience they have. Garmin has been designing and manufacturing wearables and fitness tech for well over a decade and is well known for the Forerunner GPS running watch range. They are experts in delivering products which will help you kick-start a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Sync Your Activity Tracker with the Garmin Connect App
No modern wearable would be worth its salt with an app to accompany it. Garmin Connect is the go-to application for all Garmin sport and fitness devices. It’s available as free download to all modern smartphones and on all platforms. Garmin Connect is also available on your desktop computer. It wirelessly syncs with your activity tracker via Bluetooth and WiFi so you can monitor and track your progress in more detail. You can track steps, goals, sleep, weight and calories burned. The app also provides insights and cues to help you reach your health and fitness goals.
Customize Your Garmin Smartwatch with Connect IQ
As well as the free fitness app, Garmin also has another platform called Connect IQ. This allows budding developers to design new watch faces, widgets, and apps for the most advanced wearables in the range. All of these are available to download for free so you can truly customize your watch. You can even add a favorite picture to your display using it the Face-it App.
Garmin Activity Tracker & GPS Smartwatch 2017 Lineup
If 2016 is anything to go by we can expect Garmin to announce many more products to its wearable line. Each version has been refreshed, from the entry-level Vivofit which captures steps, distance, calories burned and time of day, to the Vivosmart HR which adds wrist heart rate technology and Intensity Minutes. Finally, the Vivoactive HR which is the top-of-the-line GPS smartwatch with built-in sports apps for running, cycling, swimming, golf and more:
Garmin Vivofit Range
Entry-level activity trackers with step counter, distance, calories burned, sleep monitoring and more
There are now 3 versions of the Garmin Vivofit, which has improved with each new model. It’s ideal for people that just want simple tracking and a little extra motivation to keep moving during the day. The handy red move bar indicates periods of inactivity and when it’s time to move. You can also monitor your stats on the Garmin Connect app as previously mentioned.
Garmin Vivofit 3
A small, sleek activity tracker with automatic activity detection
Vivofit 3 is the 2016 version of Garmin’s entry level tracker. It’s slimmer design should appeal to women as interchangeable designer bands are available to buy. It’s comfortable, durable and certainly more fashionable than early designs. Garmin Vivofit 3 is very easy-to-use and has a long battery life so you don’t need to worry about charging it. Wearing this band will help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make long-term positive changes.
Vivofit 3 Key Features
- 24/7 activity tracking
- 1+ year battery life
- Auto sync to Garmin Connect app
- Smaller, sleeker design
- Garmin Move IQ motion detector
- Intensity Minutes
- Interchangeable Bands and Style Fashion Collection
Garmin Vivofit 2
Excellent everyday tracker with backlight and move bar
Garmin took their first entry-level tracker and made it better. Garmin Vivofit 2 is a significant improvement with twist-lock band clasp to stop the device falling from your wrist. This version also has a backlit display so you can see your stats, even in the dark. It wirelessly syncs to Garmin Connect so you can save, plan and share your data. Vivofit 2 is ideal for basic activity tracking.
Vivofit 2 Key Features:
- Steps, distance, calories burned, time and sleep
- Personalized daily goals
- ‘Time to move’ alerts to remind you to stay active
- Activity timer for recording activities
- Backlit display
- 1+ year battery life
- Water resistant to 50 meters
Garmin Vivosmart HR Range
Mid-level activity trackers with wrist heart rate and smartphone notifications
There is also 3 versions of the Garmin Vivosmart HR. This activity tracker is aimed at people that would like heart rate data without a wearing a chest strap and the functionality of a smartwatch. All 3 devices display alerts from your compatible phone such as calls, texts, emails and social media. Vivosmart HR stands for ‘wrist heart rate’. The Vivosmart HR+ GPS version can be used for basic running data too.
Garmin Vivosmart HR+ GPS
Activity tracker with running metrics and 24/7 monitoring
Garmin Vivosmart HR+ has all important GPS functionality. This essentially means you can use if for running. It has all the features of the previous HR version but provides running metrics such as distance, pace and personal records. It also has auto lap and auto pause which is useful if you have to pause while running. Vivosmart HR+ is another Amazon best seller.
- Tracks distance, time and pace using GPS
- Wrist heart rate monitor
- Steps, distance, pace, calories, floors climbed, intensity minutes and time of day
- Garmin Move IQ tells you how long you’ve been doing daily activities such as walking, running, biking, swimming
- Smartphone notifications
- Learns your activity level
- Monitors your sleep
- Up to 5 days of rechargeable battery life
- Water resistant up to 50 meters
Read Garmin Vivosmart HR+ GPS Review
Garmin Vivosmart HR
Activity tracker with Elevate wrist heart rate and smart notifications
Garmin Vivosmart HR has given the Fitbit Charge HR a run for its money. Garmin has included all of the best features of their previous fitness bands and also included their very own Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology so you can keep tabs of your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts. Floors climbed and intensity minutes will tell you how hard you’ve been working in the gym. If you’re looking for an all round fitness tracker the Vivosmart HR is an Amazon best seller.
- Tracks heart rate at the wrist day or night, to provide more accurate calories burned information
- Learns your activity level, sets a personalized daily step goal and auto syncs with Garmin Connect
- Displays steps, calories, distance, heart rate, floors climbed, intensity minutes, time, date and monitors sleep
- Displays texts, emails, calls and social media alerts
- Intensity minutes allows you to monitor your progress against recommended aerobic activity goals
- Reminds you to stay active with move bar alert
Read Garmin Vivosmart HR Review
Garmin Vivoactive HR Range
Multisport GPS smartwatches for the fitness enthusiast
If you’re into sports, Garmin Vivoactive HR is the smartwatch for you. Rather than have a different device for each sport, Vivoactive can be used to track them all. Apps for running, swimming, cycling and playing golf are included in both versions. The 2016 Vivoactive HR can also be customized with Connect IQ and has Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology so there’s no need for a chest strap to record heart rate data.
Garmin Vivoactive HR
Best Garmin multisport GPS smartwatch 2016
Garmin Vivoactive HR is the top-of-the-line GPS smartwatch for fitness enthusiasts. This watch captures essential data from a range of sports, making it ideal for those that are into a bit of everything. From your desk to the track, from the golf course to the pool, your Vivoactive is with you every step of the way, going places your smartphone won’t.
Vivoactive HR Key Features
- GPS smartwatch with high-resolution, sunlight-readable touchscreen color display
- Garmin Elevate heart rate technology
- Built-in sports apps
- Intensity minutes monitors your progress
- Tracks floors climbed
- Built-in activity tracker counts steps, distance, calories burned
- Garmin Move IQ motion detector
- Displays smart notifications
- Customizable watch faces, widgets and apps
- Allows you to remotely control your music
- Follows your progress 24/7, even monitoring sleep quality
- Send real-time heart rate data to compatible Garmin devices
- Up to 8 days battery life and water resistant up to 50 meters
Read Garmin Vivoactive HR Best GPS Smartwatch Review
Garmin Vivoactive 2015
GPS Smartwatch with Sports Apps For Running, Cycling, Swimming and Golf
Vivoactive is a GPS smartwatch which you can use for a range of sport and fitness activities and includes built-in apps for running, cycling, swimming and playing golf. You can also customize the Vivoactive with new watch faces and data screens with Connect IQ.
- GPS smartwatch with high-resolution touchscreen color display
- Built-in apps for activity tracking, running, cycling, golf and swimming
- Alerts you to incoming calls, calendar items, emails, texts and more
- Customizable watch faces, widgets and apps available for free download
- Rechargeable battery lasts up to 3 weeks
Read Garmin Vivoactive GPS Smartwatch Review
What is a Garmin Activity Tracker & Smartwatch?
You don’t have to be an athlete to improve your fitness. Garmin activity tracker and smartwatches help you to kick-start a fit, healthy and productive lifestyle. Wear them 24/7 for a smarter perspective on your life. Stay on top of your fitness goals, daily tasks and get alerted to important messages, wherever you are.
Why Use an Activity Tracker?
Research shows long periods of inactivity such as sitting decreases the body’s production of fat-burning enzymes. This can be reversed by taking frequent shorts walks throughout the course of the day. This is where a Garmin activity tracker is effective – a red move bar appears on the display and gradually increases the longer you’re inactive, getting up and walking for just a few minutes resets the move bar.
Garmin activity trackers are ideal for anyone looking to become more active and easily be used on a daily basis to monitor and track your fitness levels.
