| Garmin vivosmart 5 | Apple Watch SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $149★ | $249 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 25g★ | 26g |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 50m |
| Battery | 7 days★ | 18h |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS only |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 26, 2022 | Sep 19, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | great★ | neutral |
| Next model | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026) | Apple Watch SE 4 (Expected fall 2027) |
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.
Access the entire watchOS app ecosystem, Apple Pay, Siri, and Family Setup — for $150 less than the Series 11.
Emergency SOS, fall detection, and Crash Detection give real safety value even without premium health sensors.
Available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and (PRODUCT)RED with a wide range of Apple Watch-compatible bands.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$249 vs $359 over 3 years · no required subscription.
7 days vs 18h battery.
5 sensors.
25g · no required subscription.
Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Full details →iPhone users who want Apple Watch's core experience — activity tracking, notifications, crash detection, and Apple Pay — at a lower price point. Ideal for kids, teens, or anyone upgrading from a much older watch without needing the advanced health sensors.
Full details →