| Garmin vivosmart 5 | Fitbit Charge | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $149 | $120★ |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $79/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 25g | 15g★ |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 50m |
| Battery | 7 days | 7 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Fitness Tracker |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 26, 2022 | Sep 28, 2023 |
| Cycle advice | bad | bad |
| Deals advice | great | great |
| Next model | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026) | Fitbit Charge 7 (Expected 2026) |
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.
Full ECG, electrodermal activity stress sensing, SpO2, and continuous heart rate in a tracker thinner than most smartwatches.
Google Maps navigation, Google Wallet NFC payments, and YouTube Music controls — more useful on-device apps than any previous Charge.
7 days of typical use, dropping to around 30 minutes per GPS workout session before needing a charge.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$357 vs $359 over 3 years · no required subscription.
7 days vs 7 days battery.
6 sensors.
15g · 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 →Anyone who wants serious health and fitness tracking without the bulk or cost of a full smartwatch. Works with both Android and iPhone, making it the most accessible Fitbit tracker in the lineup.
Full details →