Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Full details →| Garmin vivosmart 5 | Fitbit Sense | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $149★ | $199 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $79/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 25g★ | 26g |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 50m |
| Battery | 7 days★ | 6 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 26, 2022 | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Cycle advice | bad | bad |
| Deals advice | great★ | good |
| Next model | Garmin vivosmart 6 (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.
The EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor tracks physiological stress throughout the day — a feature absent from most competitors at this price.
Comes with Fitbit Premium for advanced sleep analysis, HRV trends, stress management scores, and personalised health insights.
Unlike Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch, Sense 2 pairs with any smartphone and runs 6 days before charging.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$359 vs $436 over 3 years · no required subscription.
7 days vs 6 days battery.
6 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 →Health-conscious users on any platform who want continuous stress monitoring (EDA sensor), ECG, and Fitbit's deep wellness coaching — without paying Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch prices. Particularly strong for iPhone users who want serious health tracking at under $250.
Full details →