| Garmin vivosmart 5 | Polar Vantage V | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $149★ | $599 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 25g★ | 39g |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Battery | 7 days | 8 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 26, 2022 | Oct 4, 2023 |
| Cycle advice | bad | bad |
| Deals advice | great★ | good |
| Next model | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026) | Polar Vantage V4 (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.
Polar Vantage V3 is one of the few sports GPS watches with on-demand ECG — usually only found on lifestyle smartwatches.
Running power measurement without a foot pod or chest strap — a significant training metric for pacing effort on hills and varied terrain.
The most detailed training load analysis in any sports watch: muscle groups targeted per session, recovery status per muscle, and long-term load trends.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$359 vs $599 over 3 years · no required subscription.
8 days vs 7 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 →Serious endurance athletes — particularly runners and triathletes — who want Polar's unmatched training load science and recovery guidance, combined with ECG health monitoring and running power in a premium package.
Full details →