| Garmin vivosmart 5 | Suunto Race | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $149★ | $499 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 25g★ | 60g |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 100m★ |
| Battery | 7 days | 16 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 26, 2022 | Aug 27, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | great★ | neutral |
| 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 redesigned optical HR sensor on Race 2 delivers far more reliable readings during high-intensity sessions — a notable weak point of the original Race that has been addressed.
Dual-frequency L1+L5 multi-constellation GPS for sub-meter precision in urban areas and dense forests, with 55 continuous GPS hours on a single charge.
The display grows to 1.5" at 2000 nits while the case slims to 12.5mm and drops to 76g — more readable in sunlight and easier to wear day-to-day than its predecessor.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$359 vs $499 over 3 years · no required subscription.
16 days vs 7 days 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 →Competitive road and trail runners who want Suunto's precise multi-band GPS tracking and a vivid AMOLED display in a lighter, thinner package. A strong alternative to Garmin for athletes who prefer Suunto's clean interface and ecosystem.
Full details →