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Garmin vívosmart 5 Review | 171 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£110
Avg. price in US: ~$150
Form factor: wristband
Battery life: 7 days
Screen size: 0.84 inch

Garmin vívosmart 5 review. Compare 171 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among fitness trackers and if it is worth buying.

7.9

Very good

7.7

Very good

8.5

Excellent

6.6
Swimming
Score components:
28.0%
10
ATM rating
24.0%
4.0
Open-water swim mode
18.0%
10
Waterproof depth rating
15.0%
4.0
GPS
15.0%
3.0
Battery life
6.2
Kids
Score components:
30.0%
3.0
Battery life
25.0%
7.1
Weight
20.0%
10
ATM rating
15.0%
3.7
Screen size
10.0%
9.9
Price

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#3 in Best Garmin Fitness Trackers
#36 in Best Fitness Trackers for Women
#47 in Best Fitness Trackers
#62 in Best Fitness Trackers for Swimming

Verdict

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight fitness tracker featuring a 0.41" x 0.73" monochrome OLED touchscreen with 88 x 154 pixel resolution and a physical navigation button. It offers comprehensive 24/7 health monitoring, including heart rate, Pulse Ox, stress tracking, and Garmin’s Body Battery energy metrics, alongside a 5 ATM water resistance rating suitable for swimming. Key advantages include its comfortable, slim design with interchangeable silicone bands, a reliable 7-day battery life (without continuous SpO2), and subscription-free access to the detailed Use code with caution.Copied to clipboardjsonGarmin Connect appUse code with caution.Copied to clipboardjson. However, it lacks built-in GPS—requiring a paired smartphone for route tracking—omits a barometric altimeter for floor climbing, and does not support NFC for contactless payments.

Technical Specifications of Garmin vívosmart 5

Overall score

7.9

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the fitness tracker.

When it matters: When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.

Health

9.1

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Heart rate monitor

What it is: Sensor that measures heart rate in real time.

When it matters: When you care about live heart-rate feedback during training or resting trends outside of workouts.

Importance: HIGH

Resting heart rate

What it is: Measures heart rate while resting.

When it matters: When deeper insight into sleep quality, recovery, or overall readiness matters more than raw numbers alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Fast/slow heart rate alerts

What it is: Alerts for heart rates that are too fast or too slow.

When it matters: When you want the tracker to warn you about unusual changes instead of only logging them.

Importance: LOW

Irregular heart rate alerts

What it is: Warns of irregular or abnormal heart rhythms.

When it matters: When you want the tracker to warn you about unusual changes instead of only logging them.

Importance: LOW

Blood oxygen sensor

What it is: Sensor that measures blood oxygen saturation.

When it matters: When blood oxygen readings are part of the health picture you want from the device instead of relying on heart rate and step count alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Sports & Navigation

8.7

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GPS

What it is: Satellite navigation capability for positioning and tracking.

When it matters: When you train outdoors and want pace, distance, and route tracking without depending completely on your phone.

Importance: LOW

Satellite systems supported

What it is: States which satellite navigation systems the device can use for positioning.

When it matters: When you train outdoors and want stronger positioning, route guidance, and navigation independence from your phone.

Importance: LOW

GNSS bands supported

What it is: Number and type of GNSS frequency bands supported.

When it matters: When you train outdoors and want stronger positioning, route guidance, and navigation independence from your phone.

Importance: LOW

Galileo support

What it is: Supports Galileo satellite system.

When it matters: When you train outdoors and want stronger positioning, route guidance, and navigation independence from your phone.

Importance: LOW

Acquires GPS faster

What it is: Shows whether the tracker includes features that help it lock onto satellite positioning more quickly at the start of an outdoor activity.

When it matters: When you train outdoors and want stronger positioning, route guidance, and navigation independence from your phone.

Importance: LOW

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Smart Features

8.5

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Notifications

What it is: Delivers smartphone notifications on the watch.

When it matters: When getting calls, messages, and app alerts on your wrist saves you from checking your phone constantly.

Importance: MEDIUM

Vibrating alerts

What it is: Provides vibration-based notifications and alerts.

When it matters: When staying reachable from your wrist helps you avoid checking your phone constantly.

Importance: LOW

Call control

What it is: Allows control of phone calls from the device.

When it matters: When staying reachable from your wrist helps you avoid checking your phone constantly.

Importance: LOW

Call answering

What it is: Allows answering calls directly from the device.

When it matters: When staying reachable from your wrist helps you avoid checking your phone constantly.

Importance: LOW

Calendar sync

What it is: Syncs calendar events with the connected device.

When it matters: When staying reachable from your wrist helps you avoid checking your phone constantly.

Importance: LOW

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App & Wellness

9.7

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Activity reports

What it is: Generates summaries and insights from activity data.

When it matters: When you want the app to motivate you with goals, reports, coaching, or progress feedback over time.

Importance: LOW

Goal setting

What it is: Allows setting personal fitness or activity goals.

When it matters: When you want the app to motivate you with goals, reports, coaching, or progress feedback over time.

Importance: LOW

Achievements

What it is: Rewards progress and completed milestones.

When it matters: When you want the app to motivate you with goals, reports, coaching, or progress feedback over time.

Importance: LOW

Inactivity alerts

What it is: Alerts when the user has been inactive for too long.

When it matters: When account rules, app costs, exports, or software flexibility affect whether the ecosystem suits you long term.

Importance: LOW

Coaching

What it is: Provides guided training and workout advice.

When it matters: When you want the app to motivate you with goals, reports, coaching, or progress feedback over time.

Importance: LOW

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Connectivity

9.1

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Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth supported by the device.

When it matters: When wireless stability, pairing quality, and long-term phone compatibility matter more than Bluetooth being a simple checkbox.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=5.0

?

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: States the maximum Bluetooth connection range supported under normal conditions.

When it matters: When compatibility with your phone, computer, accessories, or wireless setup affects how well the tracker fits into your ecosystem.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

NFC

What it is: Supports near-field communication for contactless features.

When it matters: When compatibility with your phone, computer, accessories, or wireless setup affects how well the tracker fits into your ecosystem.

Importance: LOW

Wi-Fi connectivity

What it is: Connects to wireless internet networks.

When it matters: When the tracker should sync, update, or download data directly without always routing everything through the phone.

Importance: LOW

Wi-Fi version

What it is: Version of Wi-Fi standard supported.

When it matters: When compatibility with your phone, computer, accessories, or wireless setup affects how well the tracker fits into your ecosystem.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

5.2

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Battery life

What it is: Total time the battery lasts on a full charge.

When it matters: When the tracker needs to last through travel, sleep tracking, long workouts, or several days between charges.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >5 days

Battery life with GPS on

What it is: Battery duration when GPS tracking is active.

When it matters: When you want fewer charging breaks during travel, longer workouts, sleep tracking, or continuous use.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=8 hours

N/A

Battery life in training mode

What it is: Battery duration during active training sessions.

When it matters: When you want fewer charging breaks during travel, longer workouts, sleep tracking, or continuous use.

Importance: LOW

?

Battery life in power-saving mode

What it is: Battery duration when using power-saving mode.

When it matters: When you want fewer charging breaks during travel, longer workouts, sleep tracking, or continuous use.

Importance: LOW

?

Battery capacity

What it is: Energy storage capacity of the battery.

When it matters: When you want rough battery context behind the runtime claim instead of trusting the advertised hours alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=100 mAh

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Display

6.4

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Display

What it is: Main interface showing information and metrics.

When it matters: When easier reading at a glance and better day-to-day screen comfort matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Screen size

What it is: Physical size of the device’s display measured diagonally.

When it matters: When easier reading at a glance and better day-to-day screen comfort matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Display type

What it is: Technology used for the screen, such as AMOLED or LCD.

When it matters: When display technology affects contrast, color quality, power efficiency, or how premium the screen feels.

Importance: MEDIUM

Screen resolution

What it is: Total number of pixels displayed on the screen.

When it matters: When easier reading at a glance and better day-to-day screen comfort matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Pixel density

What it is: Number of pixels per inch determining screen sharpness.

When it matters: When easier reading at a glance and better day-to-day screen comfort matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=280 ppi

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Design & Durability

8.7

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Form factor

What it is: Overall physical design and shape.

When it matters: When materials, shape, and build details affect comfort, durability, or how discreet the device feels.

Importance: LOW

wristband

Hybrid design

What it is: Combines analog and digital display elements.

When it matters: When materials, shape, and build details affect comfort, durability, or how discreet the device feels.

Importance: LOW

Designed for kids

What it is: Indicates whether the fitness tracker is explicitly designed for children, with child-focused sizing, branding, safety limits, or kid-oriented activity features.

When it matters: This matters when you want a tracker that is genuinely child-focused rather than just a smaller adult model.

Importance: LOW

Replaceable watch band

What it is: Ability to replace the wristband with other styles.

When it matters: When strap comfort, fit, or the ability to swap bands matters for sport, style, or replacement.

Importance: LOW

Band width

What it is: Width of the strap where it connects to the watch.

When it matters: When strap comfort, fit, or the ability to swap bands matters for sport, style, or replacement.

Importance: LOW

19 mm

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Garmin vívosmart 5 vs the average fitness tracker

Why is Garmin vívosmart 5 better than the average fitness tracker?

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Blood oxygen monitoring
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a blood oxygen sensor, while the average fitness tracker does not. 26% of fitness trackers have a blood oxygen sensor.
Spot checks, sleep tracking, and all-day monitoring.
What it is: Sensor that measures blood oxygen saturation.
When it matters: When blood oxygen readings are part of the health picture you want from the device instead of relying on heart rate and step count alone.
Importance: MEDIUM
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a blood oxygen sensor, while the average fitness tracker does not. 26% of fitness trackers have a blood oxygen sensor.
Measures VO2 max
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports VO2 max tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 22.5% of fitness trackers support VO2 max tracking.
What it is: Measures maximum oxygen uptake during exercise.
When it matters: When deeper insight into sleep quality, recovery, or overall readiness matters more than raw numbers alone.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports VO2 max tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 22.5% of fitness trackers support VO2 max tracking.
Lower resting heart rate
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports Resting heart rate, while the average fitness tracker does not. 48.2% of fitness trackers support Resting heart rate.
Tracks resting heart rate.
What it is: Measures heart rate while resting.
When it matters: When deeper insight into sleep quality, recovery, or overall readiness matters more than raw numbers alone.
Importance: MEDIUM
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports Resting heart rate, while the average fitness tracker does not. 48.2% of fitness trackers support Resting heart rate.
Touchscreen
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a touchscreen, while the average fitness tracker does not. 43.8% of fitness trackers have a touchscreen.
What it is: Ability of the display to recognize touch input.
When it matters: When smooth touch response and quicker on-screen interaction matter during workouts or daily use.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a touchscreen, while the average fitness tracker does not. 43.8% of fitness trackers have a touchscreen.
Swim stroke counter
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports swim stroke counting, while the average fitness tracker does not. 21.6% of fitness trackers support swim stroke counting.
Stroke count available after sync in Garmin Connect.
What it is: Counts swim strokes during swimming workouts.
When it matters: When swimming metrics and pool or open-water tracking are important to your routine.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports swim stroke counting, while the average fitness tracker does not. 21.6% of fitness trackers support swim stroke counting.
Heart rate alerts
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports high and low heart rate alerts, while the average fitness tracker does not. 33.5% of fitness trackers support high and low heart rate alerts.
High and low resting heart rate alerts.
What it is: Alerts for heart rates that are too fast or too slow.
When it matters: When you want the tracker to warn you about unusual changes instead of only logging them.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports high and low heart rate alerts, while the average fitness tracker does not. 33.5% of fitness trackers support high and low heart rate alerts.
Continuous SpO₂ monitoring
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports continuous SpO₂ monitoring, while the average fitness tracker does not. 12.3% of fitness trackers support continuous SpO₂ monitoring.
24/7 monitoring.
What it is: Shows whether the tracker can measure blood oxygen saturation continuously over time instead of only through one-off manual checks.
When it matters: When ongoing overnight or day-long blood oxygen tracking matters more than taking an occasional manual reading.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports continuous SpO₂ monitoring, while the average fitness tracker does not. 12.3% of fitness trackers support continuous SpO₂ monitoring.
Coaching features
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports coaching, while the average fitness tracker does not. 32.8% of fitness trackers support coaching.
Garmin Coach via Garmin Connect.
What it is: Provides guided training and workout advice.
When it matters: When you want the app to motivate you with goals, reports, coaching, or progress feedback over time.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports coaching, while the average fitness tracker does not. 32.8% of fitness trackers support coaching.
Blood oxygen monitoring
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a blood oxygen sensor, while the average fitness tracker does not. 26% of fitness trackers have a blood oxygen sensor.
Measures VO2 max
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports VO2 max tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 22.5% of fitness trackers support VO2 max tracking.
Lower resting heart rate
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports Resting heart rate, while the average fitness tracker does not. 48.2% of fitness trackers support Resting heart rate.
Heart rate alerts
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports high and low heart rate alerts, while the average fitness tracker does not. 33.5% of fitness trackers support high and low heart rate alerts.
Continuous SpO₂ monitoring
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports continuous SpO₂ monitoring, while the average fitness tracker does not. 12.3% of fitness trackers support continuous SpO₂ monitoring.
Tracks menstrual cycle
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports menstrual cycle tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 41.7% of fitness trackers support menstrual cycle tracking.
Period notifications
Garmin vívosmart 5 has period notifications, while the average fitness tracker does not. 32% of fitness trackers have period notifications.
Fertile window notifications
Garmin vívosmart 5 displays fertile window notifications, while the average fitness tracker does not. 24.4% of fitness trackers display fertile window notifications.
Ovulation prediction
Garmin vívosmart 5 predicts ovulation, while the average fitness tracker does not. 41.4% of fitness trackers predict ovulation.
Cycle start prediction
Garmin vívosmart 5 predicts the start date, while the average fitness tracker does not. 42.2% of fitness trackers predict the start date.
Sweat tracking
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports sweat tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 7.7% of fitness trackers support sweat tracking.
Swim stroke counter
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports swim stroke counting, while the average fitness tracker does not. 21.6% of fitness trackers support swim stroke counting.
Tracks elevation
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports elevation tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 27.2% of fitness trackers support elevation tracking.
Built-in route tracker
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports route tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 49.8% of fitness trackers support route tracking.
Live tracking
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports live tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 6.2% of fitness trackers support live tracking.
Auto lap
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports auto lap, while the average fitness tracker does not. 19.9% of fitness trackers support auto lap.
Low power mode
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports low power mode, while the average fitness tracker does not. 24.4% of fitness trackers support low power mode.
0.25 hours shorter charging time
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower charging time than the average fitness tracker (1.3 hours vs 1.5 hours). The average fitness tracker needs 1.5 hours to charge.
Touchscreen
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a touchscreen, while the average fitness tracker does not. 43.8% of fitness trackers have a touchscreen.
Ambient light sensor
Garmin vívosmart 5 has an ambient light sensor, while the average fitness tracker does not. 15.8% of fitness trackers have an ambient light sensor.
Windows compatible
Garmin vívosmart 5 is compatible with Windows, while the average fitness tracker is not. 22.3% of fitness trackers are compatible with Windows.
Mac OS X compatible
Garmin vívosmart 5 is compatible with Mac OS X, while the average fitness tracker is not. 27.5% of fitness trackers are compatible with Mac OS X.
ANT+ support
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports ANT+, while the average fitness tracker does not. 7.3% of fitness trackers support ANT+.
Phone finder support
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports phone finding, while the average fitness tracker does not. 49.5% of fitness trackers support phone finding.
Call control
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports call controls, while the average fitness tracker does not. 40.9% of fitness trackers support call controls.
Fall detection
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports fall detection, while the average fitness tracker does not. 1% of fitness trackers support fall detection.
Emergency SOS support
Garmin vívosmart 5 has Emergency SOS, while the average fitness tracker does not. 2% of fitness trackers have Emergency SOS.
Calendar sync
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports calendar sync, while the average fitness tracker does not. 19.8% of fitness trackers support calendar sync.
1 more physical buttons
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a higher physical buttons than the average fitness tracker (1 vs 0). The average fitness tracker has 0 of physical buttons.
Gesture control
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports gesture controls, while the average fitness tracker does not. 40.8% of fitness trackers support gesture controls.
6 newer release date
Garmin vívosmart 5 was released more recently than the average fitness tracker (2,022 vs 2,016). The average fitness tracker was released in 2,016.
Coaching features
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports coaching, while the average fitness tracker does not. 32.8% of fitness trackers support coaching.
Tracks calorie intake
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports calorie intake tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 39.3% of fitness trackers support calorie intake tracking.
Water intake tracking
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports water intake tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 47% of fitness trackers support water intake tracking.
Available on PC
Garmin vívosmart 5 is available on PC, while the average fitness tracker is not. 16.9% of fitness trackers are available on PC.
Points-based system
Garmin vívosmart 5 supports a points-based system, while the average fitness tracker does not. 39.1% of fitness trackers support a points-based system.

Design & Durability

Why is Garmin vívosmart 5 worse than the average fitness tracker?

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3 days shorter battery life
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower battery life than the average fitness tracker (7 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.
Lower screen resolution
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower screen resolution than the average fitness tracker (88x154 vs 194x368). The average fitness tracker has a screen resolution of 194x368.
0.2 inch smaller screen size
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower screen size than the average fitness tracker (0.8 inch vs 1.04 inch). The average fitness tracker has a screen size of 1.04 inch.
13.4% lower pixel density
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower pixel density than the average fitness tracker (214 ppi vs 247 ppi). The average fitness tracker has a pixel density of 247 ppi.
Basic display glass
Garmin vívosmart 5 uses less durable display glass than the average fitness tracker (acrylic vs glass). The average fitness tracker uses glass display glass.
6% heavier
Garmin vívosmart 5 is heavier than the average fitness tracker (26.5 g vs 25 g). The average fitness tracker weighs 25 g.
20 °C higher minimum operating temperature
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average fitness tracker (-20 °C vs 0 °C). The average fitness tracker supports a minimum operating temperature of 0 °C.
Ads in app
Garmin vívosmart 5 shows ads in the app, while the average fitness tracker does not. 50.6% of fitness trackers have an ad-free app.
3 days shorter battery life
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower battery life than the average fitness tracker (7 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.
What it is: Total time the battery lasts on a full charge.
When it matters: When the tracker needs to last through travel, sleep tracking, long workouts, or several days between charges.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >5 days
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower battery life than the average fitness tracker (7 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.7 days vs 10 days
Lower screen resolution
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower screen resolution than the average fitness tracker (88x154 vs 194x368). The average fitness tracker has a screen resolution of 194x368.
What it is: Total number of pixels displayed on the screen.
When it matters: When easier reading at a glance and better day-to-day screen comfort matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower screen resolution than the average fitness tracker (88x154 vs 194x368). The average fitness tracker has a screen resolution of 194x368.88x154 vs 194x368
0.2 inch smaller screen size
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower screen size than the average fitness tracker (0.8 inch vs 1.04 inch). The average fitness tracker has a screen size of 1.04 inch.
What it is: Physical size of the device’s display measured diagonally.
When it matters: When easier reading at a glance and better day-to-day screen comfort matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower screen size than the average fitness tracker (0.8 inch vs 1.04 inch). The average fitness tracker has a screen size of 1.04 inch.0.84 inch vs 1.04 inch
Ads in app
Garmin vívosmart 5 shows ads in the app, while the average fitness tracker does not. 50.6% of fitness trackers have an ad-free app.
What it is: Operates without advertisements.
When it matters: When account rules, app costs, exports, or software flexibility affect whether the ecosystem suits you long term.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 shows ads in the app, while the average fitness tracker does not. 50.6% of fitness trackers have an ad-free app.
Basic display glass
Garmin vívosmart 5 uses less durable display glass than the average fitness tracker (acrylic vs glass). The average fitness tracker uses glass display glass.
What it is: Type of protective glass used for the display.
When it matters: When scratch resistance and long-term display protection matter for everyday wear.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 uses less durable display glass than the average fitness tracker (acrylic vs glass). The average fitness tracker uses glass display glass.acrylic vs glass
13.4% lower pixel density
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower pixel density than the average fitness tracker (214 ppi vs 247 ppi). The average fitness tracker has a pixel density of 247 ppi.
What it is: Number of pixels per inch determining screen sharpness.
When it matters: When easier reading at a glance and better day-to-day screen comfort matter to you.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=280 ppi
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a lower pixel density than the average fitness tracker (214 ppi vs 247 ppi). The average fitness tracker has a pixel density of 247 ppi.214 ppi vs 247 ppi
57.1% more expensive
Garmin vívosmart 5 is more expensive than the average fitness tracker (£110 vs £70).
Garmin vívosmart 5 is more expensive than the average fitness tracker (£110 vs £70).£110 vs £70
20 °C higher minimum operating temperature
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average fitness tracker (-20 °C vs 0 °C). The average fitness tracker supports a minimum operating temperature of 0 °C.
What it is: Lowest temperature the device can safely operate at.
When it matters: When you use the tracker in tougher temperatures, humidity, altitude, or outdoor conditions.
Importance: LOW
Garmin vívosmart 5 has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average fitness tracker (-20 °C vs 0 °C). The average fitness tracker supports a minimum operating temperature of 0 °C.20 °C vs 0 °C

Design & Durability

Graphic comparison of Garmin vívosmart 5 and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

(Reviews last updated: Jun 2026)

What customers like about Garmin vívosmart 5?

Lightweight and highly comfortable design for 24/7 wear and sleep tracking.
Integrated with the robust Garmin Connect app, which provides deep data insights without a subscription fee.
Helpful health metrics like Body Battery, stress tracking, and accurate step counting.
Physical button makes navigation much easier than previous touch-only models.
Strong battery life that can last up to 7 days depending on settings.
Includes emergency assistance and incident detection safety features.

What customers dislike about Garmin vívosmart 5?

No built-in GPS; requires a connected smartphone to track outdoor routes and distance accurately.
Monochrome OLED display feels dated compared to competitors with color screens.
Small screen makes reading text notifications and detailed workout stats difficult.
Lacks advanced hardware features like NFC for contactless payments, EKG, or an altimeter for floor climbing.
Pulse Ox (blood oxygen) sensor significantly drains battery when set to 24/7 monitoring.
Uses a proprietary charging cable rather than standard USB-C or Qi wireless charging.

Expert reviews

radiotimes.com

01/06/2022

Garmin vívosmart 5 review - Radio Times Would you like to compare these performance results against competing fitness trackers from brands like Fitbit...

The Radio Times Garmin vívosmart 5 review awards the fitness tracker an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, praising it as an excellent and affordable option for health monitoring. Key advantages highlighted include its extensive health features (such as heart rate, respiration, hydration, and women's health tracking), effortless 20-minute setup, and a lightweight, compact design...Read more

techgearlab.com

27/06/2023

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review | Tested & Rated - TechGearLab

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 ($150) is a slim, comfortable fitness tracker designed for data lovers who appreciate rich graphs and detailed stats within its comprehensive app. On the positive side, the device boasts exceptional step-counting precision (differing by an average of just 13.7 steps from a manual counter), accurate distance tracking, and a large screen that remains highly...Read more

stuff.tv

08/06/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 review: a pared-back tracker that's tricky to tap Would you like to compare these findings with a specific competitor like the Fitb...

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight, low-profile fitness tracker that excels at daily health monitoring but embraces a highly simplistic, understated design. On the positive side, it is incredibly comfortable to wear, features a physical button for reliable navigation, and delivers a robust seven-day battery life. It provides deep health metrics, automatic activity tracking, and...Read more

pocket-lint.com

06/05/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 review - Pocket-lint

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight, comfortable, and responsive fitness tracker that serves as an excellent, uncomplicated entry point into the advanced Garmin Connect ecosystem. It features a significantly larger touchscreen and a dedicated hardware back-button compared to its predecessor, allowing users to easily glance at metrics like 24/7 heart rate monitoring, Body...Read more

dcrainmaker.com

20/04/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 In-Depth Review - DC Rainmaker

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review Summary The Garmin Vivosmart 5 introduces incremental hardware changes to the fitness tracker line, featuring a 66% larger monochrome display, a physical navigation button, and user-swappable bands. It upgrades the charging interface to standard Garmin ports and introduces software features like safety tracking, respiration rate, and an on-device sleep...Read more

pcmag.com

24/05/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review - PCMag

The $149.99 Garmin Vivosmart 5 is characterized as a satisfactory, comfortable, and lightweight ( 0.9 0. 9 -ounce) fitness tracker tailored for beginners, boasting excellent 5-6 day battery life and comprehensive health monitoring, including heart rate, SpO2, and Body Battery. However, PCMag notes significant drawbacks, specifically the dated, cramped black-and-white OLED screen...Read more

wareable.com

09/05/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 review - Wareable

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is positioned as a reliable, straightforward fitness tracker featuring a physical button, swappable bands, and a 66% larger display for improved navigation and readability. It offers excellent, subscription-free health insights, including Body Battery, stress tracking, and detailed sleep analysis. However, the tracker lacks an altimeter for tracking floors,...Read more

tomsguide.com

19/05/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Fitbit Charge 5 — Which fitness tracker should you buy? - Tom's Guide

The Fitbit Charge 5 wins the overall face-off for users seeking a premium design and accurate outdoor workout tracking, primarily due to its bright, colour AMOLED display and built-in GPS capabilities. Key pros include an always-on display option and a more beginner-friendly user interface. However, its major con is a restrictive subscription paywall; users must pay for a monthly...Read more

expertreviews.co.uk

06/06/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 review: A bold new look but more of the same - Expert Reviews

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 updates the previous generation with a wider monochrome OLED display and a highly practical physical home button. Retailing at £130, this lightweight fitness band introduces a free, feature-rich companion app with no paywalls, alongside new metrics like a Sleep Score, 24/7 blood oxygen tracking, and incident detection. Its performance shines in gym tracking,...Read more

trustedreviews.com

06/05/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review - Trusted Reviews

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a functional, durable, and comfortable fitness tracker that offers extensive health metrics and free access to the comprehensive Garmin Connect app. Its key strengths include highly responsive tracking for heart rate and sleep, along with 5ATM water resistance suitable for swimming, making it an excellent, data-focused entry-level option. However, the...Read more

tomsguide.com

07/09/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 review - Tom's Guide

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight, comfortable fitness tracker that brings notable usability improvements over its predecessor, primarily through a 66% larger monochrome OLED screen and the addition of a physical navigation button. Priced at $149.99, its strongest feature is its deep health integration via the Garmin Connect app, which provides free, detailed metrics like...Read more

techradar.com

29/01/2024

Garmin Vivosmart 5 review - TechRadar

However, the device makes several compromises to keep its build lightweight and its price points accessible. Its most notable drawback is the complete lack of on-board GPS, which forces users to carry a tethered smartphone via Bluetooth to accurately track outdoor running or cycling routes and pacing. The display is strictly a grayscale, utilitarian screen that lacks the vibrant...Read more

androidauthority.com

17/03/2023

Garmin vivosmart 5 review: Good, but not enough big strides - Android Authority

The Garmin vivosmart 5 is a lightweight, comfortable fitness tracker that offers highly accurate health and wellness tracking without hiding data behind a subscription paywall. It improves upon its predecessor with a 66% larger monochrome OLED display, a tangible physical navigation button, and new user-swappable bands available in black, white, and mint green. Fitness enthusiasts...Read more

uk.pcmag.com

24/05/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 - Review 2022 - PCMag UK

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight, user-friendly fitness tracker priced at $149.99, designed for individuals prioritizing basic daily health monitoring over premium features. Weighing just 0.9 ounce and offering an impressive battery life of up to six to seven days, the device includes a 0.73-inch black-and-white OLED touchscreen and a 5ATM water-resistance rating suitable for...Read more

netzwelt.de

03/07/2025

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review: Affordable Entry into...

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a functional, lightweight fitness tracker designed as an affordable entry point into the comprehensive Garmin ecosystem. It provides highly accurate tracking data for daily activities and workouts, performing closely alongside high-end wearables, and paired with the extensive Garmin Connect app, it offers rich post-workout data analysis. Additionally, the...Read more

bilanz.ch

25/07/2022

Big Data on Your Wrist: Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review - Verdict

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is highly praised in this BILANZ review as an excellent, feature-rich alternative to traditional smartwatches, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars rating at a price point of 159.90 Swiss Francs. The reviewer notes that the device is incredibly lightweight (114g) and comfortable to wear, featuring a wider, glare-resistant monochrome OLED screen that remains highly...Read more

computerbild.de

26/04/2023

Garmin Vivosmart 5 review: Small but mighty?

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a compact, lightweight fitness tracker that sticks to a traditional design, eschewing modern trends like color AMOLED panels and Always-on displays in favor of a small, scratch-resistant greyscale touchscreen. It excels at accurate health and fitness data collection, precisely capturing resting and training heart rates, VO2 Max, and SpO2 levels, while...Read more

chip.de

19/07/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review Summary The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a premium, slim-profile fitness tracker that excels in health metrics tracking and user ergonomics but leaves room for improvement regarding hardware and pricing. In testing, its monochrome OLED display was praised for a 66% size increase over its predecessor, which significantly enhances readability for scrolling texts....Read more

nextpit.de

28/06/2022

Garmin vívosmart 5 review: Does the premium tracker beat Xiaomi?

The Garmin vívosmart 5 is an upscale fitness tracker that falls short of its €149.99 price tag when compared to more affordable competitors like the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 and Huawei Band 7. While it stands out for its high-quality construction, a secure watch-style buckle, and a lightweight, swim-proof design rated at 5 ATM, its hardware feels outdated. The tracker features an...Read more

chip.de

06/07/2022

Premium Fitness Tracker: The Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review (Video)

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a premium fitness tracker featuring a classic rectangular design that earned an overall rating of "very good" in this review. Its primary highlight is a highly accurate accelerometer that records precise movement data and triggers an SOS emergency signal to your smartphone during falls. The tracker provides comprehensive health monitoring, tracking heart...Read more

test.de

14/11/2025

Garmin Vívosmart 5 Review - Stiftung Warentest", "Garmin Vívosmart 5 Test - Stiftung Warentest

The Stiftung Warentest review of the Garmin Vívosmart 5 highlights a lightweight (25 grams), slim fitness tracker designed specifically for activity monitoring rather than smart functionality, relying on the Garmin Connect app for data synchronization. Key advantages include integrated fall detection and full swimming capability, though the device is limited by a lack of third-party...Read more

test-achats.be

01/07/2022

Garmin Vívosmart 5 S/M Review - Testachats

The Garmin Vívosmart 5 (S/M) is a lightweight fitness tracker weighing 25 grams with a detachable band and a 88x154 resolution OLED touchscreen. On the positive side, it offers a robust set of fitness and communication functions, including automated activity tracking, a built-in heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitoring, and step/calorie/distance tracking. Users can receive and...Read more

protegez-vous.ca

15/05/2022

GARMIN Vivosmart 5 | Protégez-Vous.ca Les Numériques

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is highlighted as an easy-to-use, entry-level tracker featuring a comfortable design, improved screen size, and a physical button for better navigation. It delivers strong, free health metrics including Body Battery and detailed sleep tracking within the Garmin Connect app. Key drawbacks include the absence of a built-in GPS, requiring a phone for distance...Read more

clubic.com

11/06/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review: An Old-School Fitness Tracker, Effective But Too Expensive For Its Own Good

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight, 25-gram fitness tracker focused heavily on health monitoring through advanced proprietary features like Body Battery, SpO2 monitoring, stress tracking, and a sleep quality score via a morning report. Its strongest asset is an exceptionally precise optical heart rate sensor that closely mirrors chest strap performance, although it lacks an...Read more

frandroid.com

24/06/2022

Garmin vívosmart 5 review: precision or nothing

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a minimalist fitness tracker that bucks the modern trend of large, colorful displays in favor of a small, curved OLED greyscale screen integrated into a flexible silicone band. Its strongest selling point is its exceptional physical tracking accuracy; testing against a chest strap revealed identical average and maximum heart rate readings during interval...Read more

lesnumeriques.com

26/06/2022

Garmin Vívosmart 5 fitness tracker review: discreet, accurate, but a bit dated

The Garmin Vívosmart 5 is a discreet fitness tracker that prioritises health and sports features over modern design aesthetics. Priced as a mid-range device at €149.99, it stands out in a market dominated by vibrant displays by sticking to a small, monochrome OLED screen. While the screen's resolution and brightness are improved from its predecessor, its high reflectivity and glossy...Read more

gomoot.com

23/01/2026

Garmin Vivosmart 5: A Complete Fitness Tracker

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight and compact fitness tracker designed for users seeking a discreet device for daily health monitoring and basic workouts, all without requiring a paid subscription for data analysis. Key advantages include its comfortable 24.5 to 26.5-gram build, 5 ATM water resistance, and the highly detailed Garmin Connect platform which provides advanced...Read more

today.it

18/06/2025

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Review: Fitness tracker with OLED display

The Reolink Altas is an innovative outdoor security camera equipped with a 4 MP CMOS sensor, offering a 2 5 6 0 × 1 4 4 0 resolution at 15 fps and a 110 ∘ 1 1 0 ∘ diagonal field of view. It stands out for its smart 2-to-10-second pre-recording feature, which captures critical footage before the passive infrared (PIR) sensor triggers a motion alert. For nighttime monitoring, it...Read more

wired.it

07/04/2026

The best smartbands to have on your wrist in 2026 (including Vivosmart 5 test)

The reviewed article highlights the top smartbands of 2026, showcasing how these compact and lightweight fitness trackers effectively balance activity tracking, comprehensive health monitoring (heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, and stress), and impressive battery life that can last up to three weeks. It also identifies an emerging trend of screenless, "invisible" smartbands like the...Read more

tweakers.net

29/07/2022

Garmin VivoSmart 5 S/M Black (Black) - enkb - Product reviews

The reviewer praises the Garmin VivoSmart 5 as a highly compact and lightweight fitness tracker that successfully monitors all necessary athletic statistics. It features a slightly larger screen than its predecessor, the VivoSmart 4, which significantly improves readability. While the reviewer prefers reading comprehensive statistics through the Garmin Connect app, they appreciate...Read more

test-aankoop.be

09/06/2026

Garmin Vivosmart 5 Test and Review", "Review: Garmin Vivosmart 5 – A No-Nonsense Activity Tracker", "Garmin Vivosmart 5 Test & Review", "Garmin Vivosm...

The Garmin Vívosmart 5 (S/M) is a lightweight fitness tracker (25 g) designed for day-to-day activity tracking and notifications. On the positive side, it features an OLED touchscreen with a replaceable band and is rated as splashproof. It is fully compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, allowing users to read and reply to text messages, as well as receive social media,...Read more

hrdlpn.nl

22/03/2026

Garmin Vivosmart 5 activity tracker | vs Vivosmart 4 & 2026 review

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight activity tracker designed for 24/7 wear, featuring a display that is 66% larger than its predecessor alongside a newly designed Elevate heart rate sensor and easily replaceable bands. Priced around €139 to €149, it introduces high-end wellness metrics previously reserved for advanced Garmin running watches, such as a "Body Battery" energy...Read more

global.techradar.com

04/05/2022

Garmin Vivosmart 5 review - Consumentenbond | 20 April 2022

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight, data-focused fitness tracker designed for users who prioritize detailed health metrics over a premium aesthetic. Its standout features include an improved, highly legible monochrome OLED display that efficiently organizes extensive statistics, free access to deep analytics via the Garmin Connect app without a subscription barrier, and...Read more

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