Wear Radar

Garmin vivosmart 5vsAmazfit Balance

Garmin vivosmart 5
Buy/Wait:bad

Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming

Best for: 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.

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Amazfit Balance
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

Best for: Android and iPhone users who want a premium smartwatch experience — full offline maps, ECG, long battery, and a bright sapphire display — at a price well below Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch. A strong choice for runners, hikers, and health-focused users who want GPS map navigation without a subscription.

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Garmin vivosmart 5Amazfit Balance
TierFitness TrackerSmartwatch
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
Battery7 days21 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorshr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, pulse oxecg, spo2, hrv, hr, body comp, stress
ReleasedApr 26, 2022Jun 24, 2025
Cycle length700 days601 days
Cycle advicebadgood
Deals advicegreatneutral
Next modelGarmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026)

Why buy each?

Garmin vivosmart 5

Garmin Body Battery in a band

Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.

HRV status and stress tracking

Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.

Works with Garmin Connect ecosystem

All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.

Amazfit Balance

21-day battery with sapphire AMOLED display

21 days typical use and 33 hours GPS — combined with a scratch-resistant sapphire glass 1.5" AMOLED that outshines most watches at this price.

Dual-band GPS and offline maps

Precise dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS across six satellite systems, with downloadable offline topo maps and turn-by-turn navigation — rare at this price tier.

HYROX, golf, and diving modes

First Amazfit with official HYROX training and competition modes, 40,000-course golf maps, and SCUBA dive support — more sport breadth than any previous Balance.