Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Full details →| Garmin vivosmart 5 | Polar Grit X | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $149★ | $999 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 25g★ | 57g |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 100m★ |
| Battery | 7 days | 40 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 26, 2022 | Apr 11, 2024 |
| Cycle advice | bad | bad |
| Deals advice | good | great★ |
| Next model | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Rumoured for Q4 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.
Five times the battery of the Vantage V3 — enough for week-long mountain stages or ultramarathons without charging access.
Automatically segments your run by uphill and downhill sections, calculating pace and power for each — essential for mountain race training.
Running power without a chest strap or foot pod, built into the watch.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$359 vs $999 over 3 years.
40 days vs 7 days battery.
5 sensors.
25g.
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 →Trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes who want Polar's analytics with significantly longer battery life than the Vantage V3. The titanium case and sapphire glass make it suitable for technical terrain where watch durability matters.
Full details →