Wear Radar

Suunto VerticalvsGarmin vivosmart 5

Suunto Vertical
Buy/Wait:good

Current model just released

Best for: Mountain runners, alpinists, and expedition athletes who want full offline maps, long GPS battery, and a bright AMOLED display in a rugged adventure watch. Suunto loyalists who need the brand's navigation precision and now want a readable colour display in the field.

Full details →
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.

Full details →
Suunto VerticalGarmin vivosmart 5
TierSports GPSFitness Tracker
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
Battery20 days7 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorshr, spo2, hrv, training loadhr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, pulse ox
ReleasedOct 15, 2025Apr 26, 2022
Cycle length884 days700 days
Cycle advicegoodbad
Deals adviceneutralgreat
Next modelGarmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026)

Why buy each?

Suunto Vertical

AMOLED display — first for the Vertical line

The Vertical 2 replaces the MIP screen with a bright 1.5" AMOLED LTPO — delivering vivid colour maps and improved night readability while still providing 65 hours of dual-band GPS.

Built-in LED flashlight

An integrated LED flashlight is new to the Vertical 2, adding practical trail and camp utility without a separate device — especially useful for early morning and night runs.

Full offline maps, 65h GPS, AI Coach

Global topographic maps with dual-band GPS, 20-day smartwatch battery, and an AI Coach that personalises training load and recovery recommendations directly on the watch.

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.