In this comparison, we’re going to explore two popular smartwatches: the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Amazfit Active. These watches may look and feel different, and they’re priced differently too. But they both have something great in common – they help you keep an eye on your health and fitness.
The big question is, which one is the best match for you? We’ll take a close look at each watch, comparing their features, styles, and prices. Stick with us until the end, and you’ll find a clear, straightforward verdict that will help you make a smart choice.
Garmin Vivoacitve 5 vs Amazfit Active: Price & Availability
Let’s kick off our comparison by looking at the price and availability of these two smartwatches. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 comes in at around $300. This price tag is on the higher side, especially when you compare it to the Amazfit Active, which is available for about $150. The Vivoactive 5’s cost is a reflection of its wide array of health and fitness tracking features.
On the other hand, the Amazfit Active, at half the price, still offers a good range of features. It includes health and fitness tracking, music storage, and a comprehensive set of sensors. The big question here is: does the higher price of the Vivoactive 5 justify itself with better features? Let’s delve deeper to find out.
Garmin Vivoacitve 5 vs Amazfit Active: Specs Comparison
| Category | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Amazfit Active |
|---|---|---|
| Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3, Stainless steel bezel | Aluminum alloy + plastic, Stainless steel + plastic (Lavender Purple) |
| Shape | Round | Square |
| Dimension | 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm | 42.36 x 35.9 x 10.75 mm |
| Physical Buttons | 2 | 1 |
| Display Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 390 x 450 pixels |
| Screen Size | 1.3 inch | 1.75 inch |
| Weight (without strap) | 36 grams | 24 grams |
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Pulse Ox, Thermometer, Ambient light | BioTracker PPG (HR, Spo2), Acceleration, Geomagnetic, Temperature |
| Water-Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Qzss, Beidou |
| Built-in Speaker | No | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Music Storage | Yes | Yes (up to 250mb space for music) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 days (smartwatch), 5 days (AOD), 21 days (Battery Saver), 21 hours (GPS) | 14 days in normal mode, 30 days limited functionality, 26 hours GPS mode |
| Operating System | Garmin OS | ZeppOS 2 |
| Colors | Metallic Orchid, Slate, Cream Gold, Metallic Navy | Midnight Black, Petal Pink, Lavender Purple |
| Price | $300 | $150 |
Related:
- Amazfit Active vs Amazfit Bip 5
- Amazfit Active vs Amazfit GTR 4
- Amazfit Active vs Amazfit Balance
- Amazfit Active vs Amazfit GTS 4
Garmin Vivoacitve 5 vs Amazfit Active: Design & Display
Now, let’s delve into the design and display aspects of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Amazfit Active.
Starting with the Garmin Vivoactive 5, it sports a classic round face, perfect for those who love the traditional watch style. It’s a blend of timeless elegance and modern tech. This watch is built for the outdoors, with a rugged yet light design. It features a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a stainless steel bezel, topped with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for extra toughness. If you’re outdoorsy and need a watch that can keep up, this might be it. It measures 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm, a size that’s sleek yet noticeable on your wrist. Plus, it comes with two flat physical buttons, offering a mix of touchscreen and button navigation.
On the other side, the Amazfit Active has a chic square shape. It’s made from a combo of aluminum alloy and plastic, with a special Lavender Purple model featuring stainless steel. This gives it a modern, lightweight feel. It’s a bit smaller, measuring 42.36 x 35.9 x 10.75 mm – great for those who like a more subtle watch. It keeps things simple with just one physical button, emphasizing its sleek, minimalist design.
Screen quality is key, and both watches boast AMOLED displays. The Vivoactive 5 has a 1.2-inch screen with a 390 x 390-pixel resolution, while the Amazfit Active steps it up with a 1.75-inch screen at 390 x 450 pixels. Both screens are sharp and vivid, thanks to the AMOLED tech.
Color choices are plenty with both models. The Vivoactive 5 offers shades like Metallic Orchid, Slate, Cream Gold, and Metallic Navy – a mix of sporty and sophisticated. The Amazfit Active, in Midnight Black, Petal Pink, and Lavender Purple, ranges from classic to fun.
Lastly, both watches are water-resistant up to 5 ATM, making them safe for swimming and showering. This similarity in water resistance adds to their versatility, whether you’re hitting the gym or the pool.
Garmin Vivoacitve 5 vs Amazfit Active: Health & Fitness Features
In the realm of health and fitness features, both the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Amazfit Active pack a punch, each with its own unique strengths.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a standout for health monitoring. It’s loaded with features like meditation tracking, sleep coaching, and even nap detection. These are big pluses for those who are into overall wellness. However, it does miss an altimeter, which means it can’t track floors climbed.
For fitness buffs, the Vivoactive 5 is a treasure trove. It has cool stuff like a push tracker and a weight shift alert, which are great for specialized workouts. There’s a wide range of activity profiles, even including ones for wheelchair users. Plus, it’s great for planning and training, with tools like recovery time advice, HRV status, and interval training options. These features make it a top choice for serious fitness enthusiasts.
Now, the Amazfit Active is something special for runners and athletes. It’s loaded with advanced features like a track run mode, smart trajectory correction, and a virtual pacer, thanks to the Zepp Coach functionality. If you’re into sports, you’ll love its 127 sports modes, covering almost everything you can think of. It’s also great for training, with support for route import, real-time navigation, and customizable training templates.
When we talk about GPS, both watches are pretty solid. The Vivoactive 5 has GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO for spot-on tracking no matter where you are. The Amazfit Active isn’t far behind, supporting multiple systems like GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Qzss, and Beidou, so you can trust it to keep track of your location accurately in various regions.
Garmin Vivoacitve 5 vs Amazfit Active: Other Features
Besides their health and fitness capabilities, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Amazfit Active also offer a range of smartwatch features that enhance their overall usability.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5, although it doesn’t have cellular connectivity, is still packed with smart features. It has its own Connect IQ Store right on the device, allowing you to download apps and watch faces. It syncs settings in real time with Garmin Connect Mobile, making it easier to manage your device. Plus, for Android users, it can display images from your phone notifications – a neat little feature.
The Amazfit Active runs on ZeppOS 2, which is known for being user-friendly and efficient. This operating system boosts the watch’s functionality and makes it compatible with a wider range of apps, adding to its versatility.
When it comes to music, both watches allow you to store your tunes, so you can enjoy your favorite tracks while on the move. A unique feature of the Vivoactive 5 is its NFC support, enabling contactless payments – a handy tool for quick purchases without reaching for your wallet.
However, the Amazfit Active takes a step further in terms of connectivity – it comes with a built-in microphone that allows for voice calling. This feature adds an extra layer of convenience, especially when you’re on the go and can’t reach your phone.
Garmin Vivoacitve 5 vs Amazfit Active: Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Amazfit Active are pretty much in the same league, each offering impressive staying power.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 really shines here. In its smartwatch mode, it can last up to 11 days on a single charge. If you switch to battery saver mode, you can stretch that to a whopping 21 days. That’s ideal for those who don’t want the hassle of frequent charging. For outdoor enthusiasts, its GPS-only GNSS mode lasts up to 21 hours, perfect for long hikes or runs.
The Amazfit Active is no slouch either. It offers up to 14 days of battery life with typical use. If you’re not using it heavily, you can even push that to 30 days in battery saver mode. And, for those who are really pushing it with heavy usage, it still manages to hold up for about 10 days.
Garmin Vivoacitve 5 vs Amazfit Active: Which is Right for You?
Deciding between the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Amazfit Active boils down to your specific needs and preferences.
If you’re someone who values a trusted brand and desires precise tracking, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 emerges as a clear winner. It’s particularly suited for fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers, thanks to its comprehensive health and fitness tracking features, including unique offerings like meditation and sleep coaching. Plus, it supports a wide array of third-party apps, enhancing its functionality.
On the other hand, if budget is a key consideration for you, the Amazfit Active stands out. It offers a sleek design and extended battery life, making it a stylish yet practical choice. It’s especially appealing for runners and athletes with features like smart trajectory correction and a wide range of sports modes. The addition of a built-in microphone for voice calling also gives it an edge in connectivity.
Latest:
- Amazfit Active vs Amazfit GTS 4
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Ticwatch Pro 5
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 2S
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Amazfit GTR 4
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Fitbit Sense 2 vs Versa 4
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Amazfit Balance
