We are trying to make our lives better and easier, and the best way we can do that is by using smart devices.
A smart fitness watch is one of the devices that many of us tend to use nowadays.
And one of the very best options you will find is Garmin. They have different ones from different price ranges as well, so that people of all levels of income will be able to afford one of their watches.
Two of their most popular products are the Fenix 5 and the Vivoactive 3.
In our Fenix 5 vs. Vivoactive 3 debate, we are now going compare both of them.
Fenix 5 vs. Vivoactive 3 – Comparison 2020
Last update on 2020-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Garmin Vivoactive 3
I’m guessing since you are here trying to find comparisons between two Garmin watches, you have some idea about this particular model.
But I’m still going to dive into the details, so you know exactly what you’re getting when to spend your money on this smart fitness watch.
Can Be Customised
One of the very first things you are going to love about this Vivoactive 3 watch is that you will be able to customize it using different themes available in the store.
So, you can make your watch look however you want will the help of the Connect IQ store.
Garmin Pay
Now, in this day and age, we have access to Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc. And that is something you will be getting from this watch as well.
There is an option for Garmin Pay, which enables you to pay for the product or service you purchase through the watch. It is sure to make your life much easier.
Monitors Fitness Level
The main reason behind getting a watch such as this would be to make sure you are able to meet your fitness goal or are active throughout the day.
You will be able to monitor your heart rate throughout the day, as well as during your workout. This is sure to keep you on the right track.
GPS
When you get the Garmin Vivoactive 3 watch, along with it, you will get 15 preloaded GPS applications in the watch.
This is going to be great for you if your form of exercise is running or cycling. You will be able to track where you have been and how far you went.
PROS
CONS
Latest Guide: Fenix 3 vs. Fenix 5
Garmin Fenix 5
If you pull up all the Garmin products, then you will see that Fenix 5 is the best among all of them.
This has countless features and aspects you might love. So, I am going to give you all the details about the watch, and this would help you understand all that you’ll get.
Premium Design
When you are paying so much money to get a watch, you would also want it to look nice. And that is one of the reasons you would get this smart fitness watch for yourself.
The stainless steel accents on this watch are very different from what you see in other watches made by Garmin.
All Figures and Statistics Are Available
When you get a smartwatch, you would want to be able to access all the information regarding your workout at your fingertip.
Your heart rate, the number of steps you took, even the length of each of your steps is going to get available on the Fenix 5, so you can keep track of it all.
Connect to Smartphone
The reason why the watch is called a smartwatch is that you will be able to connect your watch to your phone as well.
This is going to be very helpful for you, especially when you are working out and are unable to access your phone. You can see what emails and messages you got on the watch.
Even during work, you don’t have to pull out your phone to check notifications and messages.
Satellite GPS
When you are working out, especially running outdoor or cycling, then you would want to see the route you took during the workout.
This is also very helpful as you can take account of the distance you covered on the run or bicycle ride. All of that is going to be done with the help of satellite GPS.
PROS
CONS
Related Guide: Garmin Fenix 6 Pro vs Fenix 6X Pro
Difference between Garmin Vivoactive 3 and Fenix 5
Both of these watches are produced by the same company, Garmin. So, they have a lot of similarities between them, but along with that, there are certain differences as well.
Price Difference
The very first difference you will see between the Fenix 5 and the Vivoactive 3 is the difference in the price, and it is safe to say that the gap is pretty wide.
This might be a very significant aspect for many people who are looking to buy a good smart fitness watch for themselves.
Some people might want all the benefits and features of the watch but do not want to pay a very hefty price for it.
For those, the Vivoactive 3 will be a great option. But those who are willing to spend the extra money for some extra features should really consider buying Fenix 5 as there are many additional features.
Sleep Quality Tracker
This might not be a very significant factor for many people as they do not wear their watch when they go to bed.
But if you are someone who has problems sleeping or often tend to wake up from sleep feeling tired, this the Fenix 5 gives you the added feature of tracking the hours you slept and the quality of your sleep.
The Fenix 5 will let you monitor your sleep, so you have more information about your own body, and you can make adjustments according to that, so you wake up feeling refreshed and wide awake.
Access to Notification, Calls, and Messages
One of the main reasons why people get smartphones is to be able to have a connection with their phones, especially if they are in a meeting or workout when pulling out their phones is not really a great option.
Well, if that is the reason why you want to get one of these watches, then I would tell you to steer clear of the Vivoactive 3 because it does not provide such features.
You will not be able to make or receive calls using the Vivoactive 3 as it does not have a microphone or a speaker.
Along with that, you will not be able to open any messages or emails on the watch.
However, if you are to get the Fenix 5, then this is not an issue as all of these features are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we have the most commonly asked queries regarding the Fenix 5 and Vivoactive 3:
Will I be able to change the language of the watch to my liking?
Yes, as with most smartwatches, you should be able to change it to the language of your choice, but you might be given limited choices.
Does the glass of the Vivoactive 3 or the Fenix 5 get scratched up easily?
Well, for the most part, they do not get scratched up easily.
However, as you are going to be touching the screen more frequently than you would a normal watch, it is better to get a glass protector.
Is the watch waterproof?
Yes, both of the watches are water and sweatproof, so you don’t have to worry during your workout.
Will I be able to measure my blood pressure with the watch?
No, unfortunately, that is not a feature available in either of the two watches.
You can measure heart rate but not blood pressure.
How do I connect the watch to my phone?
The first thing is that you can’t connect the watch to your phone using a cable.
You need to turn the Bluetooth on and connect the devices.
Conclusion
For the most part, you will get amazing feedback from your Vivoactive 3 watch if your main goal is to use it during your workouts.
But if you want to use it as a regular smartwatch too, you might have to opt for Fenix 5.
Nevertheless, let us know how you feel about our Fenix 5 vs. Vivoactive 3 article.