Forerunner 35 vs. Vivoactive 3 – Which One Should I Get?

Health and fitness have been great topics of concern, especially since the twentieth century.

As a result, advancements that make it easier to maintain our health have been very important, especially for urban areas.

Technology has been quite handy for such purposes, and running watches, in particular, are great examples.

Amidst these, the Forerunner 35 and the Vivoactive 3 are very decent products.

So, we bring you a detailed view of Forerunner 35 and Vivoactive 3, to make it easier for you to decide which one to get.

Forerunner 35 vs. Vivoactive 3 – Comparison in 2021

Garmin Forerunner 35

The Forerunner 35 is a GPS running watch manufactured by Garmin in 2015.

It is a very lightweight device, which makes it very easy to wear for however long it is needed.

This is a great advantage, as it can be worn without any problem while walking, running, jogging, cycling, and doing other activities.

An added bonus is that the device can pick up on the type of activity being performed by assessing the movement of the wearer.

This means that there is no need for any configuration if a different activity is being performed.

The Forerunner 35 can be used to monitor the heart rate using a feature called Garmin Elevate, which uses optical sensors.

This means that the device can monitor heart rate simply by strapping it on the wrist – no chest straps needed!

Additionally, it can be used to monitor your speed, distance traveled, and destination due to the GPS tracking feature.

Other than that, the number of steps taken and the calories burned are also recorded in the device.

Add to this the fact that it is water-proof and you’ve got a winner!
A perk of this unit is that it will even alert you when you have been still for too long!

Being compatible with Bluetooth smartphones, this unit can be used for live tracking, receiving notifications, and controlling music.

Socializing and helping others with their fitness have also been made easy with Garmin Connect, as it allows easy sharing of data between the members.

Not only that, but it also provides a great community with helpful tips, tricks, and challenges all for free!

Overall, this is a very decent device at an affordable price.
However, one thing to keep in mind would be that it might not be suitable for serious runners who find it very important to get exact stats.

Latest Comparison: Garmin Forerunner 735XT vs 235

Garmin Vivoactive 3

The Vivoactive 3 is yet another one of Garmin’s great products.
This device was released in 2017 and has been popular ever since.

With a minimalistic yet stylish design, the Vivoactive 3 can fit in anywhere, whether it be for sports or regular use.

It has an analog display with a round design, which is quite fashionable.
The screen is color transflective, which means that it prevents glare. This makes it easy to see the readings even under direct sunlight.

With features to monitor your VO2 max and your fitness age, this device can be quite useful even if you are serious about your fitness.

As it can also monitor the steps taken, calories burned, and the amount of sleep, it is truly a lifestyle companion.

Optical sensors provide a very easy way of measuring the heart rate from the wrist.

As a bonus, the Vivoactive 3 contains a feature for monitoring stress levels!
This is a very helpful feature as keeping stress under control plays a big part in staying healthy.

As it is compatible with Bluetooth smartphones, live tracking is possible, making it a fun experience to use with your friends.

Receiving notifications, replying to texts and emails, and controlling music is possible with this device.

However, it should be noted that users with iOS devices can’t reply to text messages with this device.

Garmin Connect is available for free sharing of data online within the community.

A bonus is that this product comes with 15 preloaded sports apps, so it is easy to get into the mood for fitness!

The Connect IQ store is also available to the Vivoactive 3 users, allowing a myriad of benefits, like downloading apps and watch faces.

Garmin Pay is another amazing feature that comes with this device.
This basically lets you use your watch to pay for things if you would rather not use cash. Quite convenient!

Tackling rough weather and swimming are also not problems with this unit, as it is water-proof.

All these great features come at a worthy price, so it is a device that must be considered if you are in the market for a GPS running watch!

Related Guide: Forerunner 935 vs Forerunner 945

Garmin Forerunner 35 or Vivoactive 3?

Here, we’ll compare both these products to help you make the decision.

Battery Life

The Forerunner 35 contains a battery life of 13 hours while using GPS and 9 days while on standby.

While the Vivoactive 3 also contains a battery life of 13 hours on GPS, it lasts 7 days on standby.

Display

The Forerunner 35 has been provided with a digital display that contains a monochrome LCD screen.

On the other hand, the Vivoactive 3 contains an analog display which is also LCD.

Even though the display might seem a bit dim, it is perfectly readable under the sun.

Suggested Guide: Forerunner 645 or Fenix 5

Screen

Whereas the Vivoactive 3 happens to have a touchscreen feature, the Forerunner 35 does not.

Additionally, the former also contains a screen which prevents glares, making it convenient to use outside.

Dial

The Forerunner 35 has a rectangular dial with curved edges.
On the other hand, the Vivoactive 3 contains a round dial, which is made for more versatile use.

Related Topic: Garmin Edge 520 Plus buying guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fitness companion, then you are undoubtedly going to love these watches!

Each person has their individual needs, and we hope this Forerunner 35 and Vivoactive 3 comparison has helped in making your decision.
Now go out there, and get fit!