Garmin Vivoactive

987 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (303)
size (112)
performance (91)
design (86)
price (66)

Negative
screen (5)
touch screen (2)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 987 reviews of Garmin Vivoactive. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the price and design. The performance and size also get good feedback. Some have doubts about the touch screen and screen, and opinions are divided on the apps.

usability, size, performance, design, price

screen, touch screen

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Garmin Vivoactive is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 88/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 987 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 577 of 681 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (305)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Garmin Vivoactive

alaTest has collected and analyzed 373 user reviews of Garmin Vivoactive from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. Views about the performance and design are generally positive. The size and price also get good reviews. Reviews are divided on the reliability. Some have doubts about the screen.

usability, price, size, design, performance

screen

90% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Garmin Vivoactive

alaTest has collected and analyzed 194 user reviews of Garmin Vivoactive from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the portability and design. The size and price are also appreciated. There are some critical reviews about the touch screen and battery.

usability, price, size, design, portability

reliability, battery, touch screen

81% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Lee Crane (digitaltrends.com)

Garmin VivoActive review

On-board GPS and step tracking ; ANT+ sensor connectivity ; Waterproof to 5 ATM ; Smart Notifications (phone, text, email)

Only one programmable alarm ; Sleep tracking lacks detail ; Menus can be complex

After wearing the Vívoactive for two weeks, we still can’t really decide if this is the easiest to use GPS watch we’ve ever tested, or the most complex fitness tracking band. But that’s a good thing.

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Expert review by : Dan Graziano (cnet.com)

Garmin Vivoactive review: A fitness smartwatch that ultimately falls short

An ultraslim design and a laundry list of features can't save this watch.

The Vivoactive has an ultraslim design, good battery life and an always-on color display that shines in outdoor performance. It has vibration and notification alerts from your smartphone, activity tracking with auto-adjusting goals, multisport tracking...

The Connect IQ app store is lacking, Garmin's mobile app is dated and sleep tracking is unimpressive. The watch software and smartphone connectivity can also be unstable, requiring frequent reboots.

The ultraslim design and laundry list of features can't overcome the buggy software. Once Garmin fixes these problems, the Vivoactive could be a good product, but until then, there are better options available.

Apr, 2015

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Expert review by (cnet.com)

Garmin Vivoactive black

"That's a nice watch." These are words you don't hear often when wearing a smartwatch, let alone a GPS equipped sport watch. But in my time testing the Garmin Vivoactive, these words were said to me many times by runners, family members and even some...

The Connect IQ app store is lacking, Garmin's mobile app is dated and sleep tracking is unimpressive. The watch software and smartphone connectivity can also be unstable, requiring frequent reboots.

Apr, 2015

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Expert review by : Jill Duffy (pcmag.com)

Garmin Vivoactive

The Garmin Vivoactive is a smart activity tracker that can keep pace with even the most active lifestyles. From its integrated GPS to its dedicated app store, there's a lot to like in this svelte smartwatch hybrid.

Outstanding battery life. Slim and sleek. Top-notch screen. Built-in GPS. On-device tracking for many activities. Waterproof. Notifications from iOS and Android. Wide array of swappable bands. Has its own app store.

Heart rate monitoring requires chest strap. No wireless syncing with Windows or Mac. Connect IQ app store needs time to mature fully.

A Lot to LoveIf you want a hybrid smartwatch-activity tracker that can handle a truly active lifestyle, get the Garmin Vivoactive. The one big feature that's missing is an optical HRM that can take your heart rate through your wrist, the way the Basis...

Apr, 2015

Partner Source

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Expert review by : matthew miller (zdnet.com)

Matthew Miller

While most of the media focus is on the Apple Watch this week, it's not the smartwatch for all of us. Matthew found the new Garmin Vivoactive to be a better match for his daily lifestyle.

Apr, 2015

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Expert review by : Sam Hopes (tomsguide.com)

Garmin Vivoactive 5 review: Is it ready to take on the Apple Watch?

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 smartwatch is more affordable than the Vivoactive 4 and features a brand-new AMOLED display.

Oct, 2023

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Expert review by : Simon Crisp (gizmag.com)

Review: Garmin vivoactive fitness tracker GPS watch

The Garmin vivoactive fitness tracker is a smart(ish) watch which combines all-day activity and sleep tracking along with more detailed exercise monitoring thanks to built-in GPS capabilities. Gizmag recently spent a few weeks putting the device...

In the box users will find the Garmin vivoactive watch and a boxy proprietary USB charger which magnetically snaps to the bottom of the watch when it needs charging. This can be as little as every few weeks, though constant use of GPS sees this figure...

Jul, 2015

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Expert review by : DC Rainmaker (dcrainmaker.com)

Garmin Vivoactive In-Depth Review

Garmin has dropped the price of the down to $349, making it one of the best Garmin tri watch deals out there for a relatively new unit. This is a good deal if you're looking for a tri watch and don't want to shell out for the more expensive or . You...

Apr, 2015

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Expert review by : Valentina Palladino (tomsguide.com)

Garmin Vivoactive Fitness Smartwatch Review

Garmin stepped up its game with the Vivoactive smartwatch. Its always-on color touch screen and sleek design make it a good everyday timepiece, and its notifications kept me in the loop even when my phone was in my pocket. Plus, you get built-in GPS in...

Lightweight, customizable design ; Smartphone notifications ; Detailed activity tracking ; Built-in GPS

Dim display in low light ; No built-in heart-rate monitor

The stylish Garmin vivoactive GPS smartwatch tracks daily fitness and exercise sessions while relaying smartphone notifications to your wrist.

Mar, 2015

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Expert review by : DC Rainmaker (dcrainmaker.com)

Hands-on with the new Garmin Vivoactive GPS smartwatch, and the Garmin Vivofit2

Garmin has announced a metric crapton of products today, but it's the Vivoactive that I'm probably most excited about. Or, at least, it's the device I feel has the most potential and the widest possible appeal. But, perhaps I'm getting ahead of you a bit.

Jan, 2015

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