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We Compare Fitbit Charge 6 vs Garmin Vivosmart 5
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We put the Charge 6 and Vivosmart 5 head-to-head — which one actually helps us hit our fitness goals, sleep better, and stretch battery life when it matters most?
Surprising fact: wrist trackers now replace pocket wallets—so we compare two Amazon favorites to help you choose: Fitbit Charge 6 (feature-rich, built-in GPS) versus Garmin vívosmart 5 (simple, long battery). We focus on tracking, features, comfort, app experience, and value.
Smart Fitness
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker with Google
Amazon.com
We find this tracker balances smart features and robust health monitoring with reliable on-device GPS, making it a strong everyday wearable for active users who want Google integrations. Battery life is attractive compared with many smartwatches, though a few reported charging/contact annoyances mean we recommend checking fit and charger compatibility.
Lightweight Tracker
Garmin Vivosmart 5 Lightweight Fitness Tracker
Amazon.com
We appreciate the device for delivering dependable heart-rate and sleep metrics in a very lightweight, comfortable package, backed by a robust free app. Its reliance on phone GPS and occasional app quirks keep it from being the best standalone tracker for navigation-focused users, but it remains an excellent minimalist health tracker.
Fitbit Charge6
Garmin Vivosmart
Fitbit Charge6
Garmin Vivosmart
Fitbit Charge6
Garmin Vivosmart
Fitbit Charge 6 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5: An Unusual Showdown
1
Specs snapshot — what each tracker brings to the table
We break down the key specifications to highlight immediate differences: sensors, GPS capability, display type, water resistance, band options, and the extras that come bundled on Amazon listings. This helps us understand core hardware trade-offs before digging into real-world use.
Fitbit Charge 6 — quick hardware highlights
The Charge 6 packs more on-device tech: an approximate 1.04″ display, built-in GPS for standalone runs, continuous wrist heart-rate monitoring, HRV and advanced sleep analytics, and on-device Google apps (Maps, Wallet, YouTube Music). It’s swim-safe (Fitbit rates Charge devices to 50m), and Amazon listings include both S and L bands plus a 6-month Fitbit Premium trial.
Garmin vívosmart 5 — quick hardware highlights
vívosmart 5 focuses on lightweight comfort and long wear: a 0.84″ display, wrist-based heart rate, Pulse Ox and respiration monitoring, Body Battery energy tracking, and detailed sleep staging. It does not have built-in GPS — it relies on your smartphone for connected GPS. The vívosmart 5 is swim-safe, uses interchangeable bands, and emphasizes multi-day battery life (up to 7 days).
At-a-glance spec differences
Feature Comparison Chart
Fitbit Charge6 vs. Garmin Vivosmart
VS
Price
$$
VS
$$$
Battery Life (claimed)
Up to 6–7 days (typical, depends on use)
VS
Up to 7 days (smartwatch mode)
Built-in GPS
Yes (on-device GPS)
VS
No (no on-device GPS)
Smartphone GPS Support
Full smartphone integration + on-device
VS
Connects to smartphone GPS for outdoor tracking
Health Sensors
Heart rate, SpO2, HRV, sleep stages, stress metrics
VS
Heart rate, Pulse Ox, respiration, stress, body battery
Display Size
1.04 inches
VS
0.84 inches
Water Resistance
Swim-safe / water resistant
VS
Swim-safe / water resistant
Bands Included
S & L bands included
VS
Interchangeable bands (user-friendly)
Storage Capacity
4 GB
VS
28 MB
On-device Apps / Assistant
Google apps (Maps, Wallet, YouTube Music) built-in
VS
Built-in activity profiles and incident detection
Compatibility
iOS and Android
VS
iOS and Android
Subscription Offer
6-month Fitbit Premium trial included
VS
No paid subscription required for core features
Release Date
September 28, 2023
VS
April 20, 2022
Weight
5 ounces (per spec listing)
VS
0.864 ounces / 24.5 grams
2
Fitness and health tracking — accuracy and everyday performance
Heart rate, steps and calories
We found both trackers give dependable wrist-based heart rate for daily wear. Fitbit Charge 6 emphasizes continuous HR accuracy and adds HRV insights that feed advanced sleep analytics. Garmin vívosmart 5 delivers solid heart-rate data plus Pulse Ox and respiration tracking that tie into its Body Battery energy score.
GPS and workout tracking
Built-in GPS on the Charge 6 means we can go for runs or rides without our phone, get reliable pace and route, and even follow on-device turn-by-turn Maps. For runners who hate carrying a phone, this is a clear plus. vívosmart 5 uses connected GPS from your phone — it tracks well when your phone is on you, but it’s not a standalone solution and can lose precision if the phone’s signal drops or if you leave the phone behind.
Sleep, stress and unique health tools
For sleep, Charge 6 leans into HRV and advanced sleep scoring — we get detailed stages and Premium-ready insights. vívosmart 5 gives a strong sleep score plus respiration and Pulse Ox trends and adds Body Battery to show daily energy, which we find useful for pacing workouts and rest. Garmin also offers incident detection and Assistance when paired with a phone — a practical safety feature for outdoor activity.
3
Software, ecosystem and battery life — apps, smart features and habits
Mobile apps and ecosystem
We see Fitbit leaning into Google’s ecosystem — on-device Google Maps, Wallet and YouTube Music plus a 6‑month Fitbit Premium trial that unlocks guided workouts and deeper sleep/HRV insights. The Fitbit app focuses on daily coaching, sleep detail and easy sharing.
Garmin keeps things more training-first with Garmin Connect: strong workout planning, trend analytics, Body Battery and easy data export to third‑party platforms. Connect is less flashy but more granular for training metrics and long-term trends.
On-device smart features
Fitbit gives more standalone convenience: built‑in GPS, turn‑by‑turn directions, contactless payments and some on‑watch apps — useful when we leave the phone behind. Notifications and quick reply options work best with Android.
Garmin vívosmart 5 stays simpler on-device but pairs tightly with your phone: smart notifications, incident detection/Assistance (phone required), and a selection of activity profiles. It’s more about reliable metrics than on‑wrist apps.
Battery life and charging habits
In everyday use, Garmin generally wins for battery life. vívosmart 5’s modest feature set and efficient hardware let us go about a week between charges. Fitbit Charge 6 offers “multi‑day” endurance, but active use of GPS, always‑on display or music features shortens that to a few days.
Overall, choose Fitbit for standalone smart features and Google integration; choose Garmin if maximum uptime and focused training/health tracking matter most to our daily routine.
4
Design, comfort, durability, price and ideal user
Build quality and display
We find the Charge 6 feels more substantial — a larger 1.04″ color display with crisper on‑wrist maps and music controls that read well outdoors. vívosmart 5 has a smaller 0.84″ screen but Garmin tuned it for high contrast and legible text; it’s easier to glance at during daily tasks. Overall, Charge 6 reads as the more premium screen experience, while vívosmart 5 favors functional clarity.
Band comfort and everyday wear
vívosmart 5 is very lightweight and unobtrusive for day-and-night wear; its slim profile slips under sleeves. Charge 6 is chunkier (to house GPS and extra sensors) but includes S and L bands for a secure fit. Some users report occasional skin irritation with Charge 6, so we recommend a good fit and periodic cleaning.
Water resistance and durability
Both trackers are swim‑safe and fine for showering and pool sessions. Garmin explicitly lists pool swim profiles; Charge 6 supports swims and standalone GPS for open water or routes. For daily knocks, vívosmart 5’s simple build feels slightly more rugged long‑term; Charge 6 is durable but has had isolated reports of charging/contact issues.
Price, value and who should buy
At Amazon prices (roughly Fitbit ~$130, Garmin ~$150), we see different value propositions. Charge 6 gives more on‑device smarts for the money (maps, Wallet, music, built‑in GPS). vívosmart 5 delivers the best bang for basic, long‑wear health tracking and battery life.
Who should choose which device:
Final verdict — which should we buy?
We pick the Fitbit Charge 6 as the overall winner for most buyers: it offers built-in GPS, deeper on-device smart features, and a fuller app experience that justify the price if we use them.
Choose the Garmin vívosmart 5 when we prioritize simple, reliable fitness tracking, longer battery life, and a lower Amazon price. Ready to upgrade? Let’s pick the tracker that matches the specific features we’ll actually use. And enjoy better health together.
1
Smart Fitness
Amazon.com
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker with Google
2
Lightweight Tracker
Amazon.com
Garmin Vivosmart 5 Lightweight Fitness Tracker
Okay long post incoming because I compared these two for months and here’s my messy brain dump:
– Battery: vívosmart 5 wins hands down. I can go a full week without thinking about a charger. Fitbit? Two or three days with heavy use.
– Features: Charge 6 has WAY more health bells and whistles (apps, GPS, SPO2, guided workouts). Vívó is simple—good if you want something that just tracks steps and sleep.
– Design: vívosmart is slimmer and less obtrusive for work meetings.
If you want advanced metrics, go Fitbit. If you want low-maintenance, Garmin.
That was helpful, thanks! I hate charging devices so that battery bit might seal it for me 👍
Great summary, Sophie — thank you. We’ll expand the battery and feature comparison to reflect this nuance.
I did something ridiculous: bought both, wore each for a week, and returned the one I liked less. 😂
Verdict: Charge 6 for workouts and data nerding, vívosmart 5 for the person who hates fiddling with tech. Also the vivosmart’s UI is so simple my grandma could use it. No offense grandma.
Haha love the test method. That’s actually a practical tip for readers — trying both for a week is the best way to know what fits your routine.
That’s dedication. I wish stores did longer trial periods but returns saved the day for you apparently.
Did you notice any difference in sleep tracking accuracy between the two?
Ethan — I found sleep staging on Charge 6 slightly more detailed, but both caught naps OK. Neither is perfect though.
Good article but I felt the spec table needed a clearer side-by-side for sensors, battery hours with GPS on/off, and swim depth rating. Also missing was a comment about software updates — Garmin seems to push fewer but more stable updates, while Fitbit had some feature rollouts post-launch.
Would love a quick update with those specifics.
Agree on update cadence. I had a bug fixed on my Charge 6 after a patch a month later.
Yes please — battery estimates in real scenarios would be so useful. The current numbers feel too optimistic.
Thanks Tom — solid feedback. We’ll add a detailed spec comparison (GPS on/off battery estimates, sensor lists, swim rating) and a note about update cadence.
I’m torn. I like Garmin’s no-nonsense approach but am worried about heart-rate accuracy during HIIT. Any real-world thoughts? I need something accurate for interval training.
For HIIT accuracy: optical sensors on wrist trackers vary. Charge 6 tends to be a bit better during shorter intervals thanks to improved sensors and algorithms, but chest straps still outperform both for max accuracy.
I use a chest strap for workouts and wear the vívosmart for daily tracking. Best of both worlds.
Price + subscription is where Fitbit gets me thinking twice. Charge 6 is feature-rich, but do you really need Google apps and the Premium plan to enjoy it? I’m not hardcore into metrics, just want solid tracking.
Also the Google integration is kind of cool but a little creepy? Like, do I want my watch talking to Google about my naps? lol 🤷♀️
Thanks everyone. Might just stick with Garmin if I’m skipping premium stuff.
Good point. You don’t need Premium to use the Charge 6’s basic tracking — it unlocks deeper insights. And if privacy is a concern, check Fitbit/Google’s privacy settings and data-sharing options.
We’ll add a quick ‘Do you need Premium?’ section to the article to help folks decide.
You can skip Premium and still get solid data. I turned off some Google-connected features and it still worked great.
Agree on the creepy part — but IMO features are optional. Use what you want.
Really liked the hands-on breakdown. I own a Charge 6 and can confirm the Google apps integration is surprisingly smooth. The GPS is accurate on runs and the “6-month Premium” was a nice bonus — I actually forgot to cancel 😂. Heart-rate on gym equipment pairing worked for me on two different treadmills.
Only gripe: battery life drops faster when GPS is on, but still better than some old Fitbits I’ve had.
That matches my experience too. Charge 6 is snappy but I keep Garmin for weekend-long hikes because battery is just… chill.
I had the Premium trial auto-renew on me once — watch the billing date if you don’t plan to keep it!
Thanks for sharing your real-world take, Michael — super helpful. Good point about GPS and battery; we’ll add a note to the article about expected battery life under continuous GPS use.
Which one is better for sleep tracking? Looking for something to help with insomnia patterns, not just step counts.