Garmin, a leading name in the realm of fitness technology, continues to captivate consumers with its series of entry-level hybrid fitness trackers. Among these, the Vivoactive series stands out as a balanced option that caters to a range of fitness enthusiasts. Sorting through Garmin's offerings can be somewhat perplexing, especially with various models like the premium Venu series, which boasts advanced smartwatch features such as a full-screen AMOLED display and a microphone, and the more basic Vivomove series, which showcases a hidden display without onboard GPS capabilities.

Positioned strategically between the two extremes is the Vivoactive series, and its latest iteration, the Vivoactive 6, is generating buzz for its impressive features. This new model comes equipped with an AMOLED display, promising roughly a week of battery life, and, as expected from Garmin, it provides access to the companys renowned fitness software.

In a previous review, I noted how the Amazfit Active 2, priced at around $100, caused me to reevaluate the value proposition of fitness trackers. In comparison, the Vivoactive 6 is priced at approximately $300, raising questions about the affordability of entry-level trackers. Yet, one significant distinction is that Garmins devices and software are consistently reliable. Recently, I experimented with Garmins AI-powered Active Intelligence, and to my surprise, it proved to be the first AI fitness service that offered genuinely useful insights. Thus, Garmins dominance in the fitness tracker market appears unchallenged.

Photograph: Adrienne So

Design and Comfort

As with all Garmins lifestyle products, the Vivoactive 6 is designed for comfort and ease of wear. It features a silicone strap, an aluminum bezel, and a lightweight 42-mm polymer case. Although it is not technically lighter than my Apple Watch Series 10, it gives an impression of lightness due to its plastic construction. The AMOLED touchscreen display is notably readable in bright daylight and responsive to user interaction, although I found that my sunscreen-coated fingers occasionally left prints on the screen.

On the case's side, there are two functional buttons: one for activities and another for navigation back through menus. Additionally, users can scroll and tap to access various stats and notifications, enhancing the user experience.

Garmin claims the Vivoactive 6 can last up to 11 days on a single charge, but during my testing, with frequent activity tracking throughout each day, I observed a battery life of about a week. This model employs Garmin's proprietary plug charger, which can be somewhat inconvenient. Despite Garmin having introduced wireless charging capabilities years ago with the Vivomove Trend, many of its devices still rely on exclusive chargers instead of the more universally accepted USB-C or wireless charging options.

Advanced Tracking Features

The Vivoactive 6 is equipped with comprehensive satellite connectivity options, including GPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS, and Beidou, ensuring exceptional accuracy when tracking outdoor activities. Additionally, it comes with a robust array of onboard sensors: a heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitoring capabilitiescrucial for those considering a switch from an Apple Watcha compass, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a thermometer, and an ambient light sensor. Notably, the device is rated with a water resistance level of 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming track as well.