16
- August
2018
Posted By : Matt
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Fitbit Blaze vs. Garmin Vivoactive HR
Garmin Vivoactive vs. Fitbit Blaze
Fitbit Blaze vs Garmin Vivoactive

Fitbit Blaze vs. Garmin Vivoactive HR

When we compare the Fitbit Blaze vs. the Garmin Vivoactive, we definitely have plenty to think about. Likely the biggest factor here will be price, with the Fitbit Blaze costing about half as much as the typical Garmin Vivoactive. That said, both of these solutions are some of the best smartwatches on the market right now, and either one is likely to help you track your fitness and overall health in ways that you’ll find beneficial.

So, let’s jump in!

Fitbit Blaze: The Smart Monster!

Fitbit Blaze is more than just a smartwatch; it’s super fitness-oriented. While the common smartwatches focus on music and Bluetooth, Fitbit prioritizes fitness tracking.

A typical fitness watch only reports on your fitness attributes like blood pressure or heart rate. Fitbit Blaze not only uses the Fitbit PurePulse system (be sure to check out our page on how Fitbit PurePulse works!) to provide state of the art optical heart rate monitoring, it also displays helpful fitness tips and tricks. The FitStar app will suggest custom exercises that are right for you based on your workout history and metrics.

The robust design gives it a sturdy and tough look. The design is completely ergonomic, and the Blaze will fit perfectly on your wrist. The Blaze has a classic band with easy customization options available. The Fitbit Blaze also boasts a clean, stainless-steel frame.

The Smart Tracking feature on the Blaze makes the watch truly smart. Fitbit uses proprietary technology to analyze users movements, and the Blaze can recognize your physical activities, and keep track of them. It knows whether you are running, walking, or playing basketball.

The Fitbit Blaze uses PurePulse optical monitoring technology
The Fitbit Blaze has a new optical sensor

The Fitbit Blaze is a powerful tool for those who want a watch that really tracks their fitness. The continuous heart rate monitoring functions, easy FitStar integrations to see your workouts on screen, and a clean stylish frame all make the Fitbit Blaze a solid pick for your first smartwatch or a great Holiday gift.

The only downside we need to bring up is the charging. The Fitbit Blaze battery lasts for 5 days on a full charge. Unfortunately, the charging port is hidden, so you’ll to remove the device from its strap in order to charge it.  Other than the inconvenience of needing to remove the strap, the watch is nearly flawless.

Garmin Vivoactive HR: Your Guide to a Fit Life!

Garmin brought their A-game with the Vivoactive HR. This device is perfect for all kinds of sports and daily fitness activities. Its waterproof character makes it stand out from the crowd. People have been searching for a smartwatch that can track their physical activities even underwater. If you’re looking for a good waterproof option, the Garmin Vivoactive could be for you.

The Vivoactive doesn’t just track your physical activities. It also analyzes the quality of your workout. Garmin’s model follows the fitness guideline issued by the American Heart Association. Moreover, it will notify you if you are right on track or not. Think of the Vivoactive as a virtual personal trainer.

The watch also has a customizable design feature so that you can make it fully yours. Various skins and apps allow in-depth personalization.

The Vivoactive comes with an advanced GPS tracking system. You can monitor your different sporting activities as it has various activity settings: running, cycling, swimming, golfing, walking and indoor activities.

Fitbit Blaze vs. Garmin Vivoactive: The Ultimate Face-off

  1. Design

We all know looks matter. When we look at the Garmin Vivoactive vs the Fitbit Blaze in terms of looks, both fall squarely (heh) into the camp of squarish, blocky smartwatches. Both are sturdy and substantial, no thin bands or tiny screens here. The Blaze has a 1.25” LED color screen, vs the Vivoactive’s slightly smaller 0.8″ x 1.13″ display. The bezel is a bit thick on the Blaze. It looks bright indoors, but its very hard to see the screen see in the bright sun.

On the other hand, Garmin Vivoactive has a sporty look. Its 8 mm thickness gives it a sleek feel, and the chemically-strengthened glass has a display that is specifically designed with a focus on visibility in sunlight or indoors.

The Blaze is easier to customize. There are tons of different strap options available. You can even get leather or metal bands. So, when it comes to design, we think the Blaze comes out ahead. That said, some people will definitely appreciate the Garmin Vivoactive’s clean lines and simple design.

  1. Fitness Assistance App

Both the fitness trackers have a unique downloadable app. The Blaze has FitStar while Vivoactive has Garmin Face It. Both apps records and suggest personalized fitness regimens that you should follow. But FitStar is a much better app compared to Garmin’s Face It. Some say Garmin’s app is glitchy and buggy.

  1. Water-Proofing
Garmin Vivoactive in black
The Vivoactive is super waterproof

If you are a swimmer, you’ll be better off with the Garmin Vivoactive. The Vivoactive is one of the few smartwatches that can really call itself waterproof. The Blaze is sweat, rain and splash-proof, but not waterproof. This device isn’t meant for swimming. You’re not even supposed to shower while wearing your Blaze. The Vivoactive consistently ranks as one of the best smartwatches for swimmers, and is the clear winner in this category. They even have a swimming mode.

 

  1. Intense Tracking

Both of the watches are relentless trackers. They track almost everything – calories, distance covered, steps taken, and your sleep cycles. A lot of users compare fitness trackers depending on this factor. Out verdict is that they are equally great in this regard. Both of them track your heart rate 24/7, the Fitbit using the proprietary Fitbit PurePulse technology, and the Garmin using Garmin elevate.

  1. GPS

The built-in GPS makes a major difference between these two devices. Garmin Vivoactive has built-in GPS to help you track your biking and and running. Fitbit Blaze, on the other hand, doesn’t have built-in GPS. You have to be dependent on your smartphone. It’s a big drawback for the Blaze.

  1. Pricepoint 

When we look at the Vivoactive vs the Fitbit in terms of price, there are two ways to look at the situation. First, in terms of actual price, the Blaze is generally somewhere between 50-75% less expensive. For the budget-minded smartwatch shopper, it’s a great bet. That said, for not that much more money, the true waterproofing and GPS capability of the Garmin make it a very attractive option.

Conclusion

We tried to take a totally objective look at the Fitbit Blaze vs the Garmin Vivoactive. We would call it a draw in the design category, with that really coming down to personal preference. Likewise, the tracking capabilities and app support are more or less equal.

For users who plan to spend a lot of time in the water, the Vivoactive is a clear winner. For users who don’t plan to use the smartwatch for swimming, this feature is less important, and the other two main factors come down to price and GPS capability. The Blaze is definitely the more affordable option, but for users who need a more rugged solution, the Garmin Vivoactive will be the winner.

 

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