If you’re planning to buy a smartwatch that can track your fitness goals with accuracy and precision, you’ll be doing some tough decision making. With the market flooded with smartwatches with different features, finding just the right smartwatch for your fitness can be a daunting task.
To make it easier for you to choose, we have compared Garmin, a smartwatch popular with runners, athletes, and cyclists with other popular smartwatch brands. You can also check this guide for the best Garmin Smartwatches in the market.
Garmin vs Apple
The Garmin vivoactive 4 and Apple Series 5 are the most popular smartwatches in the world. With upgraded features and designs, the latest editions by both brands have an always-on display, high-quality screen, and compass. The Garmin vivoactive has a traditional round shape that’s often preferred by many as compared to the squarish shape of the Apple smartwatch.
Both watches are water-resistant. However, when it comes to battery life, Garmin smartwatches are better. A Garmin watch can keep going for about five days whereas the series 5 can only last up to 18 hours. Fitness trackers like stress monitoring, sleep tracking, respiration rate, underwater-wristed-based heart rate and many other performance metrics that you find in Garmin are not available in Apple watches. These features make Garmin watches better for fitness tracking.
Garmin vs Polar
Garmin and Polar watches are both good-quality GPS watches that have features like heart rate monitor, distance tracking, lap tracking, and calorie tracking. However, Garmin watches have a better display. While the six screens in the polar vantage can also be modified using an app, the Garmin models have a higher selection of widgets that display weather, music, etc. The Garmin smartwatch also has better battery life.
For runners, the Garmin Fenix has a color topographic mapping feature that’s not there in Polar watches. Garmin watches automatically sync training stats like post-workout summaries, heart rate, speed, etc. On the other hand, users of Polar watches must manually open the polar flow app to analyze their training stats.
Garmin vs Suunto
Like most GPS watches, Garmin and Suunto watches have data tracking features like calorie tracking and distance tracking. The main difference between the watches lies in display customization. Since Garmin watches automatically sync training data, you can easily change data screens and widgets on display. However, in Suunto watches, you have to make the changes through the Movescount app. Garmin watches include a color topographic mapping feature that allows you to look at a route map on the screen.
Both watches include wrist-based heart rate monitoring. Suunto uses a program called Moves count to analyze and synchronize training data, GPS optimization, and social media sharing. Garmin uses the program Connect which essentially has the same features as Moves count. Connect also has additional features like creating workouts, joining competitions with friends, and building courses, making it a popular app for users.
Tips For Choosing A Smartwatch
Here are some crucial tips to keep in mind before you choose a smartwatch:
- Buy a smartwatch that is compatible with your smartphone.
- If you’re an athlete or runner, go for a smartwatch that has GPS and a heartrate sensor.
- Make sure that the strap is comfortable to wear. Check the clasps and see if they’re easy to replace.
- Buy a smartwatch that has good battery life. This is important especially if you don’t want the hassle of charging your watch every day.
- Make sure that the design is comfortable and fits your personal style.
Conclusion
Choosing the right smartwatch will depend on your personal preferences. While best-quality watches may have similar features like calorie tracking, distance tracking, heart rate sensors, what you choose should be based on how you plan to use it. If you’re a first-time buyer, do some research and look at the features each brand offers. If you’re an athlete or a more fitness-focused user, buying a Garmin watch can be quite advantageous.
When choosing a smartwatch, your personal style and comfort are crucial factors to keep in mind. It’s also important to know the display features of different brands. Features like display customization that lets you change your display mid-workout can be a user-friendly feature for athletes, runners, or cyclists. Most smartwatches last for at least 2 days in between charges. If you’re looking for a watch with better battery life, consider Garmin watches as these watches can last up to 5 days.
More importantly, choose a smartwatch that is compatible with your phone. It should have an app selection that complements your lifestyle and helps you reach your fitness goals.