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Android Authority
20-05-2025
- Android Authority
The $300 Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the fitness tracker I think most amateur athletes should buy
Garmin Vivoactive 6 The Vivoactive 6 is a surprisingly robust fitness smartwatch with advanced training tools and key sport features that make the watch one of Garmin's best-value offerings. It doesn't pack a ton of smart features or ECG support, but it nails the basics and packs in many of Garmin's best features for under $300. That makes it an easy recommendation for most amateur athletes. After three weeks with Garmin's newest Vivoactive 6, I'm fairly convinced it's the fitness tracking watch most amateur athletes should buy. Not because it does everything, but because it does exactly what matters, without overcomplicating your wrist (or torching your wallet). The brand's higher-end wearables like the Fenix and Epix lines come packed with maps, metrics, and battery stats to withstand a multi-week expedition, but unless you're training for a back-country sabbatical, the Vivoactive 6 is lighter, more comfortable, and every bit as reliable. A subtly updated experience The Vivoactive 5 was a major leap over the 4, introducing an AMOLED display and new health features. The Vivoactive 6 continues that momentum with a more polished interface, expanded workout tools, and thoughtful refinements that make it an even better fit for everyday athletes. The most immediately apparent change is the device's completely revamped user interface. Garmin redesigned the settings, controls, and overall navigation system to be more intuitive, giving the Vivoactive line a smoother, more modern feel. If you're new to Garmin devices, you'll likely appreciate the layout. However, if you've been using Garmin watches for years like I have, you might feel a bit thrown off as your muscle memory adjusts. A redesigned UI experience may take getting used to for Garmin loyalists, but it's designed to be intuitive in the long run. To be honest, I found the changes frustrating at first, and while I've mostly adjusted, I still occasionally fumble for old shortcuts that no longer exist. I am only now getting used to a long press not taking me to my settings. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Cosmetically, the Vivoactive 6 stuck to the 5's single 42mm case size (instead of going back to two options like the 4), which is disappointing. Fortunately, it's a comfortable middle ground for most wrist sizes; not too oversized or too petite. The build itself is sleek and minimalist, with a tweaked button design I really like. Overall, the device is slightly more casual than the Venu 3's upscale look without going too cheap. It is available in four colors, including the Jasper Green pictured above, a soft pink, and two neutrals. For all-day wear, I found the watch very comfortable and incredibly lightweight (just 23g) compared to almost every other watch I own, especially during workouts. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority On that front, Garmin expanded the device's sport profile options, adding about 50 new workout types. This gives the Vivoactive family more versatility, even if it isn't an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink lineup. Garmin also improved the device's customizable data pages so you can now add up to eight data fields per screen instead of just four. I was personally excited to see animated workouts return to the lineup, which I like to use for HIIT sessions. The Vivoactive 6 adds a few advanced training tools and customization options, plus animated workout guidance. Meanwhile, for avid runners, the watch now supports the brand's PacePro and Running Dynamics (ground contact time, stride length, etc.). These features are readily available on Garmin's higher-end models, so it's nice to see them trickle down to the Vivoactive series. I dipped into the device's added navigation options for following routes (breadcrumb style), which are useful albeit simple. Like the Venu series, there are still no maps here. For walkers, the watch adds Daily suggested workouts, though I found these often underestimated what I was up for doing each day. Then again, I love to walk excessively and maybe Garmin knows better what is actually a healthy amount. Notably, the watch does not feature a barometric altimeter, so if you want to track altitude on your hikes, you'll need something higher up in Garmin's range. Finally, for sleeping off more grueling workouts I was excited by the addition of Smart Wake Alarm, which is relatively new to the Garmin ecosystem. The watch uses sleep data to wake users during a lighter stage of sleep within a set window (up to 30 minutes before your chosen alarm time). It may sound like a subtle feature, but it can make a real difference in how rested you feel when you wake up. You also can choose to use the feature or not from alarm to alarm. Compared to a regular alarm in your list, one with Smart Wake enabled features a star icon. For healthier wake ups, Garmin adds Smart Wake alarms. Unfortunately, I didn't get many nights of adequate sleep during this review, so Garmin rarely saw fit to wake me earlier than the last possible moment (my set time). Still, I appreciated the personalized approach and look forward to more restful nights ahead. For now, the alarm haptics weren't too jarring while managing to wake me up without disturbing my partner. Accuracy where it counts Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority As always, features are fairly meaningless without accuracy. While some features, like perceived exertion or even sleep stages, are either subjective or hard to verify, others are quite straightforward. On the heart rate tracking front, I was disappointed to see the watch land without Garmin's latest Elevated heart rate sensor. This means we don't get ECG support like on the Venu 3, and also just simply don't get the most powerful heart rate tracking tech available. That might not matter to most casual users, but if you're interested in ECG functionality or need more advanced heart metrics for medical or training purposes, this could be a dealbreaker. It also keeps the Vivoactive 6 and 5 more similar than I was hoping. I tested the device's heart rate tracking in a variety of conditions including everything from long outdoor runs to high-intensity interval training, and for the most part, it consistently delivered accurate data. However, it did occasionally struggle during weight lifting and rowing, both of which can put more strain on your wrist. You can see in the graph above where the watch dropped off rather than keeping up with my dedicated chest strap. This was surprising to me as I've always found Garmin devices largely very reliable. It is possible it could be a fit issue, however, and I'm keen to continue testing. Likewise, GPS accuracy is another Vivoactive 6 highlight. I tested the watch on a mix of city runs, trail hikes, and suburban loops, and tracking was consistently spot-on. Its signal locked on quickly and without issue. According to its specs, the watch features updated GPS, (adding Beidou & QZSS), but I didn't notice any significant change. It still does not feature dual frequency like Garmin's pricier models, and though it generally performs as well as devices that do, there might be some cases where it won't. In that map above, for example, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 traced my actual route, a tree-lined neighborhood run, while the Vivoactive 6 recorded me slightly off my route and at one point, on the wrong side of the road. For better or worse, still not a full-out smartwatch Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority The Vivoactive 6 excels as a fitness-first device for athletes who want a reliable, comfortable workout companion at a good price. As a smartwatch, the Vivoactive 6 keeps things minimal. You get smart notifications, music storage, and contactless payments, which is enough for me to head out without my phone or wallet. There's still no speaker or mic onboard for phone calls or voice assistants and certainly no LTE support like I was hoping. I initially wanted to see more smart features, but in the end enjoy the distraction-free experience. Yet, call me fickle, but I actually found that to be a plus. The stripped-down approach keeps me focused on what Garmin does best (tracking my fitness) without layering on distractions or features I rarely use. I didn't miss the temptation to fire off elaborate texts, or the ability to answer calls from my wrist. In fact, I appreciated the sense of separation when heading out for a run. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Additionally, without power-hungry smart features like voice assistants or LTE, battery life holds steady, offering the same 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 21 hours with GPS as the previous generation. Those are impressive specs when you consider the device's bright AMOLED display. In testing, the watch averaged closer to five days with always-on mode enabled and daily GPS workouts, putting my Pixel Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 10 to shame. Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: The verdict Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority I started this review stating that the Vivoactive 6 is the Garmin tracker most athletes should buy, and I stand by it. It nails the basics, skips the fluff, and helps me focus on fitness mid-workout. It's also light, comfortable, and packed with just enough smart features to keep things convenient without draining battery. It's not a full-on smartwatch, but I didn't miss silencing phone calls at the gym or getting distracted by apps. What I got instead was a reliable training partner that packs in many of Garmin's best tools. For $299, that's not bad. The Vivoactive 6 is a well-priced, reliable fitness tracker packed with more than enough tools for amateur athletes. If you're chasing serious trail maps or want a wrist-based assistant, Garmin's more full-featured lines will serve you better. The Venu 3 ($449.99 at Amazon) packs in a few more smart features and ECG support. The latest Fenix 8 ($999.99 at Amazon) comes loaded with advanced training features and detailed mapping. There are also a variety of Forerunner models to consider. In other words, Garmin's stable is a crowded one. Outside the house of Garmin, the Apple Watch SE ($269.99 at Amazon) is a great pick for iOS users who want a few more smart features while still accessing accurate fitness tracking. Google's Pixel Watch 3 ($349.99 at Amazon) is a pricier, but equally solid smartwatch option for Android phone users.
Digital Trends
10-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: Still my favorite fitness watch
Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: Still my favorite fitness watch MSRP $300.00 Score Details 'I've forgotten I was wearing it multiple times, including forgetting to alert security staff before walking through a metal detector.' Pros Great and subtle design Extremely comfortable to wear Long-lasting battery Solid health-tracking features Expansive library of exercises for fitness Companion app is good Subscription isn't required Cons Software can be tricky for newcomers Lift-to-wake is still unreliable Limited smart features Included strap prone to dirt Table of Contents Table of Contents Garmin Vivoactive 6: specs Garmin Vivoactive 6: design and comfort Garmin Vivoactive 6: display and controls Garmin Vivoactive 6: fitness and health tracking Garmin Vivoactive 6: performance and smart features Garmin Vivoactive 6: battery and charging Garmin Vivoactive 6: companion app and Garmin Connect+ subscription Garmin Vivoactive 6: price and availability Should you buy the Garmin Vivoactive 6? Garmin has released a new entry in its Vivoactive series. Imaginatively titled the Vivoactive 6, this fitness tracker straddles the line between fitness watch and full-blown smartwatch, not by offering more smart features than its sportier counsins, but instead by simply looking an awful lot more everyday. With a sleek and minimalist approach to design, Garmin likely hopes the Vivoactive 6 will be the fitness watch of choice for boardroom bandits, casual runners, and enthusiasts alike. Recommended Videos I'll be honest, I love a Vivoactive, and had experience reviewing the previous model, the Garmin Vivoactive 5, which was a solid affair. But by trying to be for everyone, has Garmin reached too far? Can the Vivoactive 6 live up to its pedigree, and hold up Garmin's good name? Can its smart features hold up against full-blooded smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 10, Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, and OnePlus Watch 3? I took the watch for a spin for a few weeks to find out. Garmin Vivoactive 6: specs Garmin Vivoactive 6 Dimensions 42.2 x 42.2 x 10.9 mm Weight 36 grams with strap, 23 grams without Durability 5 ATM water resistance Software Garmin proprietary OS Display 1.2-inch AMOLED with 390 x 390 pixel resolution Health sensors Heart rate sensor, blood oxygen sensor, wrist temperature sensor Connectivity Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi Compatibility Android or iOS Colors Lunar Gold, Slate, Metallic Jasper Green, Metallic Pink Dawn Garmin Vivoactive 6: design and comfort The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is one of the most comfortable watches I've had the pleasure of testing. I put it on, and quite simply, it disappears. Obviously it's still there, but ask me if I'm still wearing it and I'll have to look to check. In my few weeks wearing it, I've forgotten I was wearing it multiple times, including forgetting to alert security staff before walking through a metal detector. Safe to say, the guard was not particularly receptive to my enthusiastic review of its comfort. I came from wearing the OnePlus Watch 3, which isn't an uncomfortable watch to wear by any means, and scores high in terms of wearability — but compare it to Garmin's watch and I might as well have tied a radiator to my wrist. Key is the relative weights between the devices. At just 36 grams with the strap attached, the Vivoactive 6 is under half the OnePlus Watch 3's 81 gram weight. And that makes a big difference. Speaking of the strap, the comfort extends to that too. I've noticed the strap is too tight multiple times, but not because I felt it tight against my wrist, only because I tried to move it, and realised it wouldn't budge. If comfort is king for you, then this is your fitness watch. It shares this with other Garmin watches I've worn, including the Vivoactive 5 and Forerunner 165, which is probably because they, er, are quite similar. Garmin hasn't changed up what is a very good design, and the Vivoactive 6 is largely the same as the Vivoactive 5. Some of the buttons have changed shape, and the proprietary charging port is along the bottom of the device's rear, not to one side, but at a glance, you'd think they were the same watch. That's not a criticism by any means. I enjoy how Garmin puts little touches on each of its watches to show their specific niches within the roster. The Forerunner has a very clear sports-focus in its design, and one look at a Fenix and you know that rugged son-of-a-gun is built for adventures. The slimline and sleek Vivoactive 6 is Garmin's casual watch, and the design reflects that with a subtle and gently curved body, with an aluminum bezel around the 1.2-inch AMOLED display. It's meant to do its job without drawing undue attention to itself, and the design reflects that. I'm not a huge fan of the white variant I was sent, though. The color is fine, but it definitely shows dirt more than the blue Vivoactive 5 did, and the strap is obviously physically dirty — and try as I might, I can't seem to clean it. If you do more with your watch than just wear it to the gym and back, then I would consider another colorway or replacing the strap when it gets mucky. If you're looking for a statement watch, this isn't that. It's also not the smartest-looking smartwatch. It's relatively small and subtle, and does its work without screaming about it. Garmin Vivoactive 6: display and controls The 1.2-inch AMOLED display is smaller than most other smartwatches I've used recently, but don't let that put you off — as with the Vivoactive 5, the display here is gorgeous. The AMOLED tech means it's every bit the equal of options you can buy from Apple or Samsung, with bright colors that pop off the screen, and deep inky blacks. At night, the watchface shifts into a red display, which dramatically improves the always-on display in the dark. It's still usable, but without blinding you like other watches tend to. It's a real bonus, and I'm surprised I haven't seen it on other smartwatches. Durability-wise, I'm less impressed. I've had the Vivoactive 6 for a couple of week now, and it's picked up a few scratches on the display. I haven't been rock climbing or any sort of particularly extreme sport, so it's safe to say this has happened during normal everyday life. It's a bit of a shame, but on the plus side, they're only really found around the edges of the display, so the chunky bezels hide them well, and they can only really be seen when you angle the watch just right. Lift-to-wake continues to be bad. I've found it to be very unreliable, but this is largely just a good reason to enable the always-on display. While I would normally be hesitant to keep an always-on display on all the time due to the impact on the battery, the battery is more than good enough to compensate — but more on that later. On the whole, the Vivoactive 6's display is excellent. Yes, the bezels are enormous, and it's picked up quite a few scratches, but it's still sumptuously colorful, bright, and very clear. As ever, I'm impressed with what Garmin brings to the table. The control system is solid. The Vivoactive 6 has a touchscreen you can use to swish through menus quickly, along with the two buttons arranged around the edges of the case. The top button opens the watch's menu, and press it again, and it'll open a list of exercises. Press it once more, and it'll select the first exercise on the list, and you can press it one last time to start that exercise. Hold the top button and it'll open a quick settings panel, where you can quickly toggle modes, or find your phone. The bottom button is your back button, but if you hold it down you can set up an app shortcut. As a control system, it's not the most intuitive, and unless you're a seasoned Garmin user, you'll get lost a few times. Part of this is because there's no central app drawer. Because an app drawer collects every function on your watch, getting there will eventually mean you get to what you want without having to go back to the home screen. Here, because each function needs you to go a specific way, it's very easy to get lost. It gets easier over time, but I still end up swiping through the wrong menu fairly regularly. Garmin Vivoactive 6: fitness and health tracking But all the good looks and comfort in the world don't mean a thing if this fitness watch doesn't track well. And I'm pleased to allay any of your fears in this regard, as the Vivoactive 6 is as excellent as ever. Some of Garmin's previous missteps are still there — like the dull-as-dishwater displays during exercises — but there have also been some improvements to Garmin's overall fitness tracking. There are still a massive number of exercises to pick from, and you can pick and choose what shows up on your Activities screen using the Edit button at the bottom of the list, or by using the Connect app on your phone. New for me is the ability to alter your exercise before starting it. Before starting an exercise, you can set your targets or intervals, browse a library of previous workouts, follow a saved plan, or even your past self, like a Mario Kart ghost. You can also choose a map course to follow, change your settings, and even the screens that will show during your exercise, all from your watch. It's a huge boost from the previous Vivoactive watch, and one that's very welcome. It could be a tad overwhelming if you want to just run, but opening the menu is completely optional, so you can just bypass it entirely if you're not interested. Sleep tracking is good, but not perfect. I've had some nights of broken sleep, and the Vivoactive 6 has very clearly missed some nights with shorter periods of sleep. Nothing major, only an hour or less, but it has been missed, and that's worth mentioning. My Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic would tend to pick those up, but the Garmin watch isn't alone in missing them, as the OnePlus Watch 3 also tended to miss them too. It's not a huge deal though, as it's far from the usual way you'd expect sleep tracking to be used, and I'm more than willing to forgive it otherwise. But of all the features Garmin has included, it's the Body Battery I love the most. Samsung has attempted to previously ape this feature, but only Garmin has really nailed it. Body Battery is Garmin's way of estimating quite how much energy you have left in you for the day. It's refilled whenever you rest and gradually depletes as you undertake activities, and it's particularly useful if you're looking to see whether you should cool off or push harder. It's not an absolute scale, and you won't collapse if you let it run all the way down, but it is a fun way of seeing quite how much energy you've expended during the day, or how much you've recovered at night. With that said, some elements are still a bit disappointing. I was hoping the rubbish inactivity warnings from the Vivoactive 5 had been fixed, but they're just as inaccurate as ever, and it's often pinged me to tell me to start moving while I'm in the middle of an activity. Thankfully, you can turn those off, so it's not much more than an annoyance for the very start. Garmin Vivoactive 6: performance and smart features I was happy with the performance of the Vivoactive 5 at the time of my review, but the moment I moved on to the Forerunner 165, I was struck by how much smoother and faster that watch was. Thankfully, the Vivoactive 6 takes its cues from its sportier brethren, and is very fast and very smooth during use. While the previous entry in the roster wasn't slow, it did sometimes feel as if it was lagging behind slightly, and the Vivoactive 6 has avoided that altogether. While performance isn't as huge an issue for a fitness watch like this, it's certainly nice to have. It's clear Garmin is making improvements where the 'smart' features of its watches are concerned. The Vivoactive 6 isn't going to really challenge the best smartwatches out there, but you'll no longer miss some features when strapping on your fitness watch. There's a media player, which will reflect your smartwatch and allow you to control your listening from your phone. You can also sign into a number of music apps on your watch and download playlists to listen to on headphones. It's a great way to listen to tunes on a run without having to take your phone with you. You also have notification mirroring, same as the previous watch — but now, as well as sending canned responses to messages, you can also use the on-screen keyboard to compose and send replies. This feature technically existed on the Vivoactive 5, but it bizarrely needed the Garmin app open your phone to type and send, severely curtailing its usefulness. That's no longer the case, and it means the Vivoactive 6 is a much more capable smartwatch-alternative. Sure, it's no Apple Watch, but it's no longer a completely incapable. Garmin Vivoactive 6: battery and charging The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a fitness watch first and a smartwatch second (more on that later), and the fitness watch bit leads when it comes to the battery life. With all health tracking features and the always-on display enabled, the Vivoactive 6 lasts for up to five days. That's an exceptional lifespan if you're used to a traditional smartwatch, beating out even the long-lasting OnePlus Watch 3. Turn off the always-on display, and Garmin claims the Vivoactive 6 will last for 11 days. I'd only recommend doing this if you're happy dealing with the unreliable lift-to-wake function. Charging comes via a proprietary charger, and it's a little slow. Charging the tiny battery cell from 15% to full took just over an hour, which isn't anywhere near as quick as it could be. Still, it's easy to forgive if you're only charging once or twice a week. Stick it on to charge while you shower in the morning and you shouldn't need to charge at any other time. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a fast, long-lasting piece of tech that makes the most of Garmin's lightweight operating system. Garmin Vivoactive 6: companion app and Garmin Connect+ subscription Garmin Connect continues to be an excellent app by itself. It's mostly clean and intuitive, and the tile system gives you all the information you need at a moment's notice. I say 'mostly' because the introduction of the Connect+ subscription system does mess up the app's clean interface rather a lot. I've spoken about my experience with Garmin Connect+ at length before, but it's important to note here whether my opinion on it has changed or not. It … hasn't. Quite simply, I forgot I'd subscribed to it, so the notification that my subscription had renewed came as quite the shock. Everything I noted in my initial thoughts has remained true; if you're not going to be using the coaching plans, don't lift weights, and don't use LiveTrack, then you don't need to bother. The AI-fueled summaries are particularly pointless — I've yet to see one that isn't basically just 'you're tired', or 'you haven't slept very well'. Perhaps they would be different if I was training more, but that just adds more grist to my personal recommendation that you don't subscribe unless you're a keen athlete. The added value given by the subscription is there, it's just not for me, or for people like me. If you're a casual exerciser, perhaps running or swimming a few times a week, you can skip Garmin Connect+. Outside of the Connect+ features, Connect is still very good. While you can do quite a bit on the watch itself, it's here you'll set up training plans, look up videos, sign up for new challenges, and other similar tasks. It's well made and not confusing to use at all, and the data is as encompassing or easily ignored as you like. If I have one problem with it, it's that Garmin continues to separate the watchface and app store into its own app, Connect IQ. In fairness to Garmin, Connect IQ is great. I love the number of watchfaces on offer, and while there aren't anywhere near as many apps on it as there would be for watchOS or Wear OS, there are enough staples like Spotify that Garmin's app store at least justifies its existence. But I just cannot fathom why it continues to be a completely separate app. Garmin Vivoactive 6: price and availability The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is currently available from the Garmin webstore and a number of other retailers. It costs $300, and there are no additional upgrades to get on top of that — no larger sized variants, and no LTE upgrades. You get four colorways to pick from though: Lunar Gold with a Bone band, slate with a black band, Metallic Jasper Green with a Jasper Green band, and Metallic Pink Dawn with Pink Dawn band. Personally I'd buy the Jasper Green, but you can also customize your watch directly from the Garmin store if you want a different band or combination. Should you buy the Garmin Vivoactive 6? What is the Garmin Vivoactive 6? Well, it's important to note that this is not a full-fledged smartwatch. If you're looking for an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch-style device, then this is not the device for you. It has a few third-party apps, but it has nowhere near the app support you'll find on Wear OS or watchOS. If a fancy, shiny smartwatch is what you're after, then stay away from the Vivoactive 6. But, if you're looking for a fitness watch that can stretch into smartwatch territory, then this is a great option. If you're looking for a device with great health and fitness tracking that you don't need to charge very often, then this should be in your basket. Or, if you're a keen athlete of any stripe, then Garmin is always going to be a very good option, regardless of the specific model. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is an extremely comfortable fitness watch with enough smarts to keep my smartwatch itch scratched, while also keeping enough in the tank to last for four-to-five days on a single charge with everything turned on. The Vivoactive 6 is an exceptional device, and I have loved every moment with it. But what about competition? As mentioned, the Apple Watch Series 10, Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, and OnePlus Watch 3 are all very strong competitors from the smartwatch side, while on the fitness tracker side, you could also consider the Garmin Forerunner 165 for $250. Fitbit do some excellent fitness trackers too, including the Fitbit Charge 6, or even the mighty Google Pixel Watch 3, which straddles the fitness and smartwatch divide, with a stronger lean on the smartwatch side. Ultimately the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is exactly what it seems: a competent fitness watch with a good smartwatch side to it. The subtle design will appeal to those who don't like the sportier design of many fitness watches, and the long battery life will sate those who simply can't abide the idea of charging a smartwatch every day. At a price of $300, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is absolutely worth your money if you need a great fitness and health tracker, but don't want everyone to immediately know about your gym days.
