TL;DR
Garmin's Vivoactive 5 trims bulk from the company's usual sport-focused designs, offering a 42mm AMOLED watch with a broad set of health and smartwatch features. A recent review praised its performance and battery life, and the model is currently discounted to about $191 from its usual $270 price.
What happened
Garmin has positioned the Vivoactive 5 as a slimmer, everyday-friendly smartwatch that keeps many of the company's fitness capabilities while offering a brighter, more modern display. The watch comes in a 42mm case with a 1.2-inch 390 x 390 AMOLED screen and a lightweight build (23 g body). Reviewers found it delivered on core expectations — accurate tracking, a suite of sensors and useful wellness tools — with the only notable shortcoming being the lack of multiple case sizes. Under the hood it includes heart-rate monitoring, SpO2, temperature sensing and an accelerometer, plus features such as a body energy metric, sleep coaching and guided meditations. It supports music storage, Garmin Pay, and downloadable apps and watch faces through Garmin Connect. Garmin quotes up to 11 days of battery life with always-on display disabled. The Vivoactive 5 is on sale at present for roughly $191 versus a typical $270 listing.
Why it matters
- A slimmer case makes it more likely people will wear the watch all day, improving continuous health tracking.
- AMOLED display plus multi-day battery life addresses a common trade-off in smartwatches between screen quality and endurance.
- Built-in wellness tools (sleep coach, body energy metric, stress tracking) consolidate several health functions into one device.
- The current price reduction lowers the barrier to entry for consumers who want Garmin features without a premium cost.
Key facts
- Model: Garmin Vivoactive 5
- Case size: 42 mm (42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm); weight: 23 g (body only)
- Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED, 390 x 390 resolution
- Battery life: up to 11 days with always-on display turned off
- Health sensors: heart rate, SpO2, accelerometer, temperature sensor
- Wellness features: body energy monitor, sleep coach, guided meditation, stress tracking
- Smartwatch features: smartphone notifications, music storage, Garmin Pay, downloadable apps and watch faces via Garmin Connect
- Storage: 4 GB; connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, ANT+
- Water resistance: 5 ATM; strap: standard 20 mm
- Current deal: reported price around $191 (down from about $270) at the time of reporting
What to watch next
- Whether the discounted price at the reported retailer will persist or expand to other vendors: not confirmed in the source
- If Garmin will add additional case sizes or variants to address the single-size criticism: not confirmed in the source
- Long-term user feedback on sensor accuracy and software updates after extended use: not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- AMOLED: A type of display that offers high contrast and vivid colors by individually lighting pixels, commonly used in smartphones and smartwatches.
- SpO2: A measurement that estimates the percentage of oxygen-saturated hemoglobin in the blood, used for basic respiratory monitoring.
- ANT+: A short-range wireless protocol popular in fitness devices for transmitting sensor data like heart rate to watches and bike computers.
- Garmin Pay: Garmin's contactless payment system that lets users make purchases at compatible terminals from a supported watch.
Reader FAQ
What case sizes does the Vivoactive 5 come in?
The review and product details reference a 42 mm case; multiple size options were not available.
How long does the battery last?
Up to 11 days with the always-on display disabled, per the device specifications.
Can the watch play music and handle payments?
Yes — it supports local music storage and Garmin Pay for contactless payments.
Does the Vivoactive 5 offer cellular connectivity for calls without a phone?
not confirmed in the source
This is the Garmin smartwatch designed to suit almost everyone Credit: Garmin By Timi Cantisano Published 11 minutes ago Timi is a news and deals writer who's been reporting on technology…
Sources
- This is the Garmin smartwatch designed to suit almost everyone
- Garmin vívoactive® 5 | Fitness Smartwatch with GPS
- Garmin vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch …
- Garmin vívoactive 5 GPS Smartwatch 42 mm Fiber …
Related posts
- Tested Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids (2025): Gummies, Drinks, Patches
- Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar: premium features without premium price
- Apple Watch Series 11 vs SE 3: Which model fits your New Year goals?