Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6
Garmin Vivoactive 6 wins 3 of the 7 categories we compared, against 1 for Garmin Vivoactive 5 (3 tied) — including heart rate variability.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: which one should you buy?
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 5 if you care most about charging time (60 min vs 120 min).
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 6 if you care most about satellite systems (5 vs 3).
Watch the video comparison
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Battery & Charging
| Spec |
 Garmin Vivoactive 5
|
 Garmin Vivoactive 6
|
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 11 days | 11 days |
| GPS battery life | 21 hours | 21 hours |
| Charging time | 60 min | 120 min |
| Charging | USB | Garmin proprietary charging cable |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Display
| Spec |
Garmin Vivoactive 5
|
Garmin Vivoactive 6
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 1.3 in | 1.3 in |
| Display type | AMOLED touchscreen | AMOLED touchscreen |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 | 390 x 390 |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Health Sensors
| Spec |
Garmin Vivoactive 5
|
Garmin Vivoactive 6
|
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | No | No |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate variability | No | Yes |
| Skin temperature | No | No |
| Blood pressure alerts | No | No |
| Irregular rhythm alerts | No | No |
| Breathing rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: GPS & Navigation
| Spec |
Garmin Vivoactive 5
|
Garmin Vivoactive 6
|
|---|---|---|
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-band GPS | No | No |
| Satellite systems | 3 | 5 |
| Offline maps | No | No |
| Barometer | No | No |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Smart Features
| Spec |
Garmin Vivoactive 5
|
Garmin Vivoactive 6
|
|---|---|---|
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Calls from the wrist | No | No |
| Cellular (LTE) | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Software | Garmin proprietary | Garmin proprietary |
| Works with | Android & iOS | Android & iOS |
| Voice assistant | No | No |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Design & Durability
| Spec |
Garmin Vivoactive 5
|
Garmin Vivoactive 6
|
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 36 g | 36 g |
| Thickness | 11.1 mm | 10.9 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Military-grade toughness | No | No |
| Case size | 42.2 mm | 42.2 mm |
| Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Price & Colors
| Spec |
Garmin Vivoactive 5
|
Garmin Vivoactive 6
|
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Metallic Orchid, Slate, Cream Gold, Metallic Navy | Lunar Gold, Slate, Jasper Green, Pink Dawn |
| Release year | 2023 | 2025 |
Where each one wins
Garmin Vivoactive 5
- Charging time: 60 min (vs 120 min)
Garmin Vivoactive 6
- Heart rate variability
- Satellite systems: 5 (vs 3)
- Thickness: 10.9 mm (vs 11.1 mm)
Wearables Similar to Garmin Vivoactive 5 or Garmin Vivoactive 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 or the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
Garmin Vivoactive 6 wins 3 of the 7 categories we compared, against 1 for Garmin Vivoactive 5 (3 tied) — including heart rate variability.
Which is cheaper, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 or the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
Both cost around $299, so the choice comes down to specs rather than price.
What are the main differences between the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
The biggest gaps are in charging time (60 min on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs 120 min); satellite systems (5 on the Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs 3).