Fitbit Charge 3 vs Garmin vivosmart 4 - Which is better?

Written by Lucas B | published on 27.04.2019 | no comments |
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Fitbit Charge 3 vs Garmin vivosmart 4 - Which is better? Fitbit and Garmin are the best known and most notable brands for fitness trackers. The Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin vivosmart 4 are both models from 2018. Both machines are in a similar price range and the design of the fitness trackers is in the same league. This leads to questions:
 

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Model Fitbit Charge 3* Garmin vivosmart 4*
View offer* Check price » Check price »
HR function 24/7 HR function 24/7 Yes HR function 24/7 Yes
GPS GPS Connected GPS (smartphone) GPS Über Handyverbindung
Waterproof / Swimproof Waterproof / Swimproof Yes Waterproof / Swimproof Yes
Sleep tracking Sleep tracking Yes Sleep tracking Yes
Battery (up to) Battery (up to) 7 days Battery (up to) 7 days
Dimension, width Dimension, width 18,3 mm Dimension, width 15,0 mm
Depth / thickness Depth / thickness 10,90 mm Depth / thickness 10,50 mm
Weight Weight 29 g Weight 21 g
Display, length Display, length 34,50 mm Display, length 17,70 mm
Display, width Display, width 19,90 mm Display, width 6,60 mm
Color display Color display No Color display No
Display Display
  • Graustufen-OLED
  • Mehrzeilig
  • Touchscreen
Display
Changeable bands Changeable bands Yes Changeable bands No
Notifications Notifications Yes Notifications Yes
Sensors Sensors
  • Optischer Herzsensor
  • 3-Achsen Beschleunigungsmesser
  • Höhenmesser
  • Vibration
  • Relativer SpO2 Sensor
  • NFC (nur in Sondereditionen)
Sensors
  • Herzfrequenzmessung
  • Barometrischer Höhenmesser
  • Beschleunigungsmesser
  • Lichtsensor
  • Pulse Ox
View offer* Check price » Check price »
buy Fitbit Charge 3
buy Garmin vivosmart 4

Similarities between Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin vivosmart 4

When comparing Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin vivosmart 4, it quickly becomes apparent that both fitness trackers have a lot in common.
 
  • 24/7 wrist pulse measurement
  • pedometer
  • Fitness values: floors, active minutes, sleep analysis, burned calories
  • Waterproof and suitable for swimming
  • Battery life up to 7 days

Both machines have a 24/7 heart rate monitor, which is essential for a good fitness tracker. Both can also be used as pedometers. In addition, the Fitbit and Garmin have values for floors, active minutes and burned calories. There is also a sleep analysis for both fitness trackers. The Fitbit and Garmin trackers are also suitable for swimming.

Differences between Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin vivosmart 4

Let's get to the more interesting questions: The differences between Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin vivosmart 4.

Display

Garmin vivosmart 4 is smaller than Fitbit Charge 3.
The difference can be seen at first glance on the display. The Fitbit Charge 3 has a much bigger display than the Garmin vivosmart 4. The readability on the display of the Charge 3 is somewhat easier. More values can also be read directly from the clock.

Design

Fitbit is smarter, Garmin is slimmer.
Closely connected to the display is of course the design. In my opinion the Garmin vivosport 4 doesn't look as chic and elegant as the Fitbit Charge 3. The Fitness Tracker from Garmin looks a bit more compact and sportier.

The Garmin vivosmart is about 21 grams lighter than the Fitbit Charge 3 with 29 grams. Whereby this is a barely noticeable difference.

The Fitbit Charge 3 has a width of 18.3 millimeters. The Garmin vivosmart weighs 15 millimeters here. At the thickness, Garmin performs slightly better. The vivosmart 4 has a thickness of 10.5 millimeters. Fitbit Charge 3 is 11.8 millimeters thick.

Interchangeable wristbands

Bracelet change only possible with Fitbit Charge 3.


#The bracelet can only be changed with Fitbit Charge 3. So the Charge 3 can be easily adjusted optically. The Asians have discovered the market here for themselves and have a lot of very cheap interchangeable straps on offer.

With the Garmin vivosmart 4 you have to choose a color when you buy it. Nothing can be changed here later.
buy Fitbit Charge 3
buy Garmin vivosmart 4

GPS

Garmin vivosmart 4 complete without GPS. Fitbit Charge 3 with Connected GPS.
We have a significant difference in the GPS point. Only the Fitbit Charge 3 offers the use of GPS. But only in connection with the smartphone. This is called Connected GPS. There is no GPS in the clock.

The Garmin vivosmart does not offer GPS. Neither via the connection to the smartphone, nor via a built-in GPS. It's a bit surprising, because Garmin already has devices with built-in GPS in their assortment.

Between Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin vivosmart 4 the Fitbit definitely has an advantage. If you need GPS, you'll even need to grab the Charge 3.

If you want a Garmin with GPS you should have a look at the vivosport*. It's also a small fitness tracker that came out before the vivosmart 4. In this context you can also take a look at the comparison between Garmin vivosport and Fitbit Charge 3.

Connection with pulse belt (ANT+)

Only Garmin vivosmart 4 can be connected to a heart rate monitor.
You can only connect a heart rate belt to a Garmin vivosmart 4. The Fitbit Charge 3 does not have this option. Garmin works with ANT+, which is standardized for pulse belts. So you can connect any ANT heart rate monitor with the vivosmart 4.

SpO2 sensor

In both. Usable only with Garmin vivosmart 4.
Both Garmin's and Fitbit's fitness trackers have an SpO2 sensor. With this the blood oxygen content can be measured. This is especially useful for the analysis of sleep quality.

The difference, however, is that Fitbit has not yet actively used the sensor. At Garmin this functionality is already available.

Stress measurement and other special functions

The Garmin Vivosmart offers 24/7 stress measurement. This is not the case with batch 3. Garmin uses heart rate, sleep analysis and activity data for the evaluation. With stress measurement, Garmin tells you when to rest or exercise.

Both manufacturers have other minor special functions, but these are not extremely worth mentioning. Among other things, Fitbit has special functions for women's health. To monitor the cycles. The manufacturer develops even quite actively at this function.

Smart functions

For both notifications about calls, messages and appointments. Fitbit Charge 3 allows you to read messages and answer calls via the clock (Android only).
With the smart features, we're more talking about one thing in common. Both devices can be paired with the smartphone. Notifications about messages, calls or calendar entries are transmitted to the clock.

However, there is a difference. On Fitbit Charge 3, under Android, you can read the messages on the clock. You can also reject or answer calls there.

Contactless payment

Only Fitbit Charge 3 in Special Edition.
Unlike the Garmin vivosmart 4, the Fitbit Charge 3 has NFC built in. This allows contactless payment directly via the watch. But you have to buy the Fitbit Charge 3 as Special Edition*.

Which one is better for you?

In total, Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin vivosmart 4 are similar devices. To measure your fitness 24/7 both fitness trackers are definitely suitable. But there are some differences, so I prefer the Fitbit Charge 3*.

The Fitbit Charge 3 is slightly larger, but more stylish in design. Due to the larger display more values can be read directly from the clock. Reading is also faster and easier.

The Garmin vivosmart offers no possibility to use GPS. With the Fitbit Charge 3 you can use Connected GPS. If GPS is important to you, you will need to use Charge 3 or another Garmin device.

With Garmin, you have the option of connecting a heart rate monitor. This is not possible with Charge 3. For most people this is probably not the most important point.

The wristband can only be changed on Fitbit Charge 3. Personally I like this feature very much, because the design can be adapted and changed so easily. In addition, this is also very cheap due to the imitation interchangeable bracelets of the Asians.

In comparison between Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin vivosmart 4* I prefer the Charge 3*. All in all it offers a little more than you get from Garmin.
buy Fitbit Charge 3
buy Garmin vivosmart 4
In GPS the comparison between Fitbit Charge 3 and Gramin vivosport is relevant. The Garmin vivosport is older, but offers among other things the possibility of GPS.
Tags: Fitbit The article is written by and published on .
Geschrieben von Lucas B
Lucas ist einer der Betreiber und Entwickler von buffcoach. Obwohl er im Bereich der IT tätig ist, nehmen Sport und Ernährung einen sehr großen Anteil seines Lebens ein. Er trainiert im Bereich des Kraftsports nach Grundlagen von Crosstraining. Sein Ziel ist es stark und fit zu sein. Eine gesunde Ernährung ist damit eng verbunden. Sein Wissen teilt er auf buffcoach.net im Magazin und Forum.
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