The Garmin vívoactive 5, released in late 2023, represents a significant evolution in Garmin’s mid-range smartwatch line. Often thought of as a “mini-Venu 3,” it delivers premium features at a more accessible price point while maintaining a slim, lightweight design. Priced around USD 299 (~RM 1,480 locally), it’s ideal for those seeking a polished fitness watch without going all-in on the high-end models.
Design & Display
AMOLED Screen: The vívoactive 5 features a bright 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen that offers sharp colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility—an upgrade from the older transflective displays.
Compact & Comfortable: At 42 mm and about 35 g, the watch feels light on the wrist, comfortable for all-day wear, and slim enough to slide under sleeves.
Durable Build: Made with a fiber-reinforced polymer case, aluminum bezel, and rated for 5 ATM water resistance, it’s built to handle everyday life and workouts alike.
Battery Life
- Smartwatch Mode: Up to 11 days on a single charge.
- Real-World Use: With daily activity tracking and GPS workouts, expect closer to 5–7 days.
- GPS Mode: Around 17 hours (less if you also stream music).
Fitness & Health Tracking
- Sport Modes: 30+ activities including running, cycling, pool swimming, yoga, HIIT, and even wheelchair-specific modes.
- Advanced Wellness Metrics:
- Body Battery™ energy monitoring
- Sleep Coach with insights and tips
- HRV status, stress tracking, and a daily Morning Report
- Workout Tools: Muscle maps, interval training, recovery recommendations, and workout benefit analysis.
- Sensors: Uses Garmin’s Elevate V4 heart rate sensor with multi-GNSS GPS support (though not dual-band).
Performance & Accuracy
- GPS: Accurate for most activities, though dense tree cover or tall buildings may cause slight deviations.
- Heart Rate: Consistent and reliable compared to chest straps and other Garmin watches.
- User Experience: Responsive touchscreen with intuitive menus, though the two-button layout takes some learning at first.
Pros & Cons
What’s Great:
- Gorgeous AMOLED display
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Strong battery life for its size
- Rich health and fitness tracking tools
- Extensive sport modes and recovery insights
- Music storage and Garmin Pay support
What’s Missing:
- No barometric altimeter (no stair counting or elevation data)
- No built-in speaker or microphone (unlike the Venu 3)
- Slightly reduced battery life with heavy GPS + music use
- Lacks advanced training features from Garmin’s higher-end watches
Final Verdict
The Garmin vívoactive 5 is one of the best mid-range smartwatches on the market today. It blends a vibrant display, excellent health tracking, and solid battery life into a stylish, affordable package.
It’s perfect for:
- Everyday users who want deeper health insights and fitness tracking.
- Athletes who want reliable GPS and recovery features without overspending.
- Anyone seeking a versatile smartwatch that balances design, performance, and value.
