Garmin Vivoactive 4 review: specs and price
While it might not look like a rugged smartwatch, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is easily one of the best smartwatches for active users. Designed for an active lifestyle, this smartwatch is powered by Garmin Chroma Display technology protected beneath durable Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Combine that with a waterproof depth rating of 50 meters, and it’s a top-tier choice for those who want the best in performance and durability.
Tuning into your body is made easy with this Garmin smartwatch. It comes with unique features such as a Body Battery monitor to gauge your body’s energy levels throughout the day, stress tracking capabilities, and even a Pulse Ox sensor to measure your blood oxygen saturation.
Lasting up to eight days on one charge means that the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is ideal for those who live their life on-the-go and need to head out for work or play without needing to worry about recharging. Speaking of on-the-go, did we mention that you can take advantage of the watch’s built-in Garmin coach to guide you along your next run?
Garmin Vivoactive 4
Why is Garmin Vivoactive 4 better than the average?
- Waterproof depth rating?
50mvs46.64m - Charge time?
1.5hvs1.9h - Maximum operating temperature?
60°Cvs48.45°C
Price comparison
Buy used:
$24
| Product | Store | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in S...Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel Bezel with Black Case and Silicone Band (Renewed) | $190 | ||
| Garmin 010-02174-01 vivoactive 4, GPS Sm...Garmin 010-02174-01 vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors and More, Silver with Gray Band | $250 | ||
| Garmin vívoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Fea...Garmin vívoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors and More, Silver with Gray Band (Renewed) | $184 | ||
| Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch - Bla...Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch - Black/Silver (010-01769-01)™ | $119 | ||
| Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS Sm...Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS Smartwatch Black with Silver Hardware | $101 | ||
| Garmin Vivoactive 4S 40mm Smartwatch Ros...Garmin Vivoactive 4S 40mm Smartwatch Rose Gold with White Case & Silicone Band | $98 | ||
| Garmin Vivoactive 3 Silicone Stainless S...Garmin Vivoactive 3 Silicone Stainless Steel - Black (010-N1769-00) | $105 | ||
User reviews
Overall rating
Features
Build quality
9.2/10
5 votes
Design
9.2/10
5 votes
App
7.2/10
5 votes
Performance
6.4/10
5 votes
Fitness features
8.0/10
5 votes
Design
screen size
1.3"
The size of the screen (measured diagonally).
Display type
LCD
The type of technology used in the display.
is dustproof and water-resistant
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
The device is dustproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant devices can resist the penetration of water, such as powerful water jets, but not being submerged into water.
ATM rating
5 ATM
The ATM rating indicates how much water pressure a device can withstand. 3 ATM is one of the lowest ratings and means that the device can only withstand splashes of water, whereas 20 ATM is one of the highest ratings and means that the device can be used for snorkeling and water sports.
Ingress Protection (IP) rating
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
The first number of the IP rating refers to protection against dust, while the second number refers to protection against liquid. E.g. a first number of 6 denotes that it is completely dustproof, and a second number of 7 denotes that the device can withstand full immersion in water.
has branded damage-resistant glass
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
Damage-resistant glass (such as Corning Gorilla Glass or Asahi Dragontrail Glass) is thin, lightweight, and can withstand high levels of force.
Gorilla Glass version
Gorilla Glass 3
Gorilla Glass is one of the most popular brands of chemically strengthened glass, manufactured by Corning. Several versions have been developed, the newer ones being more durable and providing better damage resistance.
pixel density
283ppi
Pixel density is a measurement of a screen's resolution, expressed as the number of pixels per inch (PPI) on the screen. A higher pixel density translates into more clarity and sharpness for the images rendered on the screen, thus improving the quality of the viewing experience.
sweat resistance
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
Resistance to sweat makes it ideal for use while doing sports.
Sensors
Monitors blood oxygenation levels
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
Your blood oxygen level is a measurement how much oxygen is reaching your muscles. It is important because low levels mean that you will become easily fatigued during exercise. The more exercise you do, the better your blood oxygen levels will become.
Has a heart rate monitor
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
A heart rate monitor can help show your fitness levels, enabling you to calculate a suitable intensity of exercise.
has GPS
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
GPS enables global positioning, useful in map, geo-tagging or navigation apps.
has an accelerometer
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
An accelerometer is a sensor used to measure the linear acceleration of a device. A common application is detecting when a device changes between vertical and horizontal positions.
Has a temperature sensor
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
With a temperature sensor you can monitor changes in temperature to measure your exertion levels and avoid hyperthermia.
has a compass
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
A compass is useful for gaming, maps, and navigation software.
Has a barometer
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
This measures barometric air pressure. It can predict weather changes, for example a sudden drop in air pressure could mean a storm is coming. When calibrated correctly it can be used to determine altitude, which helps GPS devices to lock on quicker and with greater accuracy.
has a gyroscope
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
A gyroscope is a sensor that tracks the orientation of a device, more specifically by measuring the angular rotational velocity. Initially, they were built using a spinning rotor to detect changes in orientation, like twisting or rotation.
Has a cadence sensor
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
A cadence sensor measures the number of pedal revolutions per minute when you are cycling. It enables you to monitor how fast you are pedaling.
Activity tracking
Tracks your sleep
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
It can track your sleep, such as how long you sleep for and the quality.
Tracks distance
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
It tracks how far you travel.
Tracks steps taken
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
It tracks how many steps you take throughout the day, allowing you to see how active you have been.
Measures pace
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
Measuring pace shows how much time it takes to travel one kilometer or one mile. For example, in running, a 4 minute kilometer would be a very good pace.
Provides sleep reports
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
Your sleep data is analysed to give you a report, available to view through the app or website. This allows you to see the quality of your sleep and to help you make improvements.
Detects activities automatically
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
The device automatically detects when you start an activity such as jogging, saving you from entering it manually at a later time.
Has a route tracker
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
With a route tracker you can add your route onto a map. It is helpful if you plan to do the same route again, or want to share it with your community.
Tracks elevation
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
It can detect changes in elevation, such as when you are climbing stairs.
Has multi-sport mode
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
A multi-sport mode allows you to easily switch between tracking different sports such as running, cycling, and swimming. This feature is ideal for those who need to change quickly between various activities (e.g., triathletes).
Connectivity
Is compatible with iOS
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
It is compatible with a range of iOS devices such as iPhones, iPads and the iPod Touch.
Is compatible with Android
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
It is compatible with a range of Android devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Bluetooth version
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
supports Wi-Fi
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
The device can connect to Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
The Wi-Fi versions supported by the device.
supports ANT+
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
ANT+ is a wireless protocol similar to Bluetooth Smart, and is very power efficient. It is mainly used for fitness monitoring devices such as heart rate monitors and cadence sensors to connect to other devices (e.g., sports watches, smartphones, and cycling computers).
has NFC
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
NFC (near-field communication) allows a device to perform simple wireless transactions, such as mobile payments. Note: this feature may not be available in all markets.
has a cellular module
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
Devices that use cellular technology can connect to mobile networks. Cellular networks have much wider signal coverage than Wi-Fi.
supports Galileo
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
Galileo is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that is similar to GPS. Supported devices can use a combination of Galileo and GPS for location-based services such as Google Maps, and tend to be around 30% more accurate than GPS-only devices.
Battery
battery life
8 days
With a longer battery life, you don’t have to worry about charging the device as often.
battery power
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. More battery power can be an indication of longer battery life.
battery life in training mode
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
With a long battery life, you can train for several hours a week and only have to recharge the device every few weeks.
charge time
1.5h
The time it takes to fully charge the battery.
battery life in power save mode
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
In power save mode you can still check what time it is and other basic functions. A long battery life is good if you wear the device day to day.
There is less chance that you will run out of battery during an adventure.
has wireless charging
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
It supports a wireless charging standard such as Qi. To charge the device, you simply put it down on a compatible charging pad.
has a rechargeable battery
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
The battery can be recharged and used over again.
Has a solar power battery
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
A solar battery takes its energy from light, and stores it in a self-recharging battery which never needs to be changed.
Features
has HRV tracking
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
Heart rate variability (HRV) tracking measures fluctuations in the time between heart beats. These fluctuations can be an indication of health conditions (such as heart conditions or mental health issues). Note: This feature may not be available in all markets.
measures VO2 max
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
VO2 max capacity is a measurement of the amount of oxygen your body can use during physical exercise. A high VO2 max capacity indicates good fitness levels.
measures resting heart rate
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
This measurement is your heart rate per minute when you're at rest, such as when you're relaxed, sitting, or lying down. For adults, this is typically between 60–100.
has fast/slow heart rate notifications
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
It can notify you when your resting heart rate is above or below the normal range.
shows readiness level
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
This is based on various information, such as your previous workout, sleep quality, and stress levels. Taking everything into account, it will give you an idea of whether your body is ready for another workout or if you should focus on recovery.
Can be used to answer calls
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
The device has a speaker and microphone that allow you to answer calls made to your smartphone.
Locates your phone
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
The device has a feature that allows you to find your smartphone if you have misplaced it.
Has call control
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
The device alerts you to incoming calls on your smartphone, and allows you extra control such as muting or rejecting the call.
Has notifications
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
If you get a notification such as a call or message, the device will vibrate on your wrist or make a noise to alert you.
App & Software
Provides activity reports
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
Your activity data is analysed to give you reports, available to view through the app or website. This allows you to see how active you have been and to help you make improvements.
Has inactivity alerts
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
The device detects when you have been idle for too long, and alerts you to encourage you to stay active.
Counts how many calories you've burned
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
This is useful if you are on a strict training diet or if you are trying to lose weight. It can also help to boost your motivation.
Has goal setting
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
Allows you to set your own goals, such as reaching 15,000 steps in a single day.
Has achievements
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
You are awarded achievements for reaching goals, helping to encourage you and keep you motivated.
Free app
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4 (Garmin Connect Mobile)
You can download the app for free, from platforms such as Google Play or the App Store.
Has exercise diary
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4 (Garmin Connect Mobile)
It has an exercise diary, allowing you to easily keep track of your previous workouts.
Ad-free
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4 (Garmin Connect Mobile)
Adverts can be distracting and obtrusive. Apps and blogs without ads are more aesthetically pleasing, nicer to use, and make the content stand out.
Has coaching
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4 (Garmin Connect Mobile)
The app can determine the best way for you to progress in your exercise, and offers coaching advice.
Miscellaneous
has a battery level indicator
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4
An indicator shows you when the device has low battery.
has aptX
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
aptX is a codec used for transmitting audio wirelessly with Bluetooth. It is developed by Qualcomm, and supports 16-bit audio at a bit rate of 384kbps.
Available on PC
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4 (Garmin Connect Mobile)
These services are ideal if you want to use the app while sat down at your computer, as well as on-the-go.
Has auto pause
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4 (Garmin Connect Mobile)
It can determine when you have stopped working out and pause your current workout tracking until you start moving again.
Compatible with smart scales
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4 (Garmin Connect Mobile)
It is compatible with smart scales such as the Fitbit Aria and Withings range. These scales transmit information such as weight and BMI to connected services over Wi-Fi.
Compatible with external heart rate monitors
✔Garmin Vivoactive 4 (Garmin Connect Mobile)
It supports third-party heart rate monitors to incorporate your pulse data.
Is compatible with Windows
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
It is compatible with PCs and laptops running the Windows operating system.
has an external memory slot
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
The device has a standard memory slot (such as an SD or micro SD card slot) that enables you to extend the built-in internal storage with affordable memory modules, or easily retrieve data, such as photographs, from the memory card.
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
✖Garmin Vivoactive 4
With a standard mini jack socket, you can use the device with most headphones.
Price comparison
Buy used:
$24
| Product | Store | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in S...Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel Bezel with Black Case and Silicone Band (Renewed) | $190 | ||
| Garmin 010-02174-01 vivoactive 4, GPS Sm...Garmin 010-02174-01 vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors and More, Silver with Gray Band | $250 | ||
| Garmin vívoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Fea...Garmin vívoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors and More, Silver with Gray Band (Renewed) | $184 | ||
| Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch - Bla...Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch - Black/Silver (010-01769-01)™ | $119 | ||
| Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS Sm...Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS Smartwatch Black with Silver Hardware | $101 | ||
| Garmin Vivoactive 4S 40mm Smartwatch Ros...Garmin Vivoactive 4S 40mm Smartwatch Rose Gold with White Case & Silicone Band | $98 | ||
| Garmin Vivoactive 3 Silicone Stainless S...Garmin Vivoactive 3 Silicone Stainless Steel - Black (010-N1769-00) | $105 | ||
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Comments
Ron
1 year ago
3 / 10
Long Garmin user going Apple due to poor software
Ron
1 year ago
3 / 10
I have been a Garmin athlete for 20 years, however, this is my LAST Garmin product...the software is soo unreliable....when they update the system, it breaks a few things that matter (tracking activity, minutes, etc.)...the HR monitor is unreliable as is Intensity minutes...going Apple :(
Elcio
1 year ago
5 / 10
Too bad for a Garmin.
Elcio
1 year ago
5 / 10
I have one, bought a year ago, outside Brazil. That is, without Warranty, as Garmin does not give international warranty, for Brazil. The watch has very low altitude accuracy, with a variation of +/- 18 meters, between measurements, for the same location. The oximeter is unable to take a measurement. Under some conditions, the HR reading fails. The compass does not work, even changing the "widget". The "software" is bad. It's just beautiful, really.
Pros
Cons
Craig
2 years ago
10 / 10
Brilliant watch
Craig
2 years ago
10 / 10
Fantastic watch supports strava 4 GPS signals everything you want I run 19 min for 5k doing 20 miles per week this watch puts Garmin to shame for the Price.
Pros
Cons