Roxana Bikfalvi

Diesel On Axial – An Utterly Uncompromising Smartwatch

December 10, 2019 By Roxana Bikfalvi Leave a Comment

Man sat with basketball listening to music

On Axial is the latest addition to Diesel’s collection of smartwatches. Developed in collaboration with Fossil and sharing features with other watches manufactured under the same umbrella – including the Puma smartwatch or the Fossil Gen 5 – this is a fashionable wearable that certainly impresses with its unmistakable style.

Like everything Diesel, the On Axial exudes personality and looks perfect on the modern man’s wrist. Furthermore, a wealth of features and outstanding design make it a winner. Want to find out more? Read our review…

Background

Diesel On Axial is the third smartwatch in the brand’s collection of smart wearables. Launched in October 2019, it runs Google’s Wear OS and sports a bold, masculine design.

Building on its predecessor, the On Full Guard 2.5, it features new colour combinations and original strap options.

Like the other Gen 5 smartwatches manufactured in collaboration with Fossil, the On Axial comes with NFC for contactless payments, access to Google Assistant, and built-in GPS for distance tracking.

Features

The Diesel On Axial features the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset and boasts 1GB of RAM. This memory boost means increased performance and has allowed the manufacturer to incorporate some of the watch’s most acclaimed features, such as the built-in speaker.

Thanks to the speaker, you’ll be able to answer phone calls on the wrist from both Android or iPhone and seamlessly interact with the Google Assistant.

A generous 8GB of internal memory gives you plenty of storage space for your favourite apps or tunes. Combined with the built-in speaker, you can listen to your favourite music even when you’re not carrying your phone.

Expect about 24 hours of battery life in smart mode, or simply switch to the new extended battery mode for several days of seamless use. You won’t be able to use all the smart functions in power saving mode, but you can still use the heart rate monitor and get notifications on your wrist.

Design

What is striking about the Diesel On Axial is its strong, masculine personality, highlighted by smart design details. This is one watch that won’t go un-noticed. The Diesel style shines through, following the same rugged, industrial looks of the brand’s traditional watches.

It features rivets and metallic accents, alongside fresh colour options such as gunmetal, bronzed stainless steel, and silver. You’ll also be able to choose from an array of stylish bands such as black leather, stainless steel, and blue denim.

Exterior personalisation apart, also expect bespoke dials, including the futuristic-looking Information Tunnel option that’ll give a 3D-like effect to the face. If you’re not a 3D fan, there are a wealth of other dial styles to choose from.

Customisation options include displaying information such as weather forecasts or dual time zones. The heavy-engineered look of the bezel and utilitarian buttons complete the strong visuals.

Fitness Tracking

Like most Wear OS watches, the Diesel On Axial is more of a smartwatch than a fitness tracker. If you need a wearable to keep your performance under control, you’d be better choosing a Garmin or Fitbit.

This model packs multi-sports profiles and is waterproof to 3 ATM. It can be used to set and track fitness goals, monitor your heart rate, and it even incorporates a stroke counter for swimming.

Built-in GPS makes it easy to track your steps accurately, while the generous storage space and built-in speaker make it an excellent jogging mate for those times when you’d like to listen to your motivational tunes but don’t feel like carrying your phone. It also provides detailed activity reports.

Main Advantages

Masculine style and stunning design details
Impressive range of bezel colours and strap materials
Enhanced storage space compared to other Gen 5 smartwatches
Improved RAM and processor
Customisable watch faces and themes
Accurate fitness tracking

Main Disadvantages

Rather pricy for a Wear OS watch
No Wi-Fi connectivity or cellular mode

Competition

	Diesel On Axial	Michael Kors MKGO	Puma Smartwatch	Fossil Gen 5
Display	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED
Resolution	328 x 328 pixels	390 x 390 pixels	328 x 328 pixels	–
Size	44 x 44 x 12 mm	43 x 43 x 17 mm	44 x 44 x 11 mm	44 x 44 x 12 mm
Weight	–	–	28 g	–
Band material	Leather / Fabric / Metal	Silicone	Silicone	Silicone / Stainless steel
Water resistance	3 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth
GPS	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smart notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	No	No	No	No
NFC Payments	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calorie count	No	No	No	No
Multi-sport profiles	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Battery life (Smart mode)	Up to 24 hours	Up to 36 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours

Summary

Diesel On Axial is the most visually stunning fashion smartwatch currently on the market. It might be more expensive than its peers but comes with an improved chipset, more RAM, and impressive storage space compared to most branded smartwatches manufactured by Fossil.

Steampunk details and utilitarian lines make it look good on most wrists.

A speaker and greater iOS support for calls are two of its most attractive features, while the smartwatch is a great fitness tracker too. Undoubtedly, your best bet if you’re looking for a great-looking timepiece capable of combining tech with exciting style.

Diesel On Full Guard 2.5 – A Smartwatch with Bold Personality

December 7, 2019 By Roxana Bikfalvi Leave a Comment

Diesel On Full Guard 2.5 certainly isn’t a smartwatch for everyone. With its bold looks and a plethora of features, it’s aimed at the confident man who’s not afraid to make a statement.

Big and bulky, this wearable is made for those who like Diesel’s imposing style and want a wealth of tech features include Google Pay capability as well as fairly accurate fitness tracking functionality.

Background

Firstly, the 2.5 is the upgraded version of the Diesel On Full Guard. It retains most of its predecessor’s features but brings some noteworthy improvements – notably built-in GPS. You’ll also get Wi-Fi connectivity and will be able to make contactless payments via Google Pay.

Features

Released in 2018, the Diesel On Full Guard 2.5 won’t wow you with its responsiveness, but it works well and delivers all the smart functions you’d expect from a fashion smartwatch.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset, it feels a bit tired in terms of day-to-day performance, but can still handle most tasks with ease. It probably won’t blow you away with its speed, but it’s quite easy to use.

Like most smartwatches out there, it delivers notifications on your wrist. Running the Wear OS, it’s compatible with both Android and iPhones. Wireless connectivity includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC for contactless payments via Google Pay.

However, the watch doesn’t come in an LTE variant, so you’ll need to keep it close to your phone if you want to get notifications and the like.

Design

The On Full Guard 2.5 maintains the characteristic Diesel lines. So there’s nothing else quite like it on the market – good news if you’re looking for something different. With its traditional analogue face with hands and hour marks it looks nothing like a smartwatch.

It’s big and heavy, so it won’t suit those with smaller wrists wanting a more discreet device. But the circular display is enhanced by a thick bezel and three utilitarian buttons that are extremely easy to use. The three buttons make it easy to navigate through the menu and access the various apps, and you can customise the commands according to your needs.

A variety of colours and strap choices let you customise the looks. The basic version comes with a silicone strap that feels like a second skin on the wrist, but you can choose from leather, fabric, or metal straps at additional cost.

Fitness Tracking

Like most fashion smartwatches manufactured by Fossil, the Diesel On Full Guard 2.5 isn’t the most accurate fitness tracker. Your activity will be monitored by Google Fit, but the size of the timepiece might make it slightly uncomfortable to wear while training.

The watch is waterproof to 5 ATM and boasts a wealth of health features. The built-in GPS provides accurate tracking of your pace and distance, while the heart rate monitor helps you ensure effective burning of those nasty calories.

Don’t expect a wealth of multi-sports profiles or highly detailed reports, but it’s still a capable fitness tracker.

Main Advantages

Outstanding, original design
Large display and easy to navigate menu
Accurate heart rate monitoring
Contactless payments via Google Pay

Main Disadvantages

Unsatisfactory battery life
Rather slow compared to other smartwatches in its range

Competition

	Diesel On Full Guard 2.5	Diesel On Axial	Puma Smartwatch	Fossil Gen 5
Display	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED
Resolution	400 x 400 pixels	328 x 328 pixels	328 x 328 pixels	–
Size	47 x 56 x 13 mm	44 x 44 x 12 mm	44 x 44 x 11 mm	44 x 44 x 12 mm
Weight	–	–	28 g	–
Band material	Silicone / Leather / Fabric / Metal	Leather / Fabric / Metal	Silicone	Silicone / Stainless steel
Water resistance	5 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth
GPS	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smart notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	No	No	No	No
NFC Payments	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calorie count	Yes	No	No	No
Multi-sport profiles	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life (Smart mode)	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours

Summary

Diesel On Full Guard 2.5 is not the smartwatch for everyone, but it wasn’t built for everyone either. As long as you’re more concerned about the looks than the functions – and can put up with lacklustre battery life – this wearable will surely satisfy you.

However, if you’d like more performance, the Puma Smartwatch or even the newest Diesel On Axial will undoubtedly be a better choice.

Kate Spade Smartwatch For Women: A Stylish Hybrid Timepiece

December 4, 2019 By Roxana Bikfalvi Leave a Comment

Kate Spade’s newest smartwatch for women – the Scallop 2 – is on-trend, but should it be on your wrist too?

This Wear OS wearable blends fashion, design, and technology. It’s made for fashionistas, but it can easily satisfy any woman who want a stylish, elegant smartwatch on their wrist. Perhaps the greatest feature is the classic timepiece look that hides smart and tracking functionalities.

A wealth of styles, colours, and bands give you plenty of options to choose from. Want to know more? Read our review to find out all you need to know.

Background

The Scallop 2 is the upgraded version of the original Scallop smartwatch. A little bolder than its predecessor, it’s made to make a statement – elegant lines and eye-catching design elements will gain attention.

Those who want a more subtle look can still choose from more neutral bands and not-so-glitzy colours, but it’s hard to make this wearable pass unnoticed.

Like most fashion smartwatches, Scallop 2 joins the list of Fossil-made wearables that have impressive lines and tech features. It doesn’t perform as well as the Samsung Galaxy Watch or Garmin, but it definitely looks amazing on the wrist.

Features

Though it’s performance isn’t the best out there, the Scallop 2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 chipset provides enough power and speed to make the interface smooth and snappy.

RAM and storage space are in line with other similar wearables, and you can expect notifications on the wrist, contactless payments via Google Pay, built-in GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless music streaming.

If you do a lot of music streaming or use the GPS frequently, the battery won’t give you more than one day of use – but moderate users can expect up to two days of battery life.

Design

The Scallop 2’s design is in line with the original Scallop, but has smoother lines and a certain je-ne-sais-quoi. Besides the usual silicone straps, you can also choose from a metal bracelet or a delicate leather band.

The touchscreen also comes with improvements compared to the original model. The spade motif on the top of the display not only enhances the visual factor; it also has a functional role. Simply tap it to open the heart rate monitor – a clever move from Kate Spade.

A selection of new watch faces gives you plenty of customisation options and you can change themes and colours to match the shades of your outfit. This design feature comes as a breath of fresh air in the fashion smartwatch world and is a clear indicator that the brand really cares about the wearer’s overall look.

Like most Fossil-made watches, the Kate Spade Scallop 2 comes with customisable buttons, so you can access your favourite apps quickly and easily.

Fitness Tracking

The Scallop 2 doesn’t shine in terms of fitness tracking features when compared with a Garmin or Fitbit, but still has plenty to recommend it.

Whether you like walking or running, the built-in GPS will help you to track your pace and distance accurately. The heart rate monitor also comes as a useful feature during a cardio workout and to measure performance, and you can also wear the watch while swimming or showering.

You won’t be able to access ultra-detailed reports, but you’ll still have access to most training metrics via Google Fit.

Satisfying but not outstanding in terms of fitness tracking capabilities, this smartwatch is ideal for those who want to stay in shape but don’t define themselves as fitness junkies.

Main Advantages

Recognisable Kate Spade product with embossed logo on crown and display
Built-in heart rate sensor and GPS
Premium design
NFC payments via Google Pay
Swim-proof at 3 ATM

Main Disadvantages

It could be too big for ladies with slender wrists
Rather expensive compared to other Fossil watches

Competition

	Kate Spade Scallop 2	Diesel On Axial	Puma Smartwatch	Fossil Gen 5
Display	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED
Resolution	–	328 x 328 pixels	328 x 328 pixels	–
Size	41 x 41 x 16 mm	44 x 44 x 12 mm	44 x 44 x 11 mm	44 x 44 x 12 mm
Weight	–	–	28 g	–
Band material	Silicone / Leather / Metal	Leather / Fabric / Metal	Silicone	Silicone / Stainless steel
Water resistance	3 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth
GPS	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smart notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	No	No	No	No
NFC Payments	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calorie count	No	No	No	No
Multi-sport profiles	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life (Smart mode)	Up to 48 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours

Summary

In a market focused on male or unisex designs, this wearable is perfect for women who appreciate both looks and functionality.

It’s a capable smartwatch that brings all you could wish from a last-generation Fossil smartwatch and shines from a visual standpoint.

Best Sports Watches for Women: 4 Stylish Choices

November 28, 2019 By Roxana Bikfalvi Leave a Comment

Woman performing stretches next to water front

In a smartwatch market mainly geared towards men, some brands have recognised that a sports watch for women has to have more than a stylish band.

The biggest players in the industry have now started to equip their wearables with feminine health features including menstrual cycle and fertility metrics.

Those features, alongside other sports profiles, are a few of the essentials in a good woman’s sports watch – though the looks matter too. So if you’re looking for a sports watch that performs in the gym and goes well with your little black dress, have a look at the four picks below.

1. Garmin Vivoactive 4S

A stylish yet highly performing sports watch for women

The Garmin Vivoactive 4S is a slimmer, more feminine version of the Vivoactive 4. It’s smartwatch built with women in mind and that impresses with sleek lines and rose gold accents.

Specific feminine health features include menstrual cycle tracking via the Garmin Connect app. You can log in physical and emotional symptoms, set period reminders, and even access training and nutrition advice for each phase of your cycle.

Made for daily wear, it comes with interchangeable bands and is designed to be worn 24/7. It’s water-resistant to 5 ATM and has an always-on, sunlight-readable display.

Over 20 preloaded sports profiles let you track a variety of outdoor and indoor workouts, including running or walking, cycling, golf, and pool swimming, to name just a few. Furthermore, animated workouts on your wrist make it easier to start training if athletic performance has never been your greatest strength.

An array of additional features, such as respiration tracking and body battery energy monitoring, add further value for money. The watch also delivers smart notifications on your wrist and incorporates features such as Garmin Pay and a music player. It’s undoubtedly one of the best sports watches for women you can find.

Main Advantages

Customisable watch faces
Interchangeable bands
Over 20 preloaded sports profiles
Long battery life
Feminine health features

Main Disadvantages

The software may sometimes hang

2. Fitbit Charge 3

A fashionable choice for slender wrists

Straddling the line between the slimmer Inspire and performance Ionic, the Fitbit Charge 3 is an excellent sports watch for women. It doesn’t have built-in GPS but it can pair with your phone’s GPS to provide accurate outdoor workout tracking.

A 24/7 heart rate and sleep monitoring sensor determines your overall fitness levels. Breathing tips help reduce stress, while a wealth of preloaded workouts allow you to track athletic performance regardless of the sport you practice.

The female health tracking feature is similar to Garmin’s; you can use it to monitor your menstrual cycle as well as ovulation and fertility windows, while the Fitbit App dashboard lets you set goals, find inspiration, and even connect with your friends.

Charge 3 sports a sensitive touch-screen display and easy-to-read high-resolution screen. Smartphone notifications and wireless payments are other highlights.

Designed to fit all wrists, it comes in two size options with swappable bands and up to seven days of battery life – all at a very attractive price.

Main Advantages

Dedicated female health features
Slim, feminine design
Excellent fitness tracking capabilities
Automatic exercise recognition

Main Disadvantages

No built-in GPS
It is not fully compatible with iOS

3. Apple Watch Series 4

The trendiest sports watch on the market

The Apple Watch is not the most attractive sports watch out there, but it’s definitely one of the best. If you’re an Apple enthusiast, you’ll fall head over heels for this wearable.

What it lacks in the looks department, the Apple Watch Series 4 makes up for in terms of functionality. It comes in two sizes and with or without LTE. The 40mm variant is undeniably the best choice for women as it looks sleeker on the wrist.

As it has improved health and fitness tracking features compared to the Series 3, and a more affordable price point compared to the new Series 5, the Apple Watch Series 4 is a winner.

Enhanced heart rate monitoring with alerts and comprehensive reports are a great addition for those concerned about their health, but you won’t get any feminine health tracking features.

All in all, the Apple Watch Series 4 is an excellent all-rounder – a trendy wearable to add to your smart device arsenal.

Main Advantages

Large, crisp display
High and low heart rate detection
Fall detection with SOS trigger
Extremely responsive
Electrocardiogram feature

Main Disadvantages

Short battery life
Limited style choices
Quite expensive

4. Suunto 3 Fitness

A solid fitness watch built for the sports enthusiasts

Casual fitness fans who want a sporty, more masculine-looking watch might like the Suunto 3 Fitness, which has something of the allure of Garmin’s Forerunner 935.

Capable of improving your general fitness, this watch is more than a fitness tracker. You’ll get the usual cycling, running, and walking, but the Suunto 3 Fitness focuses on helping you improve performance based on your personal metrics.

Its best features are the heart-rate powered adaptive training and recovery advice that show you the stress your body is under in real-time. These features help you get the most out of your workout and are often more useful than preloaded sports profile.

In terms of style, it’s sleeker than other Suunto watches. It looks great on most wrists and pairs well with gym and casual attire. There’s no doubt that it’s a great smartwatch if you’re looking for an affordable, goal-oriented device.

Main Advantages

Slim and lightweight profile
Adaptive training plans
Good battery life
Smart notifications on the wrist

Main Disadvantages

No GPS
Sync features may fail sometimes

How Do We Test Smartwatches?

Here at Superwatches, we strive to deliver accurate reviews of the devices we recommend, so we can help you make informed buying decisions. That’s why we test each watch before reviewing it by wearing and using its functions both inside and outside of the gym. Besides training and fitness tracking capabilities, we also test the overall functionality and smart features in day-to-day life.

Summary

The smartwatch and fitness trackers market might be geared towards men, but there is also a wealth of capable sports watches for women you can choose from. Whether you want to focus on style, fitness tracking features, or trends, I hope the four choices above inspired you.

So, what do you say? Did you find the right sports watch in the list above? Tell me in a comment below; I’d love to hear from you.

Before you go, share this article with your friends to help them find the right sports watch.

Fossil Sport Smartwatch: A Fitness-Centred Wearable

November 26, 2019 By Roxana Bikfalvi Leave a Comment

Woman running in pink and blue activewear

Fossil is one of the few brands that focuses on combining smart fitness tracking features in fashionable designs for its smartwatches. Most wearables from the brand blur the line between functionality and style, bringing the best of both worlds.

But the Fossil Sport is an exception. This fitness-centred wearable doesn’t look as good as its peers nor does it have the same fitness tracking capabilities as Fitbit. So, want to know if it’s worth the hype? Continue reading to find it out.

Background

Fossil Sport is the brand’s fitness tracker, an alternative to Fitbit or the acclaimed Puma smartwatch. It runs Google’s popular Wear OS and is compatible with both iPhone and Android smartphones.

It was certainly designed with the fitness junky in mind, and Fossil appears not to have been bothered about the aesthetics. The result is a rather minimalist device that looks a bit anonymous on your wrist.

What it lacks in terms of design it packs in terms of capabilities, though. Fossil Sport is a functional smartwatch that comes as a more affordable alternative, in comparison, to most sports watches out there.

Features

Fossil Sport is a mid-range smartwatch primarily focused on fitness, so it isn’t really packed with high-end features. Nevertheless, it’s one of the first Fossil watches to pack the Snapdragon 3100 chipset so the interface is responsive and navigation is fluid.

Furthermore, its 4GB storage means you’ll have plenty of space to download the latest apps or update the features.

While the device technically pairs with both iOS and Android smartwatches, you might struggle to sync your apps if you’re an iPhone enthusiast. And while this watch can satisfy the avid runners or fitness fanatics, you might want to look elsewhere if you’re after a premium accessory.

Design

Positioning itself as the perfect workout companion, Fossil Sport is lightweight and durable. While it doesn’t have a noteworthy design, due to its smaller dimensions and unisex lines, it’s a good fit for both men and women.

Made to withstand harsh gym environments, it sports an aluminium body and lightweight silicone strap. Two buttons, one above and one under the dial, give access to the menu and various functions, including Google Fit.

Like most Fossil smartwatches, the Sport comes with customisable buttons, so you can set them to open whatever app you wish. The software also lets you save various configurations, and you can also customise the watch face.

However, pressing the buttons can be a bit of a challenge, at least until you get used to their stiffness. Although they’re designed like this so you don’t accidentally press them during a workout, they can still be annoying.

Fitness Tracking

While Fossil doesn’t shine in terms of looks and smarts, it does when it comes to its fitness tracking features. It’s one of the most accurate mid-range trackers we’ve used and packs all you could wish from a wearable designed for an active lifestyle.

The watch comes with built-in GPS and is perfect for running and swimming. You can still snorkel with it and even explore the seabed so long as you don’t dive deeper than 50 metres.

A wealth of pre-loaded workouts also allow you to get the most out of this watch for both indoors and outdoors training. However, you won’t be able to control every minute of your workout nor get detailed activity reports. This is a pity, but it wasn’t aimed at serious athletes.

Main Advantages

Lightweight, utilitarian sports watch design
Wear OS features including built-in GPS and Google Pay
Customisable commands and watch faces
Waterproof at 5 ATM

Main Disadvantages

Doesn’t pair well with iPhones
The GPS might get lost sometimes

Competition

	Fossil Sport	Diesel On Axial	Puma Smartwatch	Fossil Gen 5
Display	OLED	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED
Resolution	–	328 x 328 pixels	328 x 328 pixels	–
Size	41 x 41 mm or 43 x 43 mm	44 x 44 x 12 mm	44 x 44 x 11 mm	44 x 44 x 12 mm
Weight	–	–	28 g	–
Band material	Silicone	Leather / Fabric / Metal	Silicone	Silicone / Stainless steel
Water resistance	5 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth
GPS	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smart notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	No	No	No	No
NFC Payments	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calorie count	Yes	No	No	No
Multi-sport profiles	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life (Smart mode)	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours

Summary

Fossil Sport might not be the highest-performing smartwatch out there, but it is definitely a capable fitness tracker. It’s so lightweight you’ll forget you’re wearing it, and it can track your workouts to help you improve your metrics.

Sure, if you’re looking for the utmost performance or ultimate design in terms of fashion, this isn’t the smartwatch for you. But if you want a capable sports watch at a price that won’t break the bank, Fossil Sport fits the bill beautifully.

Garmin Vivofit 4 – A No-Frills Activity Tracker For Fitness Enthusiasts

September 20, 2019 By Roxana Bikfalvi Leave a Comment

Fitness enthusiasts looking for a 24/7 wearable might be impressed with the Garmin Vivofit 4. Simplistic nature and no-frills functionality make it a reliable accessory for not-so-tech-avid users.

Its strengths are unbeaten battery life as well as improved design and comfort compared to the Vivofit 3.

The watch is perfect for the weekend warriors as well as those looking to become accountable for their daily activity, but who don’t really care about smart notifications on the wrist.

Is it the right activity tracker for you? Read our review to find out all you need to know about it.

Background

Garmin Vivofit 4 is the upscale version of the Vivofit 3. It has sleeker lines and more stylish display design, but it doesn’t come with all those sassy bands the Vivofit 3 used us to.

If you don’t mind a simpler – and still fashionable – wristband, though, you’ll get higher resolution, a coloured display, and more clock and daily smart features if you opt for the Vivofit 4.

One of the simplest and cheapest Garmin wearables, the Vivofit 4 is a fitness tracker at heart with timekeeping functionality, but it lacks smartphone notifications, GPS, and a heart rate monitor.

Garmin advertises this smartband as perfect for those looking for an inexpensive fitness tracker. But with tough competition from the likes of the Moov Now and Fitbit Alta HR, it might need more than stellar battery life to stand out.

Features

Garmin Vivofit 4 is what we can call a fitness tracker in the true meaning of the word. Smart features are limited to counting steps and calories burnt, as well as tracking your activity and performance.

Connectivity features include Bluetooth and ANT+, but they only serve to allow the device to communicate with the Garmin Connect app so that you can check your activity and progress.

The lack of smart notifications limits its features to those of a classic timepiece. You’ll still be able to access weather forecasts, though, and use the device as an alarm clock, timer, and stopwatch.

Although it lacks GPS and notifications, I like that it features Garmin’s Find My Phone feature you can use to locate your… ehmmm… misplaced mobile device.

If you want to motivate your kids to get some movement, you’ll love the Toe-to-Toe feature you can use to challenge your youngsters to a step competition by wirelessly connecting your tracker to a nearby Vivofit Jr. 2 or another Vivofit 4.

Design

The Vivofit 4 is one of Garmin’s most elegant smartbands. It’s noticeably thinner than other Garmin wearables, meaning it looks sleeker on your wrist and is also lighter – an important aspect for an activity tracker designed to wear 24/7.

It comes with interchangeable TPU or silicone bands. Colour-wise, you can pick from solid black or white or speckle black, blue, and purple straps. No doubt, the speckle twist enhances the aesthetic factor and makes it more suitable for both adult women and younger ladies.

While the strap material doesn’t look exactly fashionable when you want to match it with more formal wear, it does feel comfortable when worn uninterruptedly for weeks.

The Vivofit 4 comes in two sizes for smaller or bigger wrists. Swapping bands is easy by simply pulling the tiny device out of its strap and placing it into another.

A big improvement compared to its predecessor is the colour display that enhances the user experience. A button below the touchscreen makes it easy to navigate through the menu and visualise the travelled distance, step count, or calories burnt.

Another nice twist compared to the previous Vivofit devices is the always-on display that lets you use the activity tracker as a regular timepiece.

Fitness Tracking

Designed with the fitness amateur rather than the professional athlete in mind, Garmin Vivofit 4 is a rather basic activity tracker. If you’re after a wealth of preset sports profiles, detailed live stats, and performance metrics on your wrist, this isn’t the right smartband for you.

However, if you just want something to hold you accountable for your activity without too many frills, you’re gonna love this device.

Like most Garmin wearables, it incorporates the Move IQ feature that recognises when you’re training and starts tracking your activity without intervention from your side. It’s ideal for walking, running, and swimming, but don’t expect advanced monitoring profiles.

While it lacks a heart rate monitor, it tracks the sleep quite accurately. My favourite fitness feature is the Auto Goal, which basically learns your level of activity and assigns daily step goals.

The Vivofit 4 syncs with the Garmin Connect app, so you can visualise stats and performance on your mobile, and is swim proof.

Main Advantages

Unbelievable battery life – you can expect it to last for up to 1 year
Simple battery change
User-friendly interface
Simple to use by the not-so-tech-savvy individuals
Always-on colour display
Lightweight and incredibly comfortable to wear

Main Disadvantages

No GPS or heart rate monitoring
No smart notifications
Limited smart and fitness tracking functionality

Competition

	Garmin Vivofit 4	Garmin Vivoactive 3	Moov Now	Fitbit Alta HR
Display	Transflective glass	Corning Gorilla Glass	N/A	Gorilla glass
Resolution	80 x 80px	240 x 240px	N/A	N/A
Size	19 x 11 x 9.4 mm	43.4 x 43.4 x 11.7 mm	–	15.24 x 41 mm
Weight	25 g	43 g	15 g	29 g
Band material	TPU / Silicone	Silicone	Latticed rubber	Silicone / Leather
Water resistance	Swim proof	5 ATM	3 ATM	Splashproof
Connectivity	Bluetooth Smart, ANT+	Bluetooth Smart, ANT+	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
GPS	No	Yes	No	No
Heart rate monitoring	No	Yes	Yes – paired with Moov HR	Yes
Smart notifications	No	Yes	No	Yes
Sleep tracking	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calorie count	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multi-sport profiles	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Interchangeable bands	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life	Up to 1 year	Up to 7d	Up to 6 months	Up to 7d

How We Tested

One of the Vivofit’s 4 greatest advantages is that it’s equipped with a conventional battery. You won’t have to take it off to recharge it or worry about running out of juice right after you started training.

This feature allowed me to wear it uninterruptedly for two weeks – I could have continued to keep it on, but other smartwatches were calling for a test.

The activity tracker is truly lightweight and comfortable to wear 24/7. It’s swim proof, meaning you can also wear it while you shower; just take it off if you plan to snorkel or dive.

The activity tracking is not the most accurate, but that’s to be expected from a device that lacks GPS. It does keep you accountable for your daily activity though. It’s not for those who have Mo Farah’s ambitions, but great if you just want to lose some weight or boost your health.

Summary

Garmin Vivofit 4 is not a superb entry-level activity tracker. It won’t wow you with its capabilities, but it’s a nice choice if you’re looking for a reliable and affordable wearable. Like most Garmin smartwatches, it does what it’s supposed to do, and it does it well. You can even set competitions with your partner, friends, or kids to upscale your game and boost motivation.

Capable but not stunning, we recommend it for those who don’t mind the lack of smart feature and want a no-frills, budget-friendly activity tracker.