Exploring Garmin's Newest Smartwatch: Style Meets Functionality

Highlights from ZDNET

Garmin's new Vivoactive 6 smartwatch presents a delicate balance of elegance and affordably priced features.

With its latest iteration, Garmin brought forward a sleek and compact Vivoactive 6, catering to a wide array of activities, ideal for individuals with versatile routines rather than singular focuses.

For the first time, a Garmin smartwatch introduces the Smart Alarm feature, which aims to gently wake you from light slumber up to half an hour before your set alarm. Previously seen in Fitbit devices, this addition is a welcome method for a more relaxed morning rise.

Embracing the Vivoactive 6

The Vivoactive 6 stands as a remarkable entry-level choice from Garmin, combining comfort and the capability to monitor over 80 distinct activities while keeping an eye on your wellbeing.

While I remain uncertain about being roused earlier than necessary, the thought is that waking during light sleep might be less jarring. Personal experience will dictate the efficacy of this function, weighing early waking against potentially interrupted deep sleep.

With a 42mm diameter, the Vivoactive 6 is a bit undersized for my larger wrists, yet its minimalist design—complete with smooth, curved edges and a refined aesthetic—diverges from bulky smartwatch trends. It's thin at 10.9mm and weighs only 36 grams, making it barely noticeable as you rest.

Featuring just two buttons on the right side, navigating the interface involves button use, taps, and swipes, simplifying the experience for those new to Garmin watches. The AMOLED display is vibrant, though activating the always-on mode will decrease battery life by half; lifting your wrist reliably lights the display, so turning off this mode can extend battery life past a week.

The Vivoactive 6 supports an impressive selection of over 80 activities both indoors and outdoors, including suggested daily workouts, stretching routines, and animated workouts. It accommodates disability with wheelchair mode, alongside strength training and tools for assessing running form, fitness level, interval creation, stress evaluation, and HRV status.

With its release coinciding with prime seasons for golf and cycling, the watch aids in tracking golf shots without hindering your swing. It fits comfortably and is surprisingly durable, boasting a long-lasting battery that endures more than a week of consistent use.

In comparison with competing devices, the Vivoactive 6 maintained precise location tracking and accurate heart rate readings across activities like walking, running, biking, and rowing. Its sleep tracking and coaching features aligned closely with those from other high-end brands.

ZDNET's Expert Recommendations

With numerous enhancements over its predecessor, the Vivoactive 5, this model retains the $299.99 starting price. Its array of color choices and smaller size makes it suitable for those with small to medium-sized wrists, providing a broad reach of sports and activity support without needing a specialized device.