Why I Recommend This Garmin Watch Over Competing Apple, Samsung, And Google Models

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is disposable successful 4 colors for $300.
• The AMOLED show is brilliant, nan disposable activity functions are comprehensive, and nan artillery lasts 5-11 days.
• There is nary altimeter, nan 30 infinitesimal smart siren interval is simply a spot long, and it's a spot mini for those pinch larger wrists.

Garmin's latest smartwatch for nan masses, nan Vivoactive 6, brings a caller position to its lineup pinch a stylish creation and approachable price.

With nan continuation of its upgrade cycle, Garmin chose a smaller shape facet for nan Vivoactive 6, pinch support for a wide scope of activities -- a awesome watch for users who do a batch of different things but don't request heavy insights successful 1 peculiar area. 

Also: The champion Garmin watches you tin buy: Expert tested

The Vivoactive 6 besides incorporates nan caller Smart Alarm characteristic for nan first clip connected a Garmin smartwatch. This characteristic wakes you wrong 30 minutes of your group siren clip erstwhile it detects you're successful a ray slumber phase. We first saw this capacity pinch Fitbit years ago, truthful it's bully to spot Garmin helping america aftermath up happier.   

I'm not judge I want to beryllium awakened 30 minutes earlier my alarm, but nan thought present is that it'd beryllium easier to get up if you're successful a ray slumber phase. It will return immoderate acquisition to spot really good it works, and if it's really amended to beryllium awoken earlier, arsenic opposed to sleeping longer but jolted awake from a heavy sleep. 

Also: This smartwatch combines precocious wellness search pinch a prestigious creation - and I emotion it

I person larger wrists, truthful I recovered nan Vivoactive 6 a spot excessively mini for me, but nan 42mm diameter is judge to fresh nan mostly of people. The watch's creation is very minimalist, though, pinch curved edges and an wide sleek consciousness that is simply a departure from astir chunky smartwatches. It measures conscionable 10.9mm heavy and weighs 36 grams, truthful you tin slumber soundly without it interrupting your slumber arsenic you twist and roll.

There are only 2 beingness buttons connected nan correct side, truthful navigation of nan personification interface is via these 2 buttons, surface taps, and surface swipes. This creation is cleanable for group caller to Garmin watches who whitethorn beryllium overwhelmed by nan accepted five-button interface. The AMOLED show is vibrant and lovely, but if you alteration nan always-on mode, past your artillery life will beryllium trim successful half. Since nan show turns connected reliably erstwhile you assistance your wrist, I urge switching disconnected nan always-on mode and enjoying much than a week of artillery life.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

More than 80 indoor and outdoor activities are supported connected nan Vivoactive 6, including regular suggested workouts. It besides includes stretching activities, animated workouts, wheelchair mode, and spot training. Running dynamics, fittingness levels, interval and workout creation, accent tracking, HRV status, and overmuch much are halfway functions successful nan Vivoactive 6.

Also: Finally, a fund smartwatch that's conscionable arsenic durable arsenic my Garmin (and it's connected sale)

The Vivoactive 6 motorboat comes arsenic fair-weather play season, biking, and different outdoor endeavors go much popular. The play support is reasonably extensive, truthful you tin way your shots and beryllium assured that nan watch will not change your swing. I hardly felt nan Vivoactive 6 erstwhile it was secured connected my wrist, and americium frankly amazed it has a artillery ample capable to past much than a week pinch regular use.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

When compared to different devices, I confirmed meticulous location search and bosom complaint capacity while walking, running, cycling, and rowing. Sleep search matched nan characteristic sets of different comparable devices, and nan slumber coach feedback was meticulous successful my testing. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The Garmin Vivoactive 6 has galore important improvements complete nan Vivoactive 5, while remaining astatine nan aforesaid $299 starting price. The disposable colour options are judge to fulfill people, and nan smaller size intends it's cleanable for those pinch mini to medium-sized wrists. It supports an extended number of sports and activities, truthful if you don't request a specialized, focused device, this watch will apt meet your needs.