Garmin's Vivoactive HR is for anyone who enjoys the outdoors
Garmin's Vivoactive HR is for anyone who enjoys the outdoors
1:56

Garmin's Vivoactive HR is for anyone who enjoys the outdoors

Smartwatches
[MUSIC] The Vivoactive HR isn't like many of Garmin's other products. It's not just for athletes, but rather anyone who loves the outdoors, and being active. That's because it's not designed for a specific sport. The $250 watch seems to have it all. It can track all day activities like steps, floors climbed, and sleep. There's also smartphone notifications when connected to an iPhone or Android device. Plus, it has an optical heart rate sensor on the back and GPS for measuring just about every activity you can imagine. It can track more than 14 sports, that includes running, cycling, golfing, swimming, skiing, rowing, and even paddle boarding. And it does all of this without having to be charged every night. You can expect up to eight days of battery life or up to 13 hours with an active GPS signal. So, overall, it's pretty clear that I'm a fan of the watch, but there are some things that need to be pointed out, like the design. It's big and bulky and won't appeal to everyone, although the watch is waterproof up to 50 meters, which I do like. The heart rate sensor is also good, but it's not perfect and can fluctuate when doing fast interval workouts. I also experienced occasional hiccups with syncing and bluetooth connection to my android phone. The connection problems weren't as frequent as with the original Vivoactive but it's still an area where [UNKNOWN] needs to improve. So who would I recommend this watch for? Pretty much any active consumer. The waterproof design, the long battery life and multiple sport profiles also make it a better value than Surge. And while it is fully capable of tracking running, cycling, and swimming, I wouldn't recommend it for dedicated runners and trialthletes, because it is missing some more advanced features. But for the casual walker, runner, hiker, golfer, swimmer, biker, or just about anyone else The Vivoactive HR is a solid five. For more information and recommendations on other watches to consider, check out my full review over at cnet.com. [MUSIC]

Up Next

Apple Watch Patent Dispute Isn't Over Yet -- What Happens Next?
240104-site-one-more-thing-apple-watch-drama-v2

Up Next

Apple Watch Patent Dispute Isn't Over Yet -- What Happens Next?

Tips and Tricks for the Apple Watch Series 9
lexy-apple-watch-tips-seq-cnet-00-11-07-01-still002.png

Tips and Tricks for the Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch Sales Pause Impacts One of Apple's Biggest Products
applewatchban-cnet

The Apple Watch Sales Pause Impacts One of Apple's Biggest Products

2023's Top Smartwatches and Wearables of the Year
231129-yt-best-wearable-v03

2023's Top Smartwatches and Wearables of the Year

Apple Watch Double Tap Early Impressions
231109-site-double-tap-commentary

Apple Watch Double Tap Early Impressions

Comparing Apple Watch Series 9 to Ultra 2
cnetultra2series9

Comparing Apple Watch Series 9 to Ultra 2

Google Pixel Watch 2 Review: Steps in the Right Direction
pixel-watch-review-seq-00-07-12-03-still006

Google Pixel Watch 2 Review: Steps in the Right Direction

Pixel Watch 2 First Look: Google's Smartwatch Gets An Upgrade
pixel-watch-2-seq-copy-01-cnet-cnet-00-07-41-08-still004

Pixel Watch 2 First Look: Google's Smartwatch Gets An Upgrade

Apple Watch Series 9 Review: A Slightly More Convenient Watch
apple-watch-series-9-5

Apple Watch Series 9 Review: A Slightly More Convenient Watch

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review: So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
230919-site-apple-watch-ultra-2-review

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review: So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e
240417-site-fiat-500e-ev-drive-program-thumbnail-v3

First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e

Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For
laptop-buying-guide-2024-00-02-36-12-still001

Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For

Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
p1022506-00-00-01-20-still001

Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot

Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
applecider-160424-land-00-00-06-18-still001

Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks

Testing BruMate's Leakproof Tumbler
brumate-160324-land-00-00-47-14-still001

Testing BruMate's Leakproof Tumbler

Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
airpods-pro-2

Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
cnet-audiq6

2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
240320-site-nuro-r3-first-look-v1

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
240229-site-best-of-show-at-mwc

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
240225-site-lenovo-translucent-laptop-concept-v3

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display

Latest How To All how to videos

Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
airpods-pro-2

Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2

How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
screenshot-2024-04-03-at-15-47-11.png

How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro