Great features

Really cool watch to help track all of your activities.

Garmin Vivoactive HR review: A versatile multisport watch for active people

I've had a busy month. I've been running, cycling, swimming, rowing and hiking. And I've done all of this while wearing a single watch, Garmin's Vivoactive HR. Unlike many of Garmin's other products, the watch won't appeal to just athletes. It's an everyday fitness band, but with smartwatch elements. It gives Fitbit a run for its everyday-fitness money and is a compelling solution for anyone with an active lifestyle.

The Vivoactive HR's versatile, multipurpose function and design make it one of the better smart GPS fitness watches on the market.

There's a wealth of features here, including all-day activity tracking, phone notifications, built-in optical heart-rate sensor, GPS, multiple sport profiles and an always-on display; It can be worn in the shower and while swimming.

It's bulky; there are occasional connection and syncing problems; and the mobile app is confusing.

Garmin Vivoactive HR hands-on review

We are really, really impressed by this smartwatch. It offers a huge array of features in a compact, comfortable and practical package that will meet the needs of most athletes, whether amateur or professional. And for just over £200, we think it's a bit of a bargain, particularly when you consider that it offers GPS, notifications and an app store for adding yet more tools and features when you need them.

Garmin Vivoactive HR Review

The Garmin Vivoactive HR ($249.99) is an upgraded version of the Garmin Vivoactive, one of our favorite fitness trackers. As you might be able to tell from the name, the biggest new feature is a continuous heart rate monitor. Otherwise, it retains many of the same features as its predecessor, including built-in GPS to record outdoor runs, sleep tracking, on-screen weather reports, and vibrating push notifications from your smartphone. But a few design changes, including a bulky form factor and a dim display, hold back what would have otherwise been a solid upgrade. Design and DisplayThe Garmin Vivoactive HR is thicker and heavier than its predecessor. Made of black plastic, the tracker's face measures 1.19 by 2.24 by 0.45 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.67 ounces. The original Vivoactive measures 1.72 by 1.52 by 0.32 inches and weighs 1.34 ounces, making it significantly more comfortable on the wrist. The plastic watch face is flat and rigid, and I never forgot I was wearing it. Two co...

The Garmin Vivoactive HR adds a heart rate monitor, but also changes some of what we loved about the original Vivoactive fitness tracker.

Accurate heart rate monitoring; GPS; Waterproof; App store with widgets; Above average battery life

Dim screen could be sharper; Thick, uncomfortable design; Cumbersome to swap bands

Garmin Vivoactive HR review review

Five day battery life; Tracks a variety of activities; Leave your phone at home: it’s got GPS;

ASBO bracelet chic; Few downloadable apps ;