...
July 13, 2025

Garmin Vivoactive 5 Review (2025): The Smartwatch for Fitness & Life


25

EXPERTS

15

YEARS

27,000+

REVIEWS

Discover unparalleled expertise at XYUltra, where we provide in-depth reviews and insights on over 900 cutting-edge tech products in the Best fitness tracker, Buying Guides category to empower your purchasing decisions and elevate your gaming experience!

Garmin Vivoactive 5 Review (2025): The Smartwatch for Fitness & Life Featured Image

Here comes the Garmin Vivoactive 5. You can use it as a smartwatch for everyday tasks and working out. It fits the market perfectly. It’s more than just a fitness club. It is also a great watch. This review of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 will tell you everything you need to know. It watches your sleep and heart rate. It even keeps track of how stressed you are. It also has great everyday life features. You can get notifications on your phone. You can also check the weather. The AMOLED screen looks great. It now keeps track of how long you sleep. There is a new way to use wheelchairs. But Garmin did change a few things. Some of the Vivoactive 4’s features are gone now. No altimeter uses air pressure. This means it won’t keep track of how many floors you climb. There are no more animations for the workouts either. On the other hand, the Vivoactive 5 is interesting in its way. The shape is a round one, which is classic. It also has room for music. A lot of people would love this.

Getting to Know the Vivoactive 5: How It Looks and Works

Vivoactive 5: How It Looks and Works

The way a watch looks and feels is very important. You put it on every day. This is something the Garmin Vivoactive 5 does very well. It has a sleek style and a sporty look all at the same time.

A Great AMOLED Screen

The colors are bright and full of life. You can see the screen clearly in any kind of light. The touch screen works well, too.  This makes sure that you can always see the watch face. You can also make it light up by lifting your wrist. This feature doesn’t always work right away. The display is the best part of this Garmin watch, the Vivoactive 5, though.

The quality of the construction and comfort

The aluminum frame around the screen has been anodized. Some people might miss the stainless steel that was on the last model. The case is made of plastic with fibers in it. The band that comes with it is made of soft silicone. Not too big and not too small. Garmin has four different colors to choose from. I put the Cream Gold bezel on an ivory case. You can quickly take off the watch’s standard 20mm band. You can exchange it for any other band you want.

A closer look at what the Garmin Vivoactive 5 can do

A closer look at what the Garmin Vivoactive 5 can do

It has a lot of things that can help you be healthier.

Keeping a closer eye on your health and wellness

Garmin is the best at keeping track of your health. The Vivoactive 5 has the most up-to-date sensors.

  • Tracking Sleep and Naps: The watch keeps track of when you sleep and when you nap. It tells you how much light, deep, and REM sleep you get. This model can now tell when you are sleeping. It keeps track of your naps and adds them to your energy overview on its own.
  • Body Battery: The Vivoactive 5 gives you more information. It tells you what things drained or charged your battery.
  • Stress and Heart Rate: It also keeps track of how much stress you have.
  • Women’s Health: The watch can help you keep track of your periods and pregnancies. It tells you about symptoms, exercise, and food.

Fitness, sports, and GPS

This watch is a real Garmin. It was meant to be active. There is a GPS in the Vivoactive 5. You can keep track of your runs, walks, and bike rides without your phone. It keeps track of your speed and distance perfectly. The device already has more than 30 sports apps on it. Some of these are running, biking, swimming, and golfing. There are also a lot of things you can do inside.

“Wheelchair Mode” is the name of this new mode. It counts pushes instead of steps. It has workouts and activities that are only for people in wheelchairs. This makes it easier for everyone to use the watch.

What can a smartwatch do?

  • Notifications: See texts, emails, and alerts right on your wrist. If you have an Android phone, you can even send quick replies.
  • Garmin Pay: Garmin Pay lets you pay without touching anything. You can pay for things with just a tap of your watch. It is safe and simple to use.

Does the Garmin Vivoactive 5 resist water?

You can use the Garmin Vivoactive 5 in water. This means it can handle the same amount of pressure as being 50 meters deep. You don’t have to worry about your vivoactive 5 getting wet when you wear it in the shower.

What isn’t there? The Vivoactive 5 Trade-Offs

  • No Barometric Altimeter: This sensor counts how many floors you go up. It won’t keep track of how your elevation changes during the day. For a lot of people, this isn’t a big deal. If you like counting stairs, this is something to think about.
  • No animations of workouts on the screen: The last model could show you animations of workouts. This was helpful for yoga or getting stronger. This is not something that the Vivoactive 5 has. You will see the name of the exercise, but not a video that shows you how to do it.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Can you answer phone calls on the Vivoactive 5?
You can see calls coming in on the watch and decide if you want to answer them. You have to talk on your phone, that is connected.
Is the Vivoactive 5 safe to use in water?
A lot of people do ask if the vivoactive 5 is waterproof. The watch is safe to wear while swimming or showering because it has a 5 ATM water rating.
Does the Vivoactive 5 measure distance?
Yes, it has GPS built in that can accurately track distance, speed, and route for outdoor activities like running and biking.
Is there a touchscreen on the Vivoactive 5?
It does have a bright and responsive AMOLED touchscreen.
What is the best Vivoactive?
The Vivoactive 5 is the newest and most advanced model in the series, so most new buyers should get it.
Which one is better, Garmin watcha nd Apple one?
This is your choice. People know that Garmin watches last longer and do a better job of tracking fitness. People know that Apple Watches work well with the iPhone and other apps that aren't made by Apple.
Does the Vivoactive 5 have GPS?
Yes. One of the best things about the Garmin Vivoactive 5 watches is that they have GPS built in. You can keep track of what you're doing without a phone.
Is the Vivoactive 5 worth the money?
Yes. It has a lot of value for $299.99 because it has a high-quality screen, a full range of health features, and the ability to store music.
Is there a 6 vivoactive?
There isn't a Garmin Vivoactive 6 at this time.
Does the Vivoactive 5 keep track of your periods?
Yes, you can use the Garmin Connect app to keep track of your pregnancy and menstrual cycle.
Does the Vivoactive 5 have music?
You can store music from services like Spotify right on the watch. Then you can use Bluetooth headphones to listen without your phone.
Can you use the Garmin Vivoactive 5 without a phone?
You need to have a phone to set things up and sync your data. You can do a lot of things with it, like running with GPS and listening to music you have saved, all without having to carry your phone.
Does the Vivoactive 5 track how much sleep you get?
Yes, it has advanced sleep tracking features like sleep stages, a sleep score, and the ability to find naps on its own.

The Garmin Ecosystem: A Lot More Than a Watch

The Garmin Ecosystem: A Lot More Than a Watch

Your experience with the Garmin Vivoactive 5 doesn’t stop at your wrist. It goes all the way to the Garmin Connect app. This app is your main hub for health and fitness. It works with both Android and iPhone and is free.

The app and the watch work together perfectly. All the information is collected by your watch. After that, it syncs with the app on your phone. You can see all of your progress in the app. You can see charts of how you slept over the last month. You can look back at every run you’ve ever tracked.

The app is a place for people to meet. You can talk to your family and friends. You can take part in weekly step challenges. You can get badges for reaching new goals. This makes it more fun to stay active. You can also go to the Connect IQ store through the app.

Who Should Get the Garmin Vivoactive 5?

A lot of people would love this watch. If you want a Garmin Vivoactive 5, it’s perfect for you.

  • You want a great fitness and health tracker that does it all. It keeps track of everything important to most people.
  • You run, walk, or ride a bike. The GPS that comes with it is accurate and dependable. It gives you all the important information you need to keep track of your workouts and get better. A review of the Vivoactive 5 for running would be very good.
  • You want a screen that looks nice. The AMOLED screen is one of the best things about it. It makes the watch fun to use every day.
  • One of the best things about the watch is that it can store music. You care about how long the battery lasts. It’s great that you only have to charge your watch once a week, unlike many other smartwatches.
  • You want a watch that looks good and goes with everything. The round shape is classic and looks good at the gym, at work, or on the weekend.

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

The Vivoactive 5 is a great watch, but it’s not for everyone. If you:

  • You are a serious hiker or trail runner. You won’t get accurate elevation data or a floor count because there isn’t a barometric altimeter. Instead, you should look at a Garmin Fenix or Forerunner.
  • You need to be able to answer calls on your wrist. You can only see who is calling on the Vivoactive 5. You can only talk on your watch if it has a speaker and microphone, like the Garmin Venu 3.

Final Decision

The answer is a clear yes after a full review of the Garmin Vivoactive 5. This watch is a great deal right now. The price of the Garmin vívoactive 5, $299.99, is very good.

The watch does a great job of combining everyday smart features with serious fitness tracking. The beautiful AMOLED screen, precise GPS, and built-in music storage are features that are usually only found on more expensive watches. The improved Body Battery and new nap detection are just two examples of how detailed health tracking can help you understand how you’re doing. Yes, the Vivoactive 5 is a very useful companion because it is waterproof.

Garmin made smart choices when they made trade-offs, like not including an altimeter. They help keep the cost down without getting rid of the features that most people use every day. If you want a device that will help you stay healthy and make your life easier, this is a great buy. It strikes the right balance and is easy to suggest.

M.SAEED
Senior Wordpress
Youtuber
SEO Expert
Python Selenium
Cyber Security Expert (CEH)
Core php

SAEED,(MS) Verified badge

Xyultra

Saeed, MS, CEH. As a Certified Full-Stack WordPress Developer and Tech Industry Analyst, Saeed brings extensive expertise in modern web technologies (React, Next.js, Laravel) and cybersecurity to XYUltra.com. He delivers authoritative reviews and insightful analysis on the latest gadgets, smart tech, and digital innovations.

About Us

XYUltra Blog: Your Source for Profound Tech & Gadget Reviews. Get professional insights and the latest developments to keep the upper hand in rapid innovation.