Fitbit Sense 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
This is a classic rivalry: the Fitbit Sense 2 against the Garmin Vivoactive 5, Fitbit against Garmin, both in everyday smartwatch territory. The honest headline: the Fitbit Sense 2 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 are evenly matched in most of the areas we compared.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Fitbit Sense 2 wins
- Battery Life Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Fitbit Sense 2 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors6.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity5.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has 83% more rated battery life
Big gap, real consequences. The Garmin Vivoactive 5’s 11 days versus the Fitbit Sense 2’s 6 days changes how the two compare in daily use. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
-
The Fitbit Sense 2 has an ECG app
This is a feature gap rather than a spec gap: the Garmin Vivoactive 5 simply lacks it. An ECG app can record a single-lead reading that you can share with your doctor, where regional approval allows it.
Design & Size
Design & Durability
| Spec | Fitbit Sense 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | N/A (not specified) | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | N/A (not specified) | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Display
Too close to call
Side by side, the display figures for the Fitbit Sense 2 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 barely differ. Don’t let display decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Fitbit Sense 2 leads
The Fitbit Sense 2 dominates the health & fitness sensors section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Fitbit Sense 2 wins here with an ECG app. The Fitbit Sense 2 offers ECG; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 doesn’t. That’s a meaningful gap if heart health is a concern for you. If health & fitness sensors is your priority, the Fitbit Sense 2 is the watch to pick.
ECG
Fitbit Sense 2: yes Garmin Vivoactive 5: no An ECG reading on a watch isn’t a diagnosis, but it can be a useful record to discuss with a professional.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads
The Fitbit Sense 2 has a tough time in the battery life section, where the Garmin Vivoactive 5 pulls well ahead. In its favor, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 has 83% more rated battery life. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends. That makes the Garmin Vivoactive 5 the natural choice for buyers focused on battery life.
Rated battery life
Fitbit Sense 2: 6 days Garmin Vivoactive 5: 11 days Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
On paper, the smart features & connectivity comparison ends all square. Either watch will serve you equally well on smart features & connectivity.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Fitbit Sense 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Color AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | N/A (not specified) | 390 x 390 |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Fitbit Sense 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes (winner) | No |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| GPS | Built-in GPS + GLONASS | Built-in GNSS (single-band) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Fitbit Sense 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 6 days | 11 days (winner) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Fitbit Sense 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | N/A (not specified) | 4 GB Least storage in class |
| Cellular option | No | No |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Software | Fitbit OS | Garmin proprietary |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Fitbit Sense 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | N/A (not specified) | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | N/A (not specified) | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Price
| Spec | Fitbit Sense 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $300 | $300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
At launch, the difference was a modest $0, with the Fitbit Sense 2 slightly more affordable. Think of the $0 as the price of the Garmin Vivoactive 5’s particular strengths, then decide if you’d use them.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2023; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Fitbit Sense 2 if…
- you want an ECG app on your wrist
- you don’t need the extras that cost $0 more
- you already know your way around Fitbit’s products
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 5 if…
- you hate charging your watch every day (11 days vs 6 days)
- you already use other Garmin products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Fitbit Sense 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
Neither wins outright. Choose the Fitbit Sense 2 if health & fitness sensors matters most, or the Garmin Vivoactive 5 if battery life does.
Which has better battery life, the Fitbit Sense 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 does better here. It lists 11 days for rated battery life, while the Fitbit Sense 2 lists 6 days.
Is the Fitbit Sense 2 cheaper than the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
Going by launch prices, the Fitbit Sense 2 costs $0 less than the Garmin Vivoactive 5. Prices as of September 2023; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on Fitbit’s Fitbit Sense 2 versus Garmin’s Garmin Vivoactive 5. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the Fitbit Sense 2 brings an ECG app. That said, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 answers with 83% more rated battery life, which some people will value more.
Fit matters more than scores here. The Fitbit Sense 2 suits buyers focused on health & fitness sensors; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 suits those focused on battery life.
My pick: it genuinely depends, with the Fitbit Sense 2 ahead on health & fitness sensors and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 ahead on battery life.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.