Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 picks up where the Garmin Vivoactive 5 left off. Call it a near draw on paper, with just a few specs pulling the two apart.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Tie
- Smart Features & Connectivity Garmin Vivoactive 6 wins
- Price Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.3
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.6
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 6 has 4 GB more storage
Among all the differences on this page, 8 GB against 4 GB is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Garmin Vivoactive 6. For notifications and fitness tracking alone, storage rarely matters.
Design & Size
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 42 mm
- Garmin Vivoactive 6 42 mm × 0.43 in
There’s no meaningful size difference between the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 42 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 42 mm | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | N/A (not specified) | Fiber-reinforced polymer, aluminum bezel |
| Thickness | N/A (not specified) | 0.43 in |
Display
Too close to call
On display, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 are effectively level. The takeaway: display is not where these two differ.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to health & fitness sensors. For health & fitness sensors, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Battery Life
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on battery life; the numbers are close throughout. Both cover battery life well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Garmin Vivoactive 6 leads
The smart features & connectivity numbers lean toward the Garmin Vivoactive 6, not dramatically but consistently. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 gives you 4 GB more storage. If you run or train without your phone, the Garmin Vivoactive 6’s extra storage is useful. Weighing only smart features & connectivity, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 comes out ahead.
Storage
Garmin Vivoactive 5: 4 GB Garmin Vivoactive 6: 8 GB More storage leaves room for offline music, podcasts and maps on your wrist.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 390 x 390 | 390 x 390 |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | No | No |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Built-in GNSS (single-band) | Built-in GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 11 days | 11 days |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 4 GB Least storage in class | 8 GB (winner) |
| Cellular option | No | No |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Software | Garmin proprietary | Garmin proprietary |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 42 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 42 mm | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | N/A (not specified) | Fiber-reinforced polymer, aluminum bezel |
| Thickness | N/A (not specified) | 0.43 in |
Price
| Spec | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
The launch prices are identical, so value comes down to which strengths you prefer.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked April 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 5 if…
- you’re fine skipping this generation’s changes
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 6 if…
- you want more on-watch storage (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you find that the improvements in the Garmin Vivoactive 6 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Garmin Vivoactive 5 or the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
For most people, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the stronger choice, unless you already have the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and it works fine.
Should I upgrade from the Garmin Vivoactive 5 to the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
Only if the changes matter to you. Compared with the Garmin Vivoactive 5, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers 4 GB more storage, which is useful but not essential for everyone.
Does the Garmin Vivoactive 5 last longer on a charge than the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
The official battery figures don’t separate them; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 land in almost the same place.
Which is larger, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 or the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is too small to matter.
Which has more storage, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 or the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 comes with more room: 8 GB versus 4 GB.
Executive Summary
The jump from the Garmin Vivoactive 5 to the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is one generation. My job here is to tell you whether that generation counts. For me, the deciding factor is that only the Garmin Vivoactive 6 gives you 4 GB more storage.
In my head, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the the things a spec sheet can’t capture pick and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the smart features & connectivity pick.
My pick: the Garmin Vivoactive 6, unless you’re already on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and happy with it.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.