Garmin’s newest smartwatch for the plenty, the Vivoactive 6, brings a contemporary perspective to its lineup with a trendy design and approachable worth.
With the continuation of its improve cycle, Garmin selected a smaller kind issue for the Vivoactive 6, with assist for a broad vary of actions — an ideal look ahead to customers who do plenty of various things however do not want deep insights in a single specific space.
The Vivoactive 6 additionally incorporates the brand new Sensible Alarm characteristic for the primary time on a Garmin smartwatch. This characteristic wakes you inside half-hour of your set alarm time when it detects you are in a lightweight sleep part. We first noticed this functionality with Fitbit years in the past, so it is good to see Garmin serving to us get up happier.
I am unsure I wish to be woke up half-hour earlier than my alarm, however the concept right here is that it would be simpler to rise up in the event you’re in a lightweight sleep part. It is going to take some expertise to see how effectively it really works, and if it is actually higher to be awoken earlier, versus sleeping longer however jolted awake from a deep sleep.
I’ve bigger wrists, so I discovered the Vivoactive 6 a bit too small for me, however the 42mm diameter is certain to suit the vast majority of folks. The watch’s design could be very minimalist, although, with curved edges and an general glossy really feel that may be a departure from most chunky smartwatches. It measures simply 10.9mm thick and weighs 36 grams, so you’ll be able to sleep soundly with out it interrupting your sleep as you twist and roll.
There are solely two bodily buttons on the fitting facet, so navigation of the consumer interface is by way of these two buttons, display faucets, and display swipes. This design is ideal for folks new to Garmin watches who could also be overwhelmed by the standard five-button interface. The AMOLED show is vibrant and wonderful, however in the event you allow the always-on mode, then your battery life might be reduce in half. Because the show activates reliably while you carry your wrist, I like to recommend switching off the always-on mode and having fun with greater than per week of battery life.
Greater than 80 indoor and outside actions are supported on the Vivoactive 6, together with day by day steered exercises. It additionally consists of stretching actions, animated exercises, wheelchair mode, and energy coaching. Working dynamics, health ranges, interval and exercise creation, stress monitoring, HRV standing, and way more are core features within the Vivoactive 6.
The Vivoactive 6 launch comes as fair-weather golf season, biking, and different outside endeavors develop into extra widespread. The golf assist is pretty in depth, so you’ll be able to observe your photographs and be assured that the watch won’t alter your swing. I barely felt the Vivoactive 6 when it was secured on my wrist, and am frankly amazed it has a battery giant sufficient to final greater than per week with common use.
When in comparison with different gadgets, I confirmed correct location monitoring and coronary heart price efficiency whereas strolling, operating, biking, and rowing. Sleep monitoring matched the characteristic units of different comparable gadgets, and the sleep coach suggestions was correct in my testing.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 has many vital enhancements over the Vivoactive 5, whereas remaining on the similar $299 beginning worth. The out there shade choices are positive to fulfill folks, and the smaller measurement means it is excellent for these with small to medium-sized wrists. It helps an in depth variety of sports activities and actions, so in the event you do not want a specialised, targeted gadget, this watch will seemingly meet your wants.
