Garmin Vivoactive 4

Great exercise tracking, with full GPS On-watch music streaming Stacks of stats

ANT+ HR broadcast mode does not work well yet No Performance Condition/training load monitoring Spotify/Deezer integration should be more friendly

The Garmin Vivoactive 4 puts the tech smarts of the watches used by the ultra-marathon-running elite into a more accessible wearable. You may not get all the pro-style advice of a Forerunner, but you do get the rest.

Significantly improved design ; Practical two-button solution ; Great value for money ; Offline music listening

Still struggles with HIIT workouts ; Display tech means low quality graphics/animations ; Garmin Pay not supported by a lot of banks

By taking a lot of what's great about the more expensive Fenix and Forerunner devices and compressing that into a compact and far more affordable device, the Vivoactive 4 will be the perfect fitness tracker for many, without breaking the bank.

Sleek ; Touchscreen ; Tons of activity modes and health metrics ; Multi-GNSS support ; Several ways to stay connected

Goal alerts can be distracting ; Battery life isn't the greatest

The vívoactive 4 is an excellent smartwatch for active people wanting to be more in tune with their bodies, and for less active individuals who have the desire but need a little nudging to stick to their goals.

Respiration tracking ; Pulse oximeter readings ; On-screen workout animations ; Onboard music storage and support for Bluetooth headphones ; Underwater optical heart rate monitoring ; Pilates support

Uses multiple smartphone apps ; Excessive badges

Garmin's excellent Vivoactive 4 fitness tracker offers insights about your breathing, sleep, and stress, motivating training plans, and smartwatch features like contactless payments, downloadable apps, and onboard music storage.

Advanced health tracking features ; High quality materials, fit, and finish ; Responsive touchscreen interface ; Offline music and Garmin Pay support ; Extensive golfing support

Heavier than the 245 Music ; Display a bit dim for indoor use

Garmin Pay support is convenient

Comes in two sizes ; Built-in music storage with Spotify support ; Two-button navigation

Occasional syncing issues ; Convoluted app installation process

The Vivoactive 4 is a solid GPS watch with a better combination of features than its predecessor. In an increasingly competitive market, Garmin is playing to win.