Garmin Vívoactive HR review GPS smartwatch with wrist-based heart rate

Garmin’s new Vivoactive HR now comes with GPS and Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate technology. The Vivoactive HR helps keep track of active moments throughout the day, counting steps and floors climbed, intensity minutes, monitoring sleep and features built-in GPS-enabled sports apps for walking, running, biking, swimming, golfing, paddle boarding, rowing, skiing and snowboarding. 

The Vivoactive HR uses 24/7 wrist-based heart rate data to calculate calories burned as well as the intensity of fitness activities, providing proper credit for users’ array of workouts.

With up to eight days’ battery life in watch/activity tracking mode (with 24/7 heart rate monitoring, no GPS) or up to 13 hours using GPS, the Vivoactive HR keeps up with users’ active lifestyles and keeps them connected. The Vivoactive HR sends any notification from a compatible smartphone, including incoming calls, texts, emails, calendar reminders, social media alerts and more. Additional on-device smart capabilities allow users to check weather information, control music on their smartphone, control a VIRB action camera, locate their smartphone, and allow friends and family to track activities in real time with LiveTrack.

The ever-expanding Garmin fitness segment develops technologies to enhance and promote healthy and active lifestyles. Whether users are runners, cyclists, swimmers, multi-sport athletes, or simply looking to stay active throughout the day, there is a product that can help them reach their health and fitness goals.