Garmin vívosmart 4 vs Fitbit Inspire 2 (2021): How Do These Fitness Trackers Compare?

Fitness trackers are a great way of monitoring your daily progress. By visualizing key fitness and health metrics, you can hold yourself accountable for your goals. One of the more premium models available is the Garmin vivosmart 4. Stylish and packed with advanced health monitoring features, it’s top of mind for those with deep pockets.

If you’re on a budget, however, the Fitbit Inspire 2 is a great alternative. But being a more affordable option, it does cut some corners in some features. Are these compromises worth it? Or are you better off splurging on Garmin’s wearable? Read our comparison below to see how the Fitbit Inspire 2 fares against the Garmin vivosmart 4.

Garmin vívosmart 4 vs Fitbit Inspire 2 Fitness Tracker Comparison Chart

Design and Hardware

The Garmin vivosmart 4 has a seamless design that packs more sensors. However, the Fitbit Inspire 2 is more customizable thanks to the removable bands.

Unlike full-featured smartwatches, Garmin’s vivosmart 4 and Fitbit’s Inspire 2 are slim and sleek wearables. But that’s because they don’t have to worry about having large displays. On the vivosmart 4, the tracker’s module is stationary and incorporated into the band. To emphasize this design feature, the narrow OLED display is surrounded by stylish metal accents. There are no physical buttons on the tracker, which makes the wearable feel like a single piece of tech.

Fitbit’s Inspire 2 is equipped with an OLED touch screen, too, but does come with side buttons. The tracker’s body is also quite chunky, thanks to all the sensors packed into it. Moreover, the Inspire 2’s module and watch band are separate components. What it does mean is that the Fitbit tracker’s bands are removable. You can also use the module on its own by putting it inside a clip. With the vivosmart 4, you can’t switch the bands out, so you’re stuck with the color you purchase.

Colors and Water Rating

Speaking of colors, the Garmin vivosmart 4 is available in four colors for its small/medium variant. Its larger model, on the other hand, only comes in black. Meanwhile, the Fitbit Inspire 2 comes in only one size, although you do get two bands (small and large) out of the box. There are also three color options to choose from, all of which feature the black module. As mentioned, you can swap the bands out for special edition variants like stainless steel mesh or a patterned band. Both the Garmin vivosmart 4 and Fitbit Inspire 2 are waterproof up to 50 meters.

Sensors

The Garmin vivosmart 4 is equipped with more sensors compared to the Fitbit Inspire 2. In the table below, we list down these features for easy comparison.

Health and Fitness Tracking

While Fitbit’s Inspire 2 tracks more exercise modes, Garmin’s vivosmart 4 does boast more comprehensive training features.

As expected, the Garmin vivosmart 4 and Fitbit Inspire 2 offer all-day heart rate monitoring. Both devices track resting heart rate, too, and give you meaningful insights like heart rate trends. Beyond cardio fitness levels, however, there are specific metrics you can also keep tabs on. On the vivosmart 4, you can log fluid intake and get hydration alerts. Meanwhile, the Inspire 2 has a food logging feature to help you compare calories eaten and burned.

There are a few more capabilities shared by the Garmin vivosmart 4 and Fitbit Inspire 2. Similar to other wearables, you get features like sleep and tracking, as well as breathing reminders. The vivosmart 4, however, is equipped with a pulse oximeter sensor for blood oxygen saturation monitoring. If you want this from Fitbit, you’ll have to go for the more advanced models. You can read more about SpO2 monitoring in Fitbit devices in our Fitbit Sense vs Versa 3 review.

Garmin’s vivosmart 4 and Fitbit’s Inspire 2 will monitor calories burned, daily steps, and distance. But since the Fitbit Inspire 2 doesn’t have an altimeter, you cannot track floors climbed like the Garmin vivosmart 4. Fitbit shares that its wearable does come with 20+ preloaded exercise modes, a few more than what Garmin’s tracker offers. However, the vivosmart 4 does give you more comprehensive training and planning features.

Smart Features

You only get basic smart features from the Garmin vivosmart 4 and Fitbit Inspire 2.

Given the size of these trackers, it’s reasonable that they aren’t packed with smart features. Still, you get your basics. The Garmin vivosmart 4 and Fitbit Inspire 2 are both compatible with Android and iOS. They also support smartphone notifications like call and text, for instance.

However, the Garmin vivosmart 4 does allow you to control music, a feature that’s absent on the Fitbit Inspire 2. Unfortunately, these trackers don’t have built-in GPS and will rely on connected GPS through your smartphone. There is no support for contactless payments as well, so keep that mind if it’s a feature you’re looking for.

You can manage most of the settings for the vivosmart 4 and Inspire 2 through their respective apps. With Garmin Connect, you can change the watch face from any of the six options available. Similar clock face customization can also be done on the Inspire 2 using the Fitbit app. However, the Inspire 2 doesn’t have customizable widgets like the Garmin vivosmart 4 or even other Fitbit devices like the Versa series.

Battery and Accessories

The Fitbit Inspire 2 has a longer battery life and comes with more accessories than the Garmin vivosmart 4

One of the most important considerations for wearables is battery life. In this area, Garmin and Fitbit’s trackers do not disappoint. The Garmin vivosmart 4 delivers up to 7 days of battery life. Of course, this is with the pulse ox and sleep tracking features turned off. Fitbit’s Inspire 2, on the other hand, boasts a battery life of 10 days. Like with Garmin, the Inspire 2’s actual performance and charge cycle will depend and vary based on usage.

As mentioned in the design section, Garmin’s bands aren’t removable. This means that when it comes to accessories, you’re limited to just chargers or adaptors. The Fitbit Inspire 2, on the other hand, enjoys compatibility with several of its proprietary bands. Aside from the typical silicone option, leather and stainless steel bands are available. Fitbit’s Inspire 2 also works with a back clip for band-less use.

Verdict

Go for the Garmin vivosmart 4 if you need more advanced health monitoring and fitness training features. Buy the Fitbit Inspire 2 if you prefer a more customizable tracker.

Although not as feature-packed as its other smartwatch siblings, the Garmin vivosmart 4 is a great entry-level device for the premium brand. It offers solid activity tracking as well as comprehensive metrics for training and analysis. Battery life is solid and you get a plethora of health features, too, including the more advanced pulse oximeter. Compared to the Fitbit Inspire 2, the Garmin vivosmart looks and feels more premium. However, its seamless design and stationary module mean you can’t replace the bands.

If you want a more customizable fitness tracker, then the Fitbit Inspire 2 is a great option. It’s about $30 less than the Garmin vivosmart 4 but comes with replaceable bands. You can even go band-less and insert the module into a Fitbit back clip. The budget-friendly Inspire 2, however, lacks an altimeter, which is useful for tracking elevation. It doesn’t come with SpO2 monitoring as well, a feature that’s becoming a standard in most wearables. Fortunately, you can track plenty of activities with this device, which could tilt the scale in its favor if you need specific exercise profiles monitored.

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Last update on 2022-06-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API