Fitness Tracker Vs Smartwatch

July 15, 2025
By BestTech Reviews Team
5 min read

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Fitness Tracker vs Smartwatch: A Comprehensive Comparison

In today's tech-savvy world, wearable technology has become a staple in the fitness and wellness industry. Two products leading the way are fitness trackers and smartwatches. This article will provide an in-depth comparison of three popular wearables on the market: the Fitbit Charge 5 (fitness tracker), the Apple Watch SE (smartwatch), and the Garmin Vivosmart 4 (fitness tracker).

Product Comparison Table

| Feature | Fitbit Charge 5 | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivosmart 4 | |---------|-----------------|----------------|--------------------| | Price | $179.95 | $279.00 | $129.99 | | Battery Life | Up to 7 days | Up to 18 hours | Up to 7 days | | GPS | Built-in | Built-in | Connect to Phone | | Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Water Resistance | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes | | ECG | Yes | No | No |

Fitbit Charge 5

The Fitbit Charge 5 is a versatile fitness tracker that offers an array of features to monitor your health and wellness.

Pros

  • Comprehensive health tracking: The Fitbit Charge 5 provides in-depth tracking of heart rate, sleep, stress, and workout intensity.
  • Built-in GPS: Unlike many other fitness trackers, the Fitbit Charge 5 includes a built-in GPS for tracking runs and walks without needing your phone.
  • ECG app: It also offers an ECG app, which allows you to check your heart rhythm for signs of atrial fibrillation.

Cons

  • Limited smartwatch features: While the Fitbit Charge 5 does offer some smartwatch features, such as smartphone notifications and making payments, it lacks the broad app ecosystem found on smartwatches.
  • Price: At $179.95, the Fitbit Charge 5 is one of the more expensive fitness trackers on the market.

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE is a feature-packed smartwatch that extends the capabilities of your iPhone onto your wrist.

Pros

  • Extensive smart features: The Apple Watch SE allows you to take calls, respond to texts, and even use Siri directly from your wrist.
  • Fitness tracking: It includes fitness tracking features, such as heart rate monitoring, workout detection, and an activity ring system that encourages you to move throughout the day.

Cons

  • Battery life: The Apple Watch SE's battery life maxes out at about 18 hours, meaning you'll need to charge it every day.
  • Price: Starting at $279, the Apple Watch SE is significantly more expensive than most fitness trackers.

Garmin Vivosmart 4

The Garmin Vivosmart 4 is a budget-friendly fitness tracker that still packs a health monitoring punch.

Pros

  • Price: At $129.99, the Garmin Vivosmart 4 is an affordable option for those wanting to track their fitness without breaking the bank.
  • Health monitoring: Despite its low cost, it offers heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and even stress tracking.

Cons

  • No GPS: The Vivosmart 4 relies on your phone for GPS, which can be a drawback for outdoor workouts.
  • Smaller display: The display is quite small compared to other wearables, which may make it difficult to see your stats.

Use Cases and Recommendations

When deciding between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch, consider your specific needs. If you're primarily interested in health and fitness tracking and prefer a longer battery life, a fitness tracker like the Fitbit Charge 5 or Garmin Vivosmart 4 could be a good fit.

However, if you want a device that extends your phone's functionality to your wrist and are willing to charge it daily, the Apple Watch SE could be a better choice.

FAQs

  1. Can fitness trackers and smartwatches be used for swimming? Yes, all three devices compared here are water-resistant and can be used for tracking swimming workouts.

  2. Do I need to have my phone with me to use these devices? For the Fitbit Charge 5 and Apple Watch SE, you can leave your phone at home and still track your workout with built-in GPS. The Garmin Vivosmart 4 requires a phone for GPS tracking.

  3. Can I receive phone notifications on these devices? Yes, all three devices can receive phone notifications.

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Conclusion

In the battle of fitness tracker vs smartwatch, the right choice depends on your individual needs. For comprehensive fitness tracking with a bit of smart functionality, the Fitbit Charge 5 is a great choice. If you're on a budget but still want reliable health tracking, consider the Garmin Vivosmart 4. However, for those seeking a wearable that offers both fitness tracking and extensive smart features, the Apple Watch SE is hard to beat.

Interested in buying one of these wearables? Click here [affiliate link] to purchase the Fitbit Charge 5, here [affiliate link] for the Apple Watch SE, and here [affiliate link] for the Garmin Vivosmart 4.