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Garmin Vivoactive 5 — 2023 · Fitness + health
Garmin

Garmin Vivoactive 5

2023 · Fitness + health

82
/ 100
From $299
VS
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band) — 2022 · Fitness + health
Apple

Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band)

2022 · Fitness + health

82
/ 100
From $279
Specdex verdict

Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.

In our weighted Specdex score, Garmin Vivoactive 5 lands at 82 and Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band) at 82. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.

Pick Garmin Vivoactive 5 if…

  • Multi-day fitness tracking
  • GPS + heart rate
  • Notification mirroring

Pick Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band) if…

  • Multi-day fitness tracking
  • GPS + heart rate
  • Notification mirroring
Garmin Vivoactive 5 82
vs
82 Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band)

Score breakdown

Garmin Vivoactive 5
82
battery 94
display 88
fitness 82
health 80
durability 86
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band)
82
battery 72
display 88
fitness 82
health 80
durability 86

Specs side-by-side

Garmin Vivoactive 5 versus Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band) — full spec comparison
Spec Garmin Vivoactive 5 Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band)
Release year
2023
2022

Garmin Vivoactive 5

Pros
  • +Multi-day fitness tracking
  • +GPS + heart rate
  • +Notification mirroring
Cons
  • Battery life varies dramatically
  • Companion phone required
  • Screen-on drains battery

Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band)

Pros
  • +Multi-day fitness tracking
  • +GPS + heart rate
  • +Notification mirroring
Cons
  • Battery life varies dramatically
  • Companion phone required
  • Screen-on drains battery

FAQ: Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band)

Which is better, Garmin Vivoactive 5 or Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band)? +

Both score 82 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Garmin Vivoactive 5 worth the price? +

At $299, Garmin Vivoactive 5 delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in battery.

Is Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band) worth the price? +

At $279, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band) delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in display.

Does Garmin Vivoactive 5 or Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) (Sport Band) last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.