3) Health, sleep, sensors: the real level

Garmin pushes hard on torque sleep + recovery : Sleep Coachdetection of napsNighttime HRV, Morning Report, Body Battery. It makes training hygiene understandable, day after day. On the wrist: cardio sensor Elevate V4 (not the Venu 3/Forerunner 265/965 V5). Concretely: very correct in endurance, a little behind on violent spikes. If you do very short intervals at high intensity, the V5 maintains a small advantage. But for 95% of the intended uses, RAS.

Those absent: no ECGno skin temperature, and above all no barometric altimeter. Consequence: no floors climbed, altitude difference dependent on GPS, less relevant mountain profiles. If you live on a staircase (or slope), it counts. Ignore this? Bad idea.

Accessibility: monitoring wheelchair (pushes), dedicated profiles — inclusive and welcome. We validate.

4) Sport, GPS, autonomy: honest figures

Multi-system GNSS (GPS/Glonass/Galileo) but not multi-band : correct accuracy in town/park, a step below dual-band watches in urban canyons/dense undergrowth. On the road: clean. Reference autonomy: smart ~11 days (less with AOD), GPS ~21 h, all systems ~17 h, GPS + music ~8 h. The core target (4–6 hours of training/week) is covered.

No baro altimeter = no stages or native elevation, and the ski loses run auto-detection. For serious/mountain hiking, I prefer to switch Venu 3/Forerunner/Instinct/Fenix. If you want to optimize outside via light charging, look at solar: Top of the best Garmin solar GPS watches today.

5) Should you choose the vívoactive 5?

In two words: yes, yes you want the “smooth everyday” Garmin experience + sleep/HRV/naps, nice screen, without paying €450–800. No, yes you need a baro altimeter, multi-band, top cardio precision on sprints. Clear.

vívoactive 5 vs Venu 3: the essentials

• Cardio sensor : V4 here vs V5 on Venu 3 (best on rapid changes, ECG-ready hardware).
• Material : 42 mm single vs two sizes (41/45 mm); Came 3 in steel, vívoactive 5 in aluminum.
• Altitude / floors : absent here, present on Venu 3 (baro altimeter).
• Telephony : Venu 3 has microphone + speaker (calls); vívoactive 5, no.
• Autonomy : Venu 3 lasts a little longer (up to ~14 days smartwatch / ~26 h GPS).
• Price : Came 3 more expensive. Logic.

Quick conclusion: if you want mountain/calls/sensor V5 → Venu 3. Otherwise, vívoactive 5 is more than enough.

Price & purchase timing

Public launch price ~€299. In 2025, we saw it descend between ~€185 and ~€230 on sale (FR marketplaces). At this price, it's a very good deal in the Garmin ecosystem. Beyond €270–299, I look at the Venu 3 on sale — sensor/altimeter priority.

Direct alternatives

Serious running : aims for Forerunner 255/265 (multi-band for 265/965, more “perf” ecosystem). To dig in, you can Compare the Forerunner 945 955 and 965 in depth.

You came from a vívoactive and you were waiting for “the sequel”: look at what the next generation promises — and discover our complete test of vívoactive 6.

Verdict

The vívoactive 5 keeps it simple, and does it well. Clean screen, complete health/sleep, payments, music, reassuring autonomy. She skips the baro and the V5 sensor to hold the price. Result: a watch of real dailymore “active well-being” than “mountain/ultra”. And that's where she shines.

So yes, this model ticks everything for its audience. We understand why it appeals so much. Point.

To remember

• Screen AMOLED 390×390 : readable, pleasant, clear.
• Solid health: Nocturnal HRV, Sleep Coach, naps.
• Honest Sport: Multi-system GNSS (no multi-band), ~5–9 p.m. of GPS.
• Shortcomings assumed: no baro altimeter, no ECGsensor Elevate V4.
• 2025 price: 185–230 € on promotions → excellent deal.

Shopping experience

• Below €230 : go for it if you don't miss the altimeter.
• Between €230–270 : consistent if you prioritize AMOLED + sleep/HRV.
• Around €299 : look at the Venu 3 promos before deciding.

Method & sources (verifiable)

• Specifications, sensors, autonomy, differences Venu 3: Garmin product sheet + specialized press tests.
• 390×390 resolution, GPS/music autonomy: cross-tests and published measurements.
• FR prices (launches & promotions): marketplace and comparator statements for the year 2025.

Author : David Deteve, field tester & founder L’Swiss Made Watch

Place of writing: Toulouse (FR)

Update : November 10, 2025

Article based on cross-tests and published measurements (GPS autonomy, V4 vs V5 sensor, screen specs), plus feedback from use in an urban/park context. Battery life values ​​vary depending on AOD, GPS frequency, music and active sensors.