Customer Ratings & Reviews

In terms of functionality, I give the watch 5 stars. I only deducted a star due to aesthetics. A little background: I had been a loyal Fitbit user for many years, starting with a Flex and then a Charge HR. However, in 2016 after seeing the discrepancies with wrist based HR during workouts (I had used a Garmin running watch with a chest strap to track my heart rate in the past), I searched for a different fitness tracker. I found the Withings (now Nokia) watch and liked that it looked like a regular watch. I also starting using a Garmin Forerunner 15 with a chest strap to track heart rate during workouts. Well last year, my Withings watch died and I went back to Fitbit with a Charge HR 2, but still used my Garmin Forerunner 15 for workouts. However, I got sick of using 2 different watches/trackers during workouts. That's when I found the Garmin Vivoactive 3. I love that it looks like a regular watch instead of the square look that everyone else has seemed to embrace. There are many different options for watch faces and all of them can be customized. I have analog watch face with a white background with a move progress bar, step progress bar, date and battery level. The always-on display is a bonus and the backlight can be customized to turn on when you'd like it to. It does everything I want - track steps and sleep and I can connect my chest strap to track my heart rate and calories burned during workouts. There are so many options with this watch. You can also purchase any 20 mm watch band to change up the look. I also love that you can "lock" the watch display. I don't think the watch looks too large on my wrist, which was a concern at first. Now what I don't like and why I gave it 4 stars. The display is not as crisp as seen on Apple Watches or on Fitbits, but it's very easy to read in the sunlight. The overall functionality of the watch was more of selling point than a less than ideal display. I also don't like how the watch case is either white or black. It's not so much the sides that bother me, it's that watch band prongs aren't silver. But that's just me and how I think it looks with colored watch bands. I think it would give it a more polished, professional look. Overall, it does exactly what I wanted and I don't have to tote around another watch for working out.

This is my first Garmin fitness device. I use the device for running more than anything else. The device has a different kind of LCD screen that can take some getting used to. The display works best with the sun beaming direct on the screen. GPS works really well. Takes a single configuration to make the treadmill function well. Plenty of watch faces to choose from. Battery works well. My criticism is music. This watch does nothing for music.

I use the activity tracking function of this watch only for a few hours a week and with that amount of use this watch is perfect. I've shut off the auto light-on function since I found I really didn't need it and I'm getting about 7 to 8 days of use before I have to recharge which is fantastic. I didn't really need or want a full-blown smart watch that's much more expensive and I found this watch to be perfectly suited to my needs. I was mostly interested in the heart rate tracking and I found that even though I didn't buy the watch for being able to check text messages and incoming phone calls, those turned out to be pretty handy features. I found some great watch faces for it on the Garmin Connect app and also love the fact that the display is always on. It may not have the higher resolution full-color displays that some of the more expensive smart watches do, but it still has a nice crisp display that I am perfectly fine with. So I would say that all in all it's a great watch, especially if your activity use is on the lighter side.

I previously had the Gamin Vivoactice 3 music for 2 years and the watchface broke. So I was desperate for a watch quickly and this watch I could get same day. I expect to be somewhat disappointed with this "down grade" BUT no! This has been a great watch and since I never remove it, I really like the water resistance. It tracks all the things I care about and works wonderfully.

With Garmin IQ you can add and install a nearly limitless amount of watch faces and specialized widgets. But this is optional and I love having the freedom to add or remove anything I want on it. Garmin Connect is a major plus. The heart rate monitor is nearly pinpoint accurate and my sleep schedule and quality have benefitted immensely using this watch.

I work in a very fast paced, stressful federal office. My husband became concerned and insisted I learn about and find a way to manage my stress level and blood pressure over the day. This is the best investment I’ve made in a while. It enhances the quality use of my iPhone because social media is way too much for me when it comes to subscribing/following/contributing to simple and meaningful daily health routine. Since my Garmin snatch watch purchase, I have learned ways to mitigate stressful days and intentionally incorporate some type of movement/exercise DAILY. Loving the results! I may upgrade in a year because we are now training for 13.1K. Having this smart watch has enhanced our quality of life! The gentleman that helped us to make our selection is by far the most knowledgeable, patient and helpful techie we’ve experienced! You can tell that he really likes what he does. Best Buy is reaping the rewards!

This has to be the best Garmin I have owned. So let me just specify that if you are looking for a watch to answer calls or to respond to texts this is NOT the one for you. I use this for fitness tracking and to control my music app. I don’t need all the other bells and whistles so this is the perfect watch for me.

Great product. My fisrt garmin was mostly for running, but this new one has a lot of cool features and activities. Good upgrade for a good price.Very happy!

Phenomenal replacement after my Vivofit 3 gave up the ghost. The vivoactive has a ton more features! The battery typically lasts 6-7 days before it needs to recharge, which is definitely tolerable. Recharging from empty takes about 2 hours, so you can just toss it on the charger overnight. It is a little bigger than I expected, but I have gotten used to it. I did replace the band with a purple band to make it a little more feminine.

We love this watch. But the one thing I didn't like was that they lied about the battery life. It says on the box, it would last for 7 days. That's not true, the battery lasts about 3 days at most before you must put it on the charge. I wish it came with instructions because it's a little hard to operate. I can only do the basics on it. What I do like about the watch is that it Sync with my Weight Watcher app. So that was a big plus for me and the reason why I brought the Garmin.

Enjoying it so far! I like tracking my steps and my heart rate and being able to record exercise such as walks and hikes. Looking forward to using this when I swim.

Love garmin and thus give me everything battery, music, colorful looks. Been upgrading and no reason to change. Halfironmsn dreamer

Accurate gps Battery life: 3 days when running every day and 7 days in smart watch mode only

Love it. Does what I need it to do and less expensive. Garmim products have been good for years!

It’s a good buy but the developers have their work cut out for them. No way to tell in advance how much storage an object or app will take or how much you have left. The functions are very good however. The display uses the same tech as the Pebble Time Smartwatch, its visibility could definitely be improved. Pebble did it better. Nice looking sporty case without all the heft of some like it.

The Vivoactive 3 is a great featured watch but it is not bright. Outside in the sun, it looks great and even with the backlight on - don't be fooled. Te pictures of the watchface everywhere, even like the one you see here is NOT ACCURATE

I like it, heart rate is not accurate for lifting weights, so I connect my polar chest heart rate to this garmin. Sometimes is accurate counting reps, and sometimes not.

Recommend this GARMEN sport watch to anyone looking for quality and functionality. Readily syncs with smartphone and other devices.

This is my 2nd Vivoactive product and I have loved both!

Great product, best customer service. The data provided by this watch is amazing.