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Product Comparison Calculator

How to find the right product for you

This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.

Currently there are eight product types:

– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)

For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.

Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:

Select product type:
Select product use:

Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.

Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:

Basis B1
Basis Peak
Fitbit Alta
Fitbit Alta HR
Fitbit Blaze
Fitbit Charge
Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit Charge 3
Fitbit Charge 4
Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit Charge 6
Fitbit Charge HR
FitBit Flex
FitBit Force
Fitbit Inspire
Fitbit Inspire 2
Fitbit Inspire HR
Fitbit One
Fitbit Surge
Fitbit Zip
Garmin Forerunner 15
Garmin Lily
Garmin Lily 2
Garmin Vivofit
Garmin Vivofit 3
Garmin Vivofit 4
Garmin Vivofit Jr
Garmin Vivofit2
Garmin Vivosmart
Garmin Vivosmart 3
Garmin Vivosmart 4
Garmin Vivosmart 5
Garmin Vivosmart HR
Garmin Vivosmart HR+
Garmin Vivosport
Microsoft Band
Mio Fuse
Nike+ Fuelband
Polar A300
Polar A360
Polar A370
Polar Loop
Polar Loop 2
Polar M400
Timex Move x20
TomTom Touch
Withings Activité
Withings Activité Pop
Withings Pulse

Comparison Results:

Function/FeatureFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated June 27th, 2022 @ 3:49 am New Window
Price$149$69$79$129
Body PlacementWristWristWristWrist
Data Transfer TypeBluetooth SmartBluetooth SmartBluetooth Smart/ANT+Bluetooth Smart, USB
Bluetooth to PhoneYesYesYesYes
Has GPS built-inNo (can use phone's GPS though)No (can use phone's GPS though)NoNo (can use phone's GPS though - Sept 2019 update)
Waterproofing50m50m50 Meters50m
Battery LifeUp to 7 daysUp to 5 days1 YearUp to 7 days
Battery TypeUSB RechargeableUSB RechargeableCR1632USB Rechargeable
Changeable Bands/StrapsYesYesYesNo
Phone Music ControlNoNoNoYes
WatchFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
Displays timeYesYesYesYes
Has time alarmsYesYesYesYEs
Has smart sleep alarmsNoNoNoNo
NotificationsFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
Smartphone NotificationsCALL/TEXT/CALENDAR ONLYCALL/TEXT/CALENDAR/Some AppsNoYes
WorkoutsFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
Workout guidance/coachingInterval workoutsYesNoNo
DataFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
Step CounterYesYesYesYes
Stairs ClimbedYEsNoNoYEs
Distance WalkedYEsYEsYesYes
Calories BurnedYEsYEsYesYes
Sleep MetricsYesYesYesYes
24x7 HR MetricsYesYesNoYes
SensorsFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
Skin TemperatureNoNoNoNo
Heart RateYesYesNoyes
Optical Heart RateYesYesNoYes
Can re-broadcast Heart Rate dataNoNoNoYes
Skin PerspirationNo, but can do SPO2NoNoNo (but does have Pulse Ox)
Cycling SensorsNoNonONo
Action Camera ControlNoNoNoNo
SoftwareFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
Web ApplicationYesYesYesYes
PC ApplicationYesYesYesYEs
Mac ApplicationYesYesYesYEs
Phone AppsiOS/Android/Windows PhoneiOS/Android/Windows PhoneAndroid/iOS/Windows PhoneiOS/Android/Windows Phone
Ability to export/sync settings from computer/phoneYesYesYesYes
PlatformFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
3rd parties can access data via APIYEsYEsYesYes
Ability to export your data out of platformYEsYEsYesYes
PurchaseFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
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DCRainmakerFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Inspire HRGarmin Vivofit 4Garmin Vivosmart 4
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