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:
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:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated June 27th, 2022 @ 3:49 am New Window | ||||
Price | $149 | $69 | $79 | $129 |
Body Placement | Wrist | Wrist | Wrist | Wrist |
Data Transfer Type | Bluetooth Smart | Bluetooth Smart | Bluetooth Smart/ANT+ | Bluetooth Smart, USB |
Bluetooth to Phone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Has GPS built-in | No (can use phone's GPS though) | No (can use phone's GPS though) | No | No (can use phone's GPS though - Sept 2019 update) |
Waterproofing | 50m | 50m | 50 Meters | 50m |
Battery Life | Up to 7 days | Up to 5 days | 1 Year | Up to 7 days |
Battery Type | USB Rechargeable | USB Rechargeable | CR1632 | USB Rechargeable |
Changeable Bands/Straps | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Phone Music Control | No | No | No | Yes | Watch | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
Displays time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Has time alarms | Yes | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Has smart sleep alarms | No | No | No | No | Notifications | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
Smartphone Notifications | CALL/TEXT/CALENDAR ONLY | CALL/TEXT/CALENDAR/Some Apps | No | Yes | Workouts | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
Workout guidance/coaching | Interval workouts | Yes | No | No | Data | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
Step Counter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stairs Climbed | YEs | No | No | YEs |
Distance Walked | YEs | YEs | Yes | Yes |
Calories Burned | YEs | YEs | Yes | Yes |
Sleep Metrics | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
24x7 HR Metrics | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Sensors | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
Skin Temperature | No | No | No | No |
Heart Rate | Yes | Yes | No | yes |
Optical Heart Rate | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Can re-broadcast Heart Rate data | No | No | No | Yes |
Skin Perspiration | No, but can do SPO2 | No | No | No (but does have Pulse Ox) |
Cycling Sensors | No | No | nO | No |
Action Camera Control | No | No | No | No | Software | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
Web Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
PC Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Mac Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Phone Apps | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | Android/iOS/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone |
Ability to export/sync settings from computer/phone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Platform | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
3rd parties can access data via API | YEs | YEs | Yes | Yes |
Ability to export your data out of platform | YEs | YEs | Yes | Yes | Purchase | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Chain Reaction Cycles | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Competitive Cyclist | Link | Link | Link | Link |
REI | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Wiggle | Link | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Inspire HR | Garmin Vivofit 4 | Garmin Vivosmart 4 |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |