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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:

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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:

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Adidas Smart Run GPS
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition
Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series SE
Bia GPS
Bryton Cardio 60 Multisport Watch
COROS APEX
COROS APEX 2 (Base)
COROS APEX 2 Pro
COROS APEX Pro
COROS Pace 2
COROS Vertix
COROS Vertix 2
CycleOps Joule 2.0 (Original)
CycleOps Joule GPS
Epson ProSense 307
Epson SF-810
FINIS Swimsense
Fitbit Ionic
Fitbit Sense
Fitbit Surge
Fitbit Versa
Fitbit Versa 3
Fitbit Versa Lite
Garmin Edge 1000
Garmin Edge 1030
Garmin Edge 1030 Plus
Garmin Edge 130
Garmin Edge 130 Plus
Garmin Edge 20
Garmin Edge 200
Garmin Edge 25
Garmin Edge 500
Garmin Edge 510
Garmin Edge 520
Garmin Edge 520 Plus
Garmin Edge 530
Garmin Edge 705
Garmin Edge 800
Garmin Edge 810
Garmin Edge 820
Garmin Edge 830
Garmin Edge Explore
Garmin Edge Explore 2
Garmin Edge Touring (Normal)
Garmin Edge Touring (Plus)
Garmin Enduro
Garmin Enduro 2
Garmin Epix
Garmin Epix (Gen 2)
Garmin Epix Pro Series
Garmin Fenix
Garmin Fenix 5 (5/5S/5X)
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X)
Garmin Fenix 5S Plus
Garmin Fenix 5X Plus
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar Series
Garmin Fenix 6 Series
Garmin Fenix 6S Pro Solar
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Series
Garmin Fenix 7 Series
Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE
Garmin Fenix3
Garmin Fenix3 HR
Garmin Forerunner 10
Garmin Forerunner 110
Garmin Forerunner 15
Garmin Forerunner 165
Garmin Forerunner 210
Garmin Forerunner 220
Garmin Forerunner 225
Garmin Forerunner 230
Garmin Forerunner 235
Garmin Forerunner 245
Garmin Forerunner 25
Garmin Forerunner 255 Music
Garmin Forerunner 265
Garmin Forerunner 305
Garmin Forerunner 310XT
Garmin Forerunner 35
Garmin Forerunner 405
Garmin Forerunner 410
Garmin Forerunner 45/45S
Garmin Forerunner 55
Garmin Forerunner 60/70
Garmin Forerunner 610
Garmin Forerunner 620
Garmin Forerunner 630
Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
Garmin Forerunner 745
Garmin Forerunner 910XT
Garmin Forerunner 920XT
Garmin Forerunner 935
Garmin Forerunner 945
Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE
Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin Instinct
Garmin Instinct Solar
Garmin MARQ Athlete
Garmin Swim
Garmin Swim 2
Garmin Tactix
Garmin Venu
Garmin Venu 2
Garmin Venu 2 Plus
Garmin Venu 3
Garmin Venu SQ
Garmin Venu Sq 2
Garmin Vivoactive
Garmin Vivoactive 3
Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music
Garmin Vivoactive 4
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Garmin Vivoactive HR
Garmin Vivosmart HR+
Garmin Vivosport
Hammerhead Karoo
Hammerhead Karoo 2
Leikr GPS
Lezyne Mega- XL GPS
Lezyne Mega-C GPS
Magellan Echo
Magellan Switch & Switch Up
Microsoft Band 2
Mio Alpha Optical HR Monitor
Motorola Motoactv
Nike+ GPS Sportwatch
O-Synce Navi2Coach
Polar A300
Polar Grit X
Polar Grit X Pro
Polar Ignite 2
Polar Ignite 3
Polar Ignite GPS
Polar M200
Polar M400
Polar M430
Polar M450
Polar M460
Polar M600
Polar Pacer Pro
Polar RC3
Polar RCX3
Polar RCX5
Polar Unite
Polar V650
Polar V800
Polar Vantage M
Polar Vantage M2
Polar Vantage V
Polar Vantage V2
Samsung Galaxy Active
SIGMA ROX 12 SPORT
Soleus 1.0 GPS
Soleus 2.0 GPS
Stages Dash
Stages Dash L50
Stages Dash M50
Suunto 3 Fitness
Suunto 5
Suunto 5 Peak
Suunto 7 Wear OS Watch
Suunto 9 Baro
Suunto 9 Peak
Suunto 9 Peak Pro
Suunto Ambit
Suunto Ambit2
Suunto Ambit2 R
Suunto Ambit2 S
Suunto Ambit3 Peak
Suunto Ambit3 Sport
Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR
Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR
Suunto Spartan Ultra
Timex Cycle Trainer 2.0 GPS
Timex Global Trainer
Timex Marathon GPS
Timex One GPS+
Timex R300 GPS
Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0
Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0
Timex Run x20 GPS
Timex Run x50
TomTom Multisport
TomTom Multisport Cardio
TomTom Runner
TomTom Runner Cardio
TomTom Spark
TomTom Spark 3/Runner 3
Wahoo ELEMNT
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V2
Wahoo ELEMNT MINI
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V2
Wahoo RIVAL GPS Watch

Comparison Results:

Function/FeatureGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated October 23rd, 2023 @ 9:38 am New Window
Price$299/$349$299
Product Announcement DateApr 30th, 2019Sept 5th, 2019
Actual Availability/Shipping DateApr 30th, 2019Sept 5th, 2019
GPS Recording FunctionalityYesYes
Data TransferUSB, Bluetooth Smart, WiFi (Only Music has WiFi)USB, BLUETOOTH SMART, WiFi
Waterproofing50 Meters50 meters
Battery Life (GPS)Up to 24hrs regular GPS, 24hrs+ for UltraTrac18 hours GPS
Recording Interval1-second, Smart, UltraTrac1s or Smart Recording
AlertsVIBRATE/SOUND/VISUALVibrate/Visual
Backlight GreatnessGoodGreat
Ability to download custom apps to unit/deviceYesYes
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...)YesYes
MusicGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Can control phone musicYesYes
Has music storage and playbackYes (Music version)Yes
Streaming ServicesSpotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadioSpotify, Amazon Music, Deezer
PaymentsGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Contactless-NFC PaymentsNoYes
ConnectivityGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Bluetooth Smart to Phone UploadingYesYes
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...)YesYes
Live Tracking (streaming location to website)YesYes
Group trackingNoNo
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts)Yes (via phone)Yes
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required)NoNo
CyclingGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Designed for cyclingYesYes
Power Meter CapableWITH SOME CONNECT IQ APPS (BUT CANNOT RECORD DATA)With some Connect IQ apps
Speed/Cadence Sensor CapableYesYes
Strava segments live on deviceNoNo
Crash detectionYesYes
RunningGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Designed for runningYesYes
Footpod Capable (For treadmills)YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER)Yes
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...)Yes (with accessory)No
Running PowerNoNo
VO2Max EstimationYesYes
Race PredictorYesNo
Recovery AdvisorYesNo
Run/Walk ModeYesYes
Track Recognition ModeYes
SwimmingGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Designed for swimmingYesYes
Openwater swimming modeNoNo
Lap/Indoor Distance TrackingYesYes
Record HR underwaterYesYes
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.)N/ANo
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.)YesYes
Indoor Drill ModeYesNo
Indoor auto-pause featureNoNo
Change pool sizeYesYes
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths14M/15Y TO 150Y/M13M/15Y TO 150Y/M
Ability to customize data fieldsYesYes
Captures per length data - indoorsYesYes
Indoor AlertsYes
TriathlonGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Designed for triathlonNoNo
Multisport modeNoNo
WorkoutsGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Create/Follow custom workoutsYesYes
On-unit interval FeatureYesSorta
Training Calendar FunctionalityYesYes
FunctionsGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Auto Start/StopYesYes
Virtual Partner FeatureYesNo
Virtual Racer FeatureYesNo
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history)YesYes
Tidal Tables (Tide Information)NoNo
Weather Display (live data)YEsYes
NavigateGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints)YesNo (but some 3rd party apps can)
Markers/Waypoint DirectionNoNo
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS)NoNo
Back to startYesYEs
Impromptu Round Trip Route CreationNoNo
Download courses/routes from phone to unitYesNO
SensorsGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Altimeter TypeGPSBarometric
Compass TypeN/AMagnetic
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internallyYEsYes
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry)YesYes
Heart Rate Strap CompatibleYesYes
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap CapableYesYEs
ANT+ Speed/Cadence CapableYesYes
ANT+ Footpod CapableYesYes
ANT+ Power Meter CapableNoNo
ANT+ Lighting ControlYesYes
ANT+ Bike Radar IntegrationYesYes
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C)NONo
ANT+ Remote ControlYES FOR GARMIN VIRBNo (Yes for VIRB camera control)
ANT+ eBike CompatibilityNONo
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP)NoNo
Shimano Di2 ShiftingNONo
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap CapableYesYEs
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence CapableYesYes
Bluetooth Smart Footpod CapableYesYes
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter CapableNONo
Temp Recording (internal sensor)NONo
Temp Recording (external sensor)YES (TEMPE)Yes
SoftwareGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
PC ApplicationGarmin ExpressGarmin Express
Web ApplicationGarmin ConnectGarmin Connect
Phone AppiOS/Android/Windows PhoneiOS/Android/Windows
Ability to Export SettingsNoNo
PurchaseGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
AmazonLinkLink
Backcountry.comLinkLink
Competitive CyclistLinkLink
REILinkLink
DCRainmakerGarmin Forerunner 245Garmin Vivoactive 4
Review LinkLinkLink