Today, I’m going to share my thoughts on the Garmin vivoactive 4S GPS Smartwatch. As someone who’s been using this smartwatch for a while, I want to give you an honest review of its pros and cons. If you’re considering purchasing this watch, keep reading to find out if it’s the right fit for you.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Keeps track of your energy levels, pulse ox levels, respiration, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep, heart rate, hydration, and more. It provides comprehensive insights into your overall health.
- Easily download songs to your watch from popular music platforms like Spotify, Amazon music, or Deezer. You can enjoy your favorite tunes without the need for your phone.
- Offers a wide range of preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga, running, swimming, and more. It’s perfect for tracking different activities.
- Enjoy animated workouts that guide you through various exercises, including strength training, cardio, yoga, and Pilates. It’s like having a personal trainer on your wrist.
- Impressive battery life – up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 5 hours in GPS and music mode. It’s convenient for long-lasting use.
What Can Be Improved
- The Auto Pause function may be a bit unreliable, causing occasional pauses during activities such as walking. It’s suggested to disable this feature for a smoother experience.
- The display may look a little dull and washed out in low light conditions, even when illuminated. However, it’s still acceptable considering the excellent battery life.
Quick Verdict
In conclusion, the Garmin vivoactive 4S GPS Smartwatch offers an impressive range of features, including comprehensive health tracking, music integration, and a variety of preloaded sports apps. It has a solid battery life and a convenient and comfortable design. Although there are a few minor drawbacks, such as the Auto Pause function and display quality in low light, overall, it’s a great choice for those looking to take their fitness and health monitoring to the next level. If you want a reliable and feature-rich smartwatch, the Garmin vivoactive 4S is definitely worth considering.
You can find the Garmin vivoactive 4S GPS Smartwatch on Amazon here.
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
I recently purchased the Garmin vivoactive 4S Smaller-Sized GPS Smartwatch from Amazon. Being an active individual, I was in need of a reliable smartwatch to help me track my workouts and monitor my body energy levels. The delivery was incredibly fast, taking just a couple of days to arrive at my doorstep in the USA.
Upon unboxing the package, I found the following items inside:
- vivoactive 4s smartwatch
- Charging/data cable
- Documentation
Specifications
Here are the specifications of the Garmin vivoactive 4S:
- Brand: Garmin
- Manufacturer: Garmin
- Dimensions: 1.57L x 1.57W x 0.5H
- Weight: 1.28 ounces
- Date First Available: September 5, 2019
- Department: mens
Documentation/ User Guide
The documentation included in the box proved to be immensely helpful in setting up and utilizing the features of the Garmin vivoactive 4S smartwatch. It provided step-by-step instructions on how to pair the watch with my smartphone, customize watch faces, and navigate through various functions. If you want to take a look, you can find the user guide here.
Features – What We Found
1. Body Energy Monitoring
The Garmin vivoactive 4S offers an innovative feature called Body Energy Monitoring. This feature allows you to keep track of your energy levels throughout the day, giving you a better understanding of when you are at your peak performance or when you might need to take a break. It takes into account various factors like stress, sleep, and activity levels to provide you with a comprehensive picture of your energy levels.
With Body Energy Monitoring, you can optimize your workouts and daily activities by knowing when you have the most energy to tackle challenging tasks or engage in intense exercises. This feature is especially useful for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to maximize their performance and avoid burnout. By monitoring your energy levels, you can make informed decisions about when to push harder or take it easy, leading to better overall well-being and performance.
Pro Tip: Use the information gathered from Body Energy Monitoring to schedule your workouts during times when your energy levels are typically higher. This can help you achieve better results and prevent overexertion.
2. Music Streaming and Storage
One of the standout features of the Garmin vivoactive 4S is its ability to download and store music directly on the smartwatch. Whether you prefer Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer, you can easily sync your playlists and enjoy your favorite tunes without the need for a smartphone. Simply connect your Bluetooth headphones (sold separately), and you’re good to go.
With this feature, you can enjoy phone-free listening during workouts, runs, or any other activity. You don’t have to worry about carrying your phone or dealing with tangled headphone wires. The convenience of having your music directly on your wrist enhances your overall fitness experience. And with up to 5 hours of battery life in GPS and music mode, you can groove to your favorite tracks for extended periods without interruption.
Check out the product link to learn more about the Garmin vivoactive 4S.
3. Animated Workouts
The Garmin vivoactive 4S includes a wide range of preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, making it an ideal companion for fitness enthusiasts of all levels. One standout feature is the ability to access animated workouts directly on the watch screen. Whether you’re into strength training, cardio, yoga, or Pilates, you’ll have access to a variety of guided workouts that can be tailored to your specific goals and preferences.
These animated workouts provide step-by-step instructions and visual cues, making it easy to follow along and maintain proper form. With the watch’s vibrant display and intuitive interface, you can seamlessly navigate through different exercises and track your progress in real-time. This feature is a game-changer for those who prefer to workout independently or need some extra guidance.
4. Garmin Pay Contactless Payment
The Garmin vivoactive 4S offers the convenience of Garmin Pay, a contactless payment solution. With this feature, you can leave your wallet at home and make purchases on the go by simply tapping your watch on a compatible payment terminal. It eliminates the need to carry cash or credit cards during your activities, giving you a sense of freedom and security.
While not all countries and payment networks are eligible for Garmin Pay, it’s a convenient option for those living in supported regions. Whether you need to grab a post-workout smoothie or make a quick purchase during your daily errands, Garmin Pay ensures that you’re always ready to pay in a contactless and hassle-free manner.
Pro Tip: Ensure that you set up Garmin Pay and link your preferred payment method before heading out, so you can enjoy a seamless payment experience whenever the need arises.
5. Safety and Tracking Features
The Garmin vivoactive 4S incorporates safety and tracking features that provide you with peace of mind during your activities. The incident detection feature, available during select activities, can detect potential accidents or falls and automatically send your real-time location to emergency contacts. This can be crucial in situations where you may be unable to call for help yourself.
In addition, when paired with a compatible device, the vivoactive 4S offers assistance, allowing your emergency contacts to request your location and well-being status. This feature is particularly valuable for outdoor enthusiasts, solo exercisers, or anyone who wants an added layer of security while exploring unfamiliar surroundings.
By utilizing these safety and tracking features, you can feel more confident knowing that help is just a tap away in case of an emergency.
Final Thoughts
Our Score: 89.0
I recently purchased the Garmin vivoactive 4S, and I must say that I am highly impressed with its performance and features. First and foremost, the size of the smartwatch is perfect for me as it fits comfortably on my wrist. The display is legible and the colors are acceptable, especially in bright light. The always-on display feature is a huge plus for me, as I can easily see the time and other notifications without having to tap or wake up the watch.
One of the standout features of this smartwatch is its ability to track various aspects of my health and fitness. From monitoring my energy levels, pulse ox, respiration, and sleep to tracking my menstrual cycle and hydration, this watch has it all covered. It even comes with animated workouts that are easy to follow, providing guidance for strength training, cardio, yoga, and Pilates. The GPS and indoor sports apps are extensive, offering more than 20 preloaded options, including running, swimming, and yoga.
Additionally, I love the music capabilities of this smartwatch. I can easily download songs and playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer, and listen to them using headphones. The battery life of the watch is also impressive, lasting up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 5 hours in GPS and music mode.
Overall, the Garmin vivoactive 4S has exceeded my expectations. It is a reliable and feature-packed smartwatch that helps me stay on top of my health and fitness goals. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a smaller-sized GPS smartwatch with music capabilities.
You can purchase the Garmin vivoactive 4S here.
Alternatives To Consider
If you’re considering the Garmin vivoactive 4S, but want to explore some other options before making your final decision, here are a few alternative products that you should definitely consider:
- Garmin vívoactive 5: The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a fantastic alternative to the vivoactive 4S. It boasts a stunning AMOLED display and offers up to 11 days of battery life. With its health and fitness GPS capabilities, this smartwatch is perfect for those looking to track their activities and monitor their overall well-being. You can find more information about this product here.
- Garmin Venu: If you’re looking for a smartwatch with a bright touchscreen display, the Garmin Venu should be on your radar. With features like body energy monitoring, animated workouts, and a pulse ox sensor, this smartwatch has it all. You can check out the renewed version of this product here.
- Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4: For those interested in a refurbished option, the Garmin 010-02174-01 Vivoactive 4 is a great choice. It offers all the features you expect from the vivoactive 4S, including music capabilities, body energy monitoring, and animated workouts. You can find this refurbished smartwatch here.
- Garmin Venu Sq Music: If you’re a music lover and want a smartwatch that can keep up with your active lifestyle, the Garmin Venu Sq Music is the perfect fit. It features a bright touchscreen display and offers up to 6 days of battery life. You can find this stylish smartwatch in a beautiful Rose Gold with Tan Band color option here.
These alternative products provide similar features and functionalities to the Garmin vivoactive 4S, allowing you to find the perfect smartwatch that suits your needs. Whether you prefer a larger, AMOLED display or a refurbished option, there is something for everyone. So, explore these alternatives and make an informed decision before purchasing!