Garmin vívoactive HR vs. Garmin Instinct Solar

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Garmin vívoactive HR and Garmin Instinct Solar. Compare design, displays, functions, batteries and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect smartwatch. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the watch that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin vívoactive HR vs. Garmin Instinct Solar Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport - Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, fishing, climbing, snowboarding, rower, kayaking, hunting, jumpmaster, stand up paddleboarding
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 30.2 mm 45 mm
Height 57 mm 45 mm
Depth 11.4 mm 15.3 mm
Weight 48.2 g 53 g
Body Material - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Colours - Pipeline | Tidal blue | Cloudbreak
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, altimeter, heart rate Accelerometer, barometer, thermometre, altimeter, 3-axis compass, optical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, pace, swim stroke rate, golf shot distance Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, stress level
Modes - Stealth mode
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, Heart Rate target zone selector, find phone function, call alerts, Bluetooth Smart technology, automatic exercise recognition, VIRB control, PinPointer, digital scorecard Music remote handling, Heart Rate target zone selector, find phone function, Bluetooth Smart technology, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, TrueUp, Body Battery, solar charging, night vision compatibility, dual grid coordinates format, trackback routing
Notifications Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Navigation (GPS) - GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
CONNECTIVITY Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Wireless Interface Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+/ANT Bluetooth, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Type Colour Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 205 x 148 pixels 128 x 128 pixels
Dimensions (WxH) 20.7 mm x 28.6 mm 23 mm x 23 mm
Screen Protection - Power Glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Type Touch sensitive screen Touch buttons
CASE Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Case Shape - Round
Case Details Black Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo
BAND Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Band Type Band Band
Band Size XL -
Band Width - 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 162-225 mm 132-224 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material - Silicone
Band Colour Black Graphite | Black | Moss | Flame red | Sunburst | Lichen camo | Orchid | Graphite camo
BATTERY Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Technology Lithium Lithium Ion
Battery Life 8 day(s) 56 day(s)
Battery Life Details Navigation tracking - up to 13 hour(s)
Typical usage - up to 8 days
Smartwatch mode - up to 24 days
Smartwatch mode (with solar) - up to 54 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode - up to 56 days
Max Battery GPS Mode - up to 30 hour(s)
Max Battery GPS Mode (with solar) - up to 38 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin vívoactive HR Garmin Instinct Solar
Included Accessories Charging cradle Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Calendar, Time, Alarm, Date -
Compliant Standards - MIL-STD-810
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
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