Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker vs Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker
Both made our Best Fitness Trackers Under $150 shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker if you want guided setup walks through pairing step by step with clear prompts. Choose the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker if you'd rather have 1+ year battery life with no charging. Overall we rank the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Fitness Trackers Under $150 list.
Winner overall: Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker vs Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 4 in Best Fitness Trackers Under $150 | #3 of 4 in Best Fitness Trackers Under $150 |
| Pick label | Shortlisted | |
| Brand | Fitbit | Garmin |
| Key features | Irregular heart rhythm notifications; Fall-aware activity and stress detection; Simple guided app setup | See full details |
| Biggest strength | Guided setup walks through pairing step by step with clear prompts | 1+ year battery life with no charging |
| Main trade-off | Most detailed heart health trend data sits behind a Fitbit Premium subscription | No heart rate sensor |
| Best for | seniors | people who never want to charge a tracker |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick
Choose the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker if…
- Guided setup walks through pairing step by step with clear prompts
- Family members can view shared activity summaries, useful for keeping an eye on a parent from afar
- Bright AMOLED display makes step count and heart rate easy to read without reading glasses in most lighting
Best for: seniors
Prefer the alternative? See the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker section.
#3 pick
Choose the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker if…
- 1+ year battery life with no charging
- Always-on color display
- Swim and shower safe
Best for: people who never want to charge a tracker
Prefer the alternative? See the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker section.
Pros and cons of each
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker
Pros
- Guided setup walks through pairing step by step with clear prompts
- Family members can view shared activity summaries, useful for keeping an eye on a parent from afar
- Bright AMOLED display makes step count and heart rate easy to read without reading glasses in most lighting
- Automatic exercise recognition means no manual button presses needed to log a walk
Cons
- Most detailed heart health trend data sits behind a Fitbit Premium subscription
- 7-day battery still requires a recurring reminder to charge for those prone to forgetting
- Touchscreen and side button combination takes a session or two to learn
Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker
Pros
- 1+ year battery life with no charging
- Always-on color display
- Swim and shower safe
- Simple step, sleep and activity tracking
Cons
- No heart rate sensor
- No GPS
- Basic smartwatch features
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker vs Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker: common questions
Which is better, the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker or the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker?
Choose the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker if you want guided setup walks through pairing step by step with clear prompts. Choose the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker if you'd rather have 1+ year battery life with no charging. Overall we rank the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Fitness Trackers Under $150 list.
What is the difference between the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker and the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker?
The Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker stands out because guided setup walks through pairing step by step with clear prompts, while the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker stands out because 1+ year battery life with no charging. The trade-offs differ too: the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker's main caveat is that most detailed heart health trend data sits behind a Fitbit Premium subscription, and the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker's is that no heart rate sensor.
Is the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker worth it over the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker instead if most detailed heart health trend data sits behind a Fitbit Premium subscription is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker instead of the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker?
The Garmin vivofit 4 Activity Tracker suits people who never want to charge a tracker, while the Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker is best for seniors.