Garmin vívoactive 3 vs. Garmin Instinct

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Garmin vívoactive 3 and Garmin Instinct. 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 3 vs. Garmin Instinct Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport Multisport Running, swimming, ski, cycling, hiking, eSport, climbing, yoga, workout, snowboarding, cardio training, rower, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, mountain biking
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 43.4 mm 45 mm
Height 43.4 mm 45 mm
Depth 11.7 mm 15.3 mm
Weight 43 g 53 g
Body Material - Fibre-reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, altimeter, heart rate, VO2 max Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, pace, stress level Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, stress level, menstrual cycle, hydration
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, find phone function, call alerts, Bluetooth Smart technology, automatic exercise recognition, VIRB control, Move IQ, Side Swipe interface, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts Music remote handling, find phone function, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Find my Device, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, Body Battery, Physio TrueUp
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email Missed calls, calendar, SMS, Email, social apps
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Vibration alert, visual interface -
Navigation (GPS) - GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology Garmin Pay -
CONNECTIVITY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Wireless Interface Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+/ANT Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+
DISPLAY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective
Resolution 240 x 240 pixels 128 x 128 pixels
Screen Size 1.2" -
Dimensions (WxH) - 23 mm x 23 mm
Aspect Ratio Full circle -
Screen Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (scratch resistant glass) Chemically strengthened glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Type Touch sensitive screen Touch buttons
CASE Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel Stainless steel Fibre-reinforced polymer
Case Back Glass fibre reinforced polymer -
Case Details Stainless steel | Rose gold | Gunmetal Black lava | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam | Tundra | Graphite | Flame red
BAND Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Band Type Band Strap
Band Width 20 mm 22 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 127-204 mm 132-224 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Black | White Lava black | Coyote tan | Sunburst | Lakeside blue | Sea foam
BATTERY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 8 day(s) 14 day(s)
Battery Life Details Navigation tracking - up to 13 hour(s)
Typical usage - up to 8 days
Smartwatch mode - up to 14 days
Esports mode - up to 80 hour(s)
GPS mode - up to 16 hour(s)
UltraTrac mode - up to 40 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin Instinct
Included Accessories Charging cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Garmin Pay, Garmin Heartbeat, CONNECT IQ STR3AMUP!
Compliant Standards - MIL-STD 810G
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
Max Operating Temperature - 60 °C
Min Operating Temperature - -20 °C
Warranty 1-year warranty 1-year warranty
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