Fitbit brought fitness tracking to the masses; Garmin dominates serious athletics. Both now offer HRV features, but with different depths and target audiences.
Comparison Overview
| Category | Fitbit Sense 2 / Charge 6 | Garmin Watches |
|---|---|---|
| HRV Features | Daily Readiness Score (Premium), basic HRV | HRV Status, Training Readiness, detailed trends ✓ |
| Garmin's HRV analysis is more sophisticated | ||
| Ease of Use | Very beginner-friendly ✓ | More complex, steeper learning curve |
| Fitbit is simpler to use | ||
| Training Features | Basic workout tracking | Advanced training load, recovery, performance ✓ |
| Garmin is built for athletes | ||
| Sleep Tracking | Good with Premium insights | Good with sleep score |
| Both offer solid sleep tracking | ||
| Subscription Model | $10/month for best features | All features included ✓ |
| Garmin has no subscription | ||
| Battery Life | 4-7 days | 7-14+ days ✓ |
| Garmin lasts longer | ||
| Price Range | $100-330 ✓ | $250-1000+ |
| Fitbit is more affordable | ||
The Bottom Line
Choose Fitbit if you're new to fitness tracking, want something simple and affordable, and don't need deep athletic metrics. Choose Garmin if you're a serious athlete, want comprehensive training analysis, and prefer paying once over subscribing.
Detailed Reviews
Fitbit Sense 2 / Charge 6
Good for general fitness users who want HRV as part of broader health tracking. The Premium subscription unlocks the...
Full reviewGarmin Watches
Great for athletes already in the Garmin ecosystem. Recent models include solid HRV tracking, though features vary...
Full review