Garmin Vivoactive 6

General
Manufacturer Garmin
Type Fitness smartwatch
Series Vívoactive
Released 4 April 2025 (announced 1 April 2025)
Price at launch GBP 279.99 / USD 299.99
Predecessor Vívoactive 5
Successor Not yet announced. See Release Radar.
Sizes One size, 42mm
Colours Lunar Gold, Metallic Jasper Green, Metallic Pink Dawn, Slate

Specifications and features as at launch.

Jump to: Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Activity profiles | Further reading

Expert opinion

Vívoactive 6 adds PacePro pacing, wrist-based running dynamics and running power, and course following, features previously reserved for the Forerunner and Fenix series, without raising the price over the Vívoactive 5.

The hardware carries over largely unchanged: same 42mm polymer case, same 1.2 inch AMOLED display at 390 x 390 pixels, same battery life. The upgrade is entirely software and firmware, expanding sport profiles from around 30 to more than 80 and narrowing the functional gap with the Venu 3 at roughly half the price. It still lacks multi-band GPS and comes in one case size only.

What’s new versus the Vívoactive 5

Hardware

  • Storage doubled from 4GB to 8GB
  • GNSS constellations expanded to add BeiDou and QZSS
  • Magnetic compass added
  • Display brightness increased

Software

  • PacePro pacing strategies
  • Wrist-based running dynamics
  • Wrist-based running power
  • Course and route following
  • Animated workouts restored
  • Smart Wake Alarm
  • Sport profiles expanded from around 30 to more than 80
  • YouTube Music support
  • Garmin Share

Specifications

Display
Size 1.2 inch (30.4mm) diameter
Type AMOLED, optional always-on mode
Resolution 390 x 390 pixels
Lens Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Touchscreen Yes
Physical
Case size 42.2 x 42.2 x 10.9mm
Weight 23g case only, 36g with included band
Case material Fibre-reinforced polymer
Bezel material Anodised aluminium
Water rating 5 ATM
Strap width 20mm, quick release
Sensors and positioning
GPS GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Heart rate Garmin Elevate wrist sensor
Other sensors Pulse Ox, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light. Thermometer with optional tempe sensor accessory.
Connectivity and storage
Connectivity Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
Storage 8GB

Vívoactive 6 has no barometric altimeter, so floors climbed and vertical speed tracking are not available.

Battery life

Mode Battery life
Smartwatch Up to 11 days (5 days always-on)
Battery Saver Smartwatch Up to 21 days
GPS only Up to 21 hours
All systems GNSS Up to 17 hours
All systems GNSS with music Up to 8 hours

Features

Feature explanations are covered in the relevant the5krunner Garmin features hub.

Health

  • Health Status
  • Body Battery
  • Sleep Coach
  • Nap Detection
  • Breathing Variations
  • Lifestyle Logging
  • Nutrition tracking via Garmin Connect
  • Morning Report
  • Evening Report
  • Smart Wake Alarm
  • Wrist-based heart rate
  • Stress Tracking
  • Women’s Health Tracking
  • Health Snapshot
  • Pulse Ox sensor
  • Meditation
  • Mindful Breathing
  • Hydration
  • Respiration Tracking

Fitness

  • 80+ preloaded activity profiles
  • Strength Training
  • Mobility
  • Wheelchair mode
  • Animated On-Screen Workouts
  • Mixed Session
  • Garmin Fitness Coach
  • Wrist-based running dynamics
  • PacePro pacing strategies
  • Workout Benefit and Recovery Time
  • Fitness Age
  • Workout Creation
  • Rucking activity
  • Golf activity
  • Cycling sensor compatibility, including Rally power meter pedals and Varia radar

Running and Triathlon

  • Wrist-based running power
  • Course and route following
  • Track Running
  • Triathlon and multisport profiles

Connect

  • Garmin Connect app
  • Connect IQ Store
  • Smart Notifications
  • On-wrist texting
  • Works with WhatsApp
  • Music: Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music, YouTube Music
  • Garmin Pay
  • Safety and tracking with live location
  • Sports Scores
  • Garmin Share
  • Google Maps app (Android)

Convenience

  • Watch face customisation
  • Font sizes
  • Colour Shift
  • Colour Filters
  • Timer and stopwatch
  • Focus Modes
  • Calendar

Activity profiles

Category Profiles
Running Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running
Cycling Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, BMX
Swimming Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming
Gym and fitness Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Indoor Rowing, Jump Roping, Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking, Mobility, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts
Outdoor Hiking, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Mountaineering, Disc Golf, Archery
Other Winter sports: Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, XC Skate Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing. Water sports: Stand Up Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Rowing, Snorkeling. Team sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball. Racket sports: Tennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball. Motorsports: Motorcycling, Overlanding, Motocrossing, ATVing, Snowmobiling. Other: Inline Skating.

Further reading

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