Garmin - vívoactive 5 vs Google - Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)
Between the vívoactive 5 and Pixel Watch 3 (45mm), the vívoactive 5 comes out ahead in battery life and weight, while the Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) wins on peak brightness and display size. Overall, the vívoactive 5 scores 53.3 and the Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) scores 46.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The vívoactive 5 edges ahead on the Mars Score (53.3 vs 46.7), but the 6.6-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the vívoactive 5 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. The biggest gaps in its favor are battery life, weight.
Pick the Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. Its strongest claims are peak brightness, display size, ecg, among others.
Both ship with comparable spo2, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the vívoactive 5 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Garmin - vívoactive 5 wins
- ▲Battery life — 633.33% more. 264 h vs 36 h.
- ▲Weight — 11.00 g less. 26 vs 37.
Why Google - Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) wins
- ▲Peak brightness — 100.00% more. 2000 nits vs 1000 nits.
- ▲Display size — 16.67% more. 1.4 " vs 1.2 ".
- ▲Has ECG.
- ▲Has Cellular.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Garmin - vívoactive 5 | Google - Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | 42 mm | 45 mmlead |
| Weight | 26 glead | 37 g |
| Case material | polymer | aluminum |
| Water resistanceⓘ | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Display
| Spec | Garmin - vívoactive 5 | Google - Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 1.2 " | 1.4 "lead |
| Always-on display | true | true |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 1000 nits | 2000 nitslead |
Health & Fitness
| Spec | Garmin - vívoactive 5 | Google - Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) |
|---|---|---|
| ECG | false | truelead |
| SpO2 | true | true |
| Temperature sensor | false | truelead |
| Sleep tracking | true | true |
| Blood pressure | false | false |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | Garmin - vívoactive 5 | Google - Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 264 hlead | 36 h |
| GPS | true | true |
| Cellular | false | truelead |
| NFC | true | true |
| OS | Garmin OSlead | WearOS |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery life, vívoactive 5 or Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)?+
vívoactive 5 lasts 264h vs 36h.
Do vívoactive 5 or Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) support ECG?+
Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) supports ECG; vívoactive 5 does not.
Which has cellular, vívoactive 5 or Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)?+
Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) offers a cellular variant; vívoactive 5 is Wi-Fi only.
Spec-level deep dives
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