Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Original Review December 2016: I have tried many different fitness trackers from low priced fitbit flex and Garmin1 to the Fitbit Charge HR and Alta. Here's what this Garmin Vivofit 3 has over all the Fitbits: you NEVER have to charge it as it runs on a watch battery, it's completely waterproof, it's more durable, it costs much less, and it makes an audible reminder to move if you sit too long. The waterproof feature is a huge deal for me since I've killed 3 fitbits in my pool by forgetting about it when I jump in. I wear this Garmin swimming, while doing dishes, while showering, while bathing my child, you name it. And it's still going strong 8 months later. Here's what Fitbit has over Garmen: the Alta looks prettier and has better jewelry-looking band options, and the charge HR has built in heart rate monitoring, if you're interested in that while exercising (more expensive Garmins do too, but not this one) the charge and Alta both receive call notifications from your phone, and the Fitbit app is better. The app is a entirely matter of preference. If you like your electronics "iPhone" style (easy to navigate, easy to see what you need quickly, user friendly, and widely used by other users which is important for challenging your friends since you can't challenge those with a Fitbit if you have a Garmin and vice versa), you may like a Fitbit better simply due to the app. If you prefer "android" style (customizable, lots more information, lots more options and stats if you can figure out where to find it in complex settings), you may like the Garmin app better. My husband and son have a Garmin Vivofit and Garmin Vivofit 2 (see my review over there), so we can all do steps challenges with each other on the Garmin app even though we wear 3 different Garmin trackers. You can change the band on this Garmin Vivofit 3 by popping the little square tracker out and into another band (see photos). They also make belt clips to hold this tracker if you don't want to wear it on your wrist. Sadly, the band choices for this Garmen all look pretty bulky and even the pretty patterned ones don't look fashionable. They are all plastic/silicone and look sporty which is fine for exercise but not dressy enough for the office or a black tie event. There aren't any "dressy fancy jewelry/watch" looking bands available for this like there are for the Fitbit Alta. However, this is my tracker of choice even so because it is waterproof, never needs charging, and reminds me to move. I'm willing to give up the "pretty" thin jewelry look of the Alta because I'm sick of killing fitbits when they get wet and needing to charge them constantly every 3-6 days. The quality of the Garmin also seems to be better. My fitbits would consistently break with no heavy or rough use. The Fitbit displays, charging ports, and band fastener clasps broke for me every couple of months. While Fitbit replaced them within the year warrenty, I would be out of a tracker for 10-14 days every time while I waited for them to file my claim and mail me a new one. This Garmin has lasted 8+ months and looks like new with no problems whatsoever. I'm still waiting for the perfect tracker which combines all of these desirable features I listed above. I'd be willing to pay a lot more for it than I paid for this Garmen, too! Edit: I forgot to mention that this Vivofit 3, unlike its predecessors, has a backlit screen! If you hold the button for a second in the dark you can see the time at night, which is great. The Vivofit and Vivofit2 do not have the backlight, and you cannot see the display in the dark. August 2017 Update: Some sellers are now offering metal "jewelry" watch bands for this Garmin ViVofit 3 - and they are awesome - wohoo! See photos. :)