The Redmi Watch 5 Active and Garmin Fenix 8 are both capable smartwatches with heart rate monitoring features, but they differ significantly in terms of functionality, precision, and additional health metrics.
Redmi Watch 5 Active
The Redmi Watch 5 Active includes a heart rate sensor that allows for continuous monitoring. Users can set the watch to monitor heart rate at intervals such as every 1, 10, or 30 minutes. It also supports high and low heart rate alerts, which can be set between 100-150 BPM for high heart rate and 40-50 BPM for low heart rate[1][4]. Additionally, the watch offers blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, which is useful for tracking oxygen levels during workouts[4]. The watch is designed for general fitness tracking and provides a user-friendly interface for monitoring heart rate and other health metrics.
Garmin Fenix 8
The Garmin Fenix 8 features a more advanced optical heart rate sensor, which is the same as in the Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro. This sensor is ECG-capable, although the ECG feature is currently limited to U.S. users[5]. The Fenix 8 continuously monitors vital signs, including heart rate variability (HRV), which is particularly useful for athletes and those interested in detailed health metrics[2][5]. The watch's heart rate tracking is generally accurate, although it may struggle with rapid changes during intense interval workouts, where a chest strap might be more reliable[8]. The Fenix 8 also supports advanced features like GPS tracking, playback storage, and integration with Garmin's voice assistant, making it a robust option for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts[2][5].
In summary, while both watches offer heart rate monitoring, the Garmin Fenix 8 provides more advanced health metrics and is geared towards serious athletes, whereas the Redmi Watch 5 Active is more suited for casual fitness tracking with additional features like SpO2 monitoring.
Citations:
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nFvqM_zZTw
[2] https://gizmodo.com/garmin-fenix-8-review-the-smartwatch-for-super-athletes-2000554025
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Garmin/comments/1iu2nnh/using_vivosmart_5_to_complement_the_health/
[4] https://ajlee.blog/redmi-watch-5-active-comprehensive-review-of-features-specs-and-performance/
[5] https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/08/garmin-fenix-8-in-depth-review.html
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/HuaweiWatchGT/comments/16va37z/why_choose_huaweii_instead_of_garmin/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2AQFuzNXk
[8] https://www.tomsguide.com/wellness/smartwatches/garmin-fenix-8-review
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz1m92XWZtA
[10] https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/01/garmin-instinct3-vs-garmin-fenix8-very-detailed-review.html