Garmin’s new Vivoactive 6 is here, and while it doesn’t look much different from the last model, it introduces a few new tools that could make a real difference to your day-to-day routine — especially if you’re into light fitness, casual running, or just want a smartwatch that won’t overwhelm you with complexity.

At $299.99, the Vivoactive 6 keeps things relatively affordable (by Garmin standards) and sticks with the brand’s middle-of-the-road approach: not as sporty as a Forerunner, not as fancy as a Venu — but somewhere comfortably in between.

If you’ve seen or used the Vivoactive 5, the 6 is going to feel very familiar. It has the same 42.2mm case size, a lightweight build (just 36g with the strap), and a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen. The display is a little brighter this time, and the watch itself is ever-so-slightly thinner — nothing drastic, but it might feel a bit more natural on your wrist.

Color options include Black/Slate, Bone/Lunar Gold, Jasper Green, and Pink Dawn — stylish but not flashy. The watch still has a two-button layout instead of the five-button system you’ll find on more advanced Garmins, which helps keep the interface simple.

Battery life hasn’t changed either: up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, or around 5 days with the screen set to always on.

The headline feature on the Vivoactive 6 is Garmin’s first-ever smart wake alarm. This isn’t just a regular buzz-you-awake alarm. Instead, it monitors your sleep stages and tries to wake you up during a lighter phase — ideally making mornings a little less groggy. You choose a 30-minute window, and if you’re still in deep sleep at the end of that window, the alarm will go off anyway.

Another big update is that Garmin’s suggested workouts now include walking, not just running and cycling. That might not sound like a big deal, but for folks who like to track steps or use walking as their main form of exercise, it means the watch can now suggest pace intervals to keep things interesting. This makes the Vivoactive 6 a more approachable option for people who aren’t following a structured training plan.

Garmin has also brought over a few features from its higher-end models. The Running Dynamics tools now included can track things like stride length, cadence, ground contact time, and even running power — which is great for people looking to get more insight into their runs.

You also get access to PacePro for real-time pace guidance, as well as Track and Trail Running modes, race predictions, and post-run metrics like training effect.

The Vivoactive 6 can also walk you through animated workouts for strength training, yoga, Pilates, and more. These can be downloaded through the Garmin Connect app and followed right from the watch screen. Garmin’s Strength Coach and Garmin Coach features are also here, offering structured plans that adjust based on your performance and recovery.

While there are new features on the software side, the hardware is mostly unchanged. The heart rate sensor is the same Elevate v4 setup used in the previous model. That means no ECG readings and no skin temperature tracking — features that are starting to pop up in other smartwatches.

There’s also no barometric altimeter, so elevation data and stair counts won’t be available. If you do a lot of hiking or want more elevation detail in your workouts, you might need to look at a different Garmin model, like the Forerunner series.

Not everything is flashy — some upgrades are more subtle but still useful. The music storage has doubled to 8GB, so you can load up more songs and head out for a workout without your phone. There’s support for two new satellite systems (BeiDou and QZSS), and a new gyroscope helps improve tracking accuracy for wrist-based exercises.

As expected, the Vivoactive 6 supports Garmin Pay, smartphone notifications, and features like Body Battery, stress tracking, Sleep Coach, and wheelchair mode. Android users also get image previews in notifications.

The Vivoactive 6 arrives just as Garmin is rolling out its new Garmin Connect+ subscription, which has stirred up some user frustration. While many features are still free, some advanced tools — especially related to indoor workouts — will require a subscription. That’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for the full experience without extra costs.

The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is available to order now on Amazon, with shipping starting April 4.