Garmin vs Huawei Watch: VO2max compared
How Garmin and Huawei Watch estimate your VO2max, what each needs from you, what else they show and what independent studies say about accuracy.
| Garmin | Huawei Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Called | VO2 Max. | VO2Max |
| Algorithm | Garmin in-house, built on Firstbeat Analytics | Not named by Huawei |
| App | Garmin Connect | Huawei Health |
| From: Outdoor run | Yes | Yes |
| From: Walk | Yes | Yes |
| From: Treadmill | No | No |
| From: Bike (power meter) | Yes | Not confirmed |
| From: Resting test | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| From: All-day data | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Fitness age | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Race predictor | Yes | Yes |
| Published accuracy studies | 5 | 1 |
| What you need to do | Run outdoors with GPS for at least 10 minutes at 70%+ of max heart rate, or ride steadily at high intensity for 20+ minutes with a power meter. Set up your user profile and max heart rate. | Start Outdoor run, Outdoor walk or Track run on the watch, outdoors. Run: average speed above 7.2 km/h after a 10-min warm-up, changing by less than 1 km/h per minute. Walk: cadence of at least 100 steps/min for 2 km. Indoor modes give no VO2Max. |
Key differences
- Fitness age: Garmin shows one (not confirmed for the other).
- Accuracy evidence: we found 5 published studies for Garmin and 1 for Huawei Watch.
How each one works
Garmin: Compares your heart rate (wrist or chest strap) with your GPS pace on outdoor runs, or with power from a power meter on rides. It learns over several activities, so early numbers may be off.
Huawei Watch: The watch estimates VO2Max during outdoor runs and brisk walks that meet speed or cadence rules. Huawei does not publish the method.
Which is better for VO2max?
For VO2max specifically, the best device is the one that sees your hardest efforts: if most of your training is outdoor running, both give an estimate (both use outdoor run, walk). If you cycle with a power meter, walk more than you run, or want a resting test, check those rows above. Whichever you choose, compare the number with itself over time and with the norms for your age.
Accuracy studies
Garmin
- Howard et al., J Med Eng Technol, 2026: Forerunner 265 overestimated VO2max (43.95 vs 41.10 ml/kg/min at start) but mean absolute percent error stayed under 10%.
- Engel et al., Eur J Appl Physiol, 2026: Forerunner 245 underestimated VO2max by about 4-5 ml/kg/min (MAPE 7.2-7.9%); error was larger in highly trained athletes (MAPE 9.4-10.4%).
- Carrier et al., Sensors, 2025: fēnix 6 VO2max estimates were judged accurate (MAPE 7.05%, concordance 0.73 vs 30 s lab average).
- Düking et al., J Sports Sci Med, 2024: Forerunner 245 in youth soccer players: MAPE 5.58% after one run and 1.06% after a second run.
- Passler et al., Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019: Forerunner 920XT had a MAPE of 7.3% but significantly underestimated VO2max.
Huawei Watch
- Ye et al., JMIR mHealth uHealth, 2023: HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner vs lab CPET (n=46, low and high altitude): slight overestimation, MAPE under 7%, mean absolute error under 2 mL/kg/min.
Frequently asked questions
Is Garmin or Huawei Watch more accurate for VO2max?
Garmin has more published validation (5 vs 1 studies). Watch estimates are typically within several ml/kg/min of lab tests for groups, with larger individual errors, so use either one to track your trend.
Does Garmin measure VO2max from outdoor run like Huawei Watch?
Yes: both estimate from outdoor run, walk.
Which is better for VO2max: Garmin or Huawei Watch?
Pick the one whose data sources match how you train: Garmin uses outdoor run, walk, bike (power meter); Huawei Watch uses outdoor run, walk.
Built from official documentation (see each brand page for sources). Features vary by model and firmware. Garmin and Huawei Watch are trademarks of their owners; VO2max Health is independent and not affiliated with either.