Garmin Fenix 7 vs Apple Watch Series 7 vs Garmin Epix 2

The Apple Watch Series 7 is a very different watch to the Garmin Epix 2 and Fenix 7, but plenty of runners will end up choosing between the trio for their next watch.

All three have a good claim to be the best in their category, with the Apple Watch dominating the smartwatch market and the Garmin Fenix 7 and Epix 2 both having a claim to be the best sports watch in the business, with the choice between them coming to down to monster battery life on the Fenix 7 or the bright AMOLED screen on the Epix 2.

Run Testers Mike and Nick have tested all three watches extensively and in this video they discuss the pros and cons of each.

Check out our full multi-tester reviews of all three watches:

JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
00:00 – Intro
00:35 – Design & Key Stats
03:44 – The Run Test
04:03 – Design
06:42 – GPS Accuracy
08:16 – Heart Rate Accuracy
09:53 – Workout Data
11:07 – Training Analysis
12:40 – Maps & Navigation
14:45 – Structured Workouts
15:31 – Battery Life
17:21 – Smartwatch Features
17:36 – NFC Payments
18:33 – Music
21:02 – App Market
22:47 – Weather Forecasts
23:15 – Activity & Health Tracking
27:54 – Verdict

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[ncls]

To cover a marathon with your AW, you just have to run faster in fact 😀 it’s the good think with the AW, it makes you faster to finish before the battery dies.

[AmadouDiallo-ippm]

Poor battery life plus weak glass on the Apple Watch is a big deterrent for me. Garmin Fenix series are the best fitness trackers.

[Seahawks]

I love the screen on the 7x and I think it’s the best outdoors and good enough indoors. All three are fantastic watches for sure!

[cejay]

What a great and honest review. I have an AW6 and Fenix 6 Saphire. I got the Fenix to support me in ultra runs, but love them both.

[stunted]

Thank you for the video. I currently have a Forerunner 745 and was considering either an Apple Watch or Fenix 6 Titanium. I think for longevity Garmin wins hands down!

[cristian-adrianfrasineanu]

I feel like I tethered myself to Garmin. Would Garmin work well with an Oura alongside or these don't integrate at all?

[riccardopedretti]

I’m interested in recalibration of the Apple Watch after using many times a 3rd party app to register workouts (such as WorkOutDoors e.g.)
Could you please explain me how to do that??
It is enough to run a single workout with the native app to do that? Or am I supposed to doing it multiple times??

[youcantseeme]

Great review as always. Does the Epix have a “theater “ mode or a shortcut to turn the screen off like the Apple Watch?

[ut]

The Fenix 7 is shown with a bright display. Is this due to the backlight being on during filming? My Fenix 6 is really dark and impossible to read during the day until I turn the backlight on. Thanks for the video.

[nasigeoring]

Great video. Cool hat Mike, what brand is it?

[os]

Thanks. About the recalibration on the APW: in your opinion, it is necessary to run on the APW native app? or just walking might be enough? Thanks.

[sebastiaan]

Many reviews state that the accuracy of the Apple Watch is better compared to the Garmin watches, like the Garmin's for their sport and health tracking features. My question is: Those Sport and Health tracking features are being fed questionable data from the Garmin Watch, so what is the benefit of having these features in the first place?

[brent__earl]

Great video! I’m hoping you can review the new Apple Watch Ultra to see if it is now more of a direct comparison to Garmin (minus the battery life)

[pmfahey]

Nick, in your experience which is the best AW app for tracking recovery/HRV data? I’ve tried a few (Training Today, Athlytic) but I’m not convinced that any of them are all that accurate. Despite it being a mediocre smart watch, I think the recovery data from the Fenix 6 is pretty helpful if you’re willing to wear it 24/7.

[kernowoutdoors]

Great video. Had a 5x sapphire but was too big, missed the smart watch features. Now have a 4th gen Apple Watch - love it for its ease of use but wish apple would improve the features- how is a £90 Fitbit better at health tracking? I wish apple would make an outdoor version of their great series 7

[hieunguyencong]

Does Apple watch have multi salelite system or all satelite system that is used in Garmin fenix 7 & epix. On all apple watch, user cannot change with type of satelite type, so I guess apple may use some kind of software to change between gps type, is ít what similar to all satelite system??.Thank you.

[Goffas_and_gumpys]

@16:55mins, I am waiting on delivery of my Epix and what you said is very encouraging in terms of battery performance. I hope this is true for me in use experience.

[janmasek]

Are the altimeter and barometer more accurate on F7/Epix 2 than on F6/Tactix?

[alexxela]

I doesn’t really matter how many apps you have on your apple. Because you don’t have battery to confidently use them.
This is where Garmin crushes. You can confidently use the map function a hole day.

[Michael-]

Great video guys. I have the Apple 4 and the Fenix 5 sapphire. I like the Fenix for many reasons, mainly the glass, battery life and it just looks good. I do however have an issue that y'all didn't address. With the Apple, on incoming messages I can give a quick glance and get the just of it while driving but the Garmin (and my old tired eyes)not so much. I am hoping the Epix amoled screen is much easier to read. If you guys would, let me know what you think.