Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin Watch (The TRUTH About Switching)

Is a Garmin watch better than an Apple Watch? I think I finally have the answer! This Comparison of the Garmin MARQ Athlete Gen 2 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 explores whether the Garmin is a better fitness watch than an Apple Watch. I test and compare the build quality, battery life, the unboxing experience, usability of buttons vs touch screen, and the accuracy of fitness and health features including: Vo2 max, tracking workouts and steps, and supporting weight loss.

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Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Some links in the descriptions are affiliate links that if you click on, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

--SMPOST--Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin MARQ - The PERFECT Fitness Watch?

[PeteMatheson]

You'll be automatically entered into the prize draw to win the Pixel 8 Pro bundle!

[pavan]

I am into apple ecosystem and love my Apple Watch for all its smart watch features and just enough fitness tracking (I track my walks, runs, badminton, cricket using AW). I also have a Garmin FR255 which I wear for all those activities. Only reason that is holding me back from going all Garmin (May be an Epix Gen 2) is “Cellular Services”. I leave my phone behind at home during my activities but still can get call/text or can call in case of emergencies just with Apple Watch. The day when Garmin brings up LTE features, I am migrating to Garmin :) . Great video Pete. Keep them coming.

[Mdogbrown]

I have Garmin Fenix 7 pro and Apple Watch Ultra 2. They are both amazing. Whenever I go hiking, camping or backpacking the Garmin is far superior with its mapping/navigation capabilities, data and battery life.
In town, I use the Apple Watch. Its smartwatch capabilities are so useful and it’s nice to go for a run without my phone.
If Garmin improved its music integration and add cellular, I’d only have a Garmin.

It’s so nice that Garmin includes all the fitness stuff WITHOUT all the apps and paywalls. It’s all baked in. With Apple Watch, for data like Garmin I have to buy an app and have a subscription, if I want a workout coach I have to buy an app, if I want gps map navigation I have to buy an app…

[vong]

And those VO2 max readings are accurate… You just need time and more logged training to figure out your readings. Mine took a week or two active training to find my readings. One other thing too… your armhairs MIGHT alter the readings. If you see any oddities on your HR, try shaving some hairs under the watch.

[jayh]

I used to have a apple watch, and it would take a long time for a new software update to upload. Felt like it took much longer than for my Iphone to update, I hated the experience.

[bufferino]

I had a series 2 and 5 and it was the buttons for me that had me going Garmin. I couldn’t work the watches with the amount of sweat.

[foetor]

Old hr sensor for that price? Really Garmin? So no ecg and better hr tracking

[theamr]

Hey pete, Great video.
Im train CrossFit 4 times a week and go to cycling 2 times each week.
Im stuck between Garmin Instinct 2 solar and apple watch SE 2022, could you please help me which one would be a better choice for me?
I own and iphone 13 btw.

[prince_warhero]

You can actually reply to msgs on Garmin if you are using Android phone. You can't in iphone because apple doesn't allow other watches other than its own

[douglowry]

I can't take this video seriosuly when you're acting like the Marq is pushing Rolex territory. Rolex's start at about 5x the price.

The Marq looks infinitely better than an apple ultra. The Marq is like a perfect combo of Tag Heuer looks and a smart watch.

[pazlabbe]

The notifications and missing features are an iPhone problem, not the Garmin. Iphone purposely makes it that way, so you buy the iwatch instead.
Have you pair the Garmin to an android phone? Everything works there the way it is supposed to work.

[AndrewTSq]

Garmin has ANT+.- so already there its the superior watch. The buttons are so much better since if you run and want to get to another screen.. you can feel the button without looking and then just get your wrist up and looking at the watch. Feels so much more luxery with real buttons. I have not used apple watch, but samsung watch 4 and its really bad in comparsion. The software used to be better for garmin, but the new connect is like 20 steps back in user interface.

[davidbraswell]

vo2 max is close enough for the exercise you do at the time of using the watch, when you go to the lab you DO NOT do your work out at home on your run like you do at the you do a regular run or a regular walk you don't do timed inclines and ramp up speeds as we exercise! We stay at a steady pace or at least I do even on my uphill sections of my exercise section of each lap. We also don't wear a mask at home to test for different gasses we exhale, so it will never be as accurate.

[Driji]

I'm happy to be back from Garmin to Ultra 2, sports activities can be controlled fully with buttons, so I don't see a disadvantage in that anymore, and on the contrary, they are useful for me throughout the day. Garmin was just an expensive GPS tracker for me

[BiblePatriot]

What other Garmin watches have the same coaching features that are not as expensive as the mark

[zsmeadws]

Aesthetically, I much rather prefer the look of the Epix or Fenix Pro compared to the Marq. The carbon fiber look just doesn’t do it for me. 🤷‍♂️

[davidbraswell]

funny as calorie tracking on any watch is nowhere even close to accurate and apples tracking is better than Garmin anyways! (heart rate tracking) GPS tracking is too close to matter!! So there you can use 1 watch as my go to everyday watch is Apple Ultra 1 but I do sport a Garmin 965 which is now up for sale bumped my arm against the fridge door, and ruined my 965 screen!! I have done this many times with my ultra and still has no scratch anywhere on it still looks as new as the day I bought it!!!

[bigmaxcc]

😳£2k on a watch 😮 all that I expect also to be included luxury cruise or first class trip to Hawaii 😅

On a another note all of sudden AWU 2 seems more worth it ☺️😄

[Peter.Fields.]

Intern thoughts : WHY PEOPLE WANTS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE ULTRA WHEN THE 965 IS BASICALLY THE SAME appart from the dive things Even the 265 at the end !! (This is internal though because I know I’m gonna change my point of view through tout the video) (but more comment helps the video)

[badprofilepic]

For the garmin i think that they should have gone with a metal(titanium) bracelet with the garmin.