Apple Watch vs Garmin (Don't Make This Mistake)

Apple Watch vs Garmin from a high level perspective. I answer which one I think is the best fitness tracker and smart watch for running, cycling, and swimming. More about the fitness needs and less lifestyle needs. Which watch will I use as my primary device for my Marathon?

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** Timecodes **
00:00 - Apple Watch vs Garmin
00:48 - Start Workout
03:36 - Battery Life
06:15 - Thank You Shopify
07:34 - Hardware Integration
10:07 - Custom Workouts
12:37 - GPS Accuracy
14:52 - HR Accuracy
15:58 - View Data While Working Out
18:14 - Accidental Presses & Touch Screens
19:34 - Strap, Water, Sweat Bands
20:44 - Sleep & Training Insights
22:36 - Strava Integration
24:49 - Final Thoughts

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[josephtiani]

I got a Garmin Forerunner about 4 months ago since I was getting more into running. It replaced my Apple Watch 8 and for the first few weeks I missed all the smart watch features but now I love all the fitness tracking and integration with Garmin and the great battery life!

[JAlexanderCurtis]

I've used both extensively. I currently own both. I explain it to friends like this: If you want a fitness tracker get Garmin. If you want a smart watch (smart phone on your wrist) get Apple.
I stopped wearing my Apple watch and use Garmin exclusively. (specifically I use the Garmin Venu 3)
When it comes to fitness tracking, Garmin is just leagues ahead of Apple. Garmin has all the data you could ever ask for and more that you didn't ask for, the watch is designed around displaying the data, the app is focused on displaying that data. Garmin doesn't extend your phone's apps like the Apple watch does, it focuses on fitness and that's it. If you want to wear a watch to be an extension of your iPhone, then you want an Apple watch. For me, the Garmin's singular focus on fitness and intentionally separating it from your phone is actually a feature not a bug. I don't want to be more connected to my phone, I am trying to use my phone less. Garmin tracks my fitness better, is easier to use, less "silly" and more practical. Apple does lots of "cute" things with the weird array of app icons that you wade through to find an app, it has gamification for steps with your friends, and other gamification features. But Apple really is limited on what it does when it comes to actually fitness data outside the basics. In the end, the Garmin app has loads and loads of data for you to dive into. For training athletes, make sure to get an HRM-Tri or HRM-Run heart rate monitor and it gives you other more detailed stats that they call "running dynamics" which includes stride length, ground contact time, foot balance, and just tons of other ridiculous stats. The garmin is functional. Runners can use it for pacing in either speed or heart rate zones so it alerts you when you leave a zone. You can fully customize every single screen. You can add more, reduce them. You can cram lots of data on a screen or go minimalist. It just has so much customization. Also, the data is readily available on the website, you can add routing, it has just so many features. The apple watch is nice, but just can't give you anywhere near the data of the Garmin.

[fitdude]

Congratulations on your 3:30 marathon in London, amazing accomplishment! I agree with you bro, and have now switched from AW Ultra to a Garmin Epix, paired with a chest strap. I do Crossfit most days and Trail run on the weekends in the mountains, I have appreciated the increase in battery life and the physical buttons for precise start/stop/lap times, with the always on screen instead of having to wrist raise during a workout to glance. Garmin is workout/training first, smartwatch is an afterthought, AW is opposite.

[victoryu]

This is the best comparison video using practical applications that I’ve seen. Thanks!

[JoshuaRapoport]

Thanks for the video!

One thing worth mentioning- you can set up Shortcuts on your paired iPhone to automatically set water lock on your Apple Watch when you start a workout. Can even customize it to be just for certain workout types.

[supperap]

First time I see a real review of Garmin vs Ultra!

[marksharp]

Sold my AWU in the end, and went back to Garmin Fenix 7x. The Garmin is much better for fitness/health tracking in the Connect app. The AWU was amazing, but it was only really used for cellular when on a run, otherwise I always had my phone.

[zytoses]

an argument I want to make regarding the Garmin is although the charging method isn't as convenient or nice, you do only have to do it once every two weeks (depending on use), in a way it evens out with an every day charge with the apple watch. This charging method is also vital for activities such as hiking and trekking, using a cable to directly send power to the device is more efficient than using wireless, something crucial when power is limited. Also worth mentioning that these Garmin watches can have maps and music installed locally, with the details these maps contain they need a cabled transfer for updates. (I have a fenix 6 pro and although the batteries not in it's prime anymore it's still a champ).

[dominirican]

I love how organized the garmin is. I have both watches, they are nice to have for different occasions

[st]

I've been using a Garmin Fenix for 18 months. The charging cable was a pain to start with, but now I have a cable permanently connected to my computer ready on my desk and it's simple to plug in and charge. When I'm away, I bought a small USB adaptor, and that works great, but having had a 'smart watch' before, the convenience of not having to charge nearly every day is great.

[AryouManousi]

Switched to the Garmin Epix 2 from the AWU for the same reasons!

[fitgearhunter]

Dude, this was an epic video! You freaking nailed it! Like nailed it. You hit every nuanced difference beginning middle and end of training or workout tracking. Holy hell that was awesome!

[JaimeCalaf]

I’ve used the Ultra and Garmin and have been a Garmin user for 20+ years. I still prefer the Garmin; in my opinion, if you’re a serious user, Garmin or similar watches like it (Coros, etc.) are the way to go.

[jrelitedk]

I prefer Apple Watch Ultra 2. But only because it suit my needs very well.

- NFC payment
- Train tickets
- Call, text and mail reply
- Bluetooth to AirPods
- Spotify
- Maps
- Calculator and Calendar

Apple is trying to make it so it use web browser by using websites search with Siri, it need a bit work but it gives a lot and I almost never use my phone or have it with me.😌😌 So with that hardware I think it’s impressive it can hold me 2, 5 to 3 days🤓🍀

But if I’m hiking for a week I would have phone and garmin with me

[ehoenig]

thank you for your insights. I switched to Garmin round about year ago prefer all these workout features - to be able to turn off the touchscreen - more than I’m missing the smart features from Apple Watch.

[highlanderes]

Super video. A couple of additions: Using Garmin and AW Ultra at the same time for more than a month without heart rate straps, I had to skip the Garmin reacting way too slowly during HIIT sessions, and therefore not getting near real max heart rate and effort. I don’t need a strap with AW where it was required with Garmin .
AW Ultra was way better at counting my 24h energy use than Garmin focusing on training sessions. I found the Training today App with AW set to detect afib for more frequent meassurements, very closely matched Garmin training readiness, but also include the effect of hard effort outside traning sessions on those days. So with AW I don’t have to clock everything.

[ioanpopovici]

Tip for checking if the hr monitor is connected. Start the workout and just slightly lift the watch to see if the leds are off. No need to go an check if the hr is connected in settings. Also I have not encountered a case where the HR wouldn’t connect automatically yet

[alexanderfelke]

I replaced the AWU2 with a 2019 Garmin Tactix Delta that I got with a steep discount from a local jeweller. I'm floored how much this years old watch has to offer and it makes the AWU2 look complicated and not reliably, which the video showcased.

[chriscarpunky]

I have the ultra 2 on one wrists and Garmin 265 on the other. I hate wearing both though. Just so everyone knows I saw another video also talking a lot about buttons and I’m surprised no one mentions this. The video I saw in another post said how easy Garmin is to start a workout. It is, but you can push the side crown of an Apple Watch and just say, Start an outdoor run and when your finished either say, “hey siri stop workout” or push the crown and say say “stop workout” and no need to even say “hey siri”.

[jonathankittrell]

There are generic brand velcro straps for Garmins that I find more comfortable and breathable. They allow you to fine tune the tightness more than a buckle, and they're easy to adjust while running.