Two of the most popular options for watches are Apple and Garmin watches. But which watch is better?
A Garmin watch is an athletic watch with smartwatch features, while an Apple watch is a smartwatch with athletic watch features.
The running metrics for both watches are similar; both display pace, heart rate, distance, cadence (steps per minute), and estimate a VO2 max (the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use while exercising).
While both watches can track runs and other activities, the data provided by Garmin is more in depth than that of an Apple watch.
Garmin watches display your physiological stress levels then analyze how the body is reacting to training with recommended recovery time. Based on this analysis, Garmin will often suggest a workout for the day. By factoring in a variety of metrics, the Garmin connect app displays a daily Body Battery that estimates how much energy is remaining in the body. Apple does not have these features built-in, but third-party apps offer a similar analysis.
Lifts can be programmed into the Garmin Connect app and follow along on your watch. When lifting, the watch will auto-count reps, track rest times, and tell you what activities are next. This is an easy built-in feature with most Garmin models, while new models or third-party apps are required for Apple watches to do a similar function.
The one to two week battery life on a Garmin allows for constant use of the watch, while an Apple watch requires frequent charging with the one to two day battery life on most models.
Apple watch user and girls’ distance track captain, Leah Sanders, says, “I only use my watch for running and when I’m at practice. I never use it outside of practice.” She continues, “The battery life is bad, so I am not able to wear it from morning to night.”
When asked what she wishes were different about her watch, Sanders says, “It’s difficult to stop the timer when I’m doing a workout like 200s or 400s because the reps are fast and I’m not able to press a simple button. Instead, I have to find it on the watch itself which takes time and it makes my timing not accurate.” Sanders recommends Apple watches for runs but not quick workouts.
Lauren Piotrowski, regular lifter and runner, notes that she uses her Apple watch more frequently. She says, “I use it for everything: tracking my lifts and runs, but also for texting when I don’t have my phone.”
When asked what she wishes were different about her watch, Piotrowski says, “Mine is a little old, so I wish it had better battery life and that it tracked sets, reps, and PRs like the Garmin does.”
Piotrowski continues, “If you just want it for working out, go with the Garmin because it has more features, but if you want to be able to text and stuff, then go with the Apple Watch.”
While both watches can view notifications, Apple watches can respond to texts, while Garmins can not.
Both watches display weather, allow you to pause and play music, and ping a phone if it is misplaced. Apple watches come with more pre-installed features, like a calculator, but these smart-watch features can be downloaded onto Garmin watches as well.
Both Apple and Garmin watches track sleep and display information to users. The different sleep stages are presented on a timeline with specific metrics recorded below. Garmin also includes a sleep coach that analyzes prior sleep patterns and recommends sleep quantities for the upcoming night.
Apple watches have voice assistants on the watch, as well as calling through the watch, while Garmin does not. On Garmin watches, users can answer calls, but must speak through the phone.
There is a large amount of customization available with both. Watch bands, watch faces, and other features can be catered to personal preference.
The price range is relatively similar with Apple watches ranging from around 200 dollars for a base model, to 800 for more advanced models. Garmin watches typically begin at 200 dollars and exceed 900 dollars for their higher end models.
Which watch depends on the priorities of the user. If it is imperative that texting and calling be available on a watch, the Apple watch is the better choice. If lifting, fast-paced running workouts, and data are important, then a Garmin watch is the better option.
