Garmin Enduro 2 vs. Garmin Enduro 3: A Comparative Review
5 min reading time
Garmin's Enduro series is a top choice for ultra-endurance athletes and adventurers, known for its impressive battery life and durability. While the Enduro 2 set a high standard, the new Garmin Enduro 3 raises the bar even further. Here's a closer look at how these two watches compare and what sets the Enduro 3 apart
Garmin's Enduro series has long been a favorite among ultra-endurance athletes and adventurers who need a watch that can go the distance. The Enduro 2 set a high bar with its exceptional battery life and rugged design, but Garmin has upped the ante with the release of the Garmin Enduro 3. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these two watches to see what’s changed and what makes the new Enduro 3 stand out.
1. Design and Build Quality
Both the Garmin Enduro 2 and Enduro 3 maintain the robust, rugged aesthetic that defines Garmin's outdoor line. They are built to withstand the toughest environments, with fiber-reinforced polymer cases and scratch-resistant sapphire lenses.
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Enduro 2: Weighing in at about 70g (titanium model), the Enduro 2 was praised for its lightweight, yet durable design. It comes in two variants: steel and titanium, catering to those who prefer a balance of durability and weight.
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Enduro 3: Garmin has fine-tuned the design further. While it retains the sturdy case and titanium/steel options, it comes with a more refined, ergonomic feel on the wrist, improving comfort for extended wear during long expeditions. The Enduro 3 also introduces slightly sleeker profile, which makes it more wearable as an everyday device.
Winner: The Enduro 3 edges ahead with its slightly improved ergonomics and aesthetic upgrades.
2. Display
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Enduro 2: Features a 1.4” sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display. It was optimized for outdoor readability, especially in bright sunlight.
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Enduro 3: Garmin has introduced a more advanced MIP display that enhances color vibrancy while maintaining outdoor visibility. The resolution is slightly sharper on the Enduro 3, making maps, stats, and notifications crisper and easier to read.
Winner: The Enduro 3, with its improved clarity and color rendering.
3. Battery Life
The Enduro line is renowned for extraordinary battery life, and Garmin has pushed the boundaries with both models.
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Enduro 2: Up to 46 days in smartwatch mode, thanks to its solar charging capabilities. In GPS mode with solar, it offers an impressive 150 hours.
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Enduro 3: Garmin has managed to extend the battery life even further, delivering up to 90 days in smartwatch mode with solar, and up to 320 hours in GPS mode with solar. This marks a significant leap for those embarking on extended expeditions without the need to worry about recharging.
Winner: The Enduro 3 dominates with unmatched battery endurance.
4. GPS and Navigation
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Enduro 2: Comes equipped with multi-GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo), offering precision tracking in the most challenging environments. It also includes topographical maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and a built-in altimeter, barometer, and compass (ABC sensors).
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Enduro 3: Garmin has added dual-frequency GNSS in the Enduro 3, which significantly improves tracking accuracy in dense urban areas, deep valleys, or heavily wooded trails. The new NextFork™ map guidance also provides enhanced trail routing and better map details, making the navigation experience even more intuitive.
Winner: The Enduro 3 wins with its superior GPS tracking and enhanced mapping tools.
5. Health & Performance Features
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Enduro 2: Offers Garmin’s signature health metrics like heart rate, blood oxygen (Pulse Ox), VO2 max, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and body battery. For performance tracking, it includes advanced running dynamics, cycling metrics, and recovery tools.
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Enduro 3: While keeping all of these features, Garmin has added HRV (Heart Rate Variability) status and Training Readiness scores to give users a more comprehensive view of their recovery and readiness for training. Additionally, the new Enduro 3 introduces enhanced sleep tracking with Morning Report, which provides more detailed insights into recovery and readiness based on sleep quality.
Winner: The Enduro 3 for its advanced recovery and readiness features.
6. Smart Features
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Enduro 2: It supports basic smartwatch features like notifications, music controls, Garmin Pay, and smart safety features such as incident detection and LiveTrack.
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Enduro 3: The smart feature set is expanded with more efficient on-device music storage and integration with popular streaming services. Moreover, the Enduro 3 offers better smartphone integration and enhanced safety features, including new Stamina Insights to help athletes manage their energy levels during long activities.
Winner: The Enduro 3 for its expanded smart and safety features.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
The Garmin Enduro 2 is still an outstanding option for ultra-endurance athletes looking for a highly capable smartwatch. However, if you want the latest and greatest in terms of battery life, GPS accuracy, and health insights, the Garmin Enduro 3 is the clear winner.
For those already using the Enduro 2, the upgrade to the Enduro 3 may be worth considering if you require the extra battery life, enhanced navigation, or the newly added performance metrics. If you're new to the series, the Enduro 3’s cutting-edge features make it the top choice for serious adventurers and athletes looking for a premium, rugged smartwatch.
