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

Learn more about Shopify and Shopify Collabs here: shopify.com/shervincollabs ** Watch More Videos ** How I Use My Apple Watch to Stay Shredded: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-agyhpMUuB7s.html How I Use My Apple Watch for Running | Marathon Prep: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ix8ws68R898.html Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin epix Pro Gen 2 (Don't Buy, Until You Watch This): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Azp5MBMf3IE.html

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!

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.

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).

Garmin any time. No contest.

I prefer my garmin

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

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

You can set the AW to confirm ending workout in settings. That eliminates the sweat issue.

Great review. Thanks! I love how you break down the data in a simple, easy understandable way.

Thanks for the comprehensive analysis.

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.

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

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

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!

I have a Forerunner 965 and an AWU2. AWU2 is more precise with heartbeat, I discovered that Garmin was lying to me while recovering from a workout, making up 70 ish BPM when I was still at 110. That's when I decided to stop using it. Not to mention the sturdiness of the AWU2. I am a big guy and when I am in the gym I can bump into things and that could kill the Garmin. It's just so fragile. I understand the Epix and Fenix are more resistant but they have a decade old screen, responsiveness and pixel density. The AWU2 pixel density really does make a difference it stands out by FAR from the 965. Garmin watches have really bad UI and UX, and the 965 has the best screen Garmin has made so far. In my country the AWU2 holds tremendous reselling value. It wins in every scenario for me. One last thing, Apple still has the best sleep stages detection. I would never buy a Garmin watch again. I just hope Apple keeps improving the AWU.

Good luck tomorrow in the Marathon!!

I am literally just starting off on my running journey, 6 weeks in and I found your channel and Nick Bare's and have been obsessed with all of the info you both provide. I have an apple watch currently and have never looked at it as a great fitness watch since I have always had issues but all the details about the comparisons between Apple Vs. Garmin, I finally am making my choice to buy the Garmin Fenix 7 watch. Thanks again for breaking this all down.

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.

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.

I never look at Apple Vs garmin video except your. There real informative and you seem like a really honest guy! I'll give you a follow to keep up with your videos! Cheers from Québec!

Garmin Fenix 7 pro is very easy to use for workouts!! Great review!!

I have an AWU and the battery life is a bit of a pain at times, but I just can't just pull the trigger on a Garmin. I mostly need a workout tracker for indoor workouts (HIIT, Hyrox, CrossFit style), strength/weight lifting workouts and a little running (treadmill and sometimes outdoors). I feel like Garmin excels if you like exercising outside, especially for longer periods. Great video none the less!

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

Thanks Shervin! 😊

This was very comprehensive Shervin, great job. I'm also currently trying to increase my VO2 Max. It's used to be 56 but it dropped to 49 after an period of recurring injuries.

they both are amazing watches ! pretty much one is more fitness and maps focused while the other is a smart watch. both amazing in there own way tbh i love my apple watch series 7

thank you very much for your review .. i love garmin but still i stick to apple watch .. the big difference for me when is use apple watch feature "gym kit" to pair my watch to the treadmil or elliptical cross trainer and really it give me a very big difference .. i wish one day that i will see the same feature in garmin watch to pair with machine directly throw NFC

A super post. Thanks for the advice and tips. You are a brother from another mother! I swear…my Garmin Epix is my tracker of choice. I would never have bought my Apple Watch Ultra if I bought my Garmin first!! That said? I love them both…and you did tell me to stop buying stuff I don’t need (in a previous post! 😂😂) Please let us know when you are in London. Good luck with the marathon training 👍🏾

Very thoroughly walk through of the watches. Well done. I have been running with a Garmin Epix Pro and an Apple Watch 7 on every run for more than 6 months. I do agree with almost everything you say in the video. Nonetheless have I come to the conclosion that I am going to sell the Garmin and buy a Apple Ultra Watch instead. I dont use the Apple training app but the app WorkOutDoors. It adress most of the issues you have with showing important data during a workout with the Apple training app. As you mention the Apple Watch sleep data and hr data is more accurate and therefore the morning reports from third party apps on the Apple Watch are a lot more accurate and I find that really important. I have run more than 25 half marathons and 1 marathon with the Apple Watch but have never been close to running out of battery. I do prefer the longer battery life and more buttons on the Garmin but that is it. For everything else I find the Apple Watch superior for my needs.

Love the channel! Both watches are fantastic but I’ve settled on my 7x pro and the Garmin experience. Battery, looks being the two main factors. They both track very well the various metrics. Sounds goofy but just prefer the manlier looks of the Garmin fenix. Thanks for sharing!

That's the best comparison video. I'm from far away in Korea, pressing like button and subscribing. Thank you for the great video.

It’s so crazy cause I don’t know Shervin personally, but because i been watching all his videos and him training this entire time, I’m genuinely excited for him! Wishing all the best on the run and hopefully these watches track whatever the goal is when doing the marathon! 🎉

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.

Congrats on London! Long term Garmin user, from Fenix now on the Epix Gen 2. I also own an AW Ultra I never wear as it’s just not as robust, lacking a ConnectIQ alternative for sensors and an overall ability to dive into your data.

Good luck in your marathon!!!! Thanks for this great review. I love my Apple Watch for everyday things like answering texts or my phone when it’s not near me or seeing pictures from my ring cameras come up on my watch when I’m working. I though am tempted by the garmin for the battery life, just not sure it would be great for all the other things.

You are very kind, but I got the conclusion even as recreational runners, good and detail review

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.

Got an instinct 2 solar and absolutely love it. I am a convert from Fitbit versa. Love the suggested workout which took me to my first 5k workout/run.

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.

I crossed the Grand Canyon, in one day, 12 hours, with the Apple Watch, and had plenty of power left. Last ultra I ran, used the Apple Watch Ultra, streaming music, acting as a cell phone, over 5 hrs and still had 40%. Just saying, Garmin still has better battery life, but having a cell phone on my wrist, is very nice, when I move to a 100 miler, I may switch but until then, I’ll keep my ultra.

Detailed, hands-on review 🥇

Great video. What would you choose between Epix 2 pro 42mm or Forerunner 965?

A great comparison video! Cheers!

My Wahoo Rival has two weeks battery life, it is awesome. After a full marathon it only used 10% battery. GPS is also spot on.

Good video--am stuck on Android and don't want to put in the $$$ to change my whole system. My compromise is Venu 3. It's not a super smartwatch but fitness tracking on HR is really good on me (tracks with what a HR strap gives me), and it's actually been nice NOT being tethered to my phone all the time.

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.

Thanks for the video and info. I've been an Apple Watch user since the first Apple Watch and truly appreciate the ease of use and smart watch capabilities. I purchased a Garmin EPIX Pro last year after my Apple Watch failed to track my Grand Canyon expedition and I am very happy with the Garmin. I totally agree you can't go wrong with either for just general health workouts, but if you train for endurance events or do not prioritize smartwatch features the Garmin watch is the better fit for me.

Love my Fenix 7 pro ss. What are your settings for 21 days on your battery meter?

My AWU started shorting me on runs - I would wait until the GPS locked in and start. After about 3/4 mile I would look and it would say .10 mile. I played with many settings but nothing helped. This never happened with my old Apple Watch. So, I got a Garmin and in addition to the more accurate GPS, I really love the app and website. I can plan a route for a run and the watch will guide me through it. Also, like you mentioned, I like how the external devices link to the Garmin better. Now I wear the Apple Watch all day, and the Garmin primarily to do my running workouts.

Dont have either yet. Garmin's it is for sure....battery life and all fitness app features....love the idea of showing ones step by step fitness goal track. Thanks for video Shervin!

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.

Apple fans defending a watch that doesn’t last a single run. Lol!

I love the information. But I bought the venu 3. And have a galaxy s23 ultra. Love the larger display for senior's over 70.

Some of the difficulties he mentions here such as battery life and accidental touches are the same annoyances I dealt with when I had a Galaxy S2 smartwatch several years ago. It's the reason I switched to Garmin because I feel more confident in the activity tracking and don't need yet another thing to remember to charge every day.

Garmin wins hands down in many areas..battery life, great n accurate data for every aspects of your workout etc.

I had successive Garmin's. You just reminded me of the 1980's style charging routine. I had to angle it, fix it in place, use pliers on the cable connector, buy new cables... What a pain...

Try wearing the watches on the underside of your wrist when running. Makes it easier to view the screen without having to rotate your arm and shoulder as much while running. All you have to do is basically look down at your palms and it’s easy to view. Heart rate monitoring still works.

Amazing video, thank you!

Excellent video as always; if you want to chat from what a MD (internal med/crit care/stroke) thinks about this tech, pls get in touch

Nice video! I just wanted to say that it is possible to set up the Apple Watch so that it the water lock automatically activates when you start a workout via Shortcuts. I looked up how to set it up for the reasons you mentioned (sweaty workouts, long-sleeved shirts/jackets, etc.), and it has been pretty decent. I have a Series 7, by the way, so I am sure it will work for more recent models.

Great video as always! Good luck on the marathon!

This video is amazing! I really found so much useful information in it. I'm currently deciding between the two devices myself, I'd like to keep the Apple Watch because it just feels safer if you need emergency calls etc but the Garmin does basic things so much better. See the countdown before next interval for example, if you are doing hiit it's amazing. I've been looking for reviews of apps like strong, do you happen to know if this app or others have this feature?

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”.

I recommend the Interval Pro APP for the Apple Watch.

Love my Garmin watches. The battery life is fantastic, and as you mention, the buttons are very Timex Ironman intuitive, so that's appreciated. You are absolutely spot on regarding the charging method/location of the power cord--it's awful, just awful! The only upside is all the watches throughout their line use it, so at least if you replace your watch you can use the same power cord. 🙂

great video! I got a Fenix 6x Pro and I love it!!!

I've had my Garmin Fenix 3 sapphire for many years, doing 40 mile walks and taking it to the Himalayas multiple times above 5700 metres.... it has never let me down....

Great video! Agree with you on Garmin. If you are seriously training it’s a much better option.

Nice comparison, but regarding 11:15 the Apple Watch (I have the SE2) definitely DOES let you track your pace within intervals. Perhaps it works differently when you add workouts through training peaks, but I set my my intervals with pace ranges in custom workouts and the first screen always lets me know my interval pace/distance, and the other screens let me see the total distance and other metrics. Just fyi :)

I have the epix 2 and AWU2 and I’m thinking of selling the AWU2 due to the apps as you need several to compete with the epix.

Just ordered my first Apple Watch, excited to see how it will fit into my habits

I love your review!

How’s your experience with the Epix compared to your old fenix? Pros cons?

Thanks Shervin!

I feel you when you are working out and realizing that the watch is paused or in my case frozen. Had it happen in my swims when it says I am swimming hard just to realize later that it didn’t record any of it

Great review… subbed!

Apple fanboy here. Love these types of comparisons as it shows where the Apple Watch can still get better. One callout is that you can create a shortcut to enable the water lock on your watch when starting/ending a workout. Good luck with the training!

I have Apple Watch Ultra 2, and have the accidental end-workout problem also. I wear it on my left wrist while cycling, and the wrist angle while holding handlebars makes it really easy to hit the crown and side button.

I just experienced that same orange screen issue on my Ultra 2 for the first time today, and had to force restart to get it to work again.

@shervinshares, what glasses do you have and what type of transitions lenses did you put on them? Thanks!

I just returned my Apple ultra and got myself Garmin 7 pro. Few reasons : 1) Apple sleep doesn’t update right after you wake up. It doesn’t realize you woke up and it takes at least 10- 50 Min) . Garmin as soon as you wake up it gives you morning report and if you do go back to sleep it counts in your nap. 2) Apple doesn’t have recovery score like Garmin and whoop does. Few things I miss about Apple is using Spotify , and calls on watch and using siri on iwatch. I used Siri more with watch than on my phone. Mainly having owner 2 watch few years ago and having owned Garmin fenix 6 and 245. Apple ages very quickly (after 2-3 years )because of its amazing screen. Where as Garmin screens are MIP so it ages very slow and it still works like brand new after 4-5 year.

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

In a perfect world, I'd train with a Garmin and daily an Ultra. I use an Ultra currently because it functions so well with the iPhone, and I personally prefer the design and band options. The worst aspect of the Ultra is the battery. It would be great if they could get it to the point where it can function fully for 2-3 days without having to charge.

How does that work on the Health app? I mean which app overwrites the other? Like if you're using a garmin cycling computer?

It is possible to program the Action Button on the Apple Watch Ultra for anything you want with the shortcut function on the iPhone. You can even tell the watch what to do based on time or location. Ex: you can have the watch change to your strength workout watch face and app when you are near the Gym. If you are a bit of a nerd the Apple Watch is much more adaptable however if you want simplicity the Garmin seems better.

I moved from the apple watch series 7 to the garmin forerunner 165 music yesterday. Garmin has an AMOLED display, good refresh rate and still does all the smartwatch neccesities (Garmin pay, notifications etc.) Battery life is insane compared to apple. Did an hour padel game yesterday and lost like 5/6% of battery. The amount of additional data that you get about your health (anything from sleep to stress levels) is insane.

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.

I loved my Apple but I prefer my Garmin. Also, if you set up your Garmin on your home WiFi it will sync when you’re at home without the app. Meaning it will upload to Strava by itself too. Not as quickly as opening the app but it works.

I never got the orange screen on my ultra 2, but then again perhaps not training as hard as you 😊

Hi Shervin, What glasses do you wear? The clear and the tinted?

I just ordered the Apple Watch Series 9. I hope I will like it

As a subscriber to Strava, I can choose a route locally which automatically syncs with Garmin. You do not have this option with Apple Watches. That's a massive deal breaker for me and something to also consider. I'm an ultra runner who works away from home often so need to find new routes with distance. Even when home it's great to find new routes locally too in order to keep things interesting :)

As someone who works at Garmin (Aviation department, however), I'm happy to see that these products still excel in what they were designed for. The Apple watch is amazing as a daily wrist-phone; super smart and capable, and will handle your workouts with little issue. The Garmin watches were designed with athletes in mind, focused on accuracy and reliability, while having a few nice-to-have smart features. Also only charging my Fenix 7 once every 2 weeks is perfect for me. I just carry an extra charging cord in my backpack with my power bank, just in case I didn't check the battery life before a trip. lol

Garmin had a manufacturing defect with the nubs that connect the band to the watch; the cheap molded metal was breaking when your wrist flexed.

I have a SE 1st gen and it gets the job done for me for my cardio and HIIT training. The battery life and tactile buttons on the Garmin are very compelling. I didn’t know about the water lock on the Apple Watch! Thanks for this because there are times when I do boxing my watch stops/pauses the workout.

With the ultra You can set the action button to automatically open the outdoor run in workouts if that’s where you typically start, I don’t use training peaks, but you might be able to set the action button to open training peaks workout in the workouts app, but that’s done in the watch app on your phone. Pause and resume seem to be set as a squeeze of both physical button, lap/segment is just action button. This also works with most 3rd party apps as well (Stryd and Runna). I definitely agree with you about the wearables (HRM and foot pods), Garmin is easier, but I always just start in settings app (Apple Watch) when putting the items on.

Sold my AWU2 for a Garmin 7X Pro sapphire solar. AWU is just a smartwatch but I hate the touchscreen and battery life. I disabled the touchscreen on my Garmin and get about 30 days battery life.

Great video. Which harming you use?

What was the app shown at the very end of the video with the Garmin!?