Apple Watch vs Garmin Watch: Which Is Better for Fitness and Everyday Use in 2025?
These days, smartwatches are so much more than just timekeepers — they can track your exact location with built-in GPS, provide detailed health data, and offer a range of features depending on the brand and technology. I (Lauren) bought my first Apple Watch in 2017 and remember being so excited to have that kind of tech on my wrist. In 2020, Owen gifted me the Apple Watch SE for Christmas after my original one developed a pretty large scratch.
Then, in 2022, we hiked 24 miles rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon and my Apple Watch died around mile 15. I was frustrated that it couldn’t last the whole day, which led me to explore other options. That’s when I decided to try the Garmin Fenix.
I primarily use my smartwatch for tracking physical activity like gym workouts and hikes. I also rely on features like weather updates, elevation data, and text message notifications — all synced with my iPhone.
In November 2024, after experiencing issues with my Garmin not displaying calories or heart rate during an Orange Theory class, I hit my breaking point and purchased the Apple Watch Series 10 Titanium. I’ve now been using it for six months. Below is my honest comparison of Apple vs Garmin — the features I love, what didn’t work for me, and which smartwatch I’d recommend.
Pros
- User Friendly: The Apple Watch and Apple products in general are very user friendly. It is not complicated to use and it pairs well with iPhones, which I really like as I’ve been a lifetime iPhone user. I always loved how easy it was to ping my iPhone from my watch if I couldn’t find my phone.
- Reply to Text Messages: Since the Apple Watch pairs with iPhones you can easily reply to text messages on the watch itself. This isn’t something that I do super often, but it was nice if someone texts me while I am working out I can send a quick reply.
- Interact with Friends: I always liked to be able to interact with my friends on my watch. You can see when friends finish workouts and reply to them on your watch. I personally have more friends that use an Apple Watch than a Garmin Watch so this is a feature I definitely miss. I don’t have any friends with a Garmin Watch.
- Siri: The Apple Watches have voice activation. For example, if you’re cooking and your hands are dirty you could ask your watch to set a timer for you.
- Maps: Since the Apple Watch connects to iPhones it will vibrate when you’re using maps. For example, if you need to make a turn your watch will vibrate on your wrist to let you know when a turn is coming up.
- Phone Camera Control: When taking a photo on your iPhone you can use your watch to control the camera shutter, set a timer, see a preview, and take a photo all directly from the watch.
- Skip Music: When listening to music on your iPhone you can skip songs on the watch.
- Workout benefits: I always liked that the Apple Watch would ask me if I was finished with a workout or if I wanted to start one, especially if I forgot. The watch can sense when I’m no longer doing the activity I had started.
- Durability: The Titanium in the Apple 10 Series has proven it’s durability. After many hikes, workouts, camping, etc it has proven itself. I have no scratches on it! Unlike the Apple SE watch I had.
Cons
- Battery life: The battery life is not as good as other watches. I need to charge it everyday. If I am doing a long activity, like a long hike, it drains a lot of the battery. I recently backpacked in the Grand Canyon and had to make sure I charged it every night or else it would have died with all of the hiking activity. Additionally, the Apple Watch does not have a solar charging capability.
- Solar Charging: Unlike some Garmin models, the Apple Watch doesn’t offer solar charging, which would be helpful for multi-day adventures or when you’re off-grid for extended periods.
Pros
- Durable: I’ve had my Garmin Fenix for 2 years and the screen is still scratch-free — even after hikes, workouts, and travel. It’s built for the outdoors.
- Battery Life: The battery life on the Garmin is wild! I don’t have to charge it everyday and there’s been times where I forgot my charger and it lasted for 5 days without charging it even with doing activities on it.
- Solar Charging: This version of the watch has solar charging which is really nice. It won’t fully charge your watch but it does give it a little boost.
- Customizable: You can customize your watch face with different layouts, stats, and designs. Some are free, and others are available for purchase through Garmin’s app store.
- Helps you train: If you’re a runner the Garmin will help you train for you race with running plans and feedback on your fitness level.
- Maps: Can download different types of maps that can be physically displayed on screen.
- Workout options: Garmin supports a wide range of activities beyond running — including strength training, skiing, mountain biking, and more.
Cons
- Not User Friendly: Switching from an Apple to a Garmin created a large learning curve and I am still trying to figure out that watch. I have watched YouTube videos and read articles on it, but it just is not super easy to figure out. I struggle to find a timer, ping my phone, and navigate the watch.
- Can’t Reply to Text Messages: I get text messages on my watch, but I can’t reply to them.
- Interacting with friends: This is mainly a con because none of my friends have Garmin watches. I miss being able to reply to my friends after they do a workout.
- No Voice Activation: The Garmin does not have voice activation.
- Maps: The watch will not vibrate when you’re using maps on your phone.
- No Photo Timer: Unlike Apple the Garmin does not have a way to use a photo timer on the watch.
- Can’t Skip Music: You can’t skip music on the Garmin.
- Won’t Ask You If You Want To Start Or End A Workout: I don’t like that it won’t ask me if I want to start or end a workout. Sometime I forget to start or end a workout and drive for miles before realizing.
- Text Messages: I can’t figure out how to not receive text messages to the watch when I don’t have the watch on.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I found myself missing the Apple Watch. Many of the features I listed might seem small on their own, but together, they made the Apple Watch a better fit for everyday use. While I absolutely love the Garmin’s impressive battery life, I’ve realized that I don’t necessarily need that much battery for my daily routine.
I considered the Apple Watch Ultra, but at 49mm, it’s just too big for my wrist. Owen has it and really likes it. It offers better battery life than the Series 10 I reviewed here, though still not as long-lasting as the Garmin. In the end, I went back to the Apple Watch Series 10 because it fits my lifestyle better and feels more intuitive for daily use.
If you’re not used to the Apple ecosystem or don’t have an iPhone, the Garmin is likely a better fit. But for me, Apple just works better and I’m glad to be back!
Looking for other gear? Check out our hiking essentials here.
