On 16 February (2021), Garmin released the new Enduro sports watch for long-distance runners and ultrarunners.
It’s an improved iteration of the Garmin Fenix 6 with dedicated ultrarunning features that are unique to those who love the trail.
Must Read: The Best Tactical Smartwatches in 2021
At just under $800, it’s equally as expensive as the Fenix 6 Pro Solar and about twice the price of the Instinct Solar, which is going to be of more interest to those who aren’t as intensely interested in long-distance running.
However, the Enduro does feature Garmin’s solar technology and therefore boats up to 65 days of battery life when in power-saving mode (of which there are actually a few to chose from) and 70 hours of GPS tracking. This could be enhanced further if utilizing solar power, to around 80 hours.
Garmin Enduro vs Garmin Fenix 6 Pro
| Specs | Garmin Enduro | Garmin Fenix 6 |
| Bezel | Stainless steel and Titanium | Stainless steel and Titanium |
| Strap | Light-weight elastic Nylon | Silicone, Leather, Titanium or Nylon |
| Display Resolution | 280 x 280 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| Weight | Steel 72 titanium 58 g | Steel 83 titanium 72 g |
| Battery | Smartwatch Mode: Up to 50 days/65 days with solar battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 130 days/1 years with solar GPS: Up to 70 hours/80 hours with SolarMax Battery GPS Mode: Up to 200 hours/300 hours with Solar Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 65 days/95 days with solar | Smartwatch Mode: Up to 14 days Battery Saver Mode: Up to 48 days GPS: Up to 36 hours GPS + Music: Up to 10 hours Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 72 hours Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 28 days |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Heart Rate | Yes | Yes |
| Abnormal Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes (high and Low) | Yes (high and Low) |
| Pulse Ox | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| GPS, GLONASS, | Yes | Yes |
| Barometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Thermo Meter | Yes | Yes |
Garmin Enduro Design
[amazon box=”B08FSYMLGC” title=”Garmin Enduro Advanced Sport Tracking Smartwatch”]
You’ll notice the Garmin Enduro does look identical to the Garmin Fenix 6. Though it has a marginally bigger screen (1.4-inch compared to 1.3-inch) with a minorly better resolution at 280 x 280-pixel LCD screen. The bulky 51mm case is the same.
But you do get a different strap; the Enduro features Garmin’s new UltraFit nylon offering which is far lighter than what you get with the Fenix 6X.
Rather than using the same red accents you see in the Fenix line, the Endura has yellow and green accents and comes in either a carbon or steel grey color (essentially, light or dark grey).
Health and Fitness Features
As we said, the Enduro is a watch for ultrarunners and there are a lot of biometric improvements here. This means it’s a little more sophisticated than the Fenix 6 Pro in that respect.
With both watches, you get an improved VO2 Max score that considers trail running. Typically on Garmin watches, VO2 Max is calculated using pace (amongst other things) so when you switch to a trail, the drop in pace impacts your VO2 Max. Now, the Enduro recognizes that and adjusts it appropriately.
Specifically, there’s now an ultra-run sport mode on the Enduro, during which you can use a rest button that tags the time you spend resting during a run.
One drawback, though, is that it will not take either hydration or nutrition into consideration. If that’s of interest, you’ll need to consider a Polar Grit X (other watches for only the very serious of runners).
[amazon box=”B0876JGS7F”]
Race preparation can be done using the Recovery Advisor, complete with suggestions for workouts.
The remaining features on the Enduro mirror the Fenix 6. Things like the ClimbPro to monitor your ascent and descent on a hill and, for those who upload a route ahead of time, the climbs you have upcoming.
If you’re into cycling, too, don’t worry, you’re also catered for. The Enduro will track how technical and difficult mountain biking trails are and provide you with a score of your performance.
As for fitness features, with both the Enduro and the Fenix 6 Pro, you get a SpO2 sensor and Garmin’s unique Body Battery feature, which is becoming commonplace with all the later Garmin watches being released.
Worth noting, too, that both the Garmin Enduro and the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro offer a waterproof rating of 10ATM (100m to you and me). This is fine for surface swimming, rain, and showers but not diving.
Smart Features
Smart features are always light on Garmin watches because they’re sports-focused first and foremost. On both models, you get notifications, Garmin Pay, and the new Garmin InReach function, which offers satellite communication if you’re off-grid (so long as you’re using the latest version of the software).
Battery Life
Both Garmin Enduro and Fenix 6 Series are known for their prolonged battery life. However, the Enduro’s battery lasts longer than the Fenix 6 Pro.
Garmin Enduro
Up to 80 hours in GPS mode, but up to 95 days with solar charging.
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar
[amazon box=”B08FSYMLGC” title=”Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar Smartwatch”]
Up to 40 hours in GPS mode and up to 36 days when utilizing solar power
Garmin Fenix 6
36 hours used normally and up to 48 days when using the battery saver mode
Garmin Enduro VS Fenix 6 – Battery Life
As you’ll see above, this is a real advantage from the Enduro. It has a hyper-efficient processor, allowing anywhere between 70 to 80 hours of battery life when GPS is constantly in use or up to 95 days in other modes. To get the full 95 says you must ensure the watch is exposed to very strong sunlight. But, how else would you expect this to work?
In smartwatch mode, it lasts up to 50 days between charges with the Enduro. Which is phenomenal!
In comparison, the Fenix 6 Pro will go a few more days in smartwatch mode. It’ll also up to 36 days when using GPS and solar charging.
If you’re here because you want reliable battery life, the Enduro is for you.
Release date and where to buy
The Garmin Enduro was released on February 16, 2021, so it’s fresh on the market. It carries a price tag of around $800. This is naturally more expensive than the Fenix 6, but for the extra money, you get dedicated ultrarunning features and a monster battery life.
You can buy Garmin Enduro and Fenix 6 Series from Amazon now. Having built-in GPS and rugged design makes these smartwatches best for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, etc. If you are specifically looking for the best cycling watches with a monster battery, then go for Garmin Enduro.
Conclusion – Which is best?
If you want decent battery life, you want to go with the Enduro. No smartwatch on the market right now can come close to this. The best smartwatch, the Apple Series 6, lasts only 17 hours at best.
The Garmin Fenix 6 and Fenix 6 Pro Solar are a nice middle ground if you want to function and endurance. True that the battery doesn’t last as long as the Enduro, but it’s still very good. The upside of the Fenix 6 and 6 Pro Solar is that they offer better features like third-party app integration and music streaming.
The Fenix 6 is similar to the Apple Series 6 and the Apple SE; it’s like a lite version of the Enduro (and subsequently, the least expensive).
Ultimately, it’s all down to your personal needs!
[amazon box=”B08FSYMLGC,B089YX15QZ”]
