Garmin Enduro 3 vs Epix Pro Gen 2: Which Premium Watch is For You?
Naila Syifa
Updated October 2024
Garmin Enduro 3 and Epix Pro (Gen 2) are some of the high-end models among Garmin's multi-sport adventure watch lineup, offering advanced features and capabilities at over US$899 price point. But how do the two differ and which one suits your needs better?
Key Takeaways
Garmin Enduro 3 is meant for endurance athletes, featuring a week-long battery and nylon strap optimized for longer activities and adventures. In contrast, the Epix Pro is better equipped for military and nautical users, offering four extra activity profiles catered towards those use cases: Jumpmaster, Tactical, Sail Racing, and Sailing Expedition.
Garmin Enduro 3
The Ultraperformance GPS Smartwatch
✓ MIP Display
✓ Lightweight UltraFit Nylon Band
✓ Built-in TopoActive Maps
✓ 320 Hours with Solar Charging
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
High-End Outdoor Watch
✓ AMOLED Display
✓ Advanced Training, Health, Fitness
✓ Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ
✓ LED Flashlight
#1 Design & Display
Garmin Enduro 3
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) comes in two editions – Standard and Sapphire. Each edition offers three case size variants – 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. The Standard Epix Pro uses a Corning Gorilla Glass lens and a stainless steel bezel, while the Sapphire edition features the more premium sapphire crystal lens and titanium bezel.
Garmin Enduro 3 only comes in a 51mm case size option and features a Power Sapphire lens and titanium bezel. The Power Sapphire lens is similar to the sapphire crystal used on the Epix Pro Sapphire edition, but it can convert sunlight into power to allow solar charging capability.
The Enduro 3 also stands out with its lightweight design at just 63 grams, which is the same weight as the 42mm Epix Pro. The 51mm Epix Pro, on the other hand, is significantly heavier at 98 grams.
A lightweight design combined with a comfortable UltraFit Nylon strap makes the Enduro 3 a great option for long-distance activities and extended wear. Garmin Epix Pro uses a standard silicone band, though you can purchase the nylon strap separately if desired.
What gives the Epix Pro an advantage over the Enduro 3 is the AMOLED display, which is brighter, more vibrant, and has a higher resolution compared to the MIP display on the Enduro 3. An AMOLED display is known to be highly visible in all lighting conditions, while MIP tends to struggle in a low-light environment.
#2 Health & Fitness Features
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
As premium multisport watches, both the Enduro 3 and Epix Pro can track various sports from running and cycling to swimming, hiking, skiing, and many more. However, Enduro 3 offers 95 activity profiles, slightly less than the 99 activity profiles on the Epix Pro.
The four additional activity profiles that the Epix Pro supports are Sail Racing, Sailing Expedition, Jumpmaster, and Tactical. The Enduro 3 doesn't support these, so the Epix Pro may be a better choice for users who engage in those specific activities related to sailing and military.
Despite falling short in that aspect, Garmin Enduro 3 stands out with Advanced Strength Training, a new feature introduced in the latest Garmin 2024 multisport smartwatches. Advanced Strength Training allows athletes of different sports to create 4-6 weeks of strength training plans tailored to their specific sports.
Beyond those two distinctions, the Epix Pro and Enduro 3 share a largely similar set of health and fitness features, including advanced heart rate monitoring, pulse oximetry, body battery, ECG, sleep tracking, training features like training readiness, PacePro pacing strategy, ClimbPro ascent planner, Garmin Coach, race predictor, etc.
#3 Maps & Navigational Features
Garmin Enduro 3
Three types of maps are supported in the Enduro 3 and Epix Pro: TopoActive maps for outdoor navigation, Golf Course maps covering 43,000 golf courses worldwide, and SkiView maps for over 2,000 ski resorts.
However, there is a slight difference in which maps come preloaded. On Enduro 3, the TopoActive maps, Golf Course maps, and SkiView maps are all preloaded. On Epix Pro, only the Golf Course maps and SkiView maps are preloaded. TopoActive maps are built-in only on the Sapphire Edition of the Epix Pro, so Standard Epix Pro variants require a separate purchase of the map for US$59.99 per continent.
Both watches support multi-band GNSS for enhanced accuracy in challenging environments. Additionally, they offer SatIQ, which automatically selects the best GNSS system based on current conditions to optimize battery life and positioning precision.
The key difference lies in the number of GNSS systems supported. The Enduro 3 has an advantage, supporting five GNSS systems: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou. In contrast, the Epix Pro only supports the first three.
#4 Smartwatch Features
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
Garmin Enduro 3 and Epix Pro are not merely multisport GPS watches, but also reliable smartwatches with a wide range of connectivity and smart features that make them versatile companions for daily use.
Both watches are on par in terms of the smartwatch features they offer, including smartphone notifications, music controls, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, incident detection and assistance, and compatibility with Garmin's Connect IQ app store for downloading custom watch faces, apps, and widgets. Both also have a built-in LED flashlight for added visibility in low-light conditions or during emergencies.
#5 Battery Life
Garmin Enduro 3
The battery life of Garmin Epix Pro varies depending on the variant. For example, in GPS-only GNSS mode, the 42mm Epix Pro can last for up to 28 hours while the 47mm and 51mm respectively last for up to 42 hours and 82 hours.
At such figures, the Epix Pro can be considered quite a strong performer, but it is still outmatched by the very impressive battery life of the Garmin Enduro 3.
The Enduro 3 can last for up to 120 hours in GPS mode, and solar charging further extends its battery life up to 320 hours (13 days 8 hours), which is truly remarkable and sets it apart as an exceptional choice for endurance athletes and adventurers who require extended battery life.
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Epix Pro (Gen 2)
Final Thoughts
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
Both the Garmin Enduro 3 and Epix Pro Gen 2 are impressive multisport watches, but the Enduro 3 stands out with its exceptional battery life, solar charging capabilities, lightweight and comfortable nylon strap, and Advanced Strength Training. These position the Enduro 3 as the better choice for endurance athletes and adventurers who prioritize extended battery life and a durable, lightweight design.
On the other hand, the Epix Pro Gen 2 offers a more premium AMOLED display and a wider range of activity profiles related to military and sailing. It is a compelling option for nautical/military users or those who value a more vibrant and high-resolution display.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Fenix 8
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Fenix 7 Pro
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Fenix E
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Forerunner 965
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Epix 2
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Instinct 2X
Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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