Garmin Enduro 3​ vs Fenix 8 – Which Should You Buy?

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Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Enduro 3 are two of Garmin’s most advanced multisport GPS watches. Garmin Fenix 8 is Garmin’s flagship outdoor watch with rugged design, advanced durability, and top-tier features for adventurers. Garmin Enduro 3 is designed for extreme endurance athletes who prioritize battery life and rugged durability. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 features an updated processor that improves responsiveness and reduces lag when switching between apps and widgets.
  • Garmin Enduro 3 uses a power-efficient processor tuned for conserving energy during ultra-long activities.
Winner:

Garmin Fenix 8

Display:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 has an AMOLED display that delivers brighter visuals and sharper readability in varied lighting conditions.
  • Garmin Enduro 3 uses a MIP display that prioritizes efficiency and outdoor visibility.
Winner:

Garmin Fenix 8

Resolution:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 includes a 454 x 454 resolution screen that enhances map detail and data field clarity.
  • Garmin Enduro 3 resolution is lower at 280 x 280.
Winner:

Garmin Fenix 8

ECG Support:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 supports ECG functionality that allows users to record and check heart rhythm health.
  • Garmin Enduro 3 does not include ECG tracking.
Winner:

Garmin Fenix 8

Temperature Tracking:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 has wrist temperature tracking that provides wellness data related to body condition and recovery.
  • Garmin Enduro 3 does not measure wrist temperature.
Winner:

Garmin Fenix 8

Advanced Sleep Coach:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 features an advanced sleep coach that gives personalized sleep insights and daily recovery advice.
  • Garmin Enduro 3 tracks basic sleep data without advanced coaching.
Winner:

Garmin Fenix 8

Preloaded Topo Maps:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 comes with preloaded topo maps that improve navigation for hiking and adventure use.
  • Garmin Enduro 3 requires map downloads for similar functionality.
Winner:

Garmin Fenix 8

3rd Party App Support:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 includes wider 3rd party app support through Connect IQ that adds more customization options.
  • Garmin Enduro 3 supports apps with fewer optimizations.
Winner:

Garmin Fenix 8

Specs at a Glance

FeatureGarmin Fenix 8Garmin Enduro 3
Display1.4″ AMOLED, high brightness1.4″ MIP sunlight-visible
Screen Resolution454 x 454 pixels280 x 280 pixels
ProcessorLatest Garmin processor for faster UIEfficient processor optimized for battery life
Battery Life (Smartwatch)Up to 20 daysUp to 60 days
Battery Life (GPS mode)Up to 80 hoursUp to 200 hours
ECG SupportYesNo
Wrist TemperatureYesNo
Advanced Sleep CoachYesNo
Preloaded Topo MapsYesLimited
3rd Party App SupportYesLimited

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Garmin Fenix 8 if you:

  • Want the best AMOLED display with sharper resolution.
  • Need advanced health tracking features like ECG and wrist temperature.
  • Prefer premium features like topo maps and stronger app support.
  • Value a smooth, fast processor for quick navigation.
  • Are willing to pay more for advanced tech in a rugged watch.

Check Garmin Fenix 8 Best Price

Buy the Garmin Enduro 3 if you:

  • Want extreme battery life for multi-day adventures without charging.
  • Prefer efficiency and durability over premium screen quality.
  • Don’t need ECG or advanced sleep coaching.
  • Focus on endurance sports like ultrarunning or expedition hiking.
  • Want slightly lower cost while still getting essential Garmin tracking.

Check Garmin Enduro 3 Best Price

Winner by Category

CategoryWinner
ProcessorGarmin Fenix 8
AMOLED DisplayGarmin Fenix 8
Higher ResolutionGarmin Fenix 8
ECG SupportGarmin Fenix 8
Wrist TemperatureGarmin Fenix 8
Advanced Sleep CoachGarmin Fenix 8
Preloaded Topo MapsGarmin Fenix 8
3rd Party App SupportGarmin Fenix 8

What They Have in Common

  • Wear OS 4 Integration: Both Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 run on Wear OS 4, ensuring a smooth interface, app compatibility, and Google service integration.
  • Google Assistant Support: Both watches include hands-free Google Assistant, allowing users to perform tasks, get answers, and control smart home devices with voice commands.
  • Heart Rate Monitoring: Each model features advanced heart rate sensors that deliver accurate tracking during workouts and daily activities for better health insights.
  • Sleep Tracking: Both devices include detailed sleep tracking with insights on stages, quality, and recommendations to improve overall rest.
  • Fitbit Integration: Each watch fully integrates with Fitbit for fitness tracking, offering activity scores, step counts, and detailed workout metrics.

FAQ (Quick Answers)

Does the Garmin Fenix 8 have a better display than the Garmin Enduro 3?
Yes, the Garmin Fenix 8 uses an AMOLED display with higher resolution for sharper visuals, while the Enduro 3 uses a MIP screen that is less detailed but more efficient for long battery life.

Which watch has the longer battery life, Garmin Fenix 8 or Garmin Enduro 3?
The Garmin Enduro 3 has significantly longer battery life, lasting up to 60 days in smartwatch mode and over 200 hours in GPS mode, compared to the Fenix 8 which lasts up to 20 days in smartwatch mode and 80 hours in GPS mode.

Does the Garmin Enduro 3 support ECG tracking like the Garmin Fenix 8?
No, the Garmin Enduro 3 does not support ECG tracking, while the Garmin Fenix 8 includes this feature for monitoring heart rhythm health.

Do both watches support music storage and Bluetooth headphones?
Yes, both the Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Enduro 3 allow users to store music directly on the watch and connect Bluetooth headphones for offline listening.

Is wrist temperature tracking available on both Garmin Fenix 8 and Enduro 3?
No, wrist temperature tracking is only available on the Garmin Fenix 8. The Enduro 3 does not include this health feature.

Do both watches include advanced sleep tracking?
The Garmin Fenix 8 has an advanced sleep coach that provides tailored recovery insights, while the Enduro 3 tracks sleep but lacks advanced coaching features.

Which watch is better for mapping and navigation, Garmin Fenix 8 or Garmin Enduro 3?
The Garmin Fenix 8 is better for mapping and navigation because it comes with preloaded topo maps, while the Enduro 3 requires manual downloads for similar map use.

Do both watches have Wi-Fi connectivity for syncing data?
Yes, both the Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Enduro 3 support Wi-Fi connectivity for faster syncing and software updates without needing a phone.

Which watch is better for extreme endurance athletes?
The Garmin Enduro 3 is better suited for endurance athletes thanks to its ultra-long battery life and durability, making it ideal for ultramarathons and multi-day expeditions.

Which watch provides more advanced health and training features?
The Garmin Fenix 8 provides more advanced health and training tools such as ECG, wrist temperature tracking, advanced sleep coaching, and higher resolution display for clearer data visualization.

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