Apple and Samsung smartwatches often get a lot of attention, but they aren’t necessarily ideal for the outdoors. If you hike or bike, Garmin and Coros are two familiar names, and we will compare two smartwatches from the company in our Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Enduro 2 review.
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Enduro 2: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Enduro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.4-inch | 1.4-inch |
| Resolution | 280 x 280 | 280 x 280 |
| Memory | 32GB | 32GB |
| Water Resistance | ATM 10 | 10 ATM |
| Battery Life | 20 to 140 hours | 20 to 200+ hours |
| Satellite Systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beiduo QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beiduo QZSS |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Oxygen Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Size | 50.3mm x 50.3mm x 15.7mm | 51mm x 51mm x 15.6mm |
| Weight | 72 grams | 70 grams |
| MSRP | $699 | $999 |
- New interface with three offline mapping options
- More accurate GPS for easier navigation
- Powerful chipset and 20% faster processor
- Solid construction with scratch-resistant bezel
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Enduro 2: What’s the Difference?
Outdoor watches, especially those designed with tracking, have a lot in common. The Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 2 are comparable in more key areas than other watches in this range, but a few important things set them apart.
©Lukmanazis/Shutterstock.com
Design
Enduro 2 has a familiar design with a series of functional buttons accompanying the touchscreen. It’s a large but stylish watch with a 1.4-inch display and a weight of 70 grams. The Enduro 2 is also built to last with a fiber-reinforced polymer case capped off with a titanium rear cover. It pairs perfectly with the titanium bezel, and the watch has a waterproof rating of 10 ATM.
You can swim with this watch, and while you can swap out the bands, it’s certainly not in the casual class. The Coros Vertix 2 has a similar vibe and is more potent than your typical smartwatch. The bezel and cover are made from Titanium alloy with a PVD coating, while the screen is Sapphire glass. This smartwatch has a 1.4-inch touchscreen display with the exact resolution as the Enduro 2 at 280 x 280 pixels.
The Vertix 2 tips the scales at 89 grams with a silicone band and 72 grams with a nylon band. It’s smaller than the Garmin’s watch at 50.3mm x 50.3mm x 15.7mm compared to the Enduro 2 at 51mm x 51mm x 15.6mm. Both watches are well-built with a similar style and will hold up well outdoors, whether rock climbing, swimming, or jogging.
Sensors
Most smartwatches have built-in health-tracking features and an array of sensors to measure various metrics. The Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 2 are no different in that regard, and both smartwatches have comparable sensors.
Coros used an optical heart rate sensor, an optical pulse oximeter, a thermometer, and an electrocardiogram sensor. It can keep track of your heart rate underwater and supports body temperature during training with compatible accessories. For outdoor activities, you can look forward to a 3D compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, and barometric altimeter.
The Garmin Enduro 2 also has a heart rate monitor that can send out alerts or check your resting rate. You can track your blood oxygen levels with the watch or use the compass to stay on course during a hike. Other sensors on the Enduro 2 include a barometric altimeter, gyroscope, and thermometer. This is another area we feel is a tie, as both have the same sensors and comparable features through their mobile apps.
Connectivity
One big difference between watches like the Enduro 2 and Vertix 2 and the Apple Watch is connectivity. All three smartwatches come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi out of the box and can use GPS for positional tracking. If you plan to hike or backpack through the mountains with a regular smartwatch, you could be in for a rude surprise.
Garmin’s smartwatch uses multi-frequency positioning along with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Satiq technology. Satiq can help you find the best GPS mode depending on your environment and adjust as necessary. You’ll also get access to many maps, including those geared toward trails and golf courses. You can access and zoom in on Topo maps from the touchscreen and pick up new maps from Garmin as you travel.
Coros has pre-loaded global maps and Topo regional maps. It has an all-satellite dual-frequency chipset and uses GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS. The dial and touchscreen make navigating maps on the watch a breeze and provide free maps from websites like Garmin.
You won’t get lost in the woods with the Coros Vertix 2 or Garmin Enduro 2. Both smartwatches are suitable for tracking in the city or wooded areas without draining the battery. One has a significant edge in battery life, however.
Battery Life
Dozens of things impact the battery life of smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. The display always takes a toll, and apps or services can run batteries down quickly. GPS or location services also use a lot of power, although how much depends on your mode.
Coros designed the Vertix 2 with battery life in mind, regardless of the mode. With standard GPS/QZSS, you’ll get 140 hours of power with regular usage or 30 hours for music playback. Those numbers drop to 90 and 25 hours with all the satellite systems enabled. With dual-frequency tracking on and all five satellites, the smartwatch can last for 50 hours or 20 hours with music.
Daily usage time for this smartwatch is 60 days, so the standby time is excellent. When it is time to recharge the Vertix 2, you can do so in less than 2 hours. Battery life on the watch will vary depending on which features you’re using, but their guidelines match up with Coros Vertix 2 reviews. Battery life has improved from the previous generation significantly.
When using the Garmin Enduro 2 as a “regular” smartwatch, you can expect 34 days of battery life or a whopping 111 days in battery saver mode. Regular GPS is listed at 110 hours, while using all satellites decreases the number to 78 hours. Multiband shaves 10 hours off that, and playing music with everything connected will provide 20 hours of power. Max battery GPS mode is also impressive at 264 hours.
Charging times are respectable for this smartwatch, but a unique feature can increase the battery life across the board. The Garmin Enduro 2 has solar charging capabilities. Under the right conditions, the watch can add 20 to 40 hours more battery life. The Coros Vertix 2 has better battery life on paper, but accurate word results and solar charging make things much closer.
Features
Solar charging is one flagship feature on the Garmin Enduro 2, but far from the only one. The new sapphire power glass helps the watch charge using the sun along with the transflective memory-in-pixel display. It can send you a Morning Report when you wake up to let you know how you sleep or help you keep an eye on the weather before you head out for an adventure.
Relaxation timers, step counters, and recovery timers are found within the app and smartwatch. It’s compatible with the Garmin Golf app and uses Garmin Pay. There are watch faces and widgets galore and an intense integrated LED flashlight. It’s a unique touch, just like VO2 Max, PacePro, ClimbPro, and the ability to set up multisport activities.
The Garmin Enduro 2 has 32GB of onboard storage for maps and music. It’s also highly compatible with various fitness equipment and third-party apps. We also found that the Coros Vertix works with several apps and gear. It has the same amount of storage under the hood but a processor that’s 20% faster than the one found in the original model.
You can set up to eight data fields on the large touchscreen display, and there are workout modes for more than 20 activities. Whether you windsurf, snowboard, run, or row indoors – this watch have you covered. The look will help monitor your heart rate during workouts and provides data on dozens of metrics depending on your needs.
While the Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 2 can perform the same functions, Garmin brings more to the table in almost every area. Many users feel their metrics and data are easier to deal with, although that’s something Coros can address through fitness apps or updates.
Price
If you’re undecided between the features or design of the Coros Vertix 2 and Enduro 2 from Garmin, pricing could make your decision easier. Neither is considered budget-friendly, but there is a notable price difference.
The Coros Vertix 2 has a price tag of $699 in either Lava or Obsidian. Bands and accessories for the watch are also available through Coros and third-party retailers. The Garmin Enduro 2 price is around $999, making it the most expensive of the two watches.
We also found the bands and accessories priced at a premium compared to Coros. To put things into perspective, the Apple Watch Ultra is less than the Enduro 2 but slightly more than the Coros Vertix 2.
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Enduro 2: Number 4-Know Facts
- The first product from Coros was the LINX smart cycling helmet in 2016.
- Garmin has produced fitness-tracking smartwatches since 2003.
- In 2018, Coros launched its first smartwatch with the PACE multisport GPS watch.
- Garmin’s name combines its founder’s names, Gary Burrell and Min Kao.
- Taps the Sun’s energy for more power
- Maximizes battery life using SatIQ technology
- Lightweight, rugged design with a comfortable fit
- Smart navigation tools with preloaded maps
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Enduro 2: Which One Wins?
Both watches have comparable features, including displays and overall design. Both are larger than your average “casual” smartwatch. Build quality is excellent, and so is the battery life, although Coros gets the edge in that department.
Solar charging is nice but dependent on the weather and conditions outdoors. The watches will provide accurate tracking through a network of satellites, come with preloaded maps, and have large colorful displays that are easy to navigate. While it may seem like a tie with the Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Enduro 2, Garmin has an advantage in several key areas.
Garmin devices are built for tracking and are compatible with more apps and devices than most smartwatches in this class. The UI is just as solid as the watch, whereas the software on the Vertix can feel a bit rough around the edges. The Coros Vertix 2 was a huge improvement over the original, but still behind the Garmin Enduro 2 in our minds.
If your budget is tight, consider the software and types of activities you’ll use the smartwatch for when choosing between the Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 2. If you’re looking for something a little more traditional and less rugged, consider the Pixel Watch or Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
- New interface with three offline mapping options
- More accurate GPS for easier navigation
- Powerful chipset and 20% faster processor
- Solid construction with scratch-resistant bezel
- Taps the Sun’s energy for more power
- Maximizes battery life using SatIQ technology
- Lightweight, rugged design with a comfortable fit
- Smart navigation tools with preloaded maps
Recent Technology Updates for the Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 2
Since February 2023, there have been technological advances for the Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 2, including:
- Battery life: The battery life of the Coro Vertix 2 can last up to 60 hours while the battery life of the Garmin Enduro 2 can last up to 80 hours.
- New sensors: Both the Coros Vertix 2 and the Garmin Enduro 2 have new barometric altimeters and new compasses.
- New software features: The Coros Vertix 2 and the Garmin Enduro 2 have new software features including new training load metrics and recovery time estimators.
Potential Technology Advances for the Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 2
While planned technology advancements have not been announced for the Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Enduro 2, it is likely that you may see some or all of the following in the next six to 18 months:
- Improved battery life: While both the Coros Vertix 2 and the Garmin Enduro 2 have excellent battery life, we can see technology advancements that could further improve the battery life.
- New sensors: With new sensors being developed, we may see some of these new sensors incorporated in smartwatches, including heart rate variability sensors.
- Enhanced software features: We may see new features including improved fitness and sleep tracking.
- Improved connectivity: Since smartwatches are becoming more connected with other devices, we can see expanded connectivity features such as Wi-Fi and cellular support.
- Lower prices: With smartwatch prices steadily decreasing, we could see price declines in the future, making smartwatches more affordable to more consumers.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Drazen Zigic.
