Which is the Best Fitness Smartwatch in 2025? Well, in 2024, the Apple Watch Ultra and the Garmin Fenix 7 represent two giants in the world of fitness smartwatches. While the Apple Watch Ultra is geared towards users seeking a balance of fitness tracking, smart features, and seamless integration with iOS, the Garmin Fenix 7 caters to athletes and adventurers who need robust, rugged functionality and long-lasting durability in challenging environments.
But with both of these devices offering advanced features and premium performance, the question remains: Which is the best smartwatch for you in 2025?
In this article, we’ll break down the features, pricing, performance, battery life, and specific use-cases for each smartwatch, helping you decide which is the Best Fitness Smartwatch for your fitness goals.
Key Features Comparison – Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin Fenix 7
Design & Build Quality:
Apple Watch Ultra Design:
- Material: The Apple Watch Ultra features a titanium case for a lightweight yet durable feel, making it more robust than the standard Apple Watch Series.
- Display: The 2-inch Retina Display is bright and crisp, even in direct sunlight, with a 1000 nits maximum brightness. It also boasts a ceramic shield front cover for better resistance to scratches.
- Size: 49mm case size, designed for those who prefer a larger and more visible display.
- Water Resistance: Rated at 100m water resistance, suitable for swimming, diving, and other water-based activities.
Garmin Fenix 7 Design:
- Material: The Fenix 7 comes in stainless steel or titanium variants, offering different levels of ruggedness and weight.
- Display: 1.4-inch Sunlight-readable display with Corning Gorilla Glass DX to resist scratches, making it ideal for outdoor use in tough conditions.
- Size: Available in 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm models, providing a range of sizes for different wrist preferences.
- Water Resistance: Rated at 10 ATM (100 meters) water resistance, making it suitable for swimming, diving, and snorkeling.
Fitness & Health Tracking Features:
Apple Watch Ultra Fitness Features:
- Fitness Tracking: The Apple Watch Ultra is equipped with a dual-frequency GPS for accurate location tracking during runs, hikes, and outdoor activities.
- Health Monitoring: The Ultra includes advanced health metrics such as ECG, blood oxygen level monitoring, and temperature tracking.
- Activity & Exercise Tracking: Offers tracking for over 50 sports, including running, swimming, cycling, and even trail running.
- Elevation & Compass: The Watch Ultra features a built-in altimeter, compass, and backtrack feature for hiking and trail running, useful for navigating off the beaten path.
Garmin Fenix 7 Fitness Features:
- Fitness Tracking: The Fenix 7 offers multi-band GPS, including SatIQ™ for automatic GPS signal selection, which provides better location accuracy, especially in tough conditions like mountains or forests.
- Health Monitoring: Advanced features include pulse oximeter readings, heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and sleep tracking. The Garmin Fenix 7 also features body battery tracking, which monitors your body’s energy levels.
- Activity & Exercise Tracking: It tracks over 30 sports, including trail running, climbing, mountain biking, and skiing. The Fenix 7 provides detailed workout metrics such as VO2 max, recovery time, and training load.
- Climbing & Hiking Features: The Fenix 7 excels for outdoor enthusiasts with its topographic maps, navigation, and trackback feature, ideal for serious adventurers.
Battery Life:
Apple Watch Ultra Battery Life:
- Battery: The Apple Watch Ultra is equipped with a 542mAh battery, offering up to 36 hours of use with regular activities and up to 60 hours in low-power settings.
- Charging: The Apple Watch Ultra supports fast charging, giving you 80% charge in 45 minutes, which is a significant improvement over previous Apple Watch models.
Garmin Fenix 7 Battery Life:
- Battery: The Garmin Fenix 7 has a solar-powered option with a multi-day battery life. The standard model lasts up to 18 days in smartwatch mode, and the solar edition extends this to up to 22 days.
- Charging: The Fenix 7 charges fully in about 2 hours, but if you’re using the solar variant, it can extend battery life indefinitely in sunlight.
Pricing Comparison:
| Model | Apple Watch Ultra | Garmin Fenix 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Starting) | $799 | $699 |
| Material Options | Titanium, Alpine Loop, Ocean Band, and Trail Loop | Stainless Steel, Titanium |
| Solar Option | No | Yes |
| Additional Features | Dual-Frequency GPS, Compass, Depth Gauge | Solar Charging, Climbing Features |
Which Is The Best Fitness Smartwatch for You?
Choose Apple Watch Ultra If You:
- Prefer an intuitive interface and Apple ecosystem integration (iMessage, Apple Fitness, etc.).
- Need a smartwatch that works well for mixed-use, including fitness tracking and smart features like notifications and apps.
- Want a premium design with advanced fitness features for activities like trail running, cycling, and water sports.
- Prioritize fast charging and up-to-date features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring.
Choose Garmin Fenix 7 If You:
- Are an outdoor adventurer who needs rugged durability and advanced navigation features (e.g., topographic maps, climbing tools).
- Want a battery-efficient smartwatch that lasts for days, especially if you use solar charging for extended trips.
- Value advanced fitness tracking features like VO2 max, training load, sleep tracking, and body battery for a deeper understanding of your fitness journey.
- Require multi-sport tracking with customized workout plans for sports like mountain biking, skiing, or trail running.
Smartwatch Alternatives to Consider in 2024
While both the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 7 are top-of-the-line options, there are a few other smartwatches in the market that might also be worth considering depending on your specific needs and preferences. Let’s explore some alternatives that offer high standards of performance, and in some cases, could be more suited to particular users.
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
- Price: Starting from $399
- Best For: Android users seeking a premium smartwatch experience with fitness tracking.
Key Features:
- Display: 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display with always-on functionality.
- Battery: Up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge.
- Health Monitoring: Includes ECG, blood oxygen, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring.
- Fitness Tracking: Tracks over 90 activities, integrates with Samsung Health, and supports GPS.
- Smart Features: Seamless integration with Samsung smartphones and Google apps.
Why Consider It:
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a perfect choice for users in the Android ecosystem who need an all-around fitness-focused smartwatch with great battery life and smart features. It offers a great balance between style, performance, and fitness tracking.
2. Fitbit Sense 2
- Price: Starting from $299
- Best For: Health-conscious users who prioritize wellness tracking and simplicity over complex navigation.
Key Features:
- Display: 1.58-inch AMOLED touchscreen.
- Battery: Up to 6 days of battery life.
- Health Features: Includes ECG, skin temperature tracking, heart rate monitoring, and stress management.
- Fitness Tracking: Tracks 20+ exercise modes and has built-in GPS for outdoor activities.
- Smart Features: Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa; integrates with Fitbit app for more detailed insights.
Why Consider It:
The Fitbit Sense 2 is designed for health and wellness enthusiasts who want advanced health metrics without needing to deal with the complexity of other smartwatches. It’s ideal for users seeking a fitness-focused wearable with long battery life and simple, intuitive features.
3. Suunto 9 Peak
- Price: Starting from $499
- Best For: Adventure enthusiasts and extreme athletes who need a rugged, multi-sport smartwatch.
Key Features:
- Display: 1.2-inch Touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass.
- Battery: Offers up to 170 hours of battery life in ultra mode (with GPS tracking).
- Multi-Sport Tracking: Supports 80+ sports modes and offers triathlon mode.
- Health Monitoring: Includes heart rate, sleep tracking, and recovery time.
- Navigation: GPS, barometric altimeter, and compass for outdoor navigation.
Why Consider It:
The Suunto 9 Peak is a rugged smartwatch with extra-long battery life and is perfect for long-distance athletes, outdoor adventurers, and extreme athletes who need reliable GPS and navigation tools. If you need to tackle long treks or endurance challenges, this is a fantastic option.
4. Whoop Strap 4.0
- Price: Starting from $30/month (subscription-based model)
- Best For: Fitness enthusiasts and athletes who focus on performance optimization and recovery.
Key Features:
- Display: No traditional screen; uses a mobile app for data.
- Battery: Up to 5 days of battery life per charge.
- Health Monitoring: Tracks heart rate variability, sleep, recovery, and strain.
- Fitness Tracking: Provides personalized fitness coaching based on activity levels.
- Subscription-Based: All data is synced and analyzed through the Whoop app.
Why Consider It:
The Whoop Strap 4.0 is a unique subscription-based fitness tracker that’s ideal for serious athletes looking to get deep insights into their performance, strain, and recovery. Unlike traditional smartwatches, the Whoop 4.0 is all about helping you achieve peak performance with detailed analytics and coaching.
Which Smartwatch Should You Choose in 2024?
The Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 7 are both top-tier best fitness smartwatches, offering advanced fitness tracking, smart features, and premium builds. However, they cater to different kinds of users:
- Choose the Apple Watch Ultra if you need a high-performance smartwatch with great ecosystem integration and versatility.
- Opt for the Garmin Fenix 7 if you’re looking for a rugged, outdoor smartwatch with advanced navigation and exceptional battery life.
With either option, you’ll have a premium device on your wrist, ready to enhance your fitness journey and adventure-filled lifestyle in 2025.
People Also Ask (Google)
Which is better for hiking: Apple Watch Ultra or Garmin Fenix 7?
For hiking and outdoor adventure, the Garmin Fenix 7 is a better choice due to its advanced navigation tools, including topographic maps, backtracking, and long battery life in tough conditions. The Apple Watch Ultra is suitable for casual hikes, but the Garmin Fenix 7 excels for serious outdoor enthusiasts.
Does Garmin Fenix 7 have ECG?
No, the Garmin Fenix 7 does not feature ECG functionality. However, it offers comprehensive heart rate monitoring, pulse oximeter readings, and stress tracking. For users seeking ECG capabilities, the Apple Watch Ultra would be the better option.
Can Apple Watch Ultra be used for scuba diving?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra is rated for up to 100 meters of water resistance, making it suitable for scuba diving and other water sports. It also has a depth gauge and water temperature sensor for diving enthusiasts.