Scores based on sentiment analysis of topic-related comments
Best praise vs top criticism for Garmin Lily 2
“it doesn't sound like the apple watch would give you any benefit based on how you want to use it - and considering price and battery recharging I would agree that based on your current use case maybe not the best option. Amazfit - decent eco system - its a possibly larger than you might want at 44mm and 10mm thick (like most exlcudes the sensor that sticks out as should embed into skin - so fair way to measure most smartwatches). Note their training metrics very hit and miss, and support not as good as garmin - but its tough act to beat considering the value for money it offers. Lily 2 - my sister loves her Lily 2 active - though if you track outdoor activity you might want to get the active version - would really suggest it either way despite the price as while slightly bigger it just offers so much more i.e. up to 9 vs 5 days battery, 2 buttons vs none, built in gps and host of improved health and tracking features. They are 38 vs 36 and 11 vs 10 mm thick - so comparable chunkiness by way smaller. Having buttons make it way better in the pool if tracking your swimming - while can't use them under water - make scrolling through stuff on the watch when not under water way easier. VA6 is also a great choice - think comparable to what lily 2 offers, though larger at 42mm, but get full colour screan and additional smart features like nfc pay, offline music etc. 42mm with 11mm thickness. You are unlikely to notice the 1mm thicker - but 42 vs 44mm is fairly signifcant. If you are doing a fair amount of swimming woudl say take the VA6 over the lily's despite the size as it just offers so much more from a swim tracking perspective (see the link for the spec comparision). see spec comparison (includes the size measurements): [https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/compare/?compareProduct=1555457&compareProduct=950277&compareProduct=1196650](https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/compare/?compareProduct=1555457&compareProduct=950277&compareProduct=1196650) Rash- pretty unusual for apple watch especially as they generally use reasonably hypoallergenic materials on the back case. Simlarly for amazfit active 2 and the garmins you are looking at they all have polymer resin back cases so no allergy issues there either. It could potentially be sweat related, and then with the rubbing of the back case against your sweaty skin - ideally should be rinsing case with water once a day with water to get off skin oils (and after a sweaty session) etc, drying off before putting back and washing wrists once a day at least -dry thoroughly after wash (if really really sweaty day I may dry watch back and wrist off with t-shirt/cloth - just to try and prevent this irritation). Would also suggest swapping wrist for sleeping so gives normal wrist a chance to dry out and breathe. A heavier watch can make it worse, however all of these weigh about the same i.e. They garmins are a lot lighter at 23g VA6, 24g Lily 2 with active up at 29g - compared to active 2 which is 30g to 32g depend”
“A lot depends on what you want out of it - but would also say that I think you probably aren't female based on your profile (but could be wrong) in which case would drop the Lily 2 variants (if want a hybrid then the instinct crossover is much more masculine and offers a lot more than the lily or could look at the vivomove series). Would also scratch the vivosmart as old and missing loads of features the others currently offer -and would say the same about the FR55. Would probably also drop out the inspire 3 due to its more basic nature (more a health/fitness tracker than smartwatch - technically so is the charge 6 but does offer more along smarwatch lines than tracker lines so fine to consider it more of smartwatch than tracker). And again would skip the FR945lte (as old, plus lte only usable for live track functionality - if you want lte for garmin then fenix 8 pro is the only garmin option --- none for fitbit unless you have an android phone and then get the pixel watch 3 or 4 lte versions). Do you want to make take/calls - then fitbit sense / vera; and garmin venu 3 / 4 / x1; fenix 8 series (and its variants) and FR570 and FR970 Do you want nfc pay - fitbit uses google wallet / garmin uses garmin pay and isn't as well supported as google wallet - but check on garmin pay support site to confirm what banks/financial services support it in your country (in most there is usually 1 digital financial service that is quick, easy and free to set up and use i.e. Curve/Revolt in most of Europe if you normal bank isn't supported. Do you want offline music as only the garmin's offer - fitbit doesn't. Do you want offline maps - Venu x1, fenix 7 (not worth it unless significantly cheaper than F7P - note that the epix 2 is the amoled version of the fenix 7), fenix 7 pro (not worth it unless significantly cheaper than F8), F8 variants; FR970 (and its prior gen FR965 (amoled) or FR955 (mip).). Fitbit health to match garmin health include fitbit premium sub for 2-3 years - then compare cost of products. If you want detailed fitness and training metrics and analytics then garmin - especially the F7 / F8 / FR265 /955/965/570/970. Venu / vivoactive are more health and lifestyle watches, and while they don't have the same level of training features, metrics and analytics than the Fenix/Forerunner/Instinct series offer - they do offer way more in this regards than fitbit does - so if that is important then would say venu/vivoactive over fitbit.”
200 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 2/24/2026