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

Choosing the right smartwatch often comes down to how you train, explore, or balance endurance with everyday functionality. The Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Enduro 3 are both premium multisport watches built for performance, but they serve slightly different audiences. The Fenix 8 targets users who want a balanced mix of rugged design, advanced metrics, and smart lifestyle features. The Enduro 3 focuses on extreme endurance athletes who need exceptional battery life and efficiency for long outdoor adventures. This comparison highlights their key differences to help you decide which model best fits your goals.

Side by Side Comparison

Detailed Feature Comparisons

Design and Construction: The Garmin Fenix 8 features a sleek titanium frame and sapphire glass for durability, offering a refined yet rugged appearance. The Enduro 3 prioritizes lightweight materials and a simpler Power Glass design, making it ideal for long-distance runners and endurance racers. Both are durable and water-resistant, but the Fenix 8 looks more premium and is slightly heavier.

Display: The Fenix 8 introduces an AMOLED display that offers crisp colors and better visibility indoors and outdoors. In contrast, the Enduro 3 retains the MIP solar display for better battery efficiency under sunlight. The Fenix 8’s screen is visually superior for clarity, while the Enduro 3’s display excels in longevity and outdoor readability.

Battery Life: The Enduro 3 dominates in this area, lasting up to 80 days in smartwatch mode with solar charging. The Fenix 8, while powerful, offers up to 31 days—still impressive but more suited to users who recharge regularly. Enduro 3 is the clear choice for expeditions and ultra-athletes.

Performance and Processor: The Fenix 8 uses Garmin’s latest dual-core processor, providing smoother animations and faster menu transitions. The Enduro 3 is optimized for efficiency over speed, focusing on stability during extended tracking sessions. Both perform well, but the Fenix 8 feels more responsive for multitasking and smart features.

Navigation and GPS Accuracy: Both models use multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology for adaptive power management. The Fenix 8 provides slightly faster GPS lock times and improved mapping details, while the Enduro 3 prioritizes endurance tracking for ultra distances. For hikers and climbers, either is reliable, though the Fenix 8 adds more mapping layers.

Health and Fitness Tracking: The Fenix 8 enhances health insights with upgraded heart rate sensors and advanced training readiness metrics. The Enduro 3 focuses on endurance recovery, VO2 Max tracking, and long-duration performance monitoring. Both share sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and Pulse Ox, but Fenix 8 integrates them with more analytics.

Smart Features: The Fenix 8 offers Wi-Fi connectivity, contactless payments, and music storage, making it more versatile for daily wear. The Enduro 3 limits smart functions to preserve battery, focusing on essential notifications. Those wanting a smartwatch-experience will prefer the Fenix 8.

Durability and Build Quality: Both watches meet military-grade standards for shock and water resistance. The Fenix 8’s sapphire crystal resists scratches better, while the Enduro 3’s lighter build improves comfort for endurance runs. Both are reliable in extreme environments, but the Fenix 8 offers a tougher finish.

Training Tools and Sports Modes: The Fenix 8 introduces new adaptive training plans and improved recovery suggestions. The Enduro 3 focuses on endurance metrics such as UltraRun mode, rest timers, and solar-powered stamina tracking. Serious athletes may lean toward the Fenix 8 for its depth, while ultra-distance users will favor the Enduro 3.

Software and Updates: Garmin continues to refine both models through regular updates. The Fenix 8 benefits from the latest Garmin OS enhancements first, while Enduro 3 updates focus on optimization for battery life. Users who like cutting-edge updates will appreciate the Fenix 8’s priority access.

FAQ

Is the Garmin Fenix 8 better for daily wear than the Enduro 3?
Yes, the Fenix 8 is designed for both fitness and everyday use, offering more smart features like Wi-Fi, Garmin Pay, and music storage.

Does the Enduro 3 have solar charging?
Yes, the Enduro 3 features Power Glass solar charging that significantly extends its battery life, especially in direct sunlight.

Which watch is lighter between Fenix 8 and Enduro 3?
The Enduro 3 is lighter, making it more comfortable for long-distance athletes and ultra-runners.

Do both models support multi-band GPS?
Yes, both watches include multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology for precise location tracking even in dense environments.

Can I store music on the Enduro 3?
The Enduro 3 does not have built-in music storage. This feature is exclusive to the Fenix 8, which allows offline playback.

Is the display on the Fenix 8 always on?
Yes, the AMOLED display on the Fenix 8 supports an always-on option while maintaining good battery performance.

Which model is better for marathon training?
The Fenix 8 provides detailed training insights, pace guidance, and recovery analytics, making it better for structured training plans.

Does the Enduro 3 have touchscreen controls?
Yes, it supports touchscreen navigation along with physical buttons, though it’s optimized for efficiency during long activities.

Are both watches waterproof?
Yes, both models have a 10 ATM water resistance rating suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and outdoor adventures.