Garmin Enduro 3 review - The Best Outdoor Smartwatch?

On August 28, 2024, Garmin officially launched its latest ultra-endurance outdoor sports watch - the Enduro 3. Specifically designed for long-distance trail running, hiking, mountaineering, and other extreme environments, this watch represents a new evolution of the Enduro series. As a high-end name in the professional sports watch market, Garmin has already earned a stellar reputation among outdoor enthusiasts with its powerful GPS tracking, stable sensors, and outstanding activity monitoring.

Unlike the flagship Fenix series, the Enduro 3 removes features like the microphone, speaker, and AMOLED display to focus on battery life, durability, and outdoor functionality, making it a more cost-effective choice for hardcore users and serious athletes. You can also read our articles before such as Garmin Enduro 3 vs Fenix 8.

This review will dive into the design, key features, and real-world trail running performance of the Garmin Enduro 3. 

Garmin Enduro 3 Overview

The Garmin Enduro 3 is a professional-grade outdoor sports watch engineered for ultra-long battery life and intense endurance scenarios. It integrates advanced mapping and navigation, dynamic route planning, precise health tracking, and a brand-new built-in LED flashlight - providing reliable support even in the harshest environments. Compared to the flagship Fenix 8, the Enduro 3 drops the microphone, speaker, and AMOLED screen to prioritize durability and power management, offering a more value-driven alternative.

It also sets a new benchmark in battery performance, delivering up to 90 days in smartwatch mode and an astonishing 320 hours in GPS mode. With solar charging support, the watch can continually recharge under sunlight, making it the ultimate companion for true outdoor explorers.

Pros:

• Ultra-long battery life
• Solar charging
• Excellent maps and navigation
• Accurate health and activity tracking
• Built-in LED flashlight
• Dynamic round-trip route planning

Cons:

• No AMOLED display
• Lacks voice assistant features
• Premium pricing

Garmin Enduro 3 review - Price

The Garmin Enduro 3 enters the market at a price of $899, making it significantly more affordable than its predecessor, the Enduro 2, which launched at $1,099. It also undercuts the starting price of the newer Garmin Fenix 8 series, which begins at $999—offering a solid value for users who prioritize performance without stretching their budget.

While the Enduro 3 comes in only one standard size, it doesn’t compromise on core outdoor functionality. Unlike other AMOLED-equipped models like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or even some other Garmin lines such as the Epix Pro, the Enduro 3 focuses on ultra-long battery life and outdoor visibility with its MIP display and solar charging support.

Overall, the Enduro 3 delivers a well-balanced package for serious outdoor athletes, combining key features with a more accessible price point. It’s especially ideal for those who demand durability and extended battery life during long-distance training or endurance races.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review - Design and Size

The Garmin Enduro 3 features a 51mm case, the only size available, and retains the rugged look of its predecessor. It combines a titanium bezel with a fiber-reinforced polymer case, a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, and a 1.4-inch MIP transflective display that remains visible even under direct sunlight. The watch measures 51 x 51 x 15.7mm and weighs only 63 grams—7 grams lighter than the Enduro 2 - offering improved comfort for extended wear.

Design-wise, it sports a black body accented with green highlights and yellow markers, giving it a bold, outdoor-ready aesthetic. The Start button now includes a protective shoulder for better tactile feedback and easier use. While it may not be as suitable for sleep and recovery tracking as the lighter Forerunner series, the Enduro 3 stands out as one of the most lightweight options among large adventure watches.

Summary: With its durable yet lightweight build and distinct trail-focused design, the Enduro 3 is a smart companion built for outdoor exploration.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review - Watch Bands

When it comes to watch bands, the Garmin Enduro 3 feels a bit less generous than its predecessor. The Enduro 2 came with both a silicone band and an UltraFit nylon band in the box, giving users more flexibility. In contrast, the Enduro 3 only includes the UltraFit nylon strap by default - if you want the silicone version, it has to be purchased separately.

That said, the included UltraFit nylon strap is well-suited for endurance athletes. It’s lightweight, breathable, and abrasion-resistant, making it ideal for extended wear and high-intensity outdoor use. Its durability and elasticity provide a reliable and comfortable fit for demanding conditions.

If you're looking to upgrade or customize your Garmin Enduro 3 watch bands, Bandletic offers a range of high-quality, compatible options designed specifically for the 26mm QuickFit system. Popular models include:

R-Nylon 1 Quick Fit Garmin Watch Band 26mm

R-Steel 8 Garmin Watch Band 26mm

R-Nylon 3 Quick Fit for Garmin Watch Band 26mm

In addition to bands for the Enduro series, Bandletic also carries a wide variety of stylish and functional straps for other Garmin devices, such as:

Garmin Fenix Watch straps

Garmin Instinct Watch straps

Garmin Forerunner Watch straps

Garmin Descent Watch straps

Garmin Tactix Watch straps

Whether you're focused on rugged durability or everyday comfort, Bandletic has you covered with reliable, stylish solutions - letting you express your personality right from your wrist.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review - Display

The Garmin Enduro 3 features a 1.4-inch color MIP (Memory-In-Pixel) transflective display, designed for excellent outdoor visibility and durability. The screen is coated with scratch-resistant sapphire glass, making it suitable for harsh environments. The semi-reflective nature of the MIP screen performs exceptionally well in bright sunlight, ensuring that time and information remain clearly visible even under direct sunlight. This design aligns with the Enduro 3's focus on extreme endurance, providing a display that is fully capable of handling various outdoor conditions.

Additionally, the Enduro 3 integrates Garmin's latest solar charging technology, improving charging efficiency. The black solar module matches the overall design, enhancing the watch’s cohesive look. Compared to the Enduro 2, the screen is noticeably brighter, making it easier to read in most lighting conditions. However, in some cases, I still needed to activate the backlight to improve visibility. While the screen is clear, it doesn't match the vividness of the Fenix 8’s AMOLED display.

Summary: The Enduro 3’s MIP display delivers excellent outdoor performance, with sufficient brightness and clarity, although it doesn’t offer the same vibrant colors as AMOLED screens.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review - Health Monitoring

The Garmin Enduro 3 offers comprehensive health monitoring features to help users track vital health metrics and improve overall wellness. It is equipped with a fifth-generation heart rate sensor, ensuring stable and accurate heart rate monitoring even during intense activities. The watch also supports pulse oximetry, which is especially useful for assessing body adaptation in high-altitude environments.

Enduro 3 provides 24/7 health tracking, including HRV (Heart Rate Variability), sleep scores, advanced sleep monitoring, body battery levels, and daily stress tracking. It also offers jet lag adjustment suggestions. The watch includes over 100 sports modes, such as swimming, cycling, golf, and skiing, and provides animated workout guidance for aerobic exercises, strength training, yoga, and Pilates.

These features ensure that the Enduro 3 helps users understand their body’s condition, adapt to different environments, and enhance health management and performance.

Summary: The Garmin Enduro 3 offers health features like heart rate, blood oxygen, HRV, and sleep tracking, providing comprehensive health management to improve fitness and overall well-being.

Garmin Enduro Review - Maps and Navigation

The Garmin Enduro 3 is equipped with a range of powerful mapping and navigation features, designed for outdoor adventures and long-duration activities. Its dynamic route planning function allows users to set a target distance (e.g., 8 km) and automatically calculates an optimal route based on GPS location and the built-in offline maps. Even if a better route is discovered during the activity, users can make adjustments, and the watch will automatically recalculate the route, ensuring the total distance remains within the preset limit. The watch also reminds users to head back when half of the distance is covered.

The map interface displays two arrows: a blue arrow indicating the direction of movement and a red arrow for orientation. With the compass, users can easily switch between the north view and forward view. The NextFork feature clearly shows the distance to the next intersection and road names, helping users stay on track with their navigation. Additionally, through the Garmin Connect app, users can pre-set routes on their phone and send destinations directly to the watch, providing greater flexibility.

Furthermore, the Enduro 3 offers a "Search Nearby" function, allowing users to locate common places such as convenience stores, restrooms, and cafes, enhancing the convenience of outdoor activities.

Summary: the Garmin Enduro 3's mapping and navigation features not only enhance the outdoor adventure experience but also provide precise, reliable navigation support for long-distance trail activities.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review – Comprehensive Upgrade for Outdoor Sports and Training Guidance

Garmin Enduro 3 is specifically designed for outdoor enthusiasts, supporting over a hundred sport modes such as trail running, hiking, cycling, skiing, swimming, and golf. It features a race assistant, gradient-adjusted pace guidance, NextFork intersection alerts, and trail-specific VO2 Max monitoring to help users train smarter for competitions or extreme challenges.

In terms of training guidance, Enduro 3 offers advanced metrics such as heat and altitude acclimation, training load, training status, and training effect. With PacePro pacing strategy and ClimbPro ascent planner, the watch intelligently adjusts pace based on GPS data and terrain changes. A dedicated ultramarathon rest timer automatically logs time spent at aid stations.

For strength training, Enduro 3 includes animated workout guidance for cardio, yoga, strength, and Pilates exercises. It can also generate personalized 4–6 week strength plans tailored to individual goals - ideal for trail runners, hikers, skiers, and other athletes.

Additionally, the watch meets military-grade durability standards and is equipped with ABC sensors (altimeter, barometer, compass) and an LED flashlight, ensuring reliable performance in harsh outdoor environments. It is the ultimate partner for outdoor adventures and structured training.

Summary: Garmin Enduro 3 combines powerful outdoor features with professional training guidance, making it the ideal choice for adventure enthusiasts and performance-driven athletes.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review - Battery Life

The Garmin Enduro 3 offers exceptional battery life, thanks to its advanced solar charging technology. Compared to the previous generation, the solar panel’s charging efficiency has been improved by 120%, making it more efficient in outdoor environments. In GPS mode, the Enduro 3 can last up to 320 hours, while in smartwatch mode, it can last up to 90 days. Even under extreme conditions, the solar charging feature automatically replenishes the battery, ensuring long-term use.

Additionally, the Enduro 3 is equipped with SatIQ technology, which automatically switches between GPS modes. With multi-frequency and multi-satellite support, it provides high-precision location tracking, with a battery life of up to 90 hours. These features make the Enduro 3 an ideal choice for trail runners, long-distance hikers, and extreme sports enthusiasts, ensuring reliability and practicality during extended use.

Summary: With its powerful solar charging technology and SatIQ functionality, the Enduro 3 offers extreme battery life for long outdoor activities, making it the perfect companion for endurance athletes and outdoor adventurers.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review – A Redesigned UI for a Seamless Outdoor Experience

The Garmin Enduro 3 introduces a completely revamped user interface (UI), offering a more intuitive and efficient user experience. With a simplified navigation system, all sports modes and applications are now accessible through a unified menu—just press the top-right Start button to quickly access what you need. The interface is clean and user-friendly, making it easier to find and manage functions.

When activating a specific sport mode, such as trail running, the screen automatically displays GPS signal strength and provides quick access to relevant tools like maps, training data, and activity settings - all on a single screen. This minimizes the need for unnecessary menu switching and improves focus during activity.

One standout addition is the "device-to-device sharing" feature, which allows two Garmin watches to wirelessly exchange routes, locations, and training courses—perfect for outdoor adventures with friends.

Enduro 3 also steps up in daily convenience, supporting NFC transit cards, Alipay, and WeChat Pay for seamless travel and purchases. Music lovers can sync playlists from QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music, and Migu Music, and listen wirelessly via compatible Bluetooth earphones. Combined with smart safety features like incident detection, emergency assistance, and LiveTrack, the Enduro 3 ensures both functionality and peace of mind.

Summary: Garmin Enduro 3 goes beyond just extended battery life and rugged performance. Its redesigned UI makes it more practical and enjoyable to use, making it a standout choice for serious outdoor athletes and tech-savvy users alike.

Garmin Enduro 3 vs Garmin Fenix 8- Difference

Both the Enduro 3 and Fenix 8 are premium outdoor watches, but they cater to different needs, with each offering unique strengths in design, functionality, and battery life.

Battery Life

• Enduro 3 offers up to 320 hours in GPS mode, making it ideal for ultramarathons and extended outdoor use.
• Fenix 8 has shorter battery life with the AMOLED screen, though the MIP solar version performs better.

Features

• Enduro 3 lacks a speaker, microphone, dive functionality, and EKG support.
• Fenix 8 includes voice calls, EKG, flashlight, dive features, and offers a more complete smart experience.

Design Options

• Enduro 3 comes in a single 51mm size with a lightweight nylon strap and plastic back case.
• Fenix 8 is available in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes with a premium titanium build.

Weight and Thickness

• Enduro 3 is lighter (63g) but thicker (15.7mm).
• Fenix 8 is heavier (~93g) and thinner (14.7mm).

Price and Target Users

• Enduro 3 is more budget-friendly and tailored for endurance athletes and long-distance outdoor adventurers.
• Fenix 8 is better suited for those who want advanced features, daily fitness tracking, and an all-around smart sports watch.

Garmin Enduro 3 Review - Worth to Buy it?

The Garmin Enduro 3 is a smart watch designed specifically for extreme outdoor sports. With its outstanding battery life and numerous upgraded features, it has become an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers up to 320 hours of GPS tracking time, a new solar charging ring, and optimized heart rate monitoring, providing users with more accurate training data. In addition, performance has been significantly enhanced through software optimization and hardware upgrades.

Compared to its predecessor, the Enduro 3 is more affordable, and its lightweight design and stronger battery life effectively solve the battery anxiety during extreme sports. For athletes with a limited budget but who seek high performance, the Enduro 3 is undoubtedly a highly worthwhile investment. It almost inherits the core features of the Fenix series but offers the same outdoor experience at a lower price.

When to Choose Enduro 3:

• If you're interested in the features of the Fenix 8 but don’t want to pay the high price.
• If you spend long hours outdoors and want to extend battery life through solar charging.
• If you need a watch with ultra-long battery life and durability, especially during extended training and races.

When Enduro 3 May Not Be Ideal:

• If you need more smart watch features like advanced voice assistants or call functions, the Fenix 8 would be a better fit.
• If you want a more refined, slimmer watch design, the Enduro 3 may feel bulky to some users.

Overall, the Garmin Enduro 3 stands out with its exceptional battery performance and outdoor functionalities, making it the perfect choice for extreme outdoor enthusiasts. For those on a budget, it offers a highly cost-effective alternative, especially for athletes who prioritize battery life and durability.