Garmin Enduro review: Garmin's newest smartwatch is currently also the most advanced

Initially, the Enduro stands out with its size: with a diameter of 1.4 inches, the color transflective Memory-in-Pixel display (MIP) is just as large as that of the Fenix 6X, which is the largest Fenix model. Garmin reserves the data storage for music and storage cards to the Pro models of the Fenix series. Just like the other Fenix sport computers, the Enduro also has to manage with 64 MB and is only able to control the music playing on the smartphone. 

The rest of the equipment is very similar. In addition to GPS, a barometric altitude sensor, 3-axis compass, gyroscope, acceleration sensor, thermometer, heart rate sensor, and blood oxygen saturation sensor, the Enduro also supports contactless payment via Garmin Pay. 

The Enduro does not have a brightness sensor. While the display can be optionally illuminated, you can also partly or completely deactivate the background illumination. Thanks to the technology of the color transflective MIP, the display can almost always be easily read in bright as well as dark surroundings. Garmin has covered this with a "Power Glass," which contains a solar charging lens. 

The case with its neon-yellow accented crown and bezel is optionally available in stainless steel or titanium. Aside from the visual appearance, the latter brings 15 g (~0.5 oz) less weight to the scale and costs an additional premium of 100 Euros (~$120). Both models come with an UltraFit nylon watchband that can be replaced if needed. We did not appreciate the handling necessary to open and close the two velcro fasteners during the test. On the other hand, the elastic band left a positive impression during the training. While the silicone bands of the author are often wet after a training, just like the skin underneath, the double layered band, which is made from an antimicrobial nylon fabric, as well as the wrist remained almost dry.

Since the Enduro does not have a touchscreen, you can control the recording of the training, select apps or menus, or flip between data pages and widgets using five keys on the sides. 

In contrast to the way we are used to from wearables with a touchscreen, widgets don't take up the whole screen with Garmin. Instead, they form a vertical list, each with an informational overview of the corresponding app, as you can see in the image below on the left. 

A keypress on the Enduro also opens the QuickPanel for important or often used options that you usually access with a vertical gesture on other common smartwatches. In addition, you can individually assign a total of seven functions that you can trigger by either a long press or pressing two keys simultaneously.  

The Enduro signals an incoming phone call including the caller ID. If the watch is connected to an Android smartphone, alternatively to accepting or rejecting the call, you can also send the caller an SMS. If you accept the call, you then have to take it on your smartphone.

Notifications will display Emojis and are easily readable on the large display. If necessary, longer notifications are spread out over several screens that you can flip through using the keys.

The Enduro counts steps, translates any climbed elevations into floors climbed, and compares both with the daily goals you set. Garmin counts high intensity activities double for the account of the intensity minute goal.

The wearable measures your heart and breathing rate and optionally also blood oxygen saturation around the clock. It analyzes the stress load and determines the maximum oxygen consumption, VO2max, as an indicator for the cardio-respiratory fitness and aerobic performance capabilities. From the health data, nightly rest, and intensity of the latest training, as well as the time passed since then, the Enduro determines the power reserves of the body, which Garmin calls the Body Battery. 

At night, the Enduro records the oxygen saturation as well as the heart and breathing rate and also captures the movements and sleep phases. The smartwatch shows the sleep duration and single sleep phases and evaluates the sleep quality. You can combine parameters into pairs in the diagrams on the app.

Numerous types of sports are preinstalled on the Enduro, and you can also download additional types using the Garmin ConnectIQ app. The Garmin Connect app can optionally connect your user account with Komoot, Strava, Runtastic, and MyFitnessPal, as well as Office 365 to import the planned workouts into the Outlook calendar. On the iPhone, Garmin connects with Apple Health.

Using the map of the golf course, golfers can determine the distance to the green, measure the distance of the stroke, and also use some specific additional functions. However, the focus of the Enduro lies in outdoor activities such as running, trail running, biking and mountain biking, and its particular support in competitions. A new function that also distinguishes the top models of the Fenix 6 series is the capture and evaluation of pauses at rest stations. 

Another new feature that is particularly interesting for trail runners is that Garmin now figures the condition of the terrain into the VO2max calculation. While this has been calculated from the speed, heart rate, heat, and actual elevation difference, Garmin now also determines the trail condition from the analysis of the movement sensors and integrates this into the computation. In most cases, this should result in a higher VO2max calculation than without considering the terrain.

In some sports where speed is important, you can compete against a virtual partner with some Garmin wearables. In order to motivate yourself and improve, you grant a slightly higher speed to your virtual partner. During the trainings, the Enduro will then display not only your own speed, but also that of your virtual partner and your advantage or disadvantage. 

Garmin's PacePro strategy expands on this concept even further. The strategy combines your desired speed with route planning and can alternatively orient on a time goal for the selected route. Based on the geo data, the Garmin adapts the speed to the elevation profile in sections. In the default setting, the speed change occurs according the distance, so every few kilometers. Those who know their endurance capabilities can optionally increase their speed in the first or last kilometers. Particularly interesting for trail runners should be the option to completely connect the speed to the elevation profile.

Since the Enduro lacks the necessary map data – in contrast to the capabilities of the Fenix 6 Pro – these computations don't happen on the watch but on the smartphone. From there, you can transfer them to selected Garmin sport watches such as the Enduro or Forerunner 745. The screenshot below of a real trail route demonstrates the PacePro strategy. The following screens show the preparation on the smartphone and the displays on the Enduro.

The Enduro sport watch has not been on the market for that long, so the price did not change yet until the end of our test. At this point, it is available from Garmin directly in stainless steel for 799 USD, while the Titan model costs 899 USD.