Garmin Enduro 3 triathlon watch review

Garmin’s swum against the inflationary tide in that Enduro 3 is cheaper – we repeat, cheaper – than its predecessor.

Yes, you’d still have to shell out nearly $900 / £800, but in the world of the best multisport watches, a product upgrade and reduced RRP is a rare combination.

Set against the more affordable Polar Vantage M3 and the Coros Pace Pro, the Enduro 3 is decidely premium. So what do you get for the money?

Solar-assisted run time

Further savings come from the nominal recharging required as in full GPS mode and with solar, its battery life is an astonishing, and mooted, 320hrs. That’s over double the Enduro 2 and is primarily down to increasing the solar ring on the outside of the display.

In all honesty, we can’t verify those claims during the thorough, but not 320hrs of exercise, test period. But we didn’t have to recharge once. Just note that being solar, 320hrs won’t happen during a grey winter. 

Unlike some, that solar presence doesn’t impair display visibility on the fly due to its large 51mm size. It’s also clearer than the Enduro 2 due to removing the transparent solar panel from the screen.

Not quite as clear as the Fenix 8, which was launched at the same time, as the Enduro 3 doesn’t contain a battery-hitting AMOLED screen, but data’s still easily read. 

Garmin Enduro 3 data and metrics

And there’s much data to read including a neat enhanced map-routing feature that lets you enter how far you want to go before offering suggested routes that’ll have you home in your allotted training time.

The ‘strength training’ area’s been bolstered, too, offering detailed plans via Garmin Connect.

This came in useful as, now deep into my 40s, I’m increasingly using weights to replenish my testosterone levels and, in turn, maintain some degree of muscle mass. I pray it’s not a losing battle!

A new, improved UI

The Enduro 3’s received a new user interface, which is impressive and highly intuitive. Take a sport like cycling where, on first peruse, the display looks the same as before.

It’s not, as scroll down and you come across options like structured workouts and saved courses. Previously you’d have to keep changing screens between options. It sounds a small change but ease of use is a big win with watches that are this feature laden.

A new optical heart-rate sensor bring temperature and ECG-style analysis to proceedings as well as improving heart-rate monitoring accuracy. As we’ve said a zillion times before, it still lags behind the best heart-rate monitors with chest straps but things are improving.

Garmin Enduro 3 bottom line

Another upgrade is the flashlight that hammers home its outdoor-adventure credentials, but that’s not to say this watch won’t satiate the most committed of triathlete’s bucket list with myriad features that, though seen in earlier models, still impresses.

The sheer number and utility of these functions differentiate the Enduro 3 from more affordable rivals, such as the Polar Vantage M3 and Coros Pace Pro.

Highlights include the ClimbPro feature that delivers gradient and distance information on downloaded routes; pool and open-water swim metrics; and grade-adjusted pace so you hit the same effort level whether running on the flat or uphill. 

You can also download music, pay for mid-ride cake via Garmin Pay and participating providers, and even track your top-50 stocks. Yes, you don’t have dive and speaker functions that you get on the Fenix 8 but they’re no big losses in our eyes.

Looking for a watch just for the pool? Check out our list of the best swimming watches.

Garmin Enduro 3 specs

Price:	$899.99 / £769.99
Weight:	2.22oz / 63g
Screen:	1.4in, 280 x 280 pixels
Features:	Route suggestions, HRV tracking, flashlight, solar charging, Garmin Pay, multi-band GPS, music storage, Training Readiness metric
Battery life:	320 hours (claimed)