Apple Watch vs. Garmin: Why I'd always choose a Garmin over Apple Watch Series 10

It's no secret by now that I'm a Garmin girl; after going through several fitness trackers from the popular brand, the love affair is still going strong. But there was once a time that I was nearly swayed by the Apple Watch. The allure of closing rings day after day was strong, and despite my love for Garmin, there are clearly many qualities that make the Apple Watch a great choice.

But there's one thing that has consistently put me off and kept me with Garmin: the Apple Watch battery life.

Apple vs. Garmin battery life

Charging all my devices is the bane of my life. Smartwatch, earbuds, phone, iPad, I rarely remember them all. So repping a smartwatch that doesn't require daily charging is key, especially when running or exercising almost every day. And I rely on my smartwatch to track my recovery and pretty much everything in between.

The Apple Watch Series 10 offers so many benefits, but it only delivers around 18 hours of battery with normal use. My trusty Forerunner 955 gives me 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 42 hours in GPS mode. There's really no comparison here.

Needing to charge a smartwatch daily simply doesn't work for me, and I just know I would always forget. Until this issue is resolved, I can't bring myself to make the switch.

What I do like about the Apple Watch Series 10

I truly believe that the battery life is a dealbreaker, but there are still many qualities that could convince me if the battery life does eventually improve. Firstly, the seamless connection with my iPhone would be handy. I like the idea of all my messages, calls, and notifications right at my wrist. The level of connection is super appealing, especially if you’re already deep in the Apple ecosystem like I (unashamedly) am. The integration with the app store is also a really cool lifestyle function, and makes the watch feel like an extension of your phone.

I also really liked the idea of closing my rings. It’s such a simple concept, but it taps into a really satisfying need to track all my achievements. I like that it turns everyday activities into a bit of a game, and how that would help build healthy habits over time.

The rest of the health features are also great, with special mention to ECG, fall detection, and cycle tracking. The sleep tracking is fairly advanced (although I do enjoy Garmin's sleep score), and the sleep apnea notifications are a big plus. If you're someone who wants an all-rounder smartwatch that supports wellness as much as workouts, the Apple Watch Series 10 is a great choice.

And I can't ignore the design. It’s sleek, stylish, and looks more like an everyday accessory than a fitness tracler. Who else is fed up of the big, clunky looking things on our wrists? The touchscreen is also nice and bright, ideal for glancing during hot, sunny runs. Plus, the new edge-to-edge display on the Series 10 makes everything feel more immersive.

Is the Apple Watch Series 10 worth it?

If you’re looking for an advanced smartwatch that balances fitness and lifestyle and seamlessly integrates with your iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 10 is genuinely hard to fault — especially if you don’t mind charging it daily or aren’t relying on it for ultra-long runs or multi-day tracking.

However, for me, the battery life is still the dealbreaker, and until that changes, I’ll be firmly planted in Garmin territory. But I’ll admit: if Apple ever finds a way to stretch that battery to even a few days, I’d be seriously tempted.

Where to buy the Apple Watch Series 10

You can find the Apple Watch Series 10 at many retailers, including Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon.