Garmin

fenix 3 Sapphire

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

Overall

#55 in

Fitness Trackers

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score54% positive
13
7
4

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Jun 30, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Iconaewynn0915
about 2 months ago

I've had a Fenix 3 sapphire since 2016 and it's still just as good as the day I bought it (used). Best $300 ever

Reddit Iconpasco356
10 months ago

Fenix 3 (no HR) still gets some time on the wrist now and then when I feel nostalgic. Battery lasts about 5-7 days. https://preview.redd.it/advrns6bcekf1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fd8815430270b08c1211bfb2ed69c237f8164b57

Reddit IconBeneficial_Ostrich14
6 months ago

Im you a few weeks in, and have been a fenix user since the fenix 3 came out. But the apple universe is so practical, so i went the Awu3 way now. After a few weeks of owning this watch, i find there is pros and cons. Pros: the apple universe.. Cons: almost every free insights you get from Garmin is a paid app on Awu. I use Runna for running, i find it to be the best for running and kind of like the Garmin running plans. Im trying to figure out the WorkOutdoors app, but im not that big a fan yet.. As i live in norway and hiking and skiing is big, i found that just using the strava app works way easier (for now) if you use strava too.. As for body battery, bevel or Athlytic is ok.. AWU is not so good on sleep tracking, so i would rather just listen to my body and use the BB as an indicator. My honest opinion a few weeks in. The AWU is a really good day to day watch with workout tracking built in, but the Garmin watches are really good sport watches. Im giving this watch a year, and if i still like and get used to it, ill probably keep it. If not im going back 😊

6 months ago

I don’t understand how. It seems like it tracks sleep in intervals, and if i dont sleep at that given interval i get a bad sleepscore.. or if im just laying down, it thinks i had a good nights sleep even though i just slept 3 hours that night.. garmin is not good, but it felt overall better.. but it could be that im adjusting to the new watch

Reddit Iconbenjaminbjacobsen
6 months ago

I went fenix 3 -> AWU -> fenix 6 -> fenix 6 & AWU2. Garmin is the better watch. Better for recording outdoor stuff. Battery is once or twice a month with running every day. It’s great. You never sweat it. But half the days it won’t connect to my iPhone. I miss calls and can’t reply to texts. Syncing to my phone is also a hassle (have to turn the watch on and off half the time). AW is an extension of my phone and a distraction. But I can reply to texts without my phone. It helps reduce screen time because I can leave my phone across the room. It has better complications for the most part and the ultra at least matches my fenix. I had to add apps to get heart rate and steps on my main screen but they update and work. The dive app is cool (visiting my parents in the keys and snorkeling). I ski a lot and the ability to unlock my phone with goggles and a mask on is huge. Also Apple Pay. Picking one? Hard choice. But I bought my fenix 6 used for $300 a few years ago and added the AWU2 refurbished from Apple (so 100% battery). I’m keeping both.

Reddit IconDerk_Diggler_2012
6 months ago

I've owned a Fenix 3, Fenix 5 and Fenix 6. Each one glitched and died at about the 2 year mark. I've given up on the Fenix line entirely.

Reddit IconDualPassions
10 months ago

i had my fenix 3 since 2013: * battery life is so good. i can still get 10-15 days on a charge (no gps) or about 15 hours continuous outdoor cycling (with gps) * extremely tough (i had the fenix 3 since 2013, no scratches on the glass, just minor scratches and disoloration on the bezel) * does what it is supposed to do

Top Fitness Trackers on Reddit

1
Garmin Forerunner 255 Series

Garmin

Forerunner 255 Series

86% positive of 468 users

Long battery; but wrist HR tracking is inconsistent.

2
Garmin Forerunner 955 Series

Garmin

Forerunner 955 Series

78% positive of 354 users

Best value, clear MIP screen; limited smartwatch features.

3
Garmin Fenix 7 Series

Garmin

Fenix 7 Series

71% positive of 695 users

Durable, multi-week battery, flashlight; high price, buggy software.

4
Garmin Instinct 2 Series

Garmin

Instinct 2 Series

82% positive of 276 users

Rugged, solar multi-week battery; bulky, small screen readability issues.

5
Garmin Enduro 3

Garmin

Enduro 3

83% positive of 243 users

Multi-week solar battery, lightweight; but bulky form factor.

Rankings by Use Case

Other Reddit Recommendations:

FAQs