The Garmin Lily 2 Active has emerged as a significant contender in the world of stylish smartwatches, offering a substantial upgrade from its predecessors—the original Lily (2021) and the Lily 2. This latest edition introduces built-in GPS, allowing users to effectively track their outdoor workouts without the need for a smartphone, making it a game changer for fitness enthusiasts.

One of the standout features of the Lily 2 Active is its physical buttons, which enhance usability, particularly during intense workouts. I put this to the test during sweaty runs and found it incredibly user-friendly, even when adjusting settings with damp or gloved hands. This practicality is a welcome consideration for those who lead active lifestyles.

Priced at $299, the Garmin Lily 2 Active is only a slight increase over the previous models—just $20 more than the Lily 2 Classic and $50 more than the standard Lily 2. Given the wealth of added features including GPS, enhanced sports tracking capabilities, and more intuitive controls, many will find the upgrade well worth the cost.

Chic Design Meets Everyday Usability

The Lily 2 Active retains the elegant, minimalist aesthetic that made the Lily series so popular, featuring a 38mm aluminum case and a sturdy Gorilla Glass 3 display designed to endure daily wear and tear. Although it is marginally larger and heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at just 29g, it remains an unobtrusive choice for those who prefer a lightweight watch.

The LCD display, while not full-color, boasts excellent contrast, ensuring visibility in both indoor settings and bright sunlight. However, it is worth noting that the absence of an always-on display can be a minor inconvenience. Users will need to raise their wrist or touch the screen to view the time or other data, which can be a hassle during quick interactions.

Enhanced Health and Fitness Tracking Features

Garmin has significantly expanded the health monitoring capabilities of the Lily 2 Active. It includes a variety of sport profiles, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 levels tracking, and the innovative Body Battery feature. The Body Battery metric provides insight into your energy levels, helping you optimize your workout schedules based on your personal fitness data.

While the watch lacks an altimeter, which tracks elevation in real-time, it adeptly offers post-activity elevation data after syncing with the Garmin Connect app. During my 5K runs, I compared data from the Lily 2 Active with my Garmin Fenix 7 and was pleased to find that the metrics matched closely, showcasing its reliability.

For added safety, the smartwatch has incident detection and emergency alerts, which can automatically notify your emergency contacts with your location during a workout—a particularly reassuring feature for solo runners.

Smartwatch Features Designed for Connectivity

The Garmin Lily 2 Active excels in connectivity, allowing users to receive notifications for calls, texts, and app alerts right on their wrist. These notifications can be customized, offering flexibility for individuals who prefer a streamlined alert system. The ability to control music via the watch is a nice touch, although keep in mind it does not support onboard music storage.

Garmin Pay is also supported for seamless contactless payments, making it convenient for those who want to leave their wallets behind during runs or workouts. However, using Garmin Pay will necessitate having your phone available for music, which may limit its utility in certain situations.

Stellar Battery Life and Charging Convenience

One of the most impressive advancements of the Lily 2 Active is its enhanced battery life, boasting up to 9 days of usage in smartwatch mode—outshining the 5-day life of the previous model. During extended testing, I was pleasantly surprised to go two weeks without needing a recharge, even with frequent GPS use.

The watch now uses a standard Garmin charging cable, replacing the older clip-on charger, facilitating easier charging if you have multiple Garmin devices.

Is the Garmin Lily 2 Active Right for You?

The Garmin Lily 2 Active represents a remarkable evolution in the smartwatch space, combining style with state-of-the-art functionality. With capabilities like built-in GPS, expanded sports modes, and a long-lasting battery, it offers a comprehensive package for those seeking a stylish yet powerful smartwatch.

While potential buyers should consider its lack of an always-on display and onboard music storage, the overall value of the watch, especially given its modest price increase, makes it an attractive option for fashion-forward fitness aficionados. Don't miss the chance to elevate your fitness game with this chic yet practical smartwatch!