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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Enduro 3 vs Suunto Race
The Garmin Enduro 3 definitely takes the crown here, especially with its insane battery life of up to 90 days in smartwatch mode, compared to the Suunto Race's 40 hours in max GPS mode. If you're pushing endurance limits, this feature alone is a game-changer. In real-world use, the Garmin's similar-weight design at only 2.22 oz makes it a fantastic option for long adventures, while the Suunto Race's vibrant 1.43" AMOLED display shines in clarity but can drain faster during extended use. If you want to minimize charging during those epic outings, the Enduro 3 is the smarter buy for serious athletes.
⚖️ Weight: 2.22 oz vs 2.93 oz💽 Storage: 32 GB vs 16 GB🔋 Battery Life: 90 days vs 40 hours
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Garmin Enduro 3
★4
(7)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:51mm x 51mm x 15.7mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case with titanium rear cover; Titanium bezel; Power Sapphire solar charging lens
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Suunto Race
★4.2
(297)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (via Suunto app)
Operating System:Suunto UI
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in)
Case Material:Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Garmin Enduro 3
Suunto Race
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Garmin Enduro 3
1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Suunto Race
1.43 in
Resolution
Garmin Enduro 3
280 x 280 pixels
Suunto Race
466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Garmin Enduro 3
32GBWinner
Suunto Race
16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model)
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Garmin Enduro 3
Smartwatch mode: Up to 36 days (90 days with solar); GPS Only: Up to 120 hours (320 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar
Suunto Race
Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS)
Design2 specs
Weight
Garmin Enduro 3
63 g (Case only: 57 g) — includes UltraFit nylon strapWinner
Suunto Race
83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model)
Water Resistance
Garmin Enduro 3
10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters)
Suunto Race
100 m (10 ATM)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Garmin Enduro 3
Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Suunto Race
Suunto UI
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Garmin Enduro 3
Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
Suunto Race
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads)
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Garmin Enduro 3 vs Suunto Race
Garmin Enduro 3
★4(7)Amazon
Suunto Race
★4.2(297)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Enduro 3 | Suunto Race |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(7)Amazon | ★4.2(297)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | Android and iOS (via Suunto app) |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Suunto UI |
Case Size | 51mm x 51mm x 15.7mm | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in) |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case with titanium rear cover; Titanium bezel; Power Sapphire solar charging lens | Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone |
Display Type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable) |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter | 1.43 in |
Resolution | 280 x 280 pixels | 466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness) |
Always On Display | Yes (MIP display is always visible) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters) | 100 m (10 ATM) |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H (Thermal, Shock, Water); Scratch-resistant Sapphire lens | MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F) |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads) |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | No (Not supported) |
Sensors | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG capable); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer | Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope |
Health Features | Garmin ECG App (region dependent); Body Battery; Sleep Score and advanced monitoring; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot | HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status |
Workout Modes | Ultrarunning (with rest timer); Adventure Racing; Trail Run; Advanced Strength Training; Hiking; Cycling (MTB, Gravel, Road); Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Skiing; Surfing; and 100+ others | 95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates |
Storage | 32GB | 16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model) |
Speaker Mic | None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only) | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) |
Calls | No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies) | No (Notification alerts only) |
Battery | Smartwatch mode: Up to 36 days (90 days with solar); GPS Only: Up to 120 hours (320 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar | Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS) |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included); Solar charging | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A) |
Weight | 63 g (Case only: 57 g) — includes UltraFit nylon strap | 83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 127–225mm (UltraFit nylon strap included); QuickFit 26mm compatible | Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width |
Extras | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; TopoActive Maps (preloaded); NextFork Map Guide; Grade Adjusted Pace; Real-time Stamina | Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation |
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Garmin Enduro 3
Rating:★4(7)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:51mm x 51mm x 15.7mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case with titanium rear cover; Titanium bezel; Power Sapphire solar charging lens
Display Type:Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
Display Size:1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Resolution:280 x 280 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (MIP display is always visible)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H (Thermal, Shock, Water); Scratch-resistant Sapphire lens
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG capable); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer
Health Features:Garmin ECG App (region dependent); Body Battery; Sleep Score and advanced monitoring; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Ultrarunning (with rest timer); Adventure Racing; Trail Run; Advanced Strength Training; Hiking; Cycling (MTB, Gravel, Road); Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Skiing; Surfing; and 100+ others
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only)
Calls:No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 36 days (90 days with solar); GPS Only: Up to 120 hours (320 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included); Solar charging
Weight:63 g (Case only: 57 g) — includes UltraFit nylon strap
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 127–225mm (UltraFit nylon strap included); QuickFit 26mm compatible
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; TopoActive Maps (preloaded); NextFork Map Guide; Grade Adjusted Pace; Real-time Stamina
✓ Pros:
- • Unrivaled battery life: up to 90 days in smartwatch mode with solar
- • Incredibly lightweight (63g) for a 51mm watch due to nylon strap/titanium
- • Built-in LED flashlight is a game-changer for ultra-endurance events
- • Excellent visibility in direct sunlight thanks to MIP display
- • Preloaded TopoActive maps with SatIQ for superior navigation
✗ Cons:
- • Lacks the speaker/microphone found in the Fenix 8 series
- • No diving certification (unlike Fenix 8 which is rated to 40m)
- • MIP display is less vibrant indoors compared to AMOLED rivals
- • Large 51mm case size may be too bulky for smaller wrists
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Suunto Race
Rating:★4.2(297)Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (via Suunto app)
Operating System:Suunto UI
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in)
Case Material:Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone
Display Type:AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable)
Display Size:1.43 in
Resolution:466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:100 m (10 ATM)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F)
GPS:Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU
Connectivity:Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads)
NFC Payments:No (Not supported)
Sensors:Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope
Health Features:HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status
Workout Modes:95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates
Storage:16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model)
Speaker Mic:No (No built-in speaker or microphone)
Calls:No (Notification alerts only)
Battery:Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS)
Charging:Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A)
Weight:83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model)
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width
Extras:Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation
✓ Pros:
- • Vibrant 1.43” AMOLED screen with sapphire crystal durability
- • Excellent battery life (up to 40 hours in max accuracy GPS mode)
- • Free global offline maps with intuitive digital crown zooming
- • Dual-band GNSS provides highly accurate tracking in difficult terrain
- • Military-grade (MIL-STD-810H) durability
✗ Cons:
- • No NFC payments or music storage (music controls only)
- • No built-in speaker or microphone for calls
- • 49mm case size is bulky for smaller wrists
- • Steel version is noticeably heavier (83g) than the Titanium model (69g)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
The Garmin Enduro 3 is the better buy for most people - its unmatched 90-day battery life crushes the Suunto Race. That said, grab the Suunto Race if you prioritize display quality and need a more vibrant screen for daily wear - it's similar-weight too at 2.93 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Garmin Enduro 3 if: you need maximum battery life for long hikes, value a lightweight design for endurance events, or want top-notch GPS navigation. (2.22 oz weight, 32 GB storage)
Choose the Suunto Race if: you prefer a vivid display for everyday use, want free global offline maps, or need a watch that handles 95+ sport modes.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Garmin Enduro 3 excels if you value unrivaled battery life: up to 90 days in smartwatch mode with solar. Suunto Race is better if you prioritize vibrant 1.43” amoled screen with sapphire crystal durability. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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