Garmin Lily 2 vs Garmin Lily 2 Active
The Lily 2 Active is the better watch on paper: it has built-in GPS, lasts longer (9 days) and tracks sleep in more depth. The Lily 2 doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Lily 2 Active wins
The Garmin Lily 2 Active lasts up to 9 days against 5 days.
-
GPS
Lily 2 Active wins
Only the Garmin Lily 2 Active has built-in GPS.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Both have LCD screens of a similar size.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Lily 2 wins
The Garmin Lily 2 is lighter: 24.4 g against 29 g.
Other differences
- Sleep Lily 2 Active wins
The Lily 2 Active goes further on sleep, with sleep coaching.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lily 2 if…
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Lily 2 Active.
Choose the Lily 2 Active if…
- You want to leave your phone at home on a run: it has built-in GPS.
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 9 days in smartwatch mode.
- You want to sleep better: it scores each night and tells you what to change.
Full spec comparison
The Lily 2 Active leads on GPS and navigation and battery life; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Series | Lily | Lily |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Garmin | Garmin |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
Display
The screens are closely matched.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | LCD | LCD |
| Screen size | — | 1 in |
| Resolution | 240 x 201 | 240 x 201 |
| Colour display | No | No |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen | touchscreen |
Design & durability
Both are similar in size, weight and water rating.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 35.4 mm | 38 mm |
| Dimensions | 35.4 x 35.4 x 10.1 mm | 38 x 38 x 11 mm |
| Thickness | 10.1 mm | 11 mm |
| Weight (case) | 24.4 g | 29 g |
| Case material | anodized aluminum | anodized aluminum |
| Bezel material | anodized aluminum | anodized aluminum |
| Lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Band material | silicone | silicone |
| Band fitting | Quick Release | Quick Release |
| Fits wrists | 110-175 mm | 110-175 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Battery
The Lily 2 Active is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer (9 days), and the Lily 2 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 5 days | 9 days |
| Battery (GPS) | — | 9 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 5 days | Smartwatch: 9 days; GPS: 9 hours |
| Charging | clip | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
The Lily 2 Active is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It has built-in GPS, and the Lily 2 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Uses phone GPS | Built-in |
| Satellite systems | — | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou |
Health & sensors
The Lily 2 Active is ahead on health tracking.
It tracks sleep in more depth, and the Lily 2 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, ambient light | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, compass, ambient light |
| Heart-rate sensor | Garmin Elevate | Garmin Elevate |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | — | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep score | Sleep coaching |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Body Battery | Body Battery |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | — | Via phone |
| Incident detection | Yes | Yes |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Sport profiles | 16 | 30 |
| Auto activity detection | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max | VO2 max, HRV status |
| Strength rep counting | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate broadcast | — | Yes |
| External sensors | — | ANT+ |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Contactless payments | — | Yes |
| Payment service | — | Garmin Pay |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | — | golf |