Fitbit Versa 4 vs Garmin Lily 2
Fitbit versus Garmin: the Fitbit Versa 4 and the Garmin Lily 2 go after the same everyday smartwatch buyer. Think of these two as neighbors: the overlap is large and the gaps are few.
At a glance
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Fitbit Versa 4 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Fitbit Versa 4 wins
- Price Fitbit Versa 4 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Fitbit Versa 4 has 20% more rated battery life
On rated battery life, the Fitbit Versa 4 edges out the Garmin Lily 2, 6 days to 5 days. The Fitbit Versa 4 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends.
-
The Fitbit Versa 4 has contactless payments
Missing features are easy to overlook when you buy and hard to live without later. The Garmin Lily 2 skips this one. Contactless payments let you pay with a tap of your wrist, which is handy when your phone is in a bag or you’re out on a run.
Design & Size
Design & Durability
| Spec | Fitbit Versa 4 | Garmin Lily 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | N/A (not specified) | 35 mm |
| Available sizes | N/A (not specified) | 35 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Display
Nothing to tally in the display section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the Fitbit Versa 4 and the Garmin Lily 2 each use.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
The health & fitness sensors section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. If health & fitness sensors was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Battery Life
Fitbit Versa 4 leads
The Garmin Lily 2 comes close on battery life, but the Fitbit Versa 4 does just enough to lead. The Fitbit Versa 4 steps ahead thanks to 20% more rated battery life. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both. In short, the Fitbit Versa 4 is the better-equipped watch for battery life.
Rated battery life
Fitbit Versa 4: 6 days Garmin Lily 2: 5 days Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Fitbit Versa 4 leads
On smart features & connectivity, the difference is modest, and it favors the Fitbit Versa 4. The Fitbit Versa 4 pulls ahead with contactless payments. The Fitbit Versa 4 supports tap-to-pay; the Garmin Lily 2 doesn’t. On smart features & connectivity alone, the Fitbit Versa 4 gets the nod.
Contactless payments
Fitbit Versa 4: yes Garmin Lily 2: no Payment support depends on your bank and region, but having it built in is a quiet everyday convenience.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Fitbit Versa 4 | Garmin Lily 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Color AMOLED | Hidden touchscreen under patterned lens |
| Always-on display | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Fitbit Versa 4 | Garmin Lily 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | No | N/A (not specified) |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Skin temperature | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| GPS | Built-in GPS + GLONASS | Connected GPS (uses phone) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Fitbit Versa 4 | Garmin Lily 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 6 days (winner) | 5 days |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Fitbit Versa 4 | Garmin Lily 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular option | No | No |
| Contactless payments | Yes (winner) | No |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Software | Fitbit OS | Garmin proprietary |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Fitbit Versa 4 | Garmin Lily 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | N/A (not specified) | 35 mm |
| Available sizes | N/A (not specified) | 35 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Price
| Spec | Fitbit Versa 4 | Garmin Lily 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $230 (winner) Lowest price in class | $250 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch prices are close, with the Fitbit Versa 4 just $20 below the Garmin Lily 2. The Garmin Lily 2’s extra $20 is hard to justify when the Fitbit Versa 4 leads in more areas.
Launch prices in the US as of January 2024; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Fitbit Versa 4 if…
- you hate charging your watch every day (6 days vs 5 days)
- you want contactless payments
- you’d put the $20 saving toward something else
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Fitbit Versa 4 or the Garmin Lily 2?
On the specs compared here, the Fitbit Versa 4 makes more sense for most buyers; the Garmin Lily 2 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Which has better battery life, the Fitbit Versa 4 or the Garmin Lily 2?
The Fitbit Versa 4 does better here. It lists 6 days for rated battery life, while the Garmin Lily 2 lists 5 days.
Is the Fitbit Versa 4 cheaper than the Garmin Lily 2?
Going by launch prices, the Fitbit Versa 4 costs $20 less than the Garmin Lily 2. Prices as of January 2024; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
The Fitbit Versa 4 versus the Garmin Lily 2 is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Fitbit and Garmin made different bets. I’d put 20% more rated battery life at the top of the list, and it belongs to the Fitbit Versa 4. Nor should you ignore that the Fitbit Versa 4 has contactless payments.
Who should get which? The Fitbit Versa 4 for battery life, the Garmin Lily 2 for the things a spec sheet can’t capture.
My pick: the Fitbit Versa 4.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.