Garmin Lily 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
Same maker, different lines: the Garmin Lily 2 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 are both Garmin products, built with different priorities in mind. Here the verdict on paper is fairly clear. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 takes 2 of 3 areas against the Garmin Lily 2, starting with battery life. The Garmin Lily 2 launched $50 lower than the Garmin Vivoactive 5, so every advantage on the pricier side has to earn its keep.
At a glance
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins
- Price Garmin Lily 2 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity0.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity5.0
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
-
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has 120% more rated battery life
It’s a lopsided result (11 days for the Garmin Vivoactive 5, 5 days for the Garmin Lily 2) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
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The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a 7 mm larger case
This one isn’t a win or a loss. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is larger here (42 mm versus 35 mm), which suits some people and not others. Case size is as much about fit and style as function; what suits your wrist matters more than the numbers.
-
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has contactless payments
It’s a clear yes for the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and a clear no for the Garmin Lily 2. 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
- Garmin Lily 2 35 mm
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 42 mm
Size-wise, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 takes up more space, and the Garmin Lily 2 is easier to fit where room is tight.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 35 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 35 mm | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Display
In the display section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the Garmin Lily 2 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 list in the table below.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
The differences on health & fitness sensors are small enough to ignore in daily use. Don’t let health & fitness sensors decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the clear pick if battery life is what you care about most. On the Garmin Vivoactive 5, you get 120% more rated battery life. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier. If this section decides it for you, choose the Garmin Vivoactive 5.
Rated battery life
Garmin Lily 2: 5 days Garmin Vivoactive 5: 11 days The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads
Slight edge to the Garmin Vivoactive 5 on smart features & connectivity. Most buyers could live happily with either. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 adds contactless payments. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 supports tap-to-pay; the Garmin Lily 2 doesn’t. In short, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the better-equipped watch for smart features & connectivity.
Contactless payments
Garmin Lily 2: no Garmin Vivoactive 5: yes Payment support depends on your bank and region, but having it built in is a quiet everyday convenience.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Hidden touchscreen under patterned lens | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | N/A (not specified) | 390 x 390 |
| Always-on display | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | N/A (not specified) | No |
| Blood oxygen | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
| GPS | Connected GPS (uses phone) | Built-in GNSS (single-band) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 5 days | 11 days (winner) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | N/A (not specified) | 4 GB Least storage in class |
| Cellular option | No | No |
| Contactless payments | No | Yes (winner) |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Software | Garmin proprietary | Garmin proprietary |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 35 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 35 mm | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Price
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $250 (winner) | $300 |
“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
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 20% apart, a difference of $50. Step up by $50 to the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and you gain 120% more rated battery life and contactless payments.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of January 2024. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Garmin Lily 2 if…
- you’d rather keep $50 in your pocket
- you value compactness over sheer size
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 5 if…
- you hate charging your watch every day (11 days vs 5 days)
- you want contactless payments
- you find that bigger suits the way you use a watch
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Garmin Lily 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless saving $50 matters more to you than the extras.
Does the Garmin Lily 2 last longer on a charge than the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 does better here. It lists 11 days for rated battery life, while the Garmin Lily 2 lists 5 days.
Which is larger, the Garmin Lily 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 takes that one. With dimensions of 42 mm, it is larger than the Garmin Lily 2 (35 mm).
Which costs less, the Garmin Lily 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
Going by launch prices, the Garmin Lily 2 costs $50 less than the Garmin Vivoactive 5. Prices as of January 2024; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
When a brand offers the Garmin Lily 2 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 side by side, I always ask what you give up by picking one over the other. Here’s what matters most to me: the Garmin Vivoactive 5 offers 120% more rated battery life. There’s more, too: the Garmin Vivoactive 5 offers contactless payments.
The Garmin Lily 2 makes sense for anyone who values price; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 for anyone who values battery life.
My pick: the Garmin Vivoactive 5, and I’d only look at the Garmin Lily 2 if you have better plans for $50.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.