Garmin Lily 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6
The shared Garmin logo is where the obvious similarity ends. The Garmin Lily 2 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 come from different lines, and each line has its own idea of what matters. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 2 of 3 areas go to the Garmin Vivoactive 6, and the gap is widest in battery life. Keep the price gap in mind throughout: $50 separates the Garmin Lily 2 from the Garmin Vivoactive 6 at launch.
At a glance
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Vivoactive 6 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Garmin Vivoactive 6 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 6 has 120% more rated battery life
Put simply, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is far ahead here: 11 days compared with 5 days. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
-
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a 7 mm larger case
The Garmin Lily 2 lists less (35 mm) and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 more (42 mm). It’s a preference, not a verdict. Larger cases often hold larger batteries, but they can catch on sleeves and feel bulky during sleep.
-
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 has contactless payments
Whether it matters depends on your habits, but only one of these two gives you contactless payments: the Garmin Vivoactive 6. 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 6 42 mm × 0.43 in
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is physically larger, so the Garmin Lily 2 will be the easier fit wherever space is limited.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 35 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 35 mm | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | N/A (not specified) | Fiber-reinforced polymer, aluminum bezel |
| Thickness | N/A (not specified) | 0.43 in |
Display
For display, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
Side by side, the health & fitness sensors figures for the Garmin Lily 2 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 barely differ. In short, health & fitness sensors is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 6 leads
For battery life, the verdict is easy: the Garmin Vivoactive 6 leads, and not by a little. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 gives you 120% more rated battery life. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier. For anyone who cares most about battery life, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the safer choice.
Rated battery life
Garmin Lily 2: 5 days Garmin Vivoactive 6: 11 days The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Garmin Vivoactive 6 leads
If you’re keeping score, the smart features & connectivity point goes narrowly to the Garmin Vivoactive 6. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 steps ahead thanks to contactless payments. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 supports tap-to-pay; the Garmin Lily 2 doesn’t. Weighing only smart features & connectivity, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 comes out ahead.
Contactless payments
Garmin Lily 2: no Garmin Vivoactive 6: 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 6 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 6 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 5 days | 11 days (winner) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
| 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 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 35 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 35 mm | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | N/A (not specified) | Fiber-reinforced polymer, aluminum bezel |
| Thickness | N/A (not specified) | 0.43 in |
Price
| Spec | Garmin Lily 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 asked for $50 more at launch. That gap of 20% has to be justified by the specs. For $50 more, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 adds 120% more rated battery life and contactless payments. Whether that’s good value depends on how much you need those upgrades.
Based on US launch pricing as of April 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Garmin Lily 2 if…
- you want more value for your money ($50 less at launch)
- you want the more compact watch
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 6 if…
- you want the longer rated battery life (11 days vs 5 days)
- you want contactless payments
- you like more of everything, size included
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Garmin Lily 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if the extra $50 would stretch your budget.
Does the Garmin Lily 2 last longer on a charge than the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 comes out ahead on rated battery life, with 11 days compared with 5 days on the Garmin Lily 2.
Is the Garmin Lily 2 bigger than the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
It’s the Garmin Vivoactive 6 that is larger: 0.43 in, versus 35 mm for the Garmin Lily 2.
Which costs less, the Garmin Lily 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 6?
At launch, the Garmin Lily 2 undercut the Garmin Vivoactive 6 by $50. These figures are as of April 2025, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
The Garmin Lily 2 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 sit next to each other in the same lineup. Here’s my honest read on which one makes more sense. My main argument for the Garmin Vivoactive 6? It comes with 120% more rated battery life. I’d also count contactless payments in the Garmin Vivoactive 6’s favor.
In my head, the Garmin Lily 2 is the price pick and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the battery life pick.
My pick: the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if you have better plans for $50.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.