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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Dan Bracaglia

Apple Watch 11 vs Garmin Instinct 3 — which $400 smartwatch should you buy?

Garmin Apple Dan Bracaglia GPS
Close-up of the Garmin Instinct 3 next to the Apple Watch Series 11.

Do you have $400 to spend on a new smartwatch? If so, I’d gladly recommend either the Apple Watch Series 11 or Garmin Instinct 3, two new releases for 2025 aimed at very different users.

So, how do you decide which one, the Apple Watch 11 or Garmin Instinct 3, is right for you? I’ve compared the two across seven categories: price, design and durability, display, wellness tools, fitness features, smartwatch features, and battery life.

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