Does the Garmin Lily 2 offer better sleep tracking than the Apple Watch

Garmin Lily 2 Sleep Tracking Features

The Garmin Lily 2 introduces enhanced sleep tracking capabilities compared to its predecessor. Key features include:

- Sleep Score: This feature rates your sleep quality based on various factors, providing a quick overview of how well you slept the previous night[1][2].
- Detailed Sleep Stages: It tracks the duration spent in different sleep stages—awake, light, deep, and REM—and provides insights into your overall sleep patterns[2][3].
- Health Metrics Integration: The device also monitors resting heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), stress levels, and respiration rate during sleep, giving a comprehensive view of your health[2][4].
- User-Friendly Display: Users can view their sleep data directly on the watch, which was a significant improvement over the original model that required checking the app[3][4].

Despite these features, some users have reported occasional inaccuracies in sleep detection, particularly regarding sleep onset times[3].

Apple Watch Sleep Tracking Features

The Apple Watch, particularly recent models like the Series 8 and Ultra, offers robust sleep tracking as well:

- Sleep Stages Tracking: Similar to Garmin, it tracks light, deep, and REM sleep but integrates this data with other health metrics available through Apple's Health app[5].
- Sleep Focus Mode: This feature allows users to set specific times for sleep and helps minimize distractions by limiting notifications during these periods[5].
- Heart Rate Monitoring: The Apple Watch continuously monitors heart rate variability (HRV) and can provide insights into overall health trends over time[5].

While the Apple Watch provides a more comprehensive ecosystem with additional health tracking features (like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring), it requires a subscription for some advanced metrics through Apple Fitness+.

Comparison

In summary, while both devices offer valuable sleep tracking features, the choice largely depends on user priorities:

- Garmin Lily 2 is more focused on stylish design and offers a straightforward approach to health metrics without requiring subscriptions for full access. Its sleep score and detailed breakdowns can be particularly beneficial for users interested in holistic health tracking.

- Apple Watch, on the other hand, provides a more integrated experience with a broader range of health features but may require additional costs for deeper insights. It excels in ecosystem connectivity and offers advanced functionalities beyond just fitness tracking.

Ultimately, if you prioritize aesthetic appeal alongside solid sleep tracking without ongoing fees, the Garmin Lily 2 may be preferable. However, if you seek a multi-functional smartwatch with extensive health features and are already embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch could be the better choice.

Citations:
[1] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/garmins-new-lily-2-smartwatch-can-rate-your-sleep-and-track-your-dance-moves/
[2] https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/garmin-lily-2
[3] https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/01/garmin-lily-depth-review.html
[4] https://mashable.com/review/garmin-lily-2
[5] https://www.theverge.com/24152258/garmin-lily-2-fitness-tracker-wearable-smartwatch
[6] https://thedisconnekt.com/garmin-lily-2-review/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioBRrdmYjew
[8] https://versus.com/en/apple-watch-vs-garmin-lily

Does the Garmin Lily 2 provide more detailed sleep stage tracking than the Apple Watch

The Garmin Lily 2 does provide more detailed sleep stage tracking compared to the Apple Watch, particularly in how it categorizes and presents sleep data.

Garmin Lily 2 Sleep Stage Tracking

The Garmin Lily 2 tracks several sleep stages, including:

- Awake: Time spent awake during the night.
- Light Sleep: The duration of light sleep.
- Deep Sleep: The time spent in deep sleep.
- REM Sleep: Duration of rapid eye movement sleep.

It provides a detailed breakdown of these stages through its companion app, Garmin Connect, and also offers a Sleep Score that rates overall sleep quality based on these metrics. This score is calculated using various factors, including the duration of each sleep stage and resting heart rate, giving users a comprehensive view of their sleep patterns[1][2][3].

Apple Watch Sleep Stage Tracking

The Apple Watch also tracks sleep but with some limitations:

- It categorizes sleep into two primary phases: Asleep and Awake, without a detailed breakdown into light, deep, or REM stages as clearly as Garmin does. While recent updates have improved its tracking capabilities, it still lacks the granularity found in Garmin devices.
- The Apple Watch provides insights into overall sleep duration and can integrate with the Health app for additional health metrics but does not offer a dedicated Sleep Score feature like the Garmin Lily 2[4][6].

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Garmin Lily 2 offers more detailed and nuanced sleep stage tracking than the Apple Watch. With its ability to categorize multiple stages of sleep and provide a comprehensive Sleep Score based on various health metrics, it may be more appealing to users who prioritize in-depth analysis of their sleep patterns.