| Manufacturer | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Type | Small fashion smartwatch with built-in GPS |
| Series | Lily |
| Released | 2 October 2024 (announced 2 October 2024) |
| Price at launch | GBP 299.99 / USD 299.99 / EUR 349.99 |
| Predecessor | Lily 2 |
| Successor | Not yet announced; see Release Radar |
| Sizes | 38mm (small) |
| Variants | Single edition with silicone band and Garmin Pay |
| Colours | Lunar Gold with Bone band; Silver with Purple Jasmine band; Jasper Green with Jasper Green band |
Specifications as at launch. Features and activity profiles reflect the latest Garmin software.
Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Activity profiles | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
Who it suits: Style-conscious fitness fans who want a small, elegant watch with its own GPS and fuller workout tracking.
The Lily 2 Active fixes the Lily 2’s biggest gap: built-in GPS, so runs, walks and rides record without your phone. It adds two buttons for easier control mid-workout, HRV Status, Garmin Coach plans, more sports profiles and Garmin Pay as standard, and battery stretches to nine days.
The small monochrome screen and lack of advanced training metrics will limit competitive athletes, but for everyday fitness in a discreet package it is the better Lily.
Garmin Lily 2 Active
Small, stylish watch with its own GPS, so your runs and walks record without your phone.
RRP £291.20
€279.00, $299.99
- use code:
Get it nowOrder now – Garmin Lily 2 Active Also sold direct byWhat’s new versus the Lily 2
Hardware
- Built-in GPS with GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, replacing connected GPS
- Two buttons alongside the touchscreen
- Larger 38mm case, up from 35.4mm
- Smartwatch battery up to 9 days, up from 5 days; up to 9 hours of GPS
- Garmin Pay on every model
- Compass and ANT+ heart rate broadcast
Software
- HRV Status
- Sleep coach, nap detection and breathing variations
- Health Snapshot
- Garmin Coach running plans and on-screen workouts
- Golf, tennis, pickleball, padel, skiing and snowboarding profiles
Specifications
The Lily 2 Active comes in one 38mm size. Every colourway shares the figures below.
| Specification | Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|
| Display | |
| Display type | Liquid crystal |
| Display size | 25.4mm x 21.3mm (1″ x 0.84″) |
| Resolution | 240 x 201 pixels |
| Colour | No (16-level greyscale) |
| Lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Case size | 38mm (small) |
| Dimensions | 38 x 38 x 11mm |
| Weight | 29g |
| Bezel material | Anodised aluminium |
| Case material | Anodised aluminium |
| Band | Quick release, silicone |
| Wrist fit | 110 to 175mm |
| Water rating | Swim, 5 ATM |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou |
| Heart rate | Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor |
| Pulse Ox | Yes |
| Skin temperature | No |
| Other sensors | Compass, accelerometer, ambient light sensor |
| Connectivity and storage | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
| NFC (Garmin Pay) | Yes |
| Storage | 7 timed activities; 14 days of activity tracking data |
| Music | Smartphone music controls only |
| Maps | No |
| LED flashlight | No |
| Speaker and microphone | No |
| Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Internal components | |
| Processor | NXP i.MX RT533 (first used on Venu Sq 2 in September 2022) |
| Co-processor | Ambiq Apollo3 (first used on Descent G1 Solar in October 2021) |
| Bluetooth | Nordic nRF52832 (first used on Vivosport in July 2017) |
| GNSS chipset | Airoha AG3335M (first used on Forerunner 955 in June 2022) |
| Battery capacity | 180 mAh |
| Optical HR sensor | Garmin Elevate Gen 4 (first used on Venu 2 in April 2021) |
| Component identification from FCC filing teardown photos. | |
Battery life
Battery figures are Garmin’s official ratings.
| Mode | Lily 2 Active |
|---|---|
| Smartwatch | Up to 9 days |
| GPS | 9 hours |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Features
A full breakdown of Garmin platform features is available at Garmin features explained.
Plan
- Downloadable training plans
- Cardio, strength, HIIT, yoga and Pilates workouts
- Morning Report
Prepare
- HRV Status
- Body Battery energy monitoring
- Sleep score, advanced sleep monitoring and sleep coach
- Breathing variations during sleep
- All-day stress and respiration tracking
- Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation
- Meditation, breathwork and relaxation breathing
- Health Snapshot
- Abnormal heart rate alerts
- Fitness Age
- Women’s health and hydration tracking
Perform
- VO2 max for running
- Golf yardages, digital scorecard and stat tracking
Connect
- Smart notifications, with text replies on Android
- Garmin Pay contactless payments
- Smartphone music controls
- Incident detection and assistance during select activities
Activity profiles
| Category | Profiles |
|---|---|
| Running | Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running |
| Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking |
| Swimming | Pool Swimming |
| Gym and fitness | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Indoor rowing, Dance fitness, Jump Roping, Pilates, Yoga |
| Outdoor | Walking, Golfing, Disc Golf |
| Other | Winter sports: Skiing, XC Classic Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing | Water sports: Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing | Racket sports: Pickleball, Tennis, Padel | Other: Meditation, Breathwork |
Garmin Lily 2 Active
Small, stylish watch with its own GPS, so your runs and walks record without your phone.
RRP £291.20
€279.00, $299.99
- use code:
Get it nowOrder now – Garmin Lily 2 Active Also sold direct byQuick answers
When was the Garmin Lily 2 Active released?
Garmin announced and released the Lily 2 Active on 2 October 2024 at GBP 299.99 or USD 299.99.
Does the Lily 2 Active have GPS?
Yes, the Lily 2 Active has built-in GPS with GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, so outdoor runs and walks record without a phone.
What is the difference between the Lily 2 Active and Lily 2?
The Active adds built-in GPS, two buttons, HRV Status, Garmin Coach plans, more sports profiles and up to 9 days of battery against 5. Its case is 38mm against 35.4mm.
Can the Lily 2 Active track swimming?
Yes, it has a Pool Swimming profile and a 5 ATM water rating.
How long does the Lily 2 Active battery last?
Garmin rates the Lily 2 Active for up to 9 days as a smartwatch and 9 hours in GPS mode.
Further reading
- Garmin Lily 2 Active opinion
- Garmin Lily 2 and Lily 2 Classic specifications
- Garmin watch specifications
- Release Radar: upcoming Garmin watches
Related watches
Predecessor: Garmin Lily 2, the smaller version with connected GPS.
Also consider: Apple Watch SE 3, the better choice for iPhone owners.
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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