Compare CMF Watch 3 Pro vs Garmin Lily 2 Active

Auto-detection was useful in one account but inconsistent across reviewers, with one long-term user warning that activities often needed to be started manually.

Reviewers generally saw the app ecosystem as limited, especially without direct Strava-style app access or richer smartwatch apps, though some accepted the tradeoff at the price.

The app ecosystem is praised as comprehensive for wellness data and long-term health interpretation.

Band impressions ranged from soft and comfortable to cheap-feeling or irritating, making strap quality highly reviewer-dependent despite easy 22mm replacement options.

Band quality is praised for comfort, quick-release swapping, and easy removal.

Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, often lasting several days to more than a week, though always-on display use reduced results sharply for some reviewers.

Battery life is strongly praised, often beating or matching expectations and lasting around a week or more in real use.

Blood oxygen readings were limited in the review evidence but positive where compared directly, with one user finding pulse-ox results very close to a finger oximeter.

One reviewer was very positive about Pulse Ox readings, saying the watch routinely matched their normal SpO2 range.

Bluetooth stability was mostly positive once connected, but one reviewer criticized the broader connectivity set as limited compared with fuller smartwatch platforms.

Bluetooth connectivity is viewed positively because the watch pairs easily with phones and other devices.

Brightness split reviewers: some found it acceptable even outdoors, while others said the screen or auto-brightness felt too dim by 2025 standards.

Brightness is generally acceptable, with one reviewer noting easy viewing, while another says the screen itself is not ultra-bright.

Build quality was polarizing, with some reviewers calling it impressive for the price and others criticizing cheap plastics, rattles, or a non-premium back.

Build quality draws criticism from one reviewer who dislikes the cheaper-material feel.

The crown and button controls were often praised for tactility and haptics, though a few reviewers wanted better sizing or deeper integration in the interface.

Button controls are a unanimous strength because they make workouts and navigation much easier than touch-only Lily models.

Call handling was mostly positive for basic calls, with clear speaker or microphone results indoors, but not every reviewer found it strong outdoors.

Call handling is useful for glancing at calls on the wrist without pulling out a phone.

Calorie and workout metric usefulness was positive where discussed, with reviewers finding the post-workout data detailed enough for casual needs.

Charging convenience was a consistent weakness because the proprietary magnetic connector was repeatedly described as flimsy or easy to knock loose.

Charging convenience improves because the watch uses the standard Garmin cable rather than the older Lily clip style.

Charging speed was generally acceptable at around 90 minutes with useful top-ups, though not every reviewer called it fast.

Coaching features were generally liked, especially the running coach, though one reviewer found the AI plan setup flawed for beginners.

Coaching features are well received, with reviewers praising Garmin Coach, adaptive plans, and guided structured workouts.

Comfort was generally strong because the watch is light for its size, though some reviewers disliked its presence or bulk.

Comfort is one of the most consistent strengths, with reviewers saying the small, light watch is easy to forget on the wrist.

The Nothing X companion app drew mixed reactions, from cleaner and easier to read to too basic, typo-prone, battery-draining, or missing workout records.

The companion app is useful for setup, coaching, and deeper tracking, with one reviewer preferring it for faster, clearer health logging.

Contactless payments were a clear limitation because NFC is absent, though one reviewer said it was not a big issue for their own use.

Garmin Pay is considered useful and easy to set up, though one reviewer notes its value drops if a phone is still needed for music.

Cross-platform compatibility was generally a plus for Android and iOS basics, but some features such as quick replies or ChatGPT were ecosystem-limited.

Cross-platform compatibility is mixed because Android users get quick replies while iPhone users cannot reply from the watch.

Customization was mixed: watch faces, gestures, widgets, and shortcuts pleased reviewers, but losing swappable bezels and limited widget controls hurt.

Customization is mixed-to-good: notifications and data views have useful controls, but watch-face flexibility is more limited than other Garmins.

Display quality was usually praised for its larger AMOLED panel and readable UI, though some reviewers still called it only average or limited by brightness.

Display quality is divisive: reviewers like the contrast and hidden-display style, but some dislike the monochrome screen or limited visual richness.

Durability evidence was mixed, with one long-term user reporting a drop and clean finish, while others saw early scratching risks or softer glass concerns.

Durability is a concern for one reviewer, who connects the aluminum casing to easier scratching and reduced durability.

ECG is a clear limitation: a reviewer explicitly wished Garmin had included the hardware for ECG-related features.

Fit was criticized by one reviewer whose 6.5-inch wrist made the strap and lug proportions feel poor.

Fit is excellent for the intended user, especially people who want a small watch that sits comfortably on smaller wrists.

Fitness tracking accuracy was acceptable for casual users in several reviews but not reliable enough for serious sports tracking in others.

Fitness tracking accuracy is a major strength, with multiple reviewers finding pace, distance, and overall workout data accurate.

GPS was usually praised for quick locks and strong route accuracy, but one scientific reviewer flagged low recording frequency and possible distance issues.

GPS accuracy is one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly finding quick locks, solid routes, and close agreement with other devices.

Overall health tracking was judged good enough for casual use by some reviewers but unreliable or still quirky by others, especially in harder testing.

One review gives the broader health-tracking package a very strong assessment, describing fitness tracking as excellent within Garmin’s health ecosystem.

Heart-rate accuracy ranged from surprisingly good in cycling and casual checks to inconsistent during running, lifting, or loose-wrist scenarios.

Heart-rate accuracy is consistently praised, with reviewers noting only minor delays or brief misses during harder efforts.

Mapping and navigation are mixed-to-weak: GPS mapping after workouts works, but reviewers note no detailed map display and no hiking profile.

Materials quality was mixed: several reviewers noted plasticky or budget construction, while others felt the overall finish seemed more premium than expected.

Materials quality is criticized by one reviewer for relying on cheaper materials.

Menu navigation was mostly pleasant, especially through the crown and simple swipes, but one reviewer said the interface underused the crown.

Menu navigation is viewed positively, with one reviewer describing swiping and app opening as smooth.

Music controls were basic but useful, with reviewers appreciating phone playback control and album artwork.

Music controls work well for controlling phone playback from the wrist.

Onboard music storage was treated negatively because the watch needs a paired phone and cannot act as a standalone music device.

Onboard music storage is a repeated downside because the watch lacks local music even though it now has built-in GPS.

The proprietary operating system was praised as polished and refined for the price.

The operating experience may feel unusual to traditional Garmin users, but the reviewer says the approach makes sense for this type of watch.

Outdoor visibility was one of the most repeated complaints, especially for direct sunlight, always-on mode, and polarized sunglasses.

Outdoor visibility is mostly strong in sunlight, although one reviewer found bright outdoor conditions could make it harder to read.

Pairing reliability ranged from very easy phone switching to frustrating setup, app disconnects, or historical pairing problems.

Pairing reliability is praised across sensor use, with reviewers noting easy sensor connections and appreciation for expanded external sensor support.

Recovery insights were useful where reviewers discussed recovery time, training load, VO2 max, and planning the next workout.

Recovery and readiness tools are praised for helping shape training decisions and fine-tune workouts.

Reliability evidence was limited but negative where tested, with find-my-phone behavior described as hit-or-miss.

Reliability is positive in one review, with the reviewer saying GPS remained spot-on and did not drop.

Safety features are praised as reassuring for solo runs and emergency-contact situations.

Score tracking had limited positive evidence, with activity and training scores described as more than sufficient for one reviewer’s needs.

The single large size was a recurring caveat, with reviewers warning that smaller wrists may find it too big despite the readable display.

Sleep tracking was sharply split, with some reviewers finding duration or bed comparisons close, while others found awake detection and stages poor.

Sleep tracking earns strong marks overall, especially for wake/sleep timing and presentation, though one reviewer wanted more refinement in stages.

Notification handling was mixed: quick access and replies were useful, but syncing, language support, and clearing behavior frustrated some reviewers.

Smartphone notifications are considered helpful for quickly checking messages during outdoor activity.

Smartwatch features were adequate for the basics and impressive for the price, but reviewers consistently described them as scaled back versus fuller platforms.

Smartwatch features are mixed: some reviewers see a well-rounded compact device, while one finds the smart-feature set limited for the price.

Software smoothness was often excellent, with many reviewers praising fluid animation and snappy UI, though a few saw lag or pauses.

Software smoothness is positive, with reviewers noting smooth syncing and smooth navigation between widgets.

Step counting had limited but mixed evidence, with one reviewer reporting a wide variance and another finding it close enough against a Garmin comparison.

Step counting is described as close but slightly high, with limitations when the arm is not moving normally.

Stress tracking had mixed evidence: one reviewer liked guided breathing, while another found stress readings unreliable during a real stress episode.

Stress tracking is viewed as a useful interpretive metric, especially because it helps explain Body Battery changes.

Design was the most divisive but often strongest attribute: many praised the stylish CMF look, while a few found it average, cheap, or too flashy.

Style and design are major strengths, with reviewers repeatedly praising the fashionable, subtle, non-smartwatch look.

Third-party app support was weak because there is no true app store or direct third-party app access, though one reviewer liked the distraction-free limitation.

Third-party app support is positive, especially syncing workout data outward and broadcasting heart rate to other devices.

Touchscreen responsiveness had limited evidence, with one reviewer noting occasional missed swipes despite otherwise smooth performance.

Touchscreen responsiveness is split, with one reviewer finding it very sensitive and simple, while another calls the controls finicky.

The user interface was widely praised for clarity, clean visuals, and ease of use.

The user interface is praised as simple to learn and easy to swipe through.

Value for money was the strongest consensus point; even critical reviewers acknowledged the low price, though some argued better alternatives justify spending more.

Value is mixed-to-positive: many reviewers think the upgrades justify the price, while a few criticize the cost versus fuller smartwatches.

Voice assistant quality depended heavily on phone ecosystem, working for basic Siri/Gemini access but disappointing reviewers who expected broader ChatGPT support.

Voice notes and transcription were praised as useful and functional by reviewers who tested them, although one reviewer questioned the feature’s broader purpose.

Watch faces were one of the most praised parts of the watch, though some reviewers disliked ordinary designs, storage limits, or download failures.

Watch face quality is mixed, with one reviewer liking the selection and another finding the options very limiting.

Water resistance was a major tradeoff: IP68 earned praise, but the lack of swimming or shower confidence was repeatedly criticized.

Wellness insights were a weak area because sleep and health data often lacked written guidance or actionable interpretation for beginners.

Wellness insights are a standout, especially Body Battery, women’s health context, sleep, stress, and overall body-awareness feedback.

Wi-Fi was only discussed as a missing connectivity option, and that absence was framed as part of the watch’s limited standalone capability.

Workout variety was a standout strength, with repeated praise for the very large list of sports and niche activity modes.

Workout variety is broadly praised because the Active adds many sports, workout modes, and training tools for a compact Lily watch.