How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated November 13th, 2023 @ 11:23 am New Window | ||||
Price | $399/$499 (cellular) | $549-$1,149 | $499 | $599/599EUR |
Product Announcement Date | Sept 12th, 2018 | Aug 29th, 2019 | Mar 29th, 2017 | Apr 30th, 2019 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Sept 21st, 2018 | Aug 29th, 2019 | Mar 29th, 2017 | Early May 2019 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes (with Galileo too) | Yes | Yes (with Galileo too) |
Data Transfer | Bluetooth Smart | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi on Pro only | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi |
Waterproofing | 50m | Yes - 100m | Yes - 50m | Yes - 50m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 6hrs GPS on time (24-48hrs standby) | 25hrs to 148hrs (depends on model) | Up to 24hrs in GPS-on, up to 50hrs in UltraTrac GPS | 36hrs GPS, 60hrs UltraTrac |
Recording Interval | Varies | 1S or Smart | 1S or Smart | 1S or Smart |
Dual-Frequency GNSS | No | No | ||
Alerts | Vibration/Audio/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
Backlight Greatness | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Music | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Can control phone music | Yes | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Has music storage and playback | Yes | Yes (Pro Only) | No | Yes |
Streaming Services | Apple Music | iHeartRadio, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon (Pro Only) | No | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Payments | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Contactless-NFC Payments | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Connectivity | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | With 3rd party apps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Group tracking | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | Yes | Yes (via phone) | No | Yes (via phone) |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | Yes (with cellular version) | No | No | No | Cycling | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | N/A | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Crash detection | Yes via 'Fall Detection' | Yes | No | Yes | Running | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | With 3rd party apps | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | No | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) |
Running Power | With 3rd party apps | With extra sensor | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (or 3rd party Stryd/RunScribe) | With extra sensor |
VO2Max Estimation | Yes | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Race Predictor | No | Yes, plus PacePro | Yes | Yes |
Recovery Advisor | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | With 3rd party apps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Track Recognition Mode | Yes | Yes | Swimming | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | YEs | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | Yes | Yes | WITH HRM-TRI/HRM-SWIM (Not with optical HR) | Yes |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Basic stroke type only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Basic stroke type only | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Indoor Drill Mode | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor auto-pause feature | Yes | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) |
Change pool size | Yes | YEs | YEs | YEs |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 1y/m to 1,500y/m+ | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M |
Ability to customize data fields | Very limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | Yes (goals) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Triathlon | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Designed for triathlon | Not really | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multisport mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Workouts | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Create/Follow custom workouts | With 3rd party apps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | With 3rd party apps | YEs | YEs | YEs |
Training Calendar Functionality | With 3rd party apps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Functions | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | Sorta (Pacing feature) | YEs | YEs | YEs |
Virtual Racer Feature | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Navigate | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | With 3rd party apps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | With 3rd party apps | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | With 3rd party apps | Yes (Pro Only) | No | Yes |
Back to start | With 3rd party apps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | With 3rd party apps | Yes (Pro Only) | No | Yes |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | With 3rd party apps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sensors | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric | Barometric | Barometric |
Compass Type | N/A | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | No | Yes | No | Yes |
ECG Functionality | Yes | No | No | |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | no | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Lighting Control | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | Yes | No | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | No | No (can control VIRB though) | No (can control VIRB though) | No (can control VIRB though) |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | No | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | YEs | YEs | YEs |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | No | Yes | YEs | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Software | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
PC Application | None | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express |
Web Application | None | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | iOS only | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | No | No | Purchase | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | Link | ||
Competitive Cyclist | Link | Link | ||
REI | Link | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Apple Watch Series 4 | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 935 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |