The Garmin Lily 2 represents a thoughtful evolution in women's wellness technology—a smartwatch that finally prioritizes style without completely sacrificing substance. For conscious moms who want health insights without looking like they're training for a triathlon, the Lily 2 hits a compelling sweet spot.
Designed for Women, Finally
At 35mm, the Lily 2 is sized for smaller wrists often ignored by the tech industry. The anodized aluminum case with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 looks and feels like jewelry, with multiple finishes (metallic lilac, cream gold) and standard 14mm bands enabling third-party customization. The hidden display with patterned lens only shows data when raised or tapped—no constant screen glow.
Comprehensive Women's Health Features
Where the Lily 2 truly differentiates: women's health tracking. Comprehensive menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking with period predictions, fertility windows, and physical/emotional symptom logging. Body Battery energy monitoring synthesizes sleep quality, stress, and activity to answer "How much do I have left in the tank?"—particularly valuable for parents juggling demanding schedules.
The Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor delivers reliable 24/7 monitoring, with reviewers reporting accurate readings at rest and during most workouts. Sleep tracking provides Sleep Scores with stage breakdowns (light, deep, REM), though it occasionally underestimates total sleep by 30 minutes compared to Apple Watch.
The Trade-offs
The Lily 2 (standard and Classic versions) lacks built-in GPS—outdoor activities require your phone for route tracking. The grayscale TFT display, while excellent in sunlight, lacks the vibrancy of AMOLED competitors. There's no always-on display option, and some users find the touch-only interface finicky.
For serious athletes, the new Lily 2 Active ($299) adds built-in GPS, 9-day battery, and physical buttons—a substantially better value for active users.
Safety & Privacy
Low EMF radiation (~1000 µW/m²) falls well below safety limits per CDC guidelines. Materials comply with international standards for skin contact, though stainless steel components contain trace nickel—a consideration for allergy sufferers. Garmin's privacy practices are standard for the industry.
The Verdict
For style-conscious moms prioritizing elegant design with evidence-based health tracking, the Garmin Lily 2 delivers exceptional value at $249-299. It's not for serious runners (choose Lily 2 Active or Forerunner), but for everyday wellness monitoring in a form factor that doesn't scream "fitness tracker," Lily 2 is hard to beat.
Compare With: Fitbit Versa 4 ($229), Apple Watch SE ($250), Garmin Lily 2 Active ($299)
