I didn’t expect this Amazfit watch to match my Garmin in performance – but it did

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a favorite resource on Google.

In 2024, I tested the Amazfit Cheetah, a smart watch that is mainly focused on runners. Two years later, we see the most beautiful and premium watch in Cheetah 2 Pro and is aimed at runners. The new watch costs $150 more than its predecessor, but it competes directly with watches like the Garmin Forerunner 570 and the Coros Apex 4.

Also: My review of the best sports watches of 2026: Here are the latest and greatest watches, whatever your budget

While the Cheetah 2 Pro is marketed to runners, it can track more than 170 activities. Dealing with a hip injury at the moment, I couldn’t run much and focused on other activities, including indoor rowing, walking, cycling, and golf.

On the green

Amazfit has a few select watches that support golf, and the last Amazfit model I tested for this sport was the Amazfit Balance 2. Amazfit has greatly improved golf support from 2025 with quick swipes to view hazard distances, targets, and pin position, and manual zoom support.

The map view adjusts as you approach the green, and placing each shot is more accurate than ever. I went out early last week and shot better than ever on the local par-3 course, the Cheetah 2 Pro providing the guidance I needed to stay focused on my game.

Also: This low-end smartwatch just got one of my favorite Garmin features – and wow

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is one of the most expensive watches available from Amazfit, thanks to the sapphire glass display, titanium structure, integrated LED flashlight, microphone/speaker, and GPS battery life of up to 31 hours.

In my normal use with tasks every three days, I was able to go two weeks between charges of the large 540 mAh battery. The Amazfit Balance 2 is similar but lacks the LED flashlight, while the T-Rex 3 Pro is bigger and sturdier.

Light up the night

I praised the watchmakers for the dedicated LED flashlight, and now it’s such an important feature that I always wear one and use it every day. I’ve used it on the golf course to find tees or a ball tag hidden in my bag, I’ve used it to help me rebuild the toilet and get a good seal, and I use it with a red light at night to get my elderly dog ​​out who can’t sleep through the night.

Amazfit has improved the functionality of the LED flashlight beyond the simple switch, allowing it to switch between white and red light modes. Like Garmin, you can now customize the LED flashlight for each type of workout in the Safety Light setting. In this setting, you can choose LED light modes and colors to shine on your arm to make drivers and others aware of your presence.

The watch is easy to navigate thanks to its four large buttons and responsive touchscreen. You can also use Zepp Flow’s offline voice control to quickly open apps, switch modes, start workouts, and more. The Zepp Coach feature is a great way to set up a personal run or cardio program that is flexible as the watch measures your daily activity metrics.

Accuracy and customization

Runners will appreciate the long battery life, support for advanced training programs such as TrainingPeaks and Runna, the clear display, and the lightweight 43mm size, which makes it comfortable to wear 24/7. Dual-band, multi-frequency GPS proved to be very accurate, and the offline turn-by-turn navigation ensures that you stay on track and find your way home.

Also: I compared this Amazfit to my $1,300 Garmin outdoor tracker, and it was surprisingly close.

Quick access to key data is important to me in a smartwatch. Some watch faces show a lot of problems that can happen by simply tapping on them. Metrics, task launches, and other utilities are easily launched from the watch face, and that’s exactly what I need, rather than swiping and scrolling through the watch face endlessly.

Some features in Zepp Aura require a subscription, which costs $70/year. (The service often sells out, so you may have to wait.) Weekly sleep reports, sleep health tests, advanced performance analysis, and premium relaxation content are included Zepp Aura subscription service.

The Zepp smartphone app is very capable yet powerful, with extensive data and customization options to enhance your Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro experience.

ZDNET shopping advice

Thanks to the size, good form factor, and long battery life, the Amazfit Balance 2 has been my favorite Amazfit watch so far. With a dedicated LED flashlight, long battery life, and premium titanium and sapphire glass, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro he is my new daily driver. I’ll be back running soon and can’t wait to see what this new watch can do to help me train for my next half marathon.