7 real-world differences between Amazfit Balance vs Active 2

March 27, 2025 Marko Maslakovic Device matchup, Smartwatch 7 min read

Zepp Health introduced the Amazfit Balance in August 2023. And while the watch is a few years old now, it is still pretty capable. Fast forward to January 2025, and we got the Amazfit Active 2 which I reviewed recently. At first glance, the two watches seem pretty similar. But dig a little deeper, and the differences start to reveal themselves.

What’s most interesting is that the new Active 2 feels like a sibling of the Balance. Actually, scratch that—it’s more like the Balance’s smaller sibling. I’m honestly surprised they didn’t call it the Balance Mini. Because, essentially, that’s exactly what it is: a more compact and slightly less equipped version of the Amazfit Balance.

So what are the actuall differences between the two? Let’s dive in.

Check Amazfit Active 2 & Balance price & availability on Zepp Health, Amazon.

1. Active 2 skips the crown navigation

Balance includes both a rotating crown and a flat side button, making it easier to scroll through menus or make adjustments mid-run. Active 2 removes the crown entirely and uses two flat buttons. It works fine, but the experience feels slightly less refined.

2. Screen size goes to the Balance

Active 2 has a slightly brighter AMOLED screen, maxing out at 2000 nits versus the Balance’s 1500. That’s a small improvement and really only noticeable under direct sunlight.

The more significant difference is screen size, where Balance has the edge. It gives you a larger 1.5-inch display, while Active 2 uses a 1.32-inch panel. For reading long notifications or navigating maps, the extra space on the Balance helps.

Worth noting here is that Balance and the standard version of Active 2 come with tempered glass and anti-fingerprint coating. If you opt for the premium version of Active 2, than you get sapphire glass protection. So that is an advantage of opting for that iteration.

To accomodate the larger display, Balance comes with a 46mm diameter case. Active 2, with its 44mm case, is a bit more compact. Which is great for slimmer wrists. To me it also appears to be more unisex in terms of look. But some UI elements can feel slightly cramped by comparison

3. Sensors go in different directions

Both watches run Zepp OS 4+, with Active 2 using version 4.5 which Balance will probably soon get.

However, there is a slight difference in terms of the sensor configuration. Balance includes a BIA sensor for body composition analysis. Active 2 leaves that out but upgrades to the BioTracker 6.0 (Balance runs on the older 5.0). This means Balance gives you more data, but Active 2 might track things like heart rate and sleep with a bit more accuracy. It’s a trade.

4. GPS is better on the Balance

Balance uses dual-band GNSS and supports six satellite systems. This makes it more reliable in difficult environments—tight city blocks, dense forests, and mountains. Active 2 supports five satellite systems and sticks with single-band GNSS. It’s good enough for casual workouts but less precise in challenging conditions.

5. Battery life is clearly in the Balance’s favour

The Balance has a 475 mAh battery and lasts up to 14 days with normal use. Active 2 runs on a 270 mAh cell and typically gets you 10 days. That drops faster with heavy use or always-on display turned on. If charging your watch every few days isn’t your thing, Balance is the winner here.

6. Storage and connectivity are trimmed on Active 2

Music playback works on both, but Balance offers 2.3 GB of storage while Active 2 comes with less (exact figures aren’t published). Balance also supports Wi-Fi. Active 2 does not. That means faster syncs and better download speeds on the Balance, especially for software updates or music files.

7. NFC comes as default on Balance

On Balance, you get contactless payment functionality by default. Unfortunately this is quite limited and works pretty much only in Europe. The vanilla variant of Active 2 does not have NFC. For that you’ll need to opt for the Premium version.

Amazfit Active 2 vs Balance: Different wrists, different priorities

Active 2 is a well-priced entry point for someone who wants a smart-looking watch with strong fitness features but no overload of extras. It fits smaller wrists better, looks more minimal, and gets the job done without being demanding. It also feels more casual—something you wear day-to-day.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Balance feels like the more serious tool. Bigger battery, better location tracking, richer health data. It’s more of an all-rounder for people who want full features and fewer compromises.

So the question isn’t which one is better—but which one suits your day better. If you’re not chasing performance metrics or maxing out satellite coverage, Active 2 is probably enough. But if you want full-on tracking and fewer limits, the Balance still wears the crown.