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10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Garmin fēnix® 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a high-end multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want robust performance and durability. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright and clear, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, making it easy to read even in bright conditions. The titanium bezel adds to its sturdy build, enhancing durability for tough environments.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,208
Battery Life
Durability
Activity Tracking

Most important from
1528 reviews

Battery Life
The battery life is truly remarkable, lasting over 30 days without activities or Bluetooth, far exceeding expectations.
Durability
The larger 51mm size feels rugged yet comfortable after a short adjustment period, balancing durability with wearability.
Activity Tracking
This watch outperforms other fitness trackers for workout monitoring, earning strong recommendations for serious athletes.
#2
9.4 score

Garmin fēnix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band

The Garmin fēnix® 8 is a high-end multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and adventurers. It boasts a bright 1.4-inch AMOLED display protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, and its durable titanium bezel ensures resilience in harsh environments. GPS accuracy is stellar, thanks to multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, which is excellent for navigation in remote areas. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 47 hours in GPS mode, making it reliable for long excursions.

Rating
9.4
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
1528 reviews

GPS Accuracy
The GPS functionality is top-notch, providing accurate tracking and distance measurements on various trails.
Battery Life
Battery life is fantastic, lasting up to 7 days per charge even with regular workouts and overnight pulse ox readings enabled.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Health and wellness features are vastly superior, offering precise HRV and sleep tracking, along with comprehensive metrics like Training Readiness and Body Battery.
Activity Tracking
Garmin’s built-in maps and extensive sports modes, from swimming to skiing, make exploring new routes and tracking various activities a breeze.
Smart Features
The watch includes handy features like a flashlight and strobe light for early morning runs and navigating in the dark.
Durability
The watch is built like a tank, with a larger and more robust build quality compared to the Apple Watch Ultra.
Display Quality
The Garmin fēnix® 8's AMOLED display is stunning, with vibrant colors and clarity in every function.
#3
9.4 score

Garmin Instinct® 3 Tactical Edition, 50mm, AMOLED Display, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch

The Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Edition is designed for outdoor and tactical use, featuring a tough 50mm fiber-reinforced case and a sharp 1.3-inch AMOLED display that’s bright and clear in various lighting. Its multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology ensures highly accurate positioning, ideal for hikers, military personnel, or adventurers needing reliable navigation. The watch offers impressive battery life—up to 24 days in smartwatch mode and 40 hours when using GPS continuously—so frequent charging during extended trips is not a concern.

Rating
9.4
GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support
Battery Life
Activity and Health Tracking Features

Most important from
1150 reviews

GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support
The GPS locks on quickly and offers highly precise tracking, significantly improving navigation reliability.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptional, often lasting a full week on a single charge even with continuous activity and sleep tracking.
Activity and Health Tracking Features
Sleep quality and heart rate variability monitoring add valuable health insights beyond basic tracking.
Durability and Water Resistance
The rugged design balances durability with comfort, though the size may feel bulky on smaller wrists.
Display Type and Size
The AMOLED display is bright and clear while maintaining a low-glare, understated appearance preferred over flashy smartwatches.
Smart Features
The watch pairs seamlessly and syncs rapidly with Garmin Connect, enhancing the overall user experience.
Customization and Bands
Interchangeable bands provide versatility in style and comfort for different settings.

Top 10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0  score

Garmin fēnix® 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band

GPS Accuracy: multi-band SatIQ technology
Battery Life: up to 29 days smartwatch mode
Water Resistance: 40-meter dive rating
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based heart rate monitoring
Activity Tracking: multisport, sleep, respiration, Pulse Ox
Smart Features: calls, voice assistant, speaker, mic
Durability: sapphire lens, titanium bezel
Display Quality: 1.4-inch AMOLED screen

Chosen by 1208 this week

Garmin fēnix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band

GPS Accuracy: multi-band GPS with SatIQ
Battery Life: up to 16 days, 47 hours GPS
Water Resistance: dive-rated up to 40 meters
Heart Rate Monitoring: yes
Activity Tracking: yes
Smart Features: calls, voice assistant
Durability: sapphire lens, titanium bezel
Display Quality: 1.4-inch AMOLED

Garmin Instinct® 3 Tactical Edition, 50mm, AMOLED Display, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch

GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support: multi-band GPS with SatIQ tech
Battery Life: 24 days smartwatch, 40 hours GPS
Activity and Health Tracking Features: heart rate, sleep, oxygen levels
Durability and Water Resistance: water-resistant 10 ATM, military grade
Display Type and Size: 1.3-inch AMOLED
Smart Features: Garmin Pay, built-in LED flashlight
Customization and Bands: interchangeable bands

Garmin tactix® 8 51mm, Solar Charged Display, Elite, Premium Tactical GPS Smartwatch, Includes Applied Ballistics Elite™ Solver, Titanium Bezel, Sapphire Lens, 40-Meter Dive Rating

GPS Accuracy: multi-band GPS, SatIQ technology
Battery Life: solar-charged display
Heart Rate Monitoring: heart rate tracking
Water Resistance: 40-meter dive rating
Activity Tracking: activity tracker
Smart Features: Bluetooth, smartphone notifications, AB Quantum app
Durability: titanium bezel, sapphire lens
Display Quality: 1.4-inch solar-charged display

Garmin fēnix® 8 Pro, 51mm, AMOLED Display, Premium Connected Multisport GPS Smartwatch, inReach® Technology, Sapphire, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black/Pebble Gray Silicone Band

GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support: Built-in GPS, inReach satellite, SOS
Battery Life: Good for AMOLED; heavy use reduces
Activity and Health Tracking Features: Heart rate, sleep, stress, oxygen monitoring
Durability and Water Resistance: Sapphire lens, titanium, 40m water-resistant
Display Type and Size: 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen
Smart Features: Music, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, phone-free use
Customization and Bands: Interchangeable silicone bands

Garmin Forerunner 165 Music, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Music on Your Wrist, Black

GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support: GPS enabled
Battery Life: 11 days smartwatch, 19 hours GPS
Activity and Health Tracking Features: heart rate, 25+ sports, workouts, recovery
Durability and Water Resistance: resistant to sweat and rain only
Display Type and Size: 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen
Smart Features: music, Garmin Pay, Bluetooth, payments

Garmin tactix® 8 51mm, Solar Charged Display, Premium Tactical GPS Smartwatch, Includes Applied Ballistics Ultralight™ Solver

GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support: multi-band GPS with SatIQ tech
Battery Life: 48 days smartwatch, 149 hrs GPS solar
Activity and Health Tracking Features: heart rate, sleep, oxygen, training plans
Durability and Water Resistance: titanium bezel, sapphire lens, 40m diving
Display Type and Size: 1.4-inch solar-charged display
Smart Features: notifications, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, music storage
Customization and Bands: interchangeable bands

Garmin Venu® 4, 45mm, Advanced Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, Bright and Colorful Display, Built-in Flashlight, 12 Days of Battery Life, Silver with Silver Gray Silicone Band

GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support: Built-in GPS
Battery Life: up to 12 days
Activity and Health Tracking Features: heart rate, sleep, stress, ECG, habits
Durability and Water Resistance: stainless steel, water resistant
Display Type and Size: 1.4-inch round display
Smart Features: calls, texts by voice, contactless pay
Customization and Bands: silicone band, easy swap

Garmin Instinct® 3 50mm, Solar Charged Display, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch, Metal-Reinforced Bezel, Built-in Flashlight, Charcoal

GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support: multi-band SatIQ technology
Battery Life: lasts almost indefinitely in sunlight
Activity and Health Tracking Features: heart rate, sleep, oxygen levels
Durability and Water Resistance: rugged 50mm case, 10 ATM water resistance
Display Type and Size: solar-charged 1.1-inch display
Smart Features: contactless payments, notifications, customizable apps

Garmin vívoactive® 6, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Lunar Gold with Bone Band

GPS Accuracy and Satellite Support: Built-in GPS
Battery Life: Up to 11 days smartwatch mode
Activity and Health Tracking Features: Energy, sleep, heart rate, stress, menstrual
Durability and Water Resistance: Lightweight and durable
Display Type and Size: 1.2-inch AMOLED
Smart Features: Notifications, gentle smart wake alarm
Customization and Bands: Customizable bands
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Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Watches

Choosing a Garmin watch can be exciting but also a bit overwhelming because Garmin offers many models tailored to different lifestyles and needs. Whether you're a runner, hiker, swimmer, or someone who just wants to track daily activity, it's important to consider how you'll use your watch and which features fit your goals. By understanding some key specifications, you'll be in a much better position to choose the right Garmin watch for you.
GPS Accuracy and Satellite SupportGPS support determines how precisely the watch can track your activities and location. Some watches support multiple satellite systems like GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, which can improve tracking in challenging environments. If you mostly exercise outdoors, especially in areas with lots of trees or tall buildings, better satellite support is valuable. Sports and outdoor enthusiasts benefit most from multi-satellite support, while casual users might only need basic GPS for step counting or daily walks.
Battery LifeBattery life indicates how long the watch lasts before needing a recharge. Some watches run for days or even weeks, while others last only a few hours when using intense functions like GPS. If you often go on long runs, hikes, or multi-day adventures, you'll want a model with extended battery life. If you use your watch mainly for daily fitness and can charge it nightly, shorter battery life may be acceptable.
Activity and Health Tracking FeaturesThese features include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, stress tracking, advanced running dynamics, and more. More basic models provide everyday fitness metrics, while advanced models offer in-depth health insights and sport-specific data. If you need detailed training stats or advanced health monitoring, focus on watches rich in these features. If you only want general activity tracking, simple models will suffice.
Durability and Water ResistanceDurability and water resistance refer to how well the watch withstands rough use or exposure to water. Some models are designed to survive in tough environments with reinforced cases and higher water resistance (suitable for swimming and diving). If you’re often outdoors or in wet conditions, choose a watch with higher durability and water resistance. For light everyday use, general water resistance is usually enough.
Display Type and SizeGabmin watches come with different display types, such as regular, always-on, and color displays. Display size affects readability, especially during workouts or sunlight exposure. If you value bright, clear visuals or have trouble reading small screens, a larger or more advanced display will help. For those who want a lightweight, discreet watch, smaller screens and simpler displays may be preferable.
Smart FeaturesSmart features refer to extras like smartphone notifications, music storage, contactless payment, and app support. These make your watch more versatile. If you want your watch to replace your phone or wallet during workouts or daily errands, prioritize models with these features. However, if you're focused mainly on fitness and training, you may not need advanced smart features.
Customization and BandsCustomization relates to how easily you can swap bands or tweak the look of the watch. Some prefer changing bands for different activities or occasions. If style or comfort matters to you, look for models with easy band replacements or multiple color options. For others who only want basic functionality, customization may not be a priority.

FAQ