10 Best Garmin Watch For Running And Cycling 2025 in the United States

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice for both runners and cyclists looking for a versatile GPS smartwatch. Its bright AMOLED display offers clear visibility, making it user-friendly while on the go. With a battery life of up to 11 days, it ensures that you can track your activities without frequent recharging, which is a significant advantage for long training sessions or multi-day events. The built-in GPS provides accurate tracking of distances and routes, essential for outdoor activities like running and cycling.

This smartwatch is packed with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate tracking and Body Battery energy monitoring, which can help users optimize their training and rest periods. The extensive range of more than 30 sports apps caters to various fitness activities, accommodating both traditional runners and more niche users, such as those in wheelchair sports.

For those who enjoy smart features, the vívoactive 5 supports music downloads and offers connectivity with popular streaming services, allowing for phone-free listening during workouts. The user interface is generally intuitive, but some users may find the multitude of features overwhelming at first. The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a feature-rich smartwatch that meets the needs of fitness enthusiasts, particularly in running and cycling, combining essential fitness tracking with smart features.

The Garmin Forerunner 955 is an impressive smartwatch designed especially for runners and cyclists, particularly those involved in triathlons. One of its standout features is the GPS accuracy, which is enhanced by multiple global navigation satellite systems, ensuring you get precise readings even in challenging environments. This is a significant advantage for serious athletes who need reliable data on their performance. The 15-day battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in GPS mode means you won’t have to worry about frequent charging during long training sessions or races, which is a major plus.

The heart rate monitoring capabilities are robust, helping users track their fitness levels and recovery efficiently. The training features, including personalized workout suggestions and a race widget that predicts performance, cater well to athletes looking to improve. The customizable user interface allows for a tailored experience, making it easier to access the data that matters most to you.

It does have some drawbacks. While the touchscreen is responsive, some users may prefer the traditional button interface for quick navigation during workouts. Additionally, while the watch is waterproof, it’s still important to be mindful of its limits in certain swimming environments. The price point may also be considered high for casual users who may not utilize all the advanced features.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is an excellent choice for runners and cyclists, offering a range of features tailored to those who want to track their performance closely. One of its standout features is the brilliant AMOLED display, which makes it easy to read data even in bright conditions. The multi-band GPS ensures that you can confidently navigate even in challenging environments, while the battery life is impressive—lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode, which is especially beneficial for long-distance activities.

Another strength of the Forerunner 965 is its comprehensive training metrics and recovery insights. It provides a training readiness score that takes into account your sleep quality and recovery, helping you decide when to push hard or take it easy. The watch also adapts daily suggested workouts based on your performance and recovery, which is a fantastic feature for those serious about improving their fitness.

The durability of the watch is commendable, featuring a lightweight yet robust titanium bezel along with water resistance, making it suitable for various weather conditions. Plus, the customizable user interface and smart connectivity through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enhance its appeal. The Garmin Forerunner 965 meets the needs of serious runners and cyclists who appreciate detailed training metrics and a robust GPS system, but it may be more than what casual users require. If you're committed to tracking your fitness journey in-depth, this smartwatch is worth considering.