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10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Garmin vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Ivory

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice for those looking for a comprehensive health and fitness smartwatch. It features a vibrant AMOLED display, which makes it easy to read even in bright sunlight. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, which means less frequent charging. Its GPS accuracy is reliable, making it great for outdoor activities like running and cycling. The heart rate monitoring is robust and provides valuable insights into your health, including advanced metrics like HRV status, stress tracking, and sleep scores. The watch is water-resistant, so it’s suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.

It also includes more than 30 sports apps and workout modes, catering to a wide range of fitness routines, including specialized features for wheelchair users. The vívoactive 5 is durable, with a solid build that can withstand the rigors of daily wear and various physical activities. The smartwatch also boasts smart features like music storage and playback, allowing you to enjoy your favorite playlists without needing your phone. However, its touch screen interface might take some time to get used to for those who are not tech-savvy. Additionally, while the 1.2-inch display is clear, it may feel small for users used to larger screens.

Despite these minor issues, the Garmin vívoactive 5 is a versatile and feature-rich smartwatch that will appeal to fitness enthusiasts looking for a reliable companion to track and enhance their health and wellness activities.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Battery Life
The battery life is much longer than other smartwatches, making it a great choice for daily use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The watch's health tracking features, including sleep tracking, nap options, and heart rate monitoring, are highly appreciated.
Activity Tracking
Setting up the watch is straightforward, and it performs well in tracking sleep and other activities.
Smart Features
Despite having many smart features like notifications, mobile pay, and GPS, the interface is refreshingly less integrated than an Apple Watch, which is a plus for some users.
Display Quality
The touch screen is significantly better than that of some competitors, providing a smoother user experience.
#2

Garmin Venu 3S Soft Gold Stainless Steel Bezel 1.2-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 41mm French Gray Case and Silicone Band

The Garmin Venu 3S is a stylish smartwatch with a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display that's easy to read. It excels in battery life, offering up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, which is beneficial for users who don't want to charge frequently. The built-in GPS provides accurate location tracking, making it suitable for outdoor activities like running and cycling. Heart rate monitoring is advanced, providing insights into your health with features like Body Battery energy monitoring, stress tracking, and sleep coaching.

Activity tracking is robust, with over 30 built-in sports apps to cater to diverse fitness routines. Its water resistance makes it suitable for swimming, adding to its versatility. Smart features are comprehensive, including the ability to make and take calls, respond to texts, and use a voice assistant directly from the watch, enhancing its utility for daily use. The watch is also durable, with a stainless steel bezel and silicone band, ensuring it can withstand regular wear and tear.

However, the watch might feel slightly heavy at 1.4 ounces for some users, and the 41mm case size may not suit everyone. Additionally, while the display quality is high, some users might prefer a larger screen for better visibility. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Venu 3S is a formidable option for those seeking a well-rounded smartwatch with extensive health and fitness tracking capabilities.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
GPS Accuracy
Fitness tracking is spot-on with accurate data and seamless GPS tracking for various activities like running, biking, and swimming.
Battery Life
The battery life is outstanding, lasting several days even with heavy use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The heart rate monitor is precise and automatically tracks workouts without needing manual input.
Activity Tracking
The sleep tracking feature is impressively accurate, even detecting interruptions during the night.
Smart Features
Built-in maps and route navigation are fantastic for outdoor activities.
Display Quality
The display is vibrant and easy to read, even in direct sunlight, enhancing usability during outdoor activities.
#3

Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music, GPS Running Smartwatch with Music, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Black - 010-02641-20

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a GPS running smartwatch designed for fitness enthusiasts looking for comprehensive activity tracking and smart features. It's equipped with a range of advanced functionalities including GPS accuracy, heart rate monitoring, and a suite of smart features, making it a versatile companion for workouts and daily use. The watch boasts impressive battery life, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, which is ideal for long training sessions and extended use without frequent recharging.

With the ability to download up to 500 songs and connect to wireless headphones, it also caters to those who enjoy music while on the move, eliminating the need to carry a phone during runs. The always-on, full-color display ensures visibility in direct sunlight, and its lightweight design enhances comfort for all-day wear. However, the need for a subscription for music services like Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer can be a downside for some users. Water resistance and durability are notable strengths, enabling the watch to withstand various environmental conditions.

Activity tracking features are robust, providing insights into sleep patterns, heart rate variability, and adaptive training plans tailored to individual performance. The Garmin Coach feature offers personalized training plans, which is great for runners of all levels. Despite its many advantages, the proprietary operating system may limit app availability compared to other smartwatches using more open platforms. Additionally, some advanced metrics require additional accessories like the Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Pro monitor, which are sold separately. The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a well-rounded smartwatch that excels in fitness tracking, battery life, and smart features, making it suitable for serious runners and fitness enthusiasts.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
GPS Accuracy
The watch's GPS accuracy and heart rate monitoring are spot on, providing reliable data for workouts.
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, allowing for extended use without frequent recharging.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The watch's GPS accuracy and heart rate monitoring are spot on, providing reliable data for workouts.
Activity Tracking
The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is an exceptional training tool for runners, offering advanced activity tracking far beyond other brands.
Smart Features
Despite its limited smartwatch capabilities compared to other brands, it excels in fitness tracking and essential smart features like notifications and emergency contacts.
Display Quality
The MIPs screen performs excellently outdoors and doesn't strain the eyes at night, although it lacks the vibrant display of AMOLED indoors.

Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Watches

When choosing a Garmin watch, it's important to consider your specific needs and how you plan to use the watch. Garmin offers a wide range of watches with various features tailored for different activities such as running, swimming, hiking, and general fitness tracking. Understanding the key specifications and how they align with your lifestyle will help you make an informed decision and select the best watch for you.
GPS AccuracyGPS accuracy is crucial for tracking your location and distance during outdoor activities like running, cycling, and hiking. Garmin watches are known for their reliable GPS performance. If you need precise tracking for competitive sports or detailed route mapping, look for models with advanced GPS features. For casual use, standard GPS functionality should suffice.
Battery LifeBattery life determines how long your watch can operate before needing a recharge. This is especially important for long-duration activities like marathons, hiking trips, or multi-day adventures. Garmin watches offer varying battery life, from a few days to several weeks. Choose a watch with longer battery life if you plan on extended use without frequent recharging, or opt for a shorter battery life if you don't mind charging more often.
Water ResistanceWater resistance indicates how well the watch can withstand exposure to water. This is essential for swimmers, divers, or anyone who might get their watch wet. Garmin watches come with different water resistance ratings, from splash-proof to fully waterproof models suitable for diving. Select a watch with the appropriate water resistance level based on your activities. For swimming, look for at least 5 ATM (50 meters) water resistance.
Heart Rate MonitoringHeart rate monitoring helps you track your fitness levels and optimize your workouts. Garmin watches offer various heart rate monitoring technologies, from basic optical sensors to advanced features like heart rate variability. If you need detailed heart rate data for training or health monitoring, choose a watch with advanced heart rate features. For general fitness tracking, a basic heart rate monitor will be sufficient.
Activity TrackingActivity tracking includes monitoring steps, calories burned, sleep patterns, and other daily activities. This feature is important for maintaining an active lifestyle and achieving fitness goals. Garmin watches offer different levels of activity tracking, from basic step counters to comprehensive health monitoring. Consider your fitness goals and choose a watch with the appropriate level of activity tracking to support your needs.
Smart FeaturesSmart features like notifications, music control, and contactless payments can enhance your daily life by integrating your watch with your smartphone and other devices. Garmin watches vary in the smart features they offer. If you want a watch that can keep you connected and provide convenience, look for models with extensive smart features. For a more focused fitness device, you might opt for a watch with fewer smart features.
DurabilityDurability is important if you plan to use your watch in rugged environments or during intense activities. Garmin watches are built to withstand different levels of wear and tear, with some models featuring reinforced materials and scratch-resistant screens. If you need a watch for outdoor adventures or tough conditions, choose a more durable model. For everyday use, a standard level of durability should be adequate.
Display QualityDisplay quality affects how easily you can read the watch screen in different lighting conditions. Garmin watches offer various display types, including transflective, AMOLED, and MIP screens. If you need a watch that is easy to read in bright sunlight or low light, consider the display type. For vibrant colors and high resolution, AMOLED displays are a good choice, while transflective and MIP displays are better for outdoor readability.

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