10 Best Garmin Work Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is an impressive GPS running watch, particularly strong in battery life, with up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and 20 hours in GPS mode, making it suitable for extended use without frequent recharging. Its lightweight design (37 grams) and compact dimensions (1.65 x 1.65 x 0.46 inches) enhance comfort, making it a good choice for all-day wear.

The watch offers robust health and fitness tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring, various activity profiles, and advanced wellness features like intensity minutes and all-day respiration monitoring, which are excellent for fitness enthusiasts. GPS and navigation are reliable, featuring the PacePro for race day strategy and precise tracking of your routes and performance metrics. However, the PacePro feature has limitations as it is not compatible with on-device courses.

Smart features, such as compatibility with the Connect IQ Store for customizing watch faces and apps and Bluetooth connectivity, provide good versatility, though the watch does not support music storage or playback, which might be a downside for some users. The display quality is basic with a resolution of 208 x 208 pixels on a 1.04-inch screen, which might seem underwhelming compared to other high-end models but is sufficient for essential data display during workouts. The simplistic button interface can be seen as either a strength for ease of use or a limitation compared to touchscreen models. The Garmin Forerunner 55 excels in battery life, comfort, and fitness tracking, making it ideal for runners and fitness-focused individuals, though it lacks some advanced smart features and display sophistication found in more premium models.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a versatile running smartwatch that also serves well in a work setting. With its brilliant 1.3-inch AMOLED display, functionality is easy and intuitive, whether you prefer using the touchscreen or traditional buttons. Its lightweight design makes it comfortable for all-day wear, which is great for both fitness enthusiasts and professionals who spend long hours at their desks.

One of the standout features is its impressive battery life, lasting up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours in GPS mode. This means you can rely on it for tracking workouts without worrying about frequent recharging. It also offers extensive health and fitness tracking features, including a training readiness score that helps you gauge whether you're prepared for a tough workout, as well as daily suggested workouts tailored to your performance.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 excels in GPS and navigation capabilities, thanks to its multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology, ensuring precise tracking even in challenging environments. It also includes various built-in activity profiles, making it useful for athletes across different sports. Safety features like incident detection provide an added layer of security during outdoor activities. While it includes smart features like notifications and Garmin Pay, the watch might not have the same ruggedness as some of Garmin's more specialized outdoor models.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a solid choice for those looking for a work smartwatch that excels in health and fitness tracking, particularly for runners. Its long battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode means it can keep up with your active lifestyle without frequent charging. The always-on, full-color display is designed for easy readability, even in bright sunlight, which is great for outdoor use.

One of the standout features is its robust health and fitness tracking capabilities, including sleep monitoring, heart rate variability (HRV) tracking, and personalized daily workout suggestions. This adaptability allows users to optimize their training based on performance and recovery needs. Additionally, the integration of music storage for up to 500 songs, including streaming service playlists, adds a nice touch for those who enjoy listening to music without needing their phone.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. While the slim design is comfortable for most users, those with smaller wrists might find the larger 46 mm size a bit bulky. Furthermore, advanced features such as Running Dynamics require additional accessories like the Running Dynamics Pod, which increases the overall cost. Some users might also find the proprietary operating system limiting compared to more popular platforms. It’s particularly well-suited for fitness enthusiasts or those seeking a smartwatch with strong health monitoring capabilities, but may not fully meet the needs of users looking for extensive smart features or those who prefer a more compact design.