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10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.9 score

Garmin 010-02293-10 Instinct Solar, Rugged Outdoor Smartwatch with Solar Charging Capabilities, Built-in Sports Apps and Health Monitoring, Graphite

The Garmin Instinct Solar is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need a rugged and reliable smartwatch. Its standout feature is solar charging, which significantly extends battery life, making it great for long trips without frequent recharging. The watch uses multiple satellite systems (GPS, Glonass, Galileo) to provide accurate location tracking even in tough environments, which is very useful for hiking or biking off the beaten path. With water resistance up to 100 meters and military-grade durability, it handles harsh conditions like shocks, temperature changes, and water exposure confidently.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,372
Battery Life
Durability
Display Quality

Most important from
3000 reviews

Battery Life
The battery life is exceptional, lasting up to 32 days in smartwatch mode and even longer with solar charging, making it ideal for long outdoor trips without frequent recharging.
Durability
Its rugged build holds up well against shocks and impacts, with military-grade durability proving effective even after tough falls and crashes.
Display Quality
Though the display is simple and monochrome, it remains easy to read in daylight and suits the watch’s focus on durability and battery efficiency rather than flashy visuals.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Fitness tracking is comprehensive, featuring wrist-based heart rate, sleep monitoring, Pulse Ox, and various sport profiles, making it a versatile companion for diverse activities.
Smart Features
Smartwatch features are basic but functional, allowing notifications and calls with preset responses, prioritizing battery longevity over extensive app support.
#2
9.8 score

Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Powder Gray

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a solid choice for runners and multisport athletes looking for a feature-packed smartwatch. Its bright 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen combined with traditional buttons offers a clear and responsive display that works well in various lighting conditions. The watch stands out with its multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology, providing very accurate location tracking even in challenging environments like dense urban areas or forests, which is great if you rely heavily on precise GPS for your workouts.

Rating
9.8
Display Quality
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life

Most important from
665 reviews

Display Quality
The AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors and sharp clarity, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight.
GPS Accuracy
GPS tracking is impressively precise, ensuring reliable location data for outdoor workouts.
Battery Life
Battery life holds strong for several days on a single charge, even with regular GPS and feature use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Advanced health metrics like heart rate, pulse ox, and sleep tracking provide valuable insights for fitness optimization.
#3
9.7 score

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.

Rating
9.7
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
3699 reviews

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.

Top 10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.9 score

Garmin 010-02293-10 Instinct Solar, Rugged Outdoor Smartwatch with Solar Charging Capabilities, Built-in Sports Apps and Health Monitoring, Graphite

GPS Accuracy: Multiple satellite systems: GPS, Glonass, Galileo
Battery Life: Extended by solar charging
Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
Heart Rate Monitoring: Wrist-based heart rate
Activity Tracking: Running, swimming, strength training
Smart Features: Bluetooth and built-in apps
Durability: Military standard 810; rugged, shock resistant
Display Quality: 1.27-inch, 128x128 resolution

Chosen by 1372 this week

Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Powder Gray

GPS Accuracy: Multi-band GPS with SatIQ tech
Battery Life: 13 days smartwatch; 20 hours GPS
Water Resistance: Suitable for swimming and rain
Heart Rate Monitoring: Yes
Activity Tracking: Running, cycling, swimming, multisport
Smart Features: Notifications, Garmin Pay, incident detection
Display Quality: 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen

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

GPS Accuracy: Built-in GPS
Battery Life: up to 10 days
Heart Rate Monitoring: Wrist-Based Heart Rate
Water Resistance: suitable for swimming
Activity Tracking: over 30 sports apps
Smart Features: make and take calls
Durability: stainless steel bezel
Display Quality: 1.2-inch AMOLED, 390 x 390

Garmin Forerunner 165, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black

GPS Accuracy: reliable accuracy
Battery Life: up to 11 days smartwatch mode
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based
Activity Tracking: over 25 activity profiles
Smart Features: notifications, Garmin Pay, incident detection
Display Quality: vibrant AMOLED touchscreen

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 Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Powder Gray, 010-02809-00

GPS Accuracy: multi-band GNSS and SatIQ
Battery Life: up to 23 days, 31 hours GPS
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based running dynamics
Water Resistance: water-resistant
Activity Tracking: tracks sleep, recovery, health metrics
Smart Features: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Display Quality: brilliant AMOLED touchscreen

Garmin Instinct® 3 45mm, Solar Charged Display, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch, Metal-Reinforced Bezel, Built-in Flashlight, Black

GPS Accuracy: multi-band GPS, SatIQ technology
Battery Life: unlimited in optimal conditions
Water Resistance: 10 ATM
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based monitoring
Activity Tracking: Multisport, Activity Tracker
Smart Features: Garmin Pay, notifications
Durability: military thermal, shock standards
Display Quality: solar-charged, 0.9 inches

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

GPS Accuracy: reliable
Battery Life: up to 11 days
Heart Rate Monitoring: robust
Water Resistance: suitable for swimming
Activity Tracking: 30+ sports apps and workouts
Smart Features: music storage and playback
Durability: solid build
Display Quality: vibrant AMOLED display

Garmin fēnix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar, Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Built-in Flashlight, Solar Charging Capability, Black

GPS Accuracy: multi-band GPS with SatIQ tech
Battery Life: weeks in smartwatch mode, solar charging
Water Resistance: water-resistant
Heart Rate Monitoring: heart rate monitoring
Activity Tracking: multiple sports, hill and endurance scores
Smart Features: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, preloaded golf and ski maps
Durability: sapphire lens, polymer case, titanium bezel
Display Quality: 1.3-inch round display
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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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