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10 Best Garmin Smartwatches 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#2

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

Rating
10.0
Display and Interface
GPS and Navigation
Battery Life

Most important from
644 reviews

Display and Interface
The AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors and sharp clarity, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight.
GPS and Navigation
GPS accuracy stands out, providing precise tracking that keeps you on course during outdoor activities.
Battery Life
Battery life impresses with several days of use, even when regularly using GPS and advanced features.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Heart rate and pulse ox tracking offer reliable and accurate health metrics comparable to dedicated devices.
Customization and Accessories
Workout options are varied and customizable, enhancing the experience beyond basic running and walking activities.
Durability and Water Resistance
Physical buttons combined with the touchscreen give dependable control during workouts in any conditions.
Smart Features
Garmin Connect and app-building tools work but feel basic and could be improved for smoother workout customization.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a solid choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a smartwatch that balances advanced features with ease of use. Its bright 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen combined with physical buttons offers clear visibility and reliable control, even during workouts. Battery life is strong, lasting up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and around 20 hours with GPS active, which is plenty for most daily and multi-hour activities.

The watch excels in GPS accuracy thanks to multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology, helping you stay on track even in tricky environments. Health and fitness tracking are comprehensive, providing detailed insights into sleep, recovery, heart rate variability, and training readiness that adapt to your performance, making it easier to plan workouts and races. Safety features like incident detection add peace of mind during outdoor activities, but they require a paired smartphone with network coverage.

Smart features include notifications, music control, and Garmin Pay for contactless payments, which enhance convenience without overcomplicating the experience. The watch supports over 30 activity profiles, including running, cycling, and swimming, making it versatile for multisport users. It offers good customization with watch faces and apps from Garmin, plus 8 GB of storage for music and data. This model is well suited for users who want a feature-rich running smartwatch with reliable GPS and health insights, wrapped in a vibrant, easy-to-read display.

Rating
10.0
Display and Interface
GPS and Navigation
Battery Life

Most important from
644 reviews

Display and Interface
The AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors and sharp clarity, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight.
GPS and Navigation
GPS accuracy stands out, providing precise tracking that keeps you on course during outdoor activities.
Battery Life
Battery life impresses with several days of use, even when regularly using GPS and advanced features.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Heart rate and pulse ox tracking offer reliable and accurate health metrics comparable to dedicated devices.
Customization and Accessories
Workout options are varied and customizable, enhancing the experience beyond basic running and walking activities.
Durability and Water Resistance
Physical buttons combined with the touchscreen give dependable control during workouts in any conditions.
Smart Features
Garmin Connect and app-building tools work but feel basic and could be improved for smoother workout customization.
#3

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

Rating
9.9
Battery Life
GPS Accuracy
Health Monitoring Features

Most important from
3330 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, allowing users to go days without needing a charge, even with heavy usage.
GPS Accuracy
The smartwatch delivers accurate fitness tracking across activities like running, biking, and swimming, with reliable GPS and heart rate monitoring.
Health Monitoring Features
Health monitoring features, including sleep and stress tracking, provide valuable insights for overall well-being, acting like a personal wellness tracker.
Smart Features
The ability to adjust workout metrics for more accurate tracking is a notable advantage for fitness enthusiasts.
Display Quality
The vibrant AMOLED touchscreen display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, enhancing usability in various lighting conditions.
Size and Comfort
Lightweight and comfortable, the Venu 3S is ideal for long-term wear and pairs well with various outfits.

The Garmin Venu 3S is a stylish and functional smartwatch that suits fitness enthusiasts and those looking to monitor their health closely. The standout feature is its 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, which is bright and colorful, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. Another major advantage is the impressive battery life of up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, meaning less frequent charging is needed, which is convenient for busy users.

The watch includes comprehensive health monitoring features such as Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep score, and personalized sleep coaching, making it a great companion for understanding and improving your well-being. Additionally, it offers over 30 built-in sports apps, catering to various physical activities from running to swimming, which is excellent for those who enjoy diverse workouts. The GPS accuracy is reliable, ensuring that your outdoor activities are tracked correctly.

This smartwatch also allows you to make and take phone calls from your wrist and interact with your smartphone’s voice assistant, adding to its smart feature set. However, there are a few downsides. The 41mm case size might be slightly large for those with smaller wrists, potentially affecting comfort. Moreover, while the display is high-quality, the watch shape being oval might not appeal to everyone. The Venu 3S is also relatively lightweight at 1.4 ounces, which is a plus for comfort during long wear. Durability is ensured with its stainless steel bezel and silicone band, and it is water-resistant, making it suitable for swimming and everyday wear. This smartwatch combines fitness tracking capabilities with smart features efficiently, making it ideal for users looking to enhance their health and stay connected on the go.

Rating
9.9
Battery Life
GPS Accuracy
Health Monitoring Features

Most important from
3330 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, allowing users to go days without needing a charge, even with heavy usage.
GPS Accuracy
The smartwatch delivers accurate fitness tracking across activities like running, biking, and swimming, with reliable GPS and heart rate monitoring.
Health Monitoring Features
Health monitoring features, including sleep and stress tracking, provide valuable insights for overall well-being, acting like a personal wellness tracker.
Smart Features
The ability to adjust workout metrics for more accurate tracking is a notable advantage for fitness enthusiasts.
Display Quality
The vibrant AMOLED touchscreen display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, enhancing usability in various lighting conditions.
Size and Comfort
Lightweight and comfortable, the Venu 3S is ideal for long-term wear and pairs well with various outfits.

Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Smartwatches

When choosing a Garmin smartwatch, it's important to consider your specific needs and lifestyle. Garmin offers a wide range of smartwatches designed for different activities, from casual fitness tracking to advanced sports and outdoor adventures. Understanding the key specifications and how they align with your personal goals will help you make an informed decision. Here are the key specs to consider when selecting a Garmin smartwatch.
Battery LifeBattery life refers to how long the smartwatch can operate on a single charge. This is important because it determines how often you'll need to recharge your device. Garmin smartwatches typically offer battery life ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on usage and features. If you plan to use GPS and other power-intensive features frequently, look for a model with longer battery life. For casual use, a shorter battery life may be sufficient.
GPS and NavigationGPS and navigation capabilities allow the smartwatch to track your location and provide route guidance. This is crucial for outdoor activities like running, hiking, and cycling. Garmin smartwatches vary in their GPS accuracy and additional navigation features such as preloaded maps and route planning. If you engage in outdoor sports or need precise location tracking, opt for a model with advanced GPS features. For general fitness tracking, basic GPS functionality may be adequate.
Health and Fitness TrackingHealth and fitness tracking features monitor various aspects of your physical activity and well-being, such as heart rate, sleep, steps, and calories burned. These features are essential for anyone looking to improve their fitness or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Garmin smartwatches offer a range of tracking capabilities, from basic activity monitoring to advanced metrics like VO2 max and stress levels. Choose a model that aligns with your fitness goals and the level of detail you want in your health data.
Durability and Water ResistanceDurability and water resistance determine how well the smartwatch can withstand physical wear and exposure to water. This is important for users who engage in rugged outdoor activities or water sports. Garmin smartwatches come with varying levels of durability and water resistance, from splash-proof models to those that can be used for swimming and diving. Consider your typical activities and choose a model that offers the appropriate level of protection.
Smart FeaturesSmart features include notifications, music control, contactless payments, and compatibility with other smart devices. These features enhance the convenience and functionality of the smartwatch in your daily life. Garmin smartwatches offer different sets of smart features, so think about which ones are most important to you. If you want a smartwatch that can replace some functions of your smartphone, look for models with comprehensive smart features. For basic use, fewer smart features may suffice.
Display and InterfaceThe display and interface refer to the screen quality and how you interact with the smartwatch. This is important for readability and ease of use. Garmin smartwatches come with different types of displays, such as touchscreen or button-operated, and varying resolutions. If you prefer a clear, vibrant display and intuitive navigation, choose a model with a high-quality screen and user-friendly interface. For simpler needs, a basic display and interface may be adequate.
Customization and AccessoriesCustomization and accessories allow you to personalize your smartwatch and enhance its functionality. This includes interchangeable bands, watch faces, and additional sensors. Garmin offers a variety of customization options and accessories to suit different styles and needs. If you like to change the look of your smartwatch or add specific features, consider models with extensive customization options. For a straightforward experience, fewer customization options may be sufficient.

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