10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Edition is designed for outdoor and tactical use, featuring a tough 50mm fiber-reinforced case and a sharp 1.3-inch AMOLED display that’s bright and clear in various lighting. Its multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology ensures highly accurate positioning, ideal for hikers, military personnel, or adventurers needing reliable navigation. The watch offers impressive battery life—up to 24 days in smartwatch mode and 40 hours when using GPS continuously—so frequent charging during extended trips is not a concern.

It comes packed with tactical features like jumpmaster mode, waypoint projection, stealth mode, compatibility with night vision goggles, and a kill switch, making it suited for mission-critical scenarios. For everyday health tracking, it monitors your heart rate, sleep quality, and oxygen levels, though these readings are estimates and not medical-grade. The watch is also water-resistant up to 10 ATM and built to military standards for thermal and shock resistance, ensuring durability against tough conditions.

Smart conveniences include Garmin Pay for contactless payments and a built-in LED flashlight with multiple settings. While the weight is light at 59 grams, the size might feel bulky on smaller wrists due to its 50mm case. Customization options with interchangeable bands add versatility to the style and comfort. Some advanced ballistic features require an additional purchase, and the watch’s complexity might exceed what casual users need. This model is well-suited for those seeking ruggedness, tactical tools, and reliable GPS in one durable smartwatch.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a solid choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use smartwatch. It features a bright and colorful 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen combined with traditional buttons, making navigation simple and responsive. Its built-in GPS provides reliable pace and distance tracking, while wrist-based heart rate monitoring supports a wide range of health and activity tracking functions, including over 25 sports profiles like running, cycling, and HIIT. A standout is the music storage and playback capability, letting you download playlists from popular services and listen without your phone, which is great for workouts on the go.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and around 19 hours when using GPS continuously—enough for long training sessions or multi-day use without frequent charging. The watch also offers personalized workouts and recovery insights, helping you train smarter by adjusting to your performance and rest status. Safety features like incident detection add peace of mind during outdoor activities, though they require your phone nearby with signal access. Garmin Pay allows contactless payments, so you can leave your wallet at home for convenience.

The watch’s size and weight make it comfortable to wear all day, and its water resistance means it can handle sweat and rain, but it’s not specified for deep-water use like diving. One limitation is the relatively small 4GB memory, which may restrict how many songs or apps you can store. Also, while the display is sharp, those used to larger smartwatch screens might find it a bit compact. For runners and active users wanting a feature-rich, dependable watch with strong GPS, music support, and smart features, the Forerunner 165 Music fits well without being overwhelming.

The Garmin Venu 4 is a solid choice if you're looking for a fitness-focused smartwatch with a bright and colorful 1.4-inch round display that’s easy to read outdoors. It has built-in GPS and supports multiple sports modes, making it a great companion for running, cycling, swimming, and other workouts. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 12 days on a single charge, so you won’t need to recharge frequently during your fitness routines or daily wear.

Health tracking is a big strength here: it monitors your heart rate, sleep quality with personalized coaching, stress, and even your body’s energy levels throughout the day. Plus, it has advanced features like ECG for heart rhythm checks and lifestyle habit logging, helping you get a better picture of your overall wellness. The watch also includes smart features like phone call handling, text responses via voice, and contactless payments, which add everyday convenience. Its stainless steel build and water resistance make it durable enough for regular use, including swimming sessions.

The watch is on the lighter side, which some may prefer but others might find less substantial. The silicone band is comfortable and easy to swap for customization. This model works best for those who want detailed health insights combined with smart features and solid battery life, whether you’re a casual exerciser or more serious about fitness.