10 Best Garmin Work Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition is a high-performance smartwatch designed with advanced training technology. Its 1.3-inch always-on AMOLED display is clear and vibrant, and the scratch-resistant sapphire lens with a titanium bezel enhances its durability. The built-in LED flashlight is a unique feature, providing useful illumination during night training sessions or in low-light conditions. This watch excels in health and fitness tracking with features like HRV status, Pulse Ox, and advanced sleep monitoring, though it's important to note these are estimations and not medical-grade measurements.

The hill score and endurance score features are particularly useful for athletes aiming to track and improve their performance over time. For navigation, the watch offers advanced sensors and multi-band reception technology for accurate positioning, and preloaded maps for various activities, ensuring you stay on track during your explorations. With a range of activity profiles, it supports tracking for many sports, making it versatile for different athletic pursuits. On the downside, the battery life may be a concern for heavy users, given the high-performance features and AMOLED display.

Comfort and design are impressive, weighing only 70 grams and featuring a round shape that is sleek and modern. Smart features include Bluetooth connectivity, contactless payments, notifications, and more, integrating seamlessly with Android and iOS devices. This watch is a solid choice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who need robust performance and advanced tracking capabilities. However, those looking for longer battery life or simpler functionality might need to consider other options.

The Garmin vívoactive 6 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a versatile work watch that doubles as a comprehensive fitness tracker. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display offers sharp visuals and easy readability, making it pleasant to use throughout the day. One of its standout features is the battery life, which can last up to 11 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode—great for busy users who don’t want to charge frequently. It includes built-in GPS, which works reliably for outdoor activities like running and cycling, helping you navigate and track your routes accurately.

Health and fitness features are extensive, offering insights on sleep quality, heart rate, stress, energy levels, and more, with personalized coaching to help improve your habits. The smartwatch also supports over 80 sports apps and animated workouts, including yoga and strength training, making it versatile for different fitness routines. On the smart features side, it offers notifications and alarms, including a smart wake alarm that gently vibrates to wake you up at the best time.

While the device is sturdy enough for daily use, it is not described as ultra-rugged, so it might not be ideal for very harsh environments or heavy manual work. Some health tracking metrics provide estimates rather than medical-grade accuracy, which is common for consumer smartwatches. This Garmin watch is well-suited for people who want a reliable GPS watch with strong fitness tracking and smart features, especially if they value battery life and a bright screen.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a lightweight and easy-to-use running smartwatch that excels in several important areas. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display is sharp and colorful, making data easy to read during workouts or daily use. Battery life is strong, offering up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours with GPS active, which is great for long training sessions or everyday wear without frequent charging. The built-in GPS is reliable for tracking pace and distance accurately, essential for runners and outdoor athletes.

Health and fitness tracking are comprehensive, with metrics like wrist-based heart rate, sleep, recovery time, and personalized workout suggestions that adapt based on your progress. This makes it helpful for users aiming to improve fitness thoughtfully. The watch also supports over 25 activity profiles, adding versatility beyond running. Smart features include notifications for calls and texts, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and safety tools like incident detection, which require a paired smartphone. While the watch is durable enough for daily use and workouts, it doesn’t highlight ruggedness specifically, so hardcore outdoor users might want something more robust.

The 43 mm size is fairly compact, suitable for most wrists without feeling bulky. Some users might find the battery capacity (5 mAh) a bit confusing compared to what’s typical, but in practice, battery life is solid. The Forerunner 165 is well suited for anyone focused on running or fitness who wants a colorful display, detailed training insights, and smart features without overwhelming complexity. Although it may not be the toughest option for extreme conditions, it offers a nice balance of performance and comfort for everyday athletes.