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 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.

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.