10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

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.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 13 days in regular smartwatch mode and about 20 hours when using GPS continuously; this means you can track long runs or races without worrying about recharging frequently. The watch also offers advanced training metrics and recovery insights, including personalized daily workouts and readiness scores based on your sleep, heart rate variability, and training load—helpful for planning your exercise intensity smartly. Heart rate monitoring and activity profiles cover a wide range of sports, including running, cycling, and open-water swimming, making it versatile for different types of training. It’s also water resistant, suitable for swimming and exposure to rain.

On the smart features side, it supports notifications from your phone, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and incident detection for safety, though some features require your phone nearby. One potential drawback is that the advanced training data can be a bit complex if you’re new to fitness tracking, and the watch’s 46 mm size might feel bulky for those with smaller wrists. The Forerunner 265 balances durability, detailed fitness tracking, and smart convenience, making it a great companion for serious runners who want in-depth insights alongside everyday smartwatch functions.

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.

Activity tracking is robust, with over 30 built-in sports apps to cater to diverse fitness routines. Its water resistance makes it suitable for swimming, adding to its versatility. Smart features are comprehensive, including the ability to make and take calls, respond to texts, and use a voice assistant directly from the watch, enhancing its utility for daily use. The watch is also durable, with a stainless steel bezel and silicone band, ensuring it can withstand regular wear and tear.

However, the watch might feel slightly heavy at 1.4 ounces for some users, and the 41mm case size may not suit everyone. Additionally, while the display quality is high, some users might prefer a larger screen for better visibility. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Venu 3S is a formidable option for those seeking a well-rounded smartwatch with extensive health and fitness tracking capabilities.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch is designed for serious runners and multisport athletes. One of its greatest strengths is the brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display, which provides sharp visuals and is complemented by traditional button controls for ease of use. The watch boasts a remarkable battery life, lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and up to 31 hours in GPS mode, making it highly reliable for long training sessions and events. The built-in GPS with multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology ensures precise location tracking even in challenging environments, which is crucial for accurate activity monitoring and navigation. Additionally, the full-color, built-in maps enhance route planning and execution.

Heart rate monitoring is advanced with wrist-based running dynamics and continuous running power measurement, offering in-depth insights into your performance and exertion levels. The watch also tracks sleep quality, recovery, and various health metrics, providing a comprehensive view of your overall well-being and training readiness. Another notable feature is the personalized daily suggested workouts and race strategies, which adapt based on your performance and recovery, helping you optimize your training. The watch supports multiple sports profiles, making it suitable for triathlons, duathlons, and other multisport events. It is also water-resistant, adding durability for swim sessions.

However, the watch may be considered pricey for casual users or those who do not require advanced training metrics and multisport features. Additionally, while it includes smart features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, some users may find the GarminOS ecosystem less familiar compared to other smartwatch operating systems. The Forerunner 965 excels in providing detailed training metrics and recovery insights, making it an excellent choice for dedicated athletes looking for a high-performance smartwatch.