10 Best Garmin Work Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix® 8 is a premium multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and adventurers, offering extensive features fit for demanding environments and activities. One of its standout strengths is battery life, lasting up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 47 hours in GPS mode, ensuring long-term usage without frequent charging. Durability is another key strength, with its 40-meter dive rating and leakproof metal buttons making it highly resistant to water and suitable for underwater activities like scuba diving.

Additionally, the built-in LED flashlight is a handy feature for visibility in low-light conditions. Health and fitness tracking are robust, including real-time stamina tracking, advanced sleep monitoring, and an ECG app for heart rhythm monitoring. The smartwatch also excels in smart features, including a built-in speaker and microphone for phone calls and voice assistant commands, enhancing convenience.

GPS and navigation are highly accurate with multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology, providing precise positioning and turn-by-turn directions for outdoor navigation. The 1.4-inch AMOLED display is bright and clear, contributing to an enhanced graphical interface for easier viewing of data and notifications. However, the weight of the watch at 80 grams may be a bit heavy for some users, and its advanced features may seem overwhelming to those who prefer simpler devices. The Garmin fēnix® 8 is ideal for active individuals looking for a durable, feature-rich smartwatch with exceptional battery life and advanced tracking capabilities.

The Garmin fēnix 8 (43mm) is a robust multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want a reliable, feature-packed device. It has a bright 1.3-inch AMOLED display which offers excellent visual clarity and vibrant colors, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight. The stainless steel bezel and metal buttons add strong durability, while the dive rating (up to 40 meters) means it can handle water activities including scuba diving. Battery life is solid, delivering up to 10 days in regular smartwatch mode and around 28 hours with GPS active, which suits long adventures but may require more frequent charging if you heavily use GPS and smart features like calls and voice commands.

Health and fitness tools are comprehensive, with advanced metrics including sleep tracking, heart rate, respiration, Pulse Ox, and ECG monitoring. It also offers detailed training insights, real-time stamina tracking, and sport-specific workouts, helping users optimize their performance without needing extra devices. Navigation capabilities are impressive thanks to multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, plus helpful features like dynamic round-trip routing and built-in sensors (compass, gyroscope, altimeter).

Smart functions include the ability to take calls and respond to texts from the wrist, and a speaker/mic for voice commands that work even offline in some cases. The watch weighs 66 grams, which is moderately heavy compared to simpler models. Constant use of GPS and smart features will reduce battery life noticeably. This watch is best suited for users who need a durable, versatile device with strong fitness tracking and navigation, especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors or diving.

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.