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10 Best Garmin Smart Watches 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Garmin fēnix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Pebble Gray Band

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,170
Battery Life
GPS Accuracy
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
1621 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life is remarkable, lasting about a week with active use and even longer with GPS enabled, perfect for extended trips.
GPS Accuracy
GPS tracking is highly accurate and reliable across diverse terrains, supported by clear, built-in maps that simplify navigation.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Comprehensive health and wellness metrics surpass many other smartwatches, including advanced sleep, HRV, pulse oximetry, and training readiness.
Smart Features
Smart features like an onboard microphone, speaker, and voice assistant integration enhance usability without needing a phone nearby.
Durability
Built like a tank with a lightweight titanium bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire lens, it balances durability with comfort.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display is stunningly vibrant and larger than competitors, making it easy to read in all lighting conditions.

The Garmin fēnix 8 (47 mm) is a solid choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want a premium multisport smartwatch. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED display is bright and clear, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, so it looks good and stands up well to rough use. The titanium bezel adds extra durability while keeping the watch lightweight. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and about 47 hours with GPS active, which is great for long trips or extended training sessions.

GPS accuracy is enhanced by multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, making it reliable for navigation and tracking even in challenging environments. The watch also includes a 3-axis compass, gyroscope, and barometric altimeter to support outdoor adventures. It offers excellent water resistance with a 40-meter dive rating, suitable for swimming and scuba diving.

For health tracking, the watch has continuous heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep and respiration tracking, and a Pulse Ox sensor to estimate blood oxygen levels, although these readings are not medical-grade. Smart features are well thought out, with a built-in microphone and speaker allowing calls from the wrist, voice assistant support, and even off-grid voice commands without needing your phone nearby. Its 32 GB memory and Garmin OS ensure smooth operation, and the touchscreen is responsive. The Garmin fēnix 8 is an excellent option for serious athletes and adventurers who want a tough, versatile smartwatch with long battery life, accurate GPS, and rich health and smart functionalities. Casual users might find it more than they need, but for those pushing their limits outdoors, it serves as a dependable companion.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,170
Battery Life
GPS Accuracy
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
1621 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life is remarkable, lasting about a week with active use and even longer with GPS enabled, perfect for extended trips.
GPS Accuracy
GPS tracking is highly accurate and reliable across diverse terrains, supported by clear, built-in maps that simplify navigation.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Comprehensive health and wellness metrics surpass many other smartwatches, including advanced sleep, HRV, pulse oximetry, and training readiness.
Smart Features
Smart features like an onboard microphone, speaker, and voice assistant integration enhance usability without needing a phone nearby.
Durability
Built like a tank with a lightweight titanium bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire lens, it balances durability with comfort.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display is stunningly vibrant and larger than competitors, making it easy to read in all lighting conditions.
#2

Garmin® Forerunner® 570, 42mm, Advanced GPS Running and Triathlon Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Training and Recovery Features, Cloud Blue Aluminum with Translucent Whitestone/Cloud Blue Band

Rating
9.7
Battery Life
GPS Accuracy
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
128 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life impresses in everyday use, lasting well, though continuous GPS use requires more frequent charging during long activities.
GPS Accuracy
Multi-band GPS connectivity stands out, especially in challenging environments like dense urban areas or forests, providing reliable and fast satellite connection.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Accuracy in tracking distance, heart rate, and pace is noticeably improved compared to previous Garmin models, with altitude mapping adding valuable detail.
Smart Features
The watch delivers outstanding running metrics with features like body battery and sleep tracking, making it an essential tool for runners aiming to improve.
Durability
The watch balances durability and comfort with its aluminum bezel, making it robust yet pleasant to wear during intense workouts.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display remains highly visible even in bright, direct sunlight, enhancing usability outdoors.

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is a well-rounded smartwatch designed for runners and triathletes, especially those with smaller wrists thanks to its 42mm size. It features a bright and clear 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. Battery life is solid for everyday use, lasting up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, but it drops to about 18 hours when using GPS continuously, which is decent but might require charging during longer outdoor activities.

The built-in GPS is reliable, ensuring accurate tracking of your routes and pace. Heart rate monitoring and advanced metrics like training readiness and recovery insights offer valuable guidance for improving fitness without guesswork. The watch supports multiple sports profiles and includes safety features like incident detection, which can send your location in emergencies when paired with a smartphone. It also has smart functions such as call handling and voice assistant support, adding convenience beyond fitness tracking.

The aluminum bezel adds durability and the watch should feel comfortable without being too fragile. This model is suitable for athletes seeking detailed training feedback with a bright display and smart connectivity, though those needing extended GPS battery life might want to check other options.

Rating
9.7
Battery Life
GPS Accuracy
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
128 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life impresses in everyday use, lasting well, though continuous GPS use requires more frequent charging during long activities.
GPS Accuracy
Multi-band GPS connectivity stands out, especially in challenging environments like dense urban areas or forests, providing reliable and fast satellite connection.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Accuracy in tracking distance, heart rate, and pace is noticeably improved compared to previous Garmin models, with altitude mapping adding valuable detail.
Smart Features
The watch delivers outstanding running metrics with features like body battery and sleep tracking, making it an essential tool for runners aiming to improve.
Durability
The watch balances durability and comfort with its aluminum bezel, making it robust yet pleasant to wear during intense workouts.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display remains highly visible even in bright, direct sunlight, enhancing usability outdoors.
#3

Garmin vívoactive® 6, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Metallic Pink Dawn with Pink Dawn Band

Rating
9.7
Battery Life
Smart Features
Durability

Most important from
1052 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life impresses with over seven days of use even with continuous blood oxygen sensing and GPS enabled, reducing the need for frequent charging.
Smart Features
An intuitive and modern user interface enhances navigation, with features like a notification center that includes a 'Clear All' option and a control center reminiscent of popular smartphone OS.
Durability
Durability and comfort are enhanced by a refined, premium-feeling strap and a lightweight design suitable for daily wear and various sports.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display is exceptionally bright and crisp, providing sharp visuals that make stats easy to read even outdoors.

The Garmin vívoactive 6 is a solid choice if you want a versatile fitness smartwatch with a bright and clear AMOLED display, making it easy to see your stats even outdoors. It offers an impressive battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, which means fewer charges compared to many other smartwatches. The built-in GPS is reliable for tracking your outdoor activities like running or cycling, while heart rate monitoring is comprehensive, including features like stress tracking, sleep scoring, and menstrual cycle tracking. This watch goes beyond basics by giving personalized health insights and animated workouts, which is great if you want guidance on exercises and recovery.

The watch is designed to be durable and water-resistant, suitable for swimming and various sports. It also supports smart features like notifications and alarms, helping you stay connected without constant phone checking. The lightweight design and comfortable band add to everyday wearability.

A relatively small 1.2-inch screen might feel a bit cramped if you prefer larger displays, although the AMOLED quality helps compensate with sharp visuals. While the battery life is excellent in normal use, using GPS and advanced features continuously will reduce it faster, which is typical for this kind of device. The watch runs on Garmin’s own OS, so app options are more limited compared to some other smartwatches but are focused on fitness and health tracking. The vívoactive 6 is well-suited for fitness enthusiasts and those wanting detailed health monitoring with good battery life and reliable GPS, wrapped in a stylish and durable package.

Rating
9.7
Battery Life
Smart Features
Durability

Most important from
1052 reviews

Battery Life
Battery life impresses with over seven days of use even with continuous blood oxygen sensing and GPS enabled, reducing the need for frequent charging.
Smart Features
An intuitive and modern user interface enhances navigation, with features like a notification center that includes a 'Clear All' option and a control center reminiscent of popular smartphone OS.
Durability
Durability and comfort are enhanced by a refined, premium-feeling strap and a lightweight design suitable for daily wear and various sports.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display is exceptionally bright and crisp, providing sharp visuals that make stats easy to read even outdoors.

Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Smart Watches

When choosing a Garmin smart watch, it's important to consider your specific needs and lifestyle. Garmin offers a wide range of smart watches with various features tailored for different activities such as running, swimming, hiking, and everyday use. Understanding the key specifications will help you make an informed decision and select the best model for you.
Battery LifeBattery life refers to how long the watch can operate on a single charge. This is important because it determines how often you'll need to recharge your watch. Battery life can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the model and usage. If you are an athlete or someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, you might prefer a watch with longer battery life. For everyday use, a shorter battery life might be acceptable if you don't mind frequent charging.
GPS AccuracyGPS accuracy measures how precisely the watch can track your location. This is crucial for activities like running, cycling, and hiking where accurate distance and pace measurements are important. Garmin watches are known for their reliable GPS, but some models offer higher accuracy than others. If you need precise tracking for your workouts or adventures, look for a model with advanced GPS features. For casual use, standard GPS accuracy should suffice.
Heart Rate MonitoringHeart rate monitoring tracks your heart rate in real-time, providing valuable data for fitness and health tracking. This feature is important for those who want to monitor their cardiovascular health, optimize their workouts, or track their stress levels. Garmin watches offer different levels of heart rate monitoring accuracy. If you are serious about fitness or have specific health goals, choose a model with advanced heart rate monitoring. For general health tracking, a basic heart rate monitor will do.
Water ResistanceWater resistance indicates how well the watch can withstand exposure to water. This is important if you plan to use the watch while swimming, showering, or in rainy conditions. Garmin watches come with varying degrees of water resistance, typically measured in meters. If you are a swimmer or engage in water sports, look for a watch with higher water resistance (e.g., 50 meters or more). For everyday use, a lower water resistance rating may be sufficient.
Smart FeaturesSmart features include functionalities like notifications, music control, contactless payments, and apps. These features enhance the convenience and usability of the watch in daily life. If you want a watch that can serve as an extension of your smartphone, look for models with a wide range of smart features. If you prefer a simpler device focused on fitness tracking, you might opt for a model with fewer smart features.
DurabilityDurability refers to the watch's ability to withstand wear and tear, including impacts, scratches, and extreme conditions. This is important for those who engage in rugged outdoor activities or have an active lifestyle. Garmin watches are generally built to be durable, but some models are designed to be more robust than others. If you need a watch that can handle tough environments, choose a model with enhanced durability features. For everyday use, standard durability should be adequate.
Display QualityDisplay quality includes factors like screen resolution, brightness, and readability in different lighting conditions. This is important for ensuring that you can easily read the watch's display, whether you're indoors or outdoors. Garmin watches offer various display types and qualities. If you need a watch with a clear and bright display for outdoor activities, look for models with high-resolution and sunlight-readable screens. For general use, a standard display should be sufficient.

FAQ