In certain environments, The “best Garmin watch” doesn’t just refer to a brand but a category definer, like Q-Tip or Band-Aid. From casual hikers to nationally ranked professional athletes, everyone who enjoys outdoor sports can glean useful information from the multitude of sensors, safety features and sophisticated software that comes with every Garmin watch. A some other fitness trackers are close to replicating the durability, portability and reliability of Garmin, including Suunto and Coros, but the company remains the industry standard. And unlike an Apple Watcha Garmin watch also works with iPhones and Android phones.
While other smartwatches and fitness trackers now tout features like sleep tracking, blood oxygen measurements, and fall detection, these have been present quietly and unobtrusively on Garmin watches for years. For nearly a decade, I’ve tested dozens of Garmin watches while running, climbing, hiking, biking, and walking my dog. Our first choice for most people is the hybrid lifestyle Garmin Vivoactive 6 ($300)but the undisputed best Garmin watch and the best sports watch of the period remain the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED ($1,100).
Don’t be scared by the high prices; The best part is that even though Garmin watches are expensive, they age very well. That’s that Midwestern feature for you (the company is based in Olathe, Kansas). Once you’re set up with your Garmin, check out the rest of our outdoor buying guideslike the Best Merino Wool ClothingTHE Best electric bikesand the Best Gravel Running Shoes.
Updated March 2026: We’ve added the Garmin Venu X1 and added more information about the latest Garmin software features. We have also updated the links and prices.
Best overall
Garmin offers a ton of entry-level lifestyle trackers that look like regular smartwatches. Sorting through them can be difficult, especially since they come in a range of prices and feature sets. Entry-level Garmins start with the basic fitness tracking band, which is the Vivosmart line. The last time this line was updated it was in 2022but like I said, Garmin devices age very well. For just $150, the Vívosmart 5 offers features like week-long battery life, connected GPS, incident detection, and a bright OLED display.
From there you can move on to Vivomove linewhich has a hidden screen and no onboard GPS; to the mid-range Vivoactive range; or the premium Venu line. (Garmin still offers the Vivosport, but it was launched in 2017 and is quite old.) As for Garmin’s lifestyle line, the Vivoactive 6 offers the best value for money in terms of features and price, with a beautiful, clear AMOLED touchscreen and access to all of Garmin’s great sensors and proprietary algorithms.
It has built-in satellite connectivity, a heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitoring, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, and ambient light sensor. It features 5 ATM water resistance, so you can keep up with water sports, and it has incident detection to alert your emergency contacts if you fall while hiking. This is Garmin’s lifestyle watch, so the activity profiles are geared more towards golf and racquet sports. You can also use Connect+Garmin’s AI-enabled subscription service, for $70 per year.
One of Garmin’s biggest advantages is that its Connect software has always been free. I don’t think you need Connect+ to take full advantage of the Vivoactive 6’s capabilities, especially since it’s an entry-level tracker. However, Garmin has recently introduced new features, like meal tracking. As befits Garmin’s expertise, Connect+ offers the only useful AI-enabled fitness service I’ve tested so far.
Best Apple Watch dupe
The Venu X1 is Garmin’s answer to Apple Watch Ultra (and at a comparable price), with some big differences. The first is battery life. While the Apple Watch Ultra can now stay on for a full three-day weekend, the Venu X1 lasts about a week without the always-on display. The case is also noticeably thinner, measuring around 8mm in depth compared to the Apple Watch Ultra’s 12mm. The 2-inch AMOLED display is also slightly larger, although a little less sharp than the wide-angle OLED on the Apple Watch Ultra. Like all Garmins, it works with iOS and Android.
Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra 3, it does not have satellite communication on board. And instead of a sleek 3D printed titanium case, it has a polymer case. While you can take phone calls with the built-in speaker and mic, the Apple Watch Ultra’s speakers and mic sound much better (although the Venu X1 sounds much better than the Garmin Venu 3 ($450)where my husband said it was like I was calling him from the bottom of a barrel).
That said, I really like the Venu X1. Battery life makes a big difference: I like being able to go on a three-day camping weekend without needing to bring a charger. The thinner cover is much more comfortable to sleep in and fits better under multiple layers of shirt jackets, even though it seems cheaper. Garmin’s sleep and biometric software is also better than Apple’s; Garmin Connect and Active Intelligence are much more useful than Workout Buddyand Garmin offers preloaded maps that you don’t need to download separately. The Venu X1’s large, bright screen is the best way to scroll and touch maps.
Get the Apple Watch Ultra if you own an iPhone and like the ease of use in Apple’s walled garden. But for many people, the Venu X1 has many things going for it.
Best Outdoor Watch
For several years Garmin confused us all with the competing Fenix and Epix lines; the Epix was pretty much a Fenix with an AMOLED screen. Last year, Garmin consolidated both, and the Fenix rules them all. This is the best sports watch a WIRED reviewer has ever worn, from me has Brent Rose And Kieran Alger. There are also an incredible number of variations. Not only can you choose the size of the case, but there is also a 43mmA 47mmand a 51mm version—you can also choose between the AMOLED screenTHE solar charge displayOr the most affordable E version which does not have a flashlight, speaker or mic.
Last year, Garmin introduced a Pro version which integrates the inReach system satellite communications expert. Not only does it cost at least $400 more than the Apple Watch Ultra and $200 more than the regular Fenix 8, but you also have to pay for the inReach Subscription Planwhich has multiple tiers and ranges from $8/month to $50/month depending on whether you want features like sending unlimited texts or sending picture messages.
What you get for this mind-boggling price is a sports watch that can do anything and everything. It offers best-in-class battery life (each Fenix can last weeks on a single charge, and up to a month on a solar charge) and features like Garmin’s Descent line depth sensor, meaning this watch works as a complete dive computer for scuba and free diving. It has a microphone and speaker for basic voice commands (although there’s no built-in cellular connectivity), a surprisingly useful built-in LED flashlight and Garmin’s signature built-in topographic maps, 24/7 health monitoring, and tracking for over a hundred different activities.
I’ve used the 51mm version for almost every outdoor sport: snowboarding, trail running, mountain biking, and climbing. Every time I use it, its capabilities far surpass mine. I have irritated many fellow climbers by trying to keep track of the route’s difficulty, duration, and drops while integrating my Body Battery Measurements and so on. The danger is always that you spend more time fiddling with your Garmin Fenix 8 than your actual sport. I have the version with the sapphire crystal dial and titanium bezel, and I’ve smashed it into rock faces without a scratch. If you’re willing to pay the price and want a nice watch that will last forever (I have friends who still wear their Fenix 5 and 6, and honestly, they’re fine), this is the one for you.
Best running watch
The Garmin Forerunner series was launched in the early 2000s and has become the ultimate running watch. Like all Garmins, the Forerunner comes in a range of prices, each offering different features. Last year, Garmin released the Precursor 570 ($550)a mid-range model without an LED flashlight or onboard cards, and the Precursor 970 ($750)which is the premium version. Before I go into detail about why the Forerunner 970 is the better option, I should also say that I have tested many previous Garmin Forerunners at different price points. If you’re not a triathlete, the older Forerunners are still worth considering, and the $200 entry level Precursor 165 is explicitly aimed at runners, instead of including triathletes like the more expensive models do.
New updates from Precursor 970 include the 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen, the oddly useful LED flashlight, the latest fifth-generation optical heart rate monitor, and the built-in speaker and mic for taking calls (which, again, don’t sound great, but they work). Reviewer Brent Rose tested the heart rate monitor against a chest strap, and it fit perfectly, which is amazing for a wrist-worn HRM.
As with the Fenix 8, Garmin’s software really shines. Garmin has introduced many new running-specific training features, like Acute Impact Load, which measures the difficulty of a run, relative to how long or how fast you ran it. If you ran a very hilly race and you you are exercised but were very slow, Garmin takes this into account in your recovery. It also now has travel tolerance, which helps you avoid injury by taking your impact load and actual miles traveled, and tells you how many miles you think you should run. (It’s worth noting here that Garmin’s user base includes some of the world’s best outdoor athletes, so they generally don’t think very highly of me or my abilities.)
You can only use some of the new running training features, like step speed loss and running economy, if you wear the Forerunner 970 with the Garmin HRM 600 chest strap ($170). I should also note that one of my favorite ways to use the Forerunner 970 is to use the Oakley Meta Vanguard Glasses. You can sync the Forerunner 970 with your Vanguard and have it automatically capture short clips every mile or so during your runs for your run-fluencer Instagram Reels, or just show your spouse that weird thing that was next to the road. (Only some Garmin watches work with the Vanguard; see full list here.)
My favorite Garmin watch
Let’s say you want all the backcountry features of the Fenix, but the price really puts you off. Then you want an Instinct, which is one of Garmin’s most popular lines. It offers the same multi-band GPS navigation capability, exceptional battery life, and ability to survive in harsh environments as the Fenix 8. But it’s also significantly cheaper, lighter and just looks more fun (so retro-chic!).
Updates to last year’s Instinct lineup included a new scratch-resistant AMOLED display thanks to a metal-reinforced bezel and a built-in flashlight. I took the Instinct 3g weightlifting, snowboarding, cycling, and rock climbing, where I made sure to repeatedly bang it into a rock wall (with my head and goggles). It can record all these activities and transmit them without any scratch. Like all other Garmins, the Instinct 3 comes in a variety of case sizes, prices, and capacities. There are the 40mm, 45mmAnd 50mm case sizes; you can also get it with or without the AMOLED screen, and with or without solar charging.
The Instinct 3 won’t be for everyone. It looks very big and has difficulty fitting under some of the sleeves of my jacket. While cheaper than the Fenix 8, $500 isn’t exactly a bargain, and you may have a hard time going back to the traditional navigation of Garmin’s five-button watch if you’re used to the sleek touchscreen of Garmin’s other models. However, if you are a Garmin traditionalist, this is the watch for you. I’ve worn a version of the Instinct since 2018, and it’s my favorite watch.
Honorable mentions
Courtesy of Garmin
Garmin Vivosmart 5 for $150: Garmin’s answer to the Fitbit The basic fitness tracker has been around since 2022, but it’s not obsolete and it’s the cheapest Garmin tracker available.
Garmin Forerunner 265 for $350: This is Garmin’s mid-range Forerunner, released in 2023. All Forerunners age well, and I think this model hits the sweet spot between features and affordability for most people who aren’t elite runners.
Garmin Lily 2 for $250: The Lily is Garmin’s entry-level women’s watch and was last updated in 2024. It’s the watch you get if you want a fitness tracker that has a hidden screen and doesn’t look like a Garmin at all.
Garmin makes the best outdoor watches, and that’s the part of the market that smartwatches from Apple and Google haven’t cornered. All Garmin watches have class-defining battery life (I’ve never had a Garmin that needed to be charged every day), the best GPS I’ve ever used, and the best sleep tracking. They’re also the toughest watches on the market: I’m never afraid of accidentally jumping into a river or hot tub without activating Water Lock. Garmins are so durable that you may never need to buy another watch again.
What are the best Garmin workout features?
The other reason you buy a Garmin is because the company’s software is the best. The most emblematic is probably Body Battery (I tested this feature on the Vivosmart4 in 2018), which measures the amount of energy you have throughout the day.
We have a more detailed explanation of Garmin’s top training featuresbut here are a few you should use regularly. Some features only appear on certain Garmin models; be sure to check the exact model before purchasing.
Training status: If you’re working toward a goal, like a race, this is how you can tell if your workouts are getting you closer to it. Most top athletes know this, but your body is constantly changing; it’s impossible to be in peak training state every week. (Otherwise you’d just be maintaining, and that’s also great.)
Acute load: This is another Garmin proprietary term that measures your total training effort for the week. It measures your post-exercise energy consumption (EPOC) and gives you a score. If you train too much, bam, your training status is unproductive. Likewise, in the other direction.
Preparation for training: While body battery, acute load, and training status tell you how you’ve done so far, training readiness is predictive; it tells you the workout intensity you should do today.
What else does Garmin make?
Oh my boy. Garmin started as a navigation company in the 1980s and has since branched out in a thousand different directions. Here are some of the other Garmin products we know and love.
Garmin inReach Mini 3 for $460: Garmin does it best satellite messengers to connect with friends and family when you’re off-grid. This is the latest from Garmin; we have an exam coming up.
Garmin Edge 840 solar for $400: Garmin also makes the best bike computers for long journeys. The Edge offers multi-band GNSS support for precise orientation and 32GB of internal memory for your cycling routes, all in a package that sits on your handlebars and is the size of a deck of cards.
Garmin Index S2 for $200: Garmin also makes a smart scale which integrates with Connect. Weight is a useful measurement if you’re actively training, and it’s the only scale made by Garmin. However, the critic Chris sucks I also found using the scale with Connect to be a bit difficult.
Should you get Garmin Connect+?
Probably not. One of the main reasons to buy a Garmin is that most of its training software used to be free through Connect. You didn’t have to pay monthly subscription fees for core features like you did with Fitbit Premium or Oura Ring.
Connect+ offers interesting paid features. The most touted is the one compatible with AI Active intelligence personalized trainer, although I think Fitbit Health Coach is probably now the best one I have used. Live Activities also lets you turn your phone into a de facto cycling computer or tinker with your strength training reps while you do them.
Garmin already offers many other subscriptions in addition to Connect+. Perhaps you already subscribe to an inReach plan for your satellite messaging, or to Outdoor maps+ on the Garmin Explore app. That might be a penny too many, although it depends on whether Garmin puts something necessary behind the paywall in the future, like sleep tracking.
Why is my watch’s GPS not working?
People buy Garmin watches because they want accuracy in tracking their exercise and are very disappointed when it appears their data is wrong. However, I give satellite-enabled watches a little leeway for several reasons. Before you throw your watch out the window, keep a few things in mind:
Is there a lot of tree cover? As counterintuitive as it may seem, watches that pinpoint your location by reporting your location to satellites (which, may I remind you, are in space) have problems when there are things that get in the way. Possible obstacles include everything from tall city buildings to trails with lots of trees. This is also a reason why your watch may have difficulty connecting when you start an activity: get out from under your porch or from under power lines.
Does the watch have an altimeter? The hypotenuse of a triangle is longer than the bottom side, and this is what a GPS altimeter uses to measure elevation. If your watch does not have an altimeter (for example, the entry-level watch Precursor 245 this is not the case), your distance measurements may be slightly off.
Did you take a break? You might have different distance measurements than someone you were running with, because no one runs the exact same way or stands in the exact same place. Did you pee in the bushes? Has anyone gone further to admire the view? Unless you broke off your route at the exact same place and at the exact same time, the reading won’t be exactly the same.
I’m a very active person, and I test all of these Garmins by taking them with me. I test battery life by tracking multiple activities until they run out. I press the buttons to make sure they are easily accessible under jacket sleeves and with gloves, and I check the display indoors and in various natural lighting conditions outdoors. I double-check stats like heart rate and steps counted against a Oura Ring 4, and I confirm the distance measured by an Apple Watch and a Gmaps pedometer.
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