The best Garmin watches are trusty sidekicks of elite athletes and casual joggers alike. Wrapping a Garmin wearable around your wrist isn't just about telling time – it's a declaration that you're serious about your fitness game.
While Garmin's GPS prowess made it a household name in car and marine navigation, it's their foray into wearables that truly set pulses racing. Renowned for crafting the best running wearables and top triathlon watches, Garmin timepieces are the gold standard against which all others are measured.
But fear not, dear reader, for navigating the Garmin watch landscape doesn't require a compass or sextant. Our expert reviewers have charted the course and ranked these marvels of technology for your perusal.
From tracking your steps to conquering the trails, each watch boasts its unique strengths – and yes, we've even found the best Garmin deals for those watching their wallets. So lace up your sneakers, sync up your Garmin, and let the fitness adventures begin!
Best Garmin watches to buy right now
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Best overall
The Enduro 2 is the ultimate outdoor watch and represents the best features and sensors Garmin currently offers, hence why it's our top choice for the best Garmin watch. Its battery life and features make it more competent than the top-of-the-line Fenix, the Fenix 7X, featured just below. Granted, if you're a beginner runner wanting to track your local park run sessions, buying the Enduro 2 is absolute overkill. If you take training (mainly off-road) seriously and want a wearable that can keep up with you, your best option is the Garmin Enduro 2.
A slight downside is that the Enduro 2 comes in one size only, and it's pretty big, so if you've got a smaller wrist, you might find it uncomfortable to wear the watch (a smaller Fenix 7 version might be a better option then). The Enduro 2 hasn't got an AMOLED display, either, like the Epix Gen 2, and although that certainly doesn't help screen visibility in bright lighting conditions, it does help battery life.
Read our full Garmin Enduro 2 review
Best multisport
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is everything we hoped the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar would be and more. The watch uses the same sensors and has the same features as its predecessor, but it's lighter and thinner, ideal for a performance wearable worn by professional athletes. The titanium bezel is a nice touch, as are the different colourways, allowing people to buy the best Forerunner in colours other than black.
The AMOLED display is bright and responsive, and the glance view is as good as it's always been. The UI colours are a bit garish for our taste, but at this point, we accept it as a running watch thing. If you need an accurate multisport watch and have enough disposable income to justify the price, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is a must-have.
Read our full Garmin Forerunner 965 review.
Best affordable
The Garmin Forerunner 165 hits the ground running, carving its niche between beginner and advanced multisport watches. It's a stellar option for runners, boasting an AMOLED touchscreen, single-band GPS, and an array of training features.
Though not as robust as its pricier counterpart, the Garmin Forerunner 265, its wallet-friendly tag doesn't compromise on performance. Sporting the Elevate Gen 5 sensing platform and a slew of health and fitness features, including wrist-based running power, dynamics, and more, it's a reliable companion for tracking and managing training sessions.
With a lightweight design, the Forerunner 165 offers comfort and functionality, ideal for daily wear. While its single-band GPS may not excel in challenging environments, its overall accuracy and battery life make it a standout choice.
Affordable yet feature-packed, the Forerunner 165 shines as a dedicated running watch, offering a compelling blend of performance and accessibility, making it a top contender in the market.
Read our full Garmin Forerunner 165 review.
Best outdoor
The Garmin Fenix 7 is not a cheap smartwatch, but it's more affordable than the Enduro and even the Epix Gen 2, so – in its category anyway – the Fenix 7 is one of the best value watches you can get. The addition of touch controls makes the Fenix 7 more smartwatch-like, in a good sense, and probably more appealing to people who need an accurate multisport watch that also has all the smart features under the sun.
But a Fenix 7 is not just any old smartwatch; it's a premium smartwatch made of quality materials such as titanium; it's able to withstand the elements, has a slew of exciting features and boasts an incredibly long battery life. Much like its predecessor, the Fenix 7 comes in many sizes, so it's very likely you will find one that best suits your wrist size and style. It will cost you to get this watch, but you're certainly getting your money's worth with the Garmin Fenix 7.
Read our full Garmin Fenix 7X review (The Garmin Fenix 7X won the Best Multisport Watch category at the T3 Awards 2022!)
Best premium
The Garmin epix (Gen 2) is a brilliant AMOLED smartwatch. It's solid as a rock and accurate enough to be used for proper running training if that's what you want. The ruggedness comes at a price: a watch this big is not the most comfortable to wear for sleeping. This is sad since if you won't wear it during the night, the epix (Gen 2) won't be able to provide accurate Body Battery and recovery estimations.
Speaking of price: the epix (Gen 2) is a premium smartwatch, and it is expensive. The base model is way more expensive than the standard Fenix 7S, and that's not a cheap watch, either. People who like the Fenix series but need want a watch that will complement their smart or smart-casual attire will appreciate the Garmin epix (Gen 2). Not to mention, these people probably have enough money to buy the watch, too.
Read our full Garmin Epix Gen 2 review
Best for fitness
Those looking for serious athletic coaching or the absolute cutting-edge in exploration and navigation technology are better served elsewhere on this list.
However, the Garmin Venu 3 was a breath of fresh air in the performance wearable market, offering simple but effective health and wellness advice based on the myriad stats and metrics it silently tracks on a daily (and nightly) basis.
If you want to delve deeper into the fitness stuff, Garmin offers up data for days within its Connect app, but if you prefer to keep things light and simple, the watch can simply act as a gym buddy to guide you through a healthy day.
If you want a do-it-all watch that packs Garmin’s legendary suite of health and wellness tracking, the Venu 3 is one of the best out there.
Read our full Garmin Venu 3 review.
Best for golf
As far as golf watches go, the Garmin Approach S62 is certainly at the more expensive end of the market. You can get a cheaper watch that will get you around the course just fine and do most of the things you need it to do, but the S62 goes that extra mile and does things you didn’t realise you needed until it showed you.
The Approach S60 (the predecessor to the S62) is an excellent cheaper alternative and offers many (but not all) of the on-course functions you get with the S62. If the S62 is a little out of your budget, then the S60 is a fine option in its own right, and if you already have the S60, then you probably won't need to upgrade. The Garmin Approach S62 is as good as any golf watch out there, and although it is not cheap, based on our experience, we'd say it is worth every penny. If you invest in one, you will not be disappointed.
Read our full Garmin Approach S62 review
Best for women
The Garmin Lily range, designed specifically with women in mind, aims to soften the brand's image as a hardcore sports watch brand while still offering essential features for health and fitness tracking. It provides access to smartwatch features without the typical "fitness fanatic" look, appealing to those who prioritise style alongside functionality.
Tracking 18 sports, including various dance styles like Bollywood and hip-hop, the Lily 2 also offers advanced features such as emergency contact notifications during certain activities, ensuring safety while exercising. Its sleek design and lightweight build make it comfortable for everyday wear, while its AMOLED touchscreen display provides clear visibility in various lighting conditions.
With essential health and fitness tracking features like 24/7 heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and sleep monitoring, the Lily 2 caters to those seeking a comprehensive overview of their well-being. Additionally, the Body Battery feature and sleep score functionality offer insights into energy levels and sleep quality, enhancing overall health awareness.
The Garmin Lily 2 boasts compatibility with both Android and iOS devices, allowing users to stay connected and receive notifications directly on their wrists. Its 5 ATM water resistance ensures durability and reliability during various activities, including pool swimming. Overall, the Garmin Lily 2 combines style and substance, making it an ideal choice for women looking for a versatile and functional smartwatch.
Read out the full Garmin Lily 2 review.
How we test the best Garmin watches
Garmin watches are ridiculously overcomplicated fitness wearables. Some Garmin wearables, such as the Fenix or MARQ series, have so many features no people on this earth can test them in depth.
When we test Garmin watches, we aim to use them in various situations, including at least one type of outdoor endurance training (running, cycling, etc.), one type of indoor training (strength training, HIIT, etc.), and, where possible, swimming.
Smart features and health sensors are tested in everyday situations and monitored for at least a couple of weeks to see how they perform.
Read more about how we test at T3 today.
How to buy the best Garmin watch for you
Garmin has one of the most extensive lineup of all smartwatch manufacturers. It's likely anyone interested in fitness trackers, running or triathlon watches will find a Garmin watch that suits their needs.
For passive fitness tracking, we recommend the Vivosmart or the Venu Sq series; these are smaller wearables that have excellent sensors and can track a bunch of health and fitness metrics, even if you don't interact with them a lot. For fitness tracking, the Venu series is your best bet, or, if you can afford them, MARQ watches are also all-around smartwatches.
For beginner athletes, something like the Forerunner 55 or the Forerunner 255 is the best option. These watches have a range of excellent sports tracking modes and have built-in GPS chips. They can also help you train and recover more efficiently. The Fenix, Enduro and Instinct lines are the most suited for off-road adventures (they have the longest battery life, too). The Garmin Forerunner 955 provides the most features and best sensors for pro athletes.
FAQ
Are Garmin watches worth it?
Garmin watches are definitely worth it, especially if you are serious about training. Most Garmin watches have a myriad of sensors and GPS, which take money and time to develop and continuously update. Not to mention, Garmin offers all its services, including access to advanced health and fitness metrics in the Garmin Connect app, free of charge, unlike competitors such as Fitbit or Whoop. You have to pay a lump sum for a Garmin watch, but from that onward, all the support, update and everything else are free. Not a bad deal!
In-depth: Are Garmin watches worth the money?
Which Garmin has longest battery life?
The Garmin Enduro 2 has the longest battery life of all Garmin watches. It can last up to 50 days (65 days with solar) on one charge and the GPS battery life is also insane. However, theoretically speaking, the Garmin Instinct Solar has the longest battery life of any Garmins right now. Under optimal circumstances (adequate sun exposure, battery saver mode on, etc.), the Instinct Solar can run indefinitely, which is certainly longer than 65 days in our books.
What is the best Garmin for a beginner?
Garmin is infamous for presenting tons of workout metrics on its wearables, which usually overwhelms beginners. Therefore, the best option for novice exercisers is one of the most entry-level Garmin, the Forerunner 55. This simple running watch tracks the most essential metrics you need to train better without the niche data or unnecessary features.
Do SEALs wear Garmin watches?
Yes, members of the U.S. Navy SEALs have been known to wear Garmin watches during their operations and training, particularly the Tactix Delta Solar and MARQ models. These watches provide valuable features such as GPS navigation, fitness tracking, and rugged durability, making them suitable for the demanding environments in which SEALs operate. However, it's important to note that specific preferences for gear may vary among individual SEALs and units.
