10 Best Garmin Watch For Running And Cycling 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music smartwatch is designed to cater to both running and cycling enthusiasts with its robust set of features. Its built-in GPS offers accurate tracking of pace and distance, which is crucial for outdoor activities. The watch excels in battery life, providing up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours in GPS mode, ensuring it lasts through long training sessions without frequent recharging.

The wrist-based heart rate monitoring helps you keep an eye on your health metrics effectively. Additionally, the personalized workout suggestions and Garmin Coach feature aid in achieving specific fitness goals by adapting to your performance and recovery needs. The AMOLED touchscreen display is vibrant and user-friendly, complemented by traditional button controls for ease of use, especially during workouts. The watch’s lightweight design and 43 mm size make it comfortable to wear for extended periods.

For music lovers, the ability to download and listen to playlists from services like Spotify and Amazon Music without needing your phone is a great plus. Safety features like incident detection and Assistance add a layer of security by sending your live location to emergency contacts when paired with your smartphone. However, the smartwatch also has some limitations. The relatively new model might face occasional software bugs that Garmin needs to address through updates. The contactless payment feature, Garmin Pay, may not be supported by all banks or payment networks, limiting its usability.

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice for both runners and cyclists looking for a versatile GPS smartwatch. Its bright AMOLED display offers clear visibility, making it user-friendly while on the go. With a battery life of up to 11 days, it ensures that you can track your activities without frequent recharging, which is a significant advantage for long training sessions or multi-day events. The built-in GPS provides accurate tracking of distances and routes, essential for outdoor activities like running and cycling.

This smartwatch is packed with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate tracking and Body Battery energy monitoring, which can help users optimize their training and rest periods. The extensive range of more than 30 sports apps caters to various fitness activities, accommodating both traditional runners and more niche users, such as those in wheelchair sports.

For those who enjoy smart features, the vívoactive 5 supports music downloads and offers connectivity with popular streaming services, allowing for phone-free listening during workouts. The user interface is generally intuitive, but some users may find the multitude of features overwhelming at first. The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a feature-rich smartwatch that meets the needs of fitness enthusiasts, particularly in running and cycling, combining essential fitness tracking with smart features.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a solid choice for runners and cyclists seeking a reliable smartwatch. One of its standout features is the impressive battery life, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode, which is very beneficial for long training sessions or races. The GPS accuracy is generally praised, ensuring you can track your route effectively. Additionally, it comes equipped with advanced health metrics, like heart rate variability tracking and personalized training suggestions, which can help users improve their performance and recovery times.

The ability to download music directly to the watch and listen through wireless headphones adds a fun element, making it easy to enjoy tunes without carrying a phone. The watch’s customizable user interface, along with adaptive training plans from Garmin Coach, offers tailored workout options and evaluations, catering to users at various fitness levels.

However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. The watch might feel slightly bulky for those with smaller wrists, even though it has a slim design. Some users may also find the need for subscriptions to music services a limitation if they want to make full use of the music feature. While the watch offers a lot of data and metrics, beginners may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available and might not utilize all features. In terms of durability, the watch is water-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor activities, but it's always good to be cautious with water exposure. Lastly, while it does have Bluetooth and USB connectivity, some users have reported occasional syncing issues with their smartphones.

If you prioritize features like GPS accuracy, battery life, and health monitoring, the Forerunner 255 Music is a great option for dedicated runners and cyclists looking to enhance their training experience.