10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a strong choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use smartwatch with reliable built-in GPS. Its bright and colorful 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen makes it easy to read data in various lighting conditions, while the combination of touchscreen and button controls adds convenience during workouts. The GPS accuracy is solid, supporting precise pace and distance tracking. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours when using GPS continuously, allowing for daily use and long runs without frequent charging. It supports over 25 activity profiles like running, cycling, and strength training, making it versatile beyond just running. Health tracking features like wrist-based heart rate, sleep analysis, and recovery insights provide useful guidance to help improve performance safely.

Music lovers will appreciate the ability to download songs and playlists directly to the watch for phone-free listening with wireless headphones. Smart features include notifications for calls and texts, contactless payments, and safety options like incident detection, enhancing peace of mind during outdoor activities. The watch offers good customization with bands and has a sleek 43mm size. If you want a modern, feature-packed running watch with a vibrant display and long battery life, the Forerunner 165 Music effectively covers the essentials.

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice for those looking for a comprehensive health and fitness smartwatch. It features a vibrant AMOLED display, which makes it easy to read even in bright sunlight. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, which means less frequent charging. Its GPS accuracy is reliable, making it great for outdoor activities like running and cycling. The heart rate monitoring is robust and provides valuable insights into your health, including advanced metrics like HRV status, stress tracking, and sleep scores. The watch is water-resistant, so it’s suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.

It also includes more than 30 sports apps and workout modes, catering to a wide range of fitness routines, including specialized features for wheelchair users. The vívoactive 5 is durable, with a solid build that can withstand the rigors of daily wear and various physical activities. The smartwatch also boasts smart features like music storage and playback, allowing you to enjoy your favorite playlists without needing your phone. However, its touch screen interface might take some time to get used to for those who are not tech-savvy. Additionally, while the 1.2-inch display is clear, it may feel small for users used to larger screens.

Despite these minor issues, the Garmin vívoactive 5 is a versatile and feature-rich smartwatch that will appeal to fitness enthusiasts looking for a reliable companion to track and enhance their health and wellness activities.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a user-friendly GPS running watch that offers a wide range of features for runners and fitness enthusiasts. Its GPS accuracy is reliable, helping you track your runs in terms of distance, speed, and location. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, which means less frequent charging and more time for training and tracking activities.

The watch also monitors heart rate at the wrist, giving you essential insights into your fitness levels, although it is not a medical device and should not be relied upon for medical purposes. Water resistance makes it suitable for pool swims, and its durable build ensures it can withstand various physical activities. The display quality, with a resolution of 208 x 208 on a 1.04-inch screen, is clear and easy to read, though not the most vibrant compared to higher-end models.

Smart features like Bluetooth connectivity allow for customization through the Connect IQ Store, where you can download watch faces, data fields, apps, and widgets. Activity tracking goes beyond running, including cycling, Pilates, HIIT, and more. This makes it a versatile companion for various workouts. However, some limitations include the small screen size, which might not be ideal for users who prefer larger displays, and the lack of advanced smart features found in higher-end smartwatches. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable, feature-rich running watch that supports various fitness activities and tracks your progress efficiently.