Garmin, a brand synonymous with outdoor sports and fitness tracking, offers a diverse range of smartwatches and fitness trackers catering to athletes of all levels, from marathon runners to casual hikers. Beyond its athletic focus, Garmin has expanded its offerings to include lifestyle-oriented devices, ensuring there’s a Garmin for everyone regardless of their fitness journey. Garmin’s core strengths lie in its robust fitness tracking capabilities, precise GPS technology, adventure-ready features, and exceptional durability. These devices are built to withstand the elements, boasting impressive battery life that often extends for weeks on a single charge. Many models include offline maps, advanced navigation tools, and a comprehensive suite of training metrics unmatched by other platforms. While other wearable companies have adopted subscription models, Garmin remains committed to providing its features without additional fees, a significant advantage considering the premium pricing of its devices.
Selecting the perfect Garmin involves considering several key factors. Battery life varies across models, ranging from days to weeks and even up to a month. Training metrics also differ, with some offering basic tracking of steps, pace, and distance, while others provide advanced coaching programs, stamina graphs, and in-depth performance analysis. Navigational features range from simple GPS tracking to multi-band systems for enhanced accuracy in challenging environments. The specific navigational tools should align with the intended use, like back-to-start for runners or preloaded offline maps for hikers. Style and durability are also important considerations, as are value and the overall feature set in relation to the price.
Beyond fitness, Garmins offer a respectable level of smart functionality. While prioritizing fitness over the comprehensive smart features of Apple, Google, or Samsung watches, Garmins provide essential features like notifications, fall detection, safety features, and even FDA-cleared EKG functionality on some models. Although cellular connectivity is limited to a single model, many Garmins support offline music playback and offer a small selection of third-party apps. With six major product lines and numerous models within each, choosing the right Garmin can be daunting.
For runners, the Garmin Forerunner 265/265S strikes an ideal balance between price, features, battery life, and a vibrant OLED display. This model includes dual-frequency GPS for enhanced accuracy and a week-long battery life, even with the always-on display enabled. While the price of $450 might seem steep compared to some smartwatches, the multi-band GPS and comprehensive running features justify the cost for serious runners. For budget-conscious runners or those new to the sport, the Forerunner 165 series offers a more affordable option starting at $250, sacrificing dual-frequency GPS and niche sport profiles but retaining essential running features.
Endurance athletes will appreciate the Garmin Epix Pro, a feature-packed watch available in three sizes. With topographical maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and a multitude of training metrics, the Epix Pro caters to the needs of even seasoned triathletes. The OLED display provides excellent readability indoors, and the battery life ranges from 10 to 31 days depending on the size and usage. While the Fenix 8 offers additional smart features like an onboard voice assistant and call handling, the Epix Pro provides superior value with its focus on core fitness and navigation capabilities. The Epix Pro’s standout feature is its built-in flashlight, providing convenient illumination in various situations.
For budget-conscious users or those seeking a stylish everyday wearable, the Garmin Vivomove Sport offers a compelling hybrid design. Resembling a traditional watch, the Vivomove Sport features a hidden OLED display that discreetly delivers notifications and fitness tracking data. While lacking built-in GPS and contactless payments, the Vivomove Sport provides essential fitness tracking and smart features at an affordable price, making it a more stylish alternative to traditional fitness bands. The Vivomove Trend offers a more premium option with enhanced materials and wireless charging for a slightly higher price.
Former Fitbit users seeking a replacement will find the Garmin Venu Sq 2 to be an excellent alternative. With a design reminiscent of the Apple Watch and a vibrant OLED display, the Venu Sq 2 surpasses Fitbit’s offerings in terms of fitness features, battery life, and the absence of subscription fees. It provides a comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking metrics, including GPS, safety features, and contactless payments, all without locking features behind a paywall.
For those seeking a balanced blend of smart features and fitness tracking, the Garmin Venu 3 series stands out as the smartest and most affordable option. Available in two sizes, the Venu 3 offers call handling, digital assistant control via Bluetooth, safety features, and contactless payments. Its OLED display provides excellent readability, and the watch offers a mix of basic and advanced health and fitness features, including an FDA-cleared EKG, sleep tracking with nap detection, and a wheelchair mode. While lacking cellular connectivity and a robust app ecosystem, the Venu 3 strikes a compelling balance between smartwatch functionality and in-depth fitness tracking, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize both aspects.
