Confused about Garmin's extensive range? We help you pick the perfect GPS partner
The number of Garmin running and fitness watches continues to grow all the time, making the task of choosing the right device for your needs increasingly difficult.
With the Garmin lineup being so crowded, however, it does mean that there’s a watch for every type of user – usually at a range of price points. The key issue is picking between different devices in the range and understanding their subtle differences.
Thankfully, we’ve tested every Garmin watch available to help you make the best buying decision. Below is a summary of each Garmin running, outdoor, and multi-sport watch we’ve tested – and a list of our top recommendations.
In for testing (September 2024): Fenix 8, Fenix E, Enduro 3
Following their release on 27 August, we currently have the Garmin Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 in for testing ahead of their full reviews.
We’ll be delivering our full buying recommendations over the next few weeks, but, at least initially, it’s clear both new-gen options are a considerable upgrade from the Fenix 7 Pro, Epix Pro, and Enduro 2.
Both feature improved mapping, a fresher operating system skin, a speaker/microphone that unlocks offline voice commands, and an even brighter flashlight. Brighter, more vibrant AMOLED screen tech is now at the core of the Fenix range (though you can still get a MIP/Solar model), which also means the Epix experiment has been completed and cast to the side.
You’ll still see the last-gen options in the recommendations below until we’ve conducted our full tests – and perhaps even after, given they’re still formidable watches now available with a healthy discount.
Until we’ve delivered the findings from our testing, you can check out the key differences between the Fenix 8 and Fenix 7, Fenix 8 and Epix Pro, and the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3.
We should also make note of the all-new Fenix E, which is effectively a repackaged Garmin Epix (Gen 2) from 2022. We will also be giving it the full review treatment in the coming weeks, but there’s nothing new here (aside from the branding and price tag) to dive into.
Quick look: Our top picks compared
- Best for beginner runners: Garmin Forerunner 165
We previously recommended the Forerunner 55 here, which is still a great budget Garmin pickup. But the Forerunner 165 offers an AMOLED screen, great battery life, accurate GPS, Garmin training plans, and a smattering of Garmin’s performance analytics. Perfect for people at the start of their running journey.
- Best for PB hunters: Garmin Forerunner 265
For those starting to fixate on their underlying running data, the FR265 is a step up. The crisp AMOLED display, decent battery life, and a wide range of features – including in-depth training analysis, performance analytics, recovery guides, and adaptive training plans – keen runners, cyclists, and swimmers are well catered for with this one.
- Best Garmin smartwatch: Garmin Venu 3
The Venu 3 offers a jack-of-all-trades Garmin sports tracking experience, with a slick AMOLED display that should satisfy those lusting over an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. The wellness features feel so much more useful and intuitive here, and the heart rate accuracy is top-notch.
- Best for multi-sport athletes: Garmin Fenix 8
The king of multisport watches, the Fenix 8 range is pretty untouchable. Huge battery life means you can spend all day on the trails, and take advantage of mapping and navigation features. And every sport benefits from the most advanced analytics offered on any Garmin. You’re also spoilt for choice, with double-digit versions comprising different case sizes, materials, screen tech, and display glass types.
- Best Fenix alternative: Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
The Fenix is the king of the Garmin range, but many readers will (rightly) balk at the price. In these trying times, we urge a look at the Instinct 2 Solar, a fun, lightweight outdoor/fitness watch, with excellent battery life and some top performance analysis features.
Best Garmin running watches
The Forerunner range is huge – and, despite the name, is now applicable to plenty of athletic disciplines, not just running. As a general rule: the more expensive the watch, the greater the battery life, advanced analytics based on heart rate, and ability to store/listen to music.
Here are our picks.
Garmin Forerunner 165
The newest Forerunner 165 – released in February 2024 – fills a much-needed gap in Garmin’s running watch lineup and brings AMOLED display tech to an affordable price point. At 43mm it’s unisex, light, and comfy.
It’s perfect for beginner and intermediate runners, we found excellent GPS accuracy in our testing – and it doesn’t shy away from providing performance analytics, either.
You get VO2 Max, adaptive training plans, and Training Effect metrics. Plus, you can plan your races and use PacePro to get live pacing strategies.
Battery life is way above a normal smartwatch, with around 17 hours of pure GPS time – and a couple of weeks as a smartwatch. Our typical cycle saw it last around a week, which is superb considering the display type and heavy usage.
It packs Garmin’s last-gen Elevate 4 HR sensor, but accuracy was still good for steady runs and interval sessions in our test against the current-gen tech and a Garmin HRM-Pro chest strap. Naturally, latency is an issue compared to the latter, but that’s true of every watch.
The only major gripe is that Garmin has separated music features into a more premium version, so you’ll need to pay more to get Spotify on the wrist. Boo.
Pros
- Light and bright design
- Accurate HR and GPS
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- Pricier than rivals at this range
- A separate edition for music – why?
- Pretty slow GPS lock-on
Garmin Forerunner 265
Released in March 2023, the Forerunner 265 is a superb mid-point option in the Garmin sports watch range, making it a great fit for intermediate and advanced exercisers looking for something to help boost their training.
It comes in a 46mm case size as standard, with the 41mm 265S variant a more unisex option and a great fit for females.
Not much has changed from the last generation, which is to be expected with just a nine-month gap between releases, but the key change – the introduction of an AMOLED display – is glorious.
It transforms the on-watch experience, with the new UI making tracking training and interacting with features like Morning Report, Training Readiness, Training Status, and Race Calendar an even bigger joy than they were in the last generation.
In our testing, Garmin’s Multi-Band GPS/GNSS performed well – even in built-up areas – and the heart rate compared very well to a Garmin HRM-Pro chest strap.
The battery life has taken a bit of a hit with the move to AMOLED – now offering around four days of heavy usage between charges, as opposed to 10-12 with the Forerunner 255 – but Garmin is still well ahead of the pack in this area.
And there’s also plenty of opportunity to eke out even more if you turn the always-on display off. Those who don’t care about that fancy new screen can always save some cash and pick up the Forerunner 255, as well.
This isn’t necessarily the worst idea, either, with the Forerunner 265 launching at a higher price than its predecessor.
Pros
- Display and UI are hugely improved
- Battery life remains very good
- Great accuracy across the board
Cons
- AMOLED won't be for everyone
- Same tracking experience as FR255
- Misses out on ECG hardware
Garmin Forerunner 965
Arriving in March 2023, the 965 is the most advanced Forerunner in Garmin’s lineup – and is now even more premium with the move over to AMOLED.
It’s not too dissimilar to the cheaper Forerunner 265 (above) it arrived alongside, but some subtle differences make it a great fit for those put off by the price of the Fenix/Epix range – or those who just want something lighter and easier to run, cycle or swim with.
In terms of features, it’s a very similar experience to what you’ll find with the last-gen Forerunner 955, with that display being the biggest difference between the two.
The bright and punchy screen does mean battery life has dipped slightly, but Garmin has still done very well here; the Forerunner 965 can power around 6-8 days of relatively heavy training in its always-on mode, which blows the competition out of the water.
It’s as feature-packed as it gets, too. Garmin’s full gamut of extras – including beautifully crisp offline mapping and access to pre-loaded golf courses – joins the list of focused and detailed running, cycling, and swimming insights.
It’s also incredibly accurate. In our extensive test, we found the GPS accuracy, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and plenty more line up with our expected baselines from some of the most accurate wearables on the market.
It all combines to make the Forerunner 965 a great pick for those who want something just a little extra to the 265. And for those who aren’t overly fussed about the display upgrade, you can take advantage of slightly better battery life and the cheaper price of the Forerunner 955.
We do have some slight concerns about the durability of the display and titanium bezel, so think carefully if you’re choosing this one over a Fenix/Epix, but know the rest of this package is hard to beat.
Pros
- Display and UI are much improved
- Battery life remains outstanding
- Tracking accuracy is hard to beat
Cons
- Prone to bumps and scratches
- Not hugely different to the FR265
- Smart features are extremely basic
Garmin Forerunner 55
The Forerunner 55 takes a small and comfortable running watch and adds more advanced features. However, the screen tech is a big downgrade on the Forerunner 165, and this is now a budget pick.
In addition to tracking core metrics like pace, time, and distance – there are also metrics for cadence, including a cadence alert, which will notify you if your steps per minute land outside of your desired target.
Garmin has included support for Garmin Coach, which means you can do guided run workouts from the wrist for distances like 5k and half marathon distance.
It’s now inherited Garmin’s PacePro pacing strategies feature, which has previously needed mapping support to put it to use. While the Forerunner 55 lacks those mapping features, it is still able to make use of PacePro to help tackle races.
There’s a renewed focus on recovery, and the Forerunner 55 will advise you on how long to rest after a session. It also offers daily suggested workouts based on logged sessions, the useful race predictor, and unlike the Forerunner 45, has full Connect IQ Store access.
Our only issue with the 55 is that Garmin could replace it soon. It was released in 2021, so we’re expecting a Forerunner 65 model to pop up in late 2024/early 2025.
Pros
- Small, light design
- PacePro and suggested workouts
- Full Connect IQ support
Cons
- Best HR accuracy with chest strap
- Low res screen
In-depth: Read our full Garmin Forerunner 55 review.
Best Garmin multisport watches
Whether you’re a seasoned Ironman (or Ironwoman), dabbling in triathlon, or just hate to be pigeonholed into one sport, these are the Garmin watches you need.
Garmin Fenix 7 (and 7S / 7X / 7 Pro)
As we mentioned above, Garmin has now released the Fenix 8 range. We’ve not yet included a full summary in this guide, as we’re still conducting tests, but it’s a series of watches that represents the typical upgrade in features and hardware.
Given the price difference, though, the Fenix 7 / 7 Pro is still worth considering.
The range comes in three sizes, each with a Pro version that adds a flashlight, upgraded HR sensor, and solar power as standard. There’s a mind-boggling array of choices even in the Fenix range alone, with upgrades also available for screen type and bezel material.
- Fenix 7 / Fenix 7 Pro (47mm)
- Fenix 7S / Fenix 7S Pro (42mm)
- Fenix 7X / Fenix 7X Pro (51mm)
Whichever you choose (there are so many nuances you’ll need to read our full reviews), they are exceptional multisport and outdoor watches.
Each boasts mega battery life (starting at 37 hours GPS on the smallest Fenix 7S), Multi-Band GPS (Garmin’s term for dual-frequency), 30+ sports modes (inc. advanced running, skiing, golf, and cycling modes), and in-depth analysis of recovery, training load, and VO2 Max.
Add to that TOPO mapping, GPX navigation, and over a month of battery life, and this is a powerful outdoor watch.
However, Garmin’s brilliant AMOLED range has started to make the Fenix 7 less appealing – and is a big reason why the screen tech has been adopted in the latest generation alongside the old-school memory-in-pixel/solar panel.
Plus, the Instinct 2 Solar/Instinct 2X/Enduro watches offer much of the same battery life and performance analysis in a more fun and cheaper package.
Pros
- Multi-Band, flashlight, and solar charging are now standard
- Unparalleled fitness tracking
- Improved heart rate accuracy
Cons
- Other premium Garmin watches offer much better value
- ECG hardware not yet used
- Smart features are lacking
Garmin Epix (Gen 2) / Epix Pro (Gen 2)
Epix OGs will remember the first edition that arrived in 2015, with the line reprised in the new Epix (Gen 2) in 2022 with a fresh purpose, and then again in 2023 for the Epix Pro (Gen 2).
In 2024, however, Garmin exclusively confirmed to Wareable that the Epix line is being retired, given its key selling point – the AMOLED display – was being adopted by the Fenix 8 range.
Still, given the price difference, it remains a superb option to consider. Essentially the Fenix 7 with an AMOLED display, the range brings all of the top features of the flagship without compromise – and the 1.3-inch, 454 x 454-pixel resolution, color AMOLED touchscreen creates a powerful smartwatch feel.
The Epix Pro (Gen 2) adds a flashlight, and the smaller and bigger size options to the range (42mm/51mm), which makes it a proper member of the Garmin family.
The Epix doesn’t ignore the mapping, advanced performance analytics, new stamina mode, improved GNSS tracking, health sensors, and sports modes of the Fenix, either.
Of course, battery life is diminished by the inclusion of the AMOLED display – but not as much as you’d think. The standard Epix 2 offers 16 days of battery life and 42 hours of GPS (without the always-on display enabled), compared to 18 days/57 hours on the standard Fenix 7.
For us in daily use – which includes daily GPS use and the AOD turned on – it tends to last around 6-7 days. Most people will like that compromise, we think, but you will pay a good chunk more for an Epix over a Fenix.
Pros
- Solid hardware additions
- Finally available in three sizes
- Great accuracy across the board
Cons
- Epix 2 and FR965 are better value
- ECG hardware not being used
- Mediocre smart features
Best Garmin smartwatch
A slightly confusing concept, as even the most basic watches are capable of tracking more than one type of activity, Garmin’s multi-sport watches tend to include more than just running, cycling, and pool swimming.
We’ve also classified its three “smartwatches” here. Essentially, look into this list if running is just one part of your weekly fitness schedule.
Garmin Venu 3
The Garmin Venu 3 is a big improvement over the Venu 2, with a slicker design and improved UI – as well as a more intuitive set of health features.
It’s still a jack-of-all-trades sporty smartwatch – so there are loads of sports profiles, but none offer the level of data and analysis you might expect from a Fenix or Forerunner.
Your main experience with the Venu 3 is with the daily suite of wellness metrics, displayed via widgets. It’s pretty extensive, with Body Battery (energy levels), stress, steps, HRV Status, activity minutes, breathing rate, sleep, sleep coach, and more, all on display.
The Venu 3 also now has ECG, which has been enabled after launch.
We found heart rate and GPS accuracy to be top-notch, so while the Venu 3 isn’t a powerhouse of athletic performance analysis, it does produce great data.
As a smartwatch, it does a good job of covering bases, with notifications, Garmin Pay (with patchy bank support), and offline Spotify syncing. It’s not the same kind of smartwatch experience offered by Apple and Google, but, with two weeks of battery life, (7-10 days of heavy use in our testing), it’s a fantastic alternative.
The downsides are that the Venu 3 is pretty expensive – and the Vivoactive 5 (below) offers most of its core features, at around half the price.
For runners and athletes, the Forerunner 265 is an obvious alternative and comes in a little cheaper.
Pros
- Wellness features finally feel useful
- Top HR accuracy
- Lovely screen
Cons
- Really pricey
- Sports tracking offers basic metrics only
- Some sleep accuracy niggles
Garmin Vivoactive 5
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 returns after a long hiatus, and is a hugely appealing alternative to the Venu 3. It really should be the Venu 3 Lite.
At $299/£259, it’s nearly half the price of the Venu 3, and boasts the same wellness tracking, sleep features, and sports tracking line-up as the flagship.
It’s not quite as sleek looking with an inferior AMOLED display, aluminum case, and it uses the older Elevate 4 heart rate sensor. Side-by-side it’s quite a visual downgrade. What’s more, there’s no ECG on board here. So there are sacrifices in choosing the Vivoactive 5.
It’s still a jack-of-all-trades, so you get running, swimming, cycling, workout, golf and other workout profiles but none offer advanced metrics or performance analytics.
Swim tracking is one of the most complete profiles, with stroke detection and efficiency scores, and the watch is 5ATM water resistant.
Battery life is excellent, with 11 days as standard, and 5 days with the always-on display enabled.
Pros
- Gives Vivoactive a nice screen upgrade
- Good sports tracking for the price
- Upgraded GPS setup
Cons
- Loses barometric altimeter
- Pretty plain look
- No Training Readiness metric
Garmin Venu Sq 2
The Venu Sq 2 is the latest addition to the company’s smartwatch range, offering a less refined package that enables Garmin to provide the same features as the Venu and Vivoactive 4 for less.
You get the same massive array of tracked sports, including running, cycling, swimming, gym, yoga, walking, pilates, and snow sports to name a few. And there’s even breathwork, too.
You get GPS built-in, as well, and there’s a SpO2 sensor that does spot checks. If you opt-in, there’s also night and daytime blood oxygen monitoring.
It will track stress, and we love the Body Battery feature that studies your readiness for exercise and can guide you as to when to have a rest (or go hard on a session).
All the sports tracking metrics are pretty basic, so you won’t get many of the VO2 Max and deep insights you’ll find on the likes of the Forerunner 255.
The watch itself also lags behind the Vivoactive 4 and Venu and Venu 2 in terms of build quality. It’s a plastic build with, a boxy design.
It blends a touchscreen and two physical buttons, and the interface that was once a bit fiddly is now much improved. With a better screen this time around, too, it’s a much better experience on the wrist – though the price has also been hiked a bit.
There’s also a music version at $249/£229, which means offline Spotify/Pandora playlists on the wrist. But for us, that takes it to a price point too far.
Best Garmin outdoor watch
If you’re looking for a true outdoors watch, you have two main options in the Garmin range – Fenix or Epix. But the price tag is pretty lofty, which is why Garmin has launched cheaper alternatives that don’t skimp on the stuff trekkers need.
Garmin Instinct 2/2X
No longer just an outdoor watch, the Instinct range is a fun, all-action multi-sport watch. It’s essentially a cut-price Fenix, with a plastic case and low-res screen, with a big dose of Casio style added to the mix.
We love it – and it’s an unsung hero of the Garmin range.
The Instinct 2 delivers big battery life, with up to 30 hours of GPS tracking, and even more, if you choose Solar versions.
The Instinct 2 has broken free of being a simple lower-cost outdoor watch. There are profiles for track running, hiking, cycling, swimming, climbing, and even skiing, boating, and other types of outdoor pursuits. There’s now golf mode, too – and it means the Instinct sits closer to the Fenix than most people realize.
Garmin has brought over running and training analysis features from its Forerunner watches like visual race predictions, VO2 Max estimates, training effect, and status insights. There are daily suggested workouts and a recovery advisor on board too.
You can upload routes, real-time breadcrumb navigation, and TrackBack – but mapping doesn’t make the cut.
The new Instinct 2X comes with a bigger 50mm case, solar power as standard, a flashlight (great for nighttime running safety and finding your way to the toilet while camping), and multi-band GPS for better accuracy. It also adds tons of Fenix advanced analytics – and is very much a smart alternative for those looking to save some cash.
Pros
- New workout stats
- Great battery life
- Extremely versatile
Cons
- Design won't be for everyone
- Sleep tracking questionable
Garmin Enduro 2
Note: Garmin has just released the Enduro 3, with improved mapping and navigation, a built-in speaker and microphone, and more upgrades that effectively make it a supercharged version of the 51mm Fenix 8 Solar. We’ll post our summary here following our full review.
The Garmin Enduro 2 is the company’s specialist variation of the Fenix 7X Solar, and one built specifically for ultrarunners. Most people won’t need the absurd 110 hours of GPS battery life and 254 hours in a max power mode. And that rises to an incredible 150 hours of GPS tracking and 714 hours if the Power Glass solar display is exposed to constant light.
To put the Enduro 2’s battery life into context, we’ve found using the right power modes to track your efforts will see it happily survive most week-long and multi-day endurance challenges. It also has enough gas in the tank to cover a month-long streak for anyone running, riding, or swimming for an hour a day, as well.
Physically, however, it’s a beast of a watch, and the 51mm case will be too much for most people. It’s certainly not unisex. The new titanium-only build is more manageable than the stainless steel from the original – but we found it uncomfortable to wear.
There are profiles for running, treadmill running, indoor track running, trail running, ultra running, and virtual running – MTB cycling and swimming are also well supported.
The ultra run mode has a clever rest timer, splits out how long you spend at aid stations, and the trail VO2 Max estimate takes slower off-road runs into account and adjusts your reading accordingly.
Garmin’s excellent ClimbPro feature also includes descents as well as ascents, so you get a full picture of the quad-burning that awaits you on your preloaded courses. That includes real-time information on the current and upcoming climbs and descents with gradient, distance, and elevation gain/loss.
Our only real criticism of the Enduro 2 is the lack of an AMOLED display. It certainly makes sense, given this device’s focus on massive battery life, but, with the price also increasing massively in this generation, it does sting a little.
Pros
- Unrivalled battery life
- Boosted nav smarts with TOPO maps
- Offline music
Cons
- Only one size
- No AMOLED
- Got pricier
Garmin hybrid watches
Garmin’s hybrid watches present a shift away from the typical full-screen MIP or AMOLED panel, with physical hands sitting above a smaller display.
Garmin Vivomove series
Garmin’s Vivomove series combines analog and smartwatch looks and if you don’t want to go all in with the level of sports tracking available on a Forerunner or Fenix and still want a stylish watch, this is the option for you.
The Sport is the latest addition to the Vivomove family, offering the same screen setup, albeit with a lower-quality display and polymer case look.
Like the Vivomove 3 or the Luxe, the Sport uses that digital display to show off information like heart rate, stress, daily fitness tracking, and notifications and can be used for music controls too.
There’s no GPS, so those who want accurate run or cycle track will have to do so with their phone, but you do get a healthy array of overall tracking. Long-pressing the screen will bring up the option to select activities, at which point you can cycle between runs, cycles, walks, gym workouts, and more.
It’s susceptible to the odd software hiccup, but generally, the hidden screen technology responds extremely well and is home to a wide array of features.
Promised battery life is up to 5 days and that’s exactly what we got. Think of it more in fitness tracker terms than sports watch terms as far as how well that battery shapes up.
We wouldn’t recommend serious sporty types pick up one of the Vivomove devices – they should turn to the rest of Garmin’s range – but it’s a more than capable fitness tracker for regular users.
Pros
- Light, attractive design
- Well integrated digital display
- Lots of data to view
Cons
- Just the 5 days of battery
- Screen a bit dim in bright outdoor light
- Lack of battery percentage status
This article was first published in July 2015. We update it frequently to reflect the newest Garmin devices, ensuring we’ve tested the latest and greatest devices available to buy.
