10 Best Garmin Smartwatches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Instinct 3 45mm is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need a tough, reliable smartwatch. Its standout feature is the solar-charged display, which can keep the battery running almost indefinitely if you spend a few hours outside daily, making it excellent for extended adventures without worrying about charging. The watch has a strong build, with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal bezel, plus it meets military standards for shock and thermal resistance and is water-rated to 10 ATM, so it can handle rough conditions and swimming.

Navigation is a strong point here, thanks to built-in GPS combined with a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, and multi-band GPS technology, allowing accurate location tracking and efficient battery use. The included LED flashlight is a handy bonus for nighttime use, adding practical value for outdoor activities. Health and fitness tracking cover basics like heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and Pulse Ox, giving a well-rounded view of your wellness without being medical-grade. Smart features include notifications, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and safety tools like incident detection and emergency assistance, which require a paired smartphone.

The display is relatively small at 0.9 inches and round in shape, which might feel limited for some users used to larger screens. Customization options are available through the Connect IQ Store, allowing you to add apps and watch faces. This watch is ideal for those who prioritize durability, long battery life, and reliable outdoor navigation instead of flashy displays or extensive smartwatch features. It may not suit users wanting a larger screen or a full set of advanced smart capabilities but excels as a rugged companion for outdoor and fitness activities.

The Garmin tactix 8 Elite is a robust, premium tactical GPS smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals needing advanced navigation and durability. Its standout features include a large 1.4-inch solar-charged display which helps extend battery life, paired with a sturdy titanium bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire lens, making it highly durable. The watch excels in GPS and navigation with multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology for pinpoint accuracy, plus built-in sensors like compass and barometric altimeter to aid outdoor navigation. It supports specialized tactical functions such as jumpmaster mode, waypoint projection, stealth mode, and compatibility with night vision goggles which are ideal for tactical use.

For fitness and health tracking, it offers comprehensive monitoring including wrist-based heart rate, sleep, respiration, Pulse Ox, and even an ECG app. It supports a wide range of sports and training plans to improve endurance and strength. The watch is water-resistant to 40 meters, suitable for swimming and diving activities, including scuba and apnea diving.

Smart features include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connectivity, notifications, and the ability to sync with the AB Quantum mobile app for managing ballistic profiles and targets. Its battery capacity is modest and while solar charging helps, heavy use of GPS and smart features may require frequent charging compared to simpler models. The price and feature set may be more than casual users need, as it is tailored to tactical and serious multisport users. Weighing 95 grams, it offers a reasonable balance of size and build but could feel bulky on smaller wrists. This watch suits those seeking a highly durable, feature-rich tactical smartwatch with advanced navigation and health tracking, while casual fitness users might prefer something simpler and lighter.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a solid choice for runners looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use smartwatch with reliable GPS and health tracking. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED screen offers clear visuals, making it easy to see stats while running or during daily wear. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in normal use and 19 hours with continuous GPS, which is great for long workouts or multi-day use without frequent charging.

The watch excels at providing personalized training plans and recovery insights, helping you improve while avoiding overtraining. It covers a wide range of activities beyond running, including cycling, HIIT, and strength training, making it versatile for different workouts. You can also download music directly to the watch and listen without your phone, which adds convenience for runners who like to leave their phone behind. Smart features like notifications, Garmin Pay, and safety tracking add useful everyday functionality.

Some users might find the 1.2-inch screen a bit small if they prefer larger displays. Also, while the heart rate and GPS sensors are accurate for general training, highly precise tracking for competitive athletes may require more advanced models. The watch’s design is comfortable and durable with water resistance, suited for varied weather and sweat. It successfully balances fitness-focused features with smart convenience, making it a great option for casual to serious runners looking to track progress and enjoy music on the go.