10 Best Garmin Smartwatches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a solid choice if you're looking for a premium multisport GPS smartwatch packed with features for athletes and outdoor adventurers. Its large 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright and sharp, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and encased in a durable titanium bezel, which makes it sturdy enough for tough conditions. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours when using GPS continuously, so it can keep up with extended trips or intense training sessions without frequent charging.

GPS and navigation tools shine with multi-band satellite accuracy plus added sensors like a barometric altimeter and compass, plus a cool round-trip routing feature for varied workouts. Health and fitness tracking is comprehensive, including heart rate monitoring, sleep and respiration tracking, and even an ECG app. For water lovers, it offers a 40-meter dive rating and supports scuba and apnea diving, which is quite rare in smartwatches.

Smart features include making calls directly from your wrist, voice assistant compatibility, and offline voice commands, adding convenience beyond fitness. While it weighs a bit over 100 grams, it balances comfort with durability. The high-end materials and features come with a premium price, and the depth of data might be overwhelming if you're new to fitness tracking. If you want a rugged, feature-rich watch that excels in sports, navigation, and health monitoring, the fēnix 8 is a strong contender.

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 fēnix 7S Pro Sapphire Solar is a versatile multisport GPS smartwatch designed for people who want a reliable companion for outdoor activities and fitness tracking. Its 1.2-inch round display is bright and clear, housed in a tough 42mm case made from fiber-reinforced polymer with a steel or titanium bezel, making it very durable and resistant to scratches, thanks to the Power Sapphire solar lens. This solar feature extends the battery life significantly by charging with sunlight, allowing the watch to last for weeks in smartwatch mode, which is great for long adventures without frequent charging. The built-in LED flashlight is a handy addition for nighttime training or low-light situations, adding practical value beyond typical smartwatches.

In terms of health and fitness, the watch offers extensive tracking, including heart rate variability, Pulse Ox for oxygen saturation, advanced sleep monitoring, and new metrics like hill score and endurance score to help runners and athletes better understand performance and recovery. It’s well-suited for multisport athletes, with wrist-based running power and strength training features, plus advanced pacing options. GPS navigation is very accurate thanks to multi-band technology and SatIQ, and preloaded TopoActive maps, golf courses, and ski resorts provide useful routes and real-time navigation prompts.

Smart features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and compatibility with Android and iOS ensure easy syncing and notifications. The interface combines touchscreen and button controls, which can be convenient in various conditions. Although the watch is packed with advanced features, it remains fairly lightweight at 65 grams and offers 32GB of storage for maps and apps. One challenge could be the complexity of all the data for users new to fitness tracking, but Garmin’s morning report and training readiness tools help simplify this. The price tends to be on the higher side, reflecting its premium build and capabilities. This watch is an excellent choice for active individuals who value durable gear with long battery life, accurate GPS, and detailed health insights, especially those involved in multiple sports or outdoor activities.