10 Best Garmin Watch For Running And Cycling 2026 in the United States

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice for both runners and cyclists looking for a versatile GPS smartwatch. Its bright AMOLED display offers clear visibility, making it user-friendly while on the go. With a battery life of up to 11 days, it ensures that you can track your activities without frequent recharging, which is a significant advantage for long training sessions or multi-day events. The built-in GPS provides accurate tracking of distances and routes, essential for outdoor activities like running and cycling.

This smartwatch is packed with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate tracking and Body Battery energy monitoring, which can help users optimize their training and rest periods. The extensive range of more than 30 sports apps caters to various fitness activities, accommodating both traditional runners and more niche users, such as those in wheelchair sports.

For those who enjoy smart features, the vívoactive 5 supports music downloads and offers connectivity with popular streaming services, allowing for phone-free listening during workouts. The user interface is generally intuitive, but some users may find the multitude of features overwhelming at first. The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a feature-rich smartwatch that meets the needs of fitness enthusiasts, particularly in running and cycling, combining essential fitness tracking with smart features.

The Garmin Forerunner 265S is a well-rounded smartwatch designed for running and cycling enthusiasts. It features a bright AMOLED touchscreen with traditional buttons, making it user-friendly and easy to navigate even during intense activities. Its lightweight design, especially the 42 mm size, makes it comfortable for those with smaller wrists. The battery performance is impressive, offering up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 24 hours in GPS mode, which is excellent for extended training sessions and long races.

GPS accuracy is enhanced with multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology, ensuring precise tracking even in challenging environments. The heart rate monitoring is robust, providing essential metrics like HRV status, training readiness, and sleep tracking to help optimize your workouts and recovery. Additionally, it has over 30 activity profiles, including running, cycling, and open-water swimming, catering to various training needs.

The smartwatch's 1.1-inch display might feel small for users who prefer larger screens. Also, the battery capacity of 4 milliamp hours might seem low, but it achieves impressive battery life through efficient power management. The connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB, ensure you stay connected with smart notifications for calls and texts from your smartphone. Safety features like incident detection and live location sharing add peace of mind during outdoor activities. Customizability and user interface are strong, with personalized workout suggestions and a race widget to plan your strategy. While it’s well-suited for its target audience, the high level of detailed metrics might be overwhelming for casual users.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a versatile GPS running watch that caters to both runners and cyclists. Its strengths include excellent GPS accuracy, which allows you to track your runs and rides precisely. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode. This can be particularly useful for long training sessions or races. The heart rate monitoring feature helps you keep track of your fitness levels, although it's important to note that it is not a medical device. The watch also offers a range of training and performance metrics, such as race time predictions and finish time estimates, making it a valuable tool for those looking to improve their performance.

Additionally, it supports various activity profiles including swimming and Pilates, broadening its usability beyond just running and cycling. Durability and water resistance are also commendable, allowing you to use it in various environments. Connectivity features are robust, with Bluetooth support enabling seamless integration with smartphones. Customizability is another highlight, with options to personalize watch faces and access a plethora of apps from the Connect IQ Store.

However, there are some drawbacks. The screen size is relatively small at 1.04 inches, which might be a limitation for users who prefer a larger display. Moreover, the PacePro feature is not compatible with on-device courses, which could be a downside for those who rely heavily on this feature for pacing during races. In summary, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a highly capable watch for runners and cyclists, with strong GPS accuracy, impressive battery life, and a range of useful features, though it may fall short for those looking for a larger display or full PacePro integration.