10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin tactix® 8 smartwatch is designed for those who need a rugged, feature-rich device with advanced tactical capabilities. Its 1.4-inch solar-charged display ensures long battery life, making it suitable for extended outdoor activities. The titanium bezel and sapphire lens enhance durability, and the built-in LED flashlight is useful for low-light conditions. GPS accuracy is impressive with multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology, making navigation reliable.

The watch includes dedicated tactical features like jumpmaster activity, dual-position GPS format, and compatibility with night vision goggles, catering to military and tactical users. Additionally, it offers a 40-meter dive rating for underwater activities, and comprehensive health monitoring with heart rate, sleep, and respiration tracking, although it is not a medical device.

Smart features like Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone notifications, and the ability to download the AB Quantum mobile app for target management add to its versatility. The display quality is robust and clear, suitable for various lighting conditions. The smartwatch might be overwhelming for general users due to its advanced features and higher price point, making it more suited for professionals in demanding environments or avid outdoor adventurers.

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a high-end multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want robust performance and durability. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright and clear, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, making it easy to read even in bright conditions. The titanium bezel adds to its sturdy build, enhancing durability for tough environments.

GPS accuracy is excellent, supported by multi-band SatIQ technology and sensors like a compass and barometric altimeter, which makes navigation reliable during outdoor activities. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and around 84 hours with continuous GPS use, suitable for long adventures or training sessions without frequent charging. Water resistance is strong, with a 40-meter dive rating and leakproof buttons, allowing use in swimming and diving scenarios.

It offers comprehensive health and activity tracking, including wrist-based heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep analysis, respiration tracking, and Pulse Ox, though these are approximations and not medical-grade. The watch also features smart capabilities such as calls and voice assistant support through a built-in speaker and mic, plus off-grid voice commands that work without a smartphone. The battery capacity is relatively small in milliamps, so longevity depends heavily on efficient software, and some advanced health features like ECG and Pulse Ox aren’t available everywhere due to regional restrictions. Weighing over 100 grams, the watch may feel bulky for some users. This Garmin watch suits those needing a durable, feature-packed multisport GPS watch with long battery life and strong outdoor navigation, but might be more than necessary for casual fitness users or those who prefer lighter wearables.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a solid choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use smartwatch. It features a bright and colorful 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen combined with traditional buttons, making navigation simple and responsive. Its built-in GPS provides reliable pace and distance tracking, while wrist-based heart rate monitoring supports a wide range of health and activity tracking functions, including over 25 sports profiles like running, cycling, and HIIT. A standout is the music storage and playback capability, letting you download playlists from popular services and listen without your phone, which is great for workouts on the go.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and around 19 hours when using GPS continuously—enough for long training sessions or multi-day use without frequent charging. The watch also offers personalized workouts and recovery insights, helping you train smarter by adjusting to your performance and rest status. Safety features like incident detection add peace of mind during outdoor activities, though they require your phone nearby with signal access. Garmin Pay allows contactless payments, so you can leave your wallet at home for convenience.

The watch’s size and weight make it comfortable to wear all day, and its water resistance means it can handle sweat and rain, but it’s not specified for deep-water use like diving. One limitation is the relatively small 4GB memory, which may restrict how many songs or apps you can store. Also, while the display is sharp, those used to larger smartwatch screens might find it a bit compact. For runners and active users wanting a feature-rich, dependable watch with strong GPS, music support, and smart features, the Forerunner 165 Music fits well without being overwhelming.