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The best Garmin watches for 2024

Garmin has dozens of devices to offer. We rounded up the best ones.
By
January 2, 2024
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
MSRP: $899.99
Check price
Positives
Available in three sizes
Fantastic heart rate and GPS tracking
Built-in LED flashlight and Red Shift Mode
Incredible battery life on largest model
Negatives
Expensive
New software features need tweaking
The Bottom Line.
Garmin swings the door wide open on its Epix Pro lineup with more options for more wrists. Now available in three case sizes, the AMOLED display-touting devices feature a built-in flashlight, a completely revamped heart rate sensor, and multiband GNSS across all models. Garmin even added a few new training metrics, 30 new sport modes, and helpful improvements to its onboard maps.Read full review...
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
MSRP: $799.99
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Positives
Built-in flashlight on all sizes
Solar charging multi-band GNSS across all models
Highly accurate Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor
Useful new training metrics and mapping upgrades
Negatives
No longer a cheaper base model option
Slow charging and proprietary cable
Potentially not enough to warrant an upgrade
The Bottom Line.
The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro elevates the brand's top multisport line another rung with significant hardware and software improvements. From its highly reliable heart rate sensor to its dead useful built-in flashlight, the Fenix 7 Pro is a true fitness (and daily life) companion. New workout metrics and mapping features are easier to use than ever on an updated MIP display and the series now offers the same experience across the lineup so users of all sizes can tap into the best Garmin has to offer.Read full review...
Garmin Vivoactive 5
MSRP: $299.99
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Positives
Vibrant, AMOLED display
Refreshed user interface
Automatic nap detection and sleep coaching
Heaps of added health and fitness tracking tools
Lower price point than predecessor
Accurate heart rate and GPS sensors
Negatives
Removed barometric altimeter
Eliminated workout animations
Won't be ECG app compatible
The Bottom Line.
True to trend, Garmin officially brings an AMOLED display to another popular lineup. The Vivoactive 5 features a colorful new screen, an upgraded heart rate sensor, and a host of added health and fitness tracking tools. In short, it offers a similar, well-rounded experience to the Garmin Venu 3 but at a fraction of the cost.Read full review...
Garmin Venu 3
MSRP: $449.99
Check price
Positives
Highly accurate GPS and heart rate sensors
Automatic nap detection and sleep coaching
On-device phone call and voice assistant support
Up to 14-day battery life
Larger display
Negatives
No ECG app
Pricey compared to competitors
No LTE model
The Bottom Line.
By combining the best of the Garmin Venu 2 and 2 Plus and adding in a few key upgrades, the Venu 3 offers the most robust smartwatch experience yet from the fitness tracking giant. Popular tools such as HRV status and Body Battery make the watch a powerful workout companion, while other new features such as automatic nap detection and Daily Summary are completely new to Garmin's stable.Read full review...
Garmin Venu Sq 2
MSRP: $249.99
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Positives
Accurate GPS
Useful sleep tracking
Handy Health Snapshot feature
Negatives
Pricier than its predecessor
No altimeter
Music storage costs extra
Garmin Forerunner 965
MSRP: $599.99
Check price
Positives
Crisp OLED display
Upgraded titanium bezel
In-depth mapping options
Responsive touchscreen
Advanced training metrics
Accurate HR and GPS
Negatives
No solar charging option
No wireless charging
No ECG
The Bottom Line.
The rich get richer as Garmin's Forerunner 965 picks up a vibrant AMOLED face to match its already excellent set of sensors. We'll miss features like the solar charging ring, but it's tough to argue against multi-week battery life and a near-endless list of workout types. If you want a truly brilliant running watch, the Forerunner 965 is one of the best money can buy.Read full review...
Garmin Forerunner 55
MSRP: $199.99
Check price
Positives
Improved design with easily removable straps
Fantastic 2-week battery life
Race Predictor and cadence alerts are helpful additions for runners
Great value
Excellent heart rate and GPS performance
Negatives
Sleep tracking accuracy is questionable
Display could be improved
Garmin Lily
MSRP: $199.00
Check price
Positives
Great fit, for even the slightest of wrist sizes
Simple, easy to understand UI
Accurate heart rate tracking
Negatives
Display pattern can be distracting
Proprietary, non-standard charger
Proprietary straps may cause headaches

Fitbit might be the king of activity trackers, but Garmin is nearly untouchable when it comes to fitness watches. Whether you’re looking for a running watch, a golf watch, a fitness tracker, or a smartwatch that can do it all, Garmin has something for you. In fact, Garmin has so many options it can be hard to keep track of them. Here are the best Garmin watches and the best Garmin smartwatches you can buy in 2024.

How to choose the right Garmin watch for your needs

Garmin has dozens of watches, and they’re all built for specific users. That makes it difficult to pin down “the best” Garmin for every shopper. To help, we’ve separated the Garmin watches on this list into categories.

The best Garmin watches

  • Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series: Devices from the Fenix 7 Pro series are the top Garmin watches you can buy. With built-in LED flashlights, the latest generation heart rate sensor, and more, these are Garmin’s everything-but-the-kitchen-sink devices.
  • Garmin Epix Pro series: Essentially Fenix 7 Pro devices with an AMOLED display, the Epix Pro lineup features the best of the best in terms of tools, features, and specs but sacrifices battery compared to its MIP-touting siblings.
  • Garmin vivoactive 5: At a fraction of the cost, the Garmin vivoactive 5 is the best multisport Garmin option if you don’t have ~$700 plus to spend.
  • Garmin Venu 3: The Garmin Venu 3 is Garmin’s top smartwatch thanks to its bright OLED display and useful features like music storage and phone call support.
  • Garmin Venu Sq 2: The Garmin Venu Sq 2 is a fantastic budget-friendly pick. It’s similar to the Venu 3 but with a few cost-cutting measures.
  • Garmin Forerunner 965: Garmin’s Forerunner 965, with its AMOLED display, is easily the best running watch the company has to offer.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55: For runners on a budget, the best cheap Garmin running watch is the Garmin Forerunner 55.
  • Garmin Lily: The Garmin Lily is the best Garmin fitness tracker for women. It’s made specifically for people with small wrists.

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series: The best multisport Garmin watches

Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Hill Endurance Scores
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Garmin’s top-tier multisport watch lineup, the Fenix 7 Pro, adds 30 brand-new sports modes to the line’s already robust offerings. It also accurately tracks users’ daily and overnight health stats and key training metrics. It’s a powerful tool for athletes eager for every possible advantage.

During our Fenix 7 Pro review, we were most excited to see the company bring its best tools to wrists of all sizes. The Fenix 7 Pro lineup is available in three sizes, and all three now feature solar charging, multiband GNSS, 32GB of memory, and a highly useful built-in LED flashlight. We couldn’t get enough of the built-in flashlight during our review period.

Meanwhile, updated heart rate sensors mean users can rely on highly accurate health monitoring and access fantastic tools for training. The newest are Training Readiness, Hill Score, and Endurance Score. Garmin also updated users’ navigation experience with relief shading, weather overlays, and new views that keep stats on screen alongside maps. These additions make the device even more user-friendly than its already popular predecessors.

Garmin Fenix 7 ProGarmin Fenix 7 Pro
AA Recommended
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
Built-in flashlight • Solar charging multi-band GNSS • Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor
MSRP: $799.99
Solar-powered premium smartwatch
Get the best convenience of Garmin's fitness tracking and smartwatch functionality in the solar-powered Fenix 7 Pro. Available in 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm case sizes, Pro series devices feature upgraded heart rate sensors, solar charging, advanced fitness tracking, and a built-in LED flashlight. For an even tougher display and titanium build, upgrade to a Sapphire model.

Pros

  • Built-in flashlight on all sizes
  • Solar charging multi-band GNSS across all models
  • Highly accurate Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor
  • Useful new training metrics and mapping upgrades

Cons

  • No longer a cheaper base model option
  • Slow charging and proprietary cable
  • Potentially not enough to warrant an upgrade

Garmin Epix Pro series: The best AMOLED-touting device

A watch face in red shift mode utilizes only red hues.
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

A half-step successor of the Epix Gen 2, the Epix Pro series boasts major upgrades. The device is now available in three case sizes so more users can find a better fit. Like the Fenix 7 Pro lineup, the device offers all the top training tools Garmin offers, including newer features like Endurance Score and Hill Score and 30 additional activity modes. Each model also packs Garmin’s latest Gen 5 Elevate heart rate sensor and the company’s highly reliable multiband GNSS. Throughout our review period, we found the device’s accuracy nearly flawless.

Unlike the Fenix 7 Pro series, Epix Pro models all feature beautifully vibrant, full-color AMOLED displays. This makes features like weather overlays and relief shading on maps even more accessible. It also means solar charging is impossible, but the watches still offer fantastic battery life. Like the Fenix 7 Pro line, all Epix Pro models feature a built-in LED flashlight for navigating dark campsites (or just finding your way around the house after hours). The Epix Pro also adds another tool for late-night use called Red Shift Mode (pictured above). This overlay turns everything on the screen into red-only hues to help users preserve night vision.

Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
AA Editors Choice
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
Available in three sizes • Fantastic heart rate and GPS tracking • Built-in LED flashlight and Red Shift Mode
MSRP: $899.99
Premium fitness tracking smartwatch with a flashlight
Garmin swings the door wide open on its Epix Pro lineup with more options for more wrists. Now available in three case sizes, the AMOLED display-touting devices feature a built-in flashlight, a completely revamped heart rate sensor, and multiband GNSS across all models. Garmin even added a few new training metrics, 30 new sport modes, and helpful improvements to its onboard maps.
See price at Amazon
Garmin Epix Pro

Pros

  • Available in three sizes
  • Fantastic heart rate and GPS tracking
  • Built-in LED flashlight and Red Shift Mode
  • Incredible battery life on largest model

Cons

  • Expensive
  • New software features need tweaking

Garmin vivoactive 5: The best cheap multisport Garmin watches

Garmin vivoactive 5 watch face
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

The Garmin vivoactive 5 is the multisport Garmin watch to buy if you don’t have the bank account to flex for a Fenix or Epix smartwatch. We thought the lineup was headed to pasture after years without an update, but instead, the newest model surprised us all with significant upgrades. The budget line joins many Garmin favorites on the AMOLED display train, and the facelift is a welcome change that elevates and modernizes the lineup.

Below its colorful new 1.2-inch display, the watch packs many key features, including Garmin’s excellent ecosystem of apps, brand-new training tools, and automatic nap detection. It also boasts an updated heart rate sensor and a lower price tag than its predecessor. We even found the device’s GPS accuracy on par with much pricier Garmin devices. To cut costs, the Vivoactive 5 curtails its feature set in a few ways. Users won’t find a barometer, ECG app compatibility, or the useful smart features found on the Venu 3 below.

Garmin Vivoactive 5Garmin Vivoactive 5
AA Editors Choice
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Vibrant, AMOLED display • Accurate heart rate and GPS sensors • Automatic nap detection and sleep coaching
MSRP: $299.99
A well-equipped AMOLED smartwatch
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the next-gen version of one of Garmin's popular smartwatch lines. Enjoy a 1.2-inch AMOLED display, 11 days of battery life, and a rich set of activity and health tracking features.

Pros

  • Vibrant, AMOLED display
  • Refreshed user interface
  • Automatic nap detection and sleep coaching
  • Heaps of added health and fitness tracking tools
  • Lower price point than predecessor
  • Accurate heart rate and GPS sensors

Cons

  • Removed barometric altimeter
  • Eliminated workout animations
  • Won’t be compatible with ECG app

Garmin Venu 3: The best Garmin smartwatch

Garmin Venu 3 review watch face
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

The Garmin Venu 3 is hands down the company’s best smartwatch. It builds on the original Garmin Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus with additional training tools and upgraded sensors for an even more comprehensive fitness-tracking smartwatch. The Venu 3 series also brings back a second case size to appeal to more shoppers, offering a 45mm and 41mm option. Both sizes pack upgraded device navigation, including an expanded shortcuts feature, more organized widget menus, and additional watch faces.

Below the surface, the watch boasts the newest generation Elevate V5 optical heart rate sensor, multi-GNSS support, and tools like Recovery Time, Workout Benefit, and Perceived Exertion. The Venu 3 also features automatic nap detection for the first time on any device from Garmin’s stable. Since launchthe device’s V5 heart rate sensor was also certified to provide ECG readings like the Venu 2 Plus. As for smartwatch features, the Venu 3 still boasts phone call support and voice assistant compatibility when a paired phone is nearby, making it the best pick for a well-rounded smartwatch.

Garmin Venu 3Garmin Venu 3
AA Editors Choice
Garmin Venu 3
Highly accurate GPS and heart rate sensors • Automatic nap detection and sleep coaching • Up to 14-day battery life
MSRP: $449.99
Accuracy and smarts.
The Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S focus on providing personalized data about your health and wellness with some of Garmin's most advanced body tracking features. The Body Battery function informs you of your activity levels, and new sleep tracking includes nap detection.

Pros

  • Highly accurate GPS and heart rate sensors
  • Automatic nap detection and sleep coaching
  • On-device phone call and voice assistant support
  • Up to 14-day battery life
  • Larger display

Cons

  • Pricey compared to competitors
  • No LTE model

Garmin Venu Sq 2: The best cheap Garmin smartwatch

A Garmin Venu Sq 2 rests on a notebook, displaying the device menu.
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Looking at the Venu 3 but not looking to pay $400? The Garmin Venu Sq 2 gets you 90% of the way there for just $250. It may be a cheaper smartwatch, but it still offers plenty. A significant upgrade to a device we already loved, the Venu Sq 2 adds a few important updates to the original Venu Sq for an even better experience. Off that bat, users will notice a bright, colorful AMOLED display in the same familiar square shape. This means you can now personalize the Sq line with hundreds of watch faces available in the Garmin IQ app. The watch is also available in sleek colorways with metallic bevels for an elevated look. We found it easy to pair the device with everything from activewear to formal attire during our Garmin Venu Sq 2 review.

Beyond the build, the device offers more than 25 sport modes and 24-hour heart rate monitoring, SpO2 monitoring, sleep tracking, and more. Users will even find Body Battery and Health Snapshot on board. The device’s sensors proved accurate and reliable in testing, though we were surprised to see Garmin drop an altimeter from the line.

Like the previous generation, the Venu Sq 2 comes in both a base model and a pricier Music Edition with storage for up to 500 songs. We suggest splurging for the latter as the added storage means you can leave your phone at home and still have music on runs and rides. The base model can be found in Gray/Slate, White/Cream Gold, and Cool Mint/Metallic Mint. The Music Edition is available in Ivory/Peach Gold (pictured), Black/Slate, and French Gray/Cream Gold.

Garmin Venu Sq 2Garmin Venu Sq 2
AA Recommended
Garmin Venu Sq 2
Updated heart rate sensor • Data downloadable • Bright and colorful display
MSRP: $249.99
A brighter display meets newer sensors
The Venu Sq 2 smartwatch lands with a brighter display fitted to its now customary square body. It boasts an extensive array of health analysis, from Garmin's Body Battery to detailed sleep tracking. The data collected is downloadable, and it offers connective features with external captors.

Pros

  • Bright, colorful AMOLED display
  • Very impressive battery life
  • Improved heart rate accuracy
  • Accurate GPS
  • Useful sleep tracking
  • Handy Health Snapshot feature

Cons

  • Pricier than its predecessor
  • No altimeter
  • Music storage costs extra
  • Limited smartwatch features
  • No audible alerts

Garmin Forerunner 965: The best Garmin running watch

garmin forerunner 965 workout list
Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is our top pick from the Garmin running watch stable. As Garmin devices tend to do, it brings back everything we already adored about the previous generation and adds exactly what users requested. Chief among those requests: a colorful AMOLED display. The vibrant facelift elevates the user experience to the top-tier level of its accurate health and fitness sensors.

For starters, the device offers both impressive heart rate tracking and unfaltering GPS accuracy. Users will also find all the best Garmin offers in terms of training tools, including advanced metrics and performance analysis. What sets the 965 apart is how much the new touchscreen enhances the user experience. Throughout our Forerunner 965 review, we were tickled by how readable and crisp Garmin’s excelling mapping features appeared on the screen.

The watch also doesn’t sacrifice peripheral features important to runners. Battery life still lands in the multi-week realm, making the loss of solar charging easier to swallow. There’s still 32 GB of storage for loading up your favorite music or golf courses. For cross-training, the Forerunner 965 offers dozens of workout types beyond running, including team sports and niche activities. The line still supports digital payments for grabbing a snack on the go.

In other words, this isn’t just one of the best Garmin watches available; it’s one of the best running watches you can buy. If it’s a little out of budget, check out the midrange Forerunner 265 for a similar experience at a lower price.

Garmin Forerunner 965Garmin Forerunner 965
AA Editors Choice
Garmin Forerunner 965
Crisp OLED display • Upgraded titanium bezel • In-depth mapping options
MSRP: $599.99
Garmin's elite running watch
The Forerunner 965 is one of Garmin's best wearables for runners. This smartwatch is equipped with a bright and colorful AMOLED display, a rich set of sensors, modes, and features, and lightweight titanium parts.

Pros

  • Crisp OLED display
  • Upgraded titanium bezel
  • In-depth mapping options
  • Responsive touchscreen
  • Advanced training metrics
  • Accurate HR and GPS

Cons

  • No solar charging option
  • No wireless charging
  • No ECG

Garmin Forerunner 55: The best cheap Garmin running watch

A Garmin Forerunner 55 rests on a. wooden post displaying a user's daily suggested workout.
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is the best cheap running watch from the company. It follows Garmin’s typical update strategy — the Forerunner 55 is essentially a cheaper Forerunner 245 with hardware similar to the Forerunner 45 line. The 55 looks much more like Garmin’s other Forerunner devices. Luckily, you no longer need a screwdriver to remove the straps.

On this model, battery life is improved from seven days to two weeks. Garmin also brought many existing training features to the Forerunner 55, including PacePro, Race Predictor, Recovery Advisor, cadence alerts, daily suggested workouts and additional sport profiles. However, there’s still no Garmin Pay or music storage, so you may need to opt for a higher-end device if you want those features.

Most importantly, we were very impressed with the device’s accuracy during our Garmin Forerunner 55 review. Garmin’s Elevate heart rate sensor kept up well with more expensive devices, including our Apple Watch. Likewise, GPS is very reliable. It accurately tracked our runs and even outperformed competitors in some cases.

Garmin Forerunner 55Garmin Forerunner 55
AA Editors Choice
Garmin Forerunner 55
Improved design with easily removable straps • Fantastic 2-week battery life • Race Predictor and cadence alerts are helpful additions for runners • Great value • Excellent heart rate and GPS performance
MSRP: $199.99
Is the Garmin Forerunner 55 a worthy alternative to the Coros Pace 2?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a lightweight running watch made for people new to the sport and those who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. The Forerunner 55 is the cheapest running watch in Garmin’s ecosystem, not including previous-gen devices.

Pros

  • Improved design with easily removable straps
  • Fantastic 2-week battery life
  • Race Predictor and cadence alerts are helpful additions for runners
  • Great value
  • Excellent heart rate and GPS performance

Cons

  • Sleep tracking accuracy is questionable
  • The display could be improved

Garmin Lily: The best Garmin tracker for women

The Garmin Lily Sport Edition smart watch displays the time on a woman's wrist.
Lily Katz / Android Authority

The Garmin Lily is a small, basic activity tracker geared toward women. The lightweight, compact design is refreshing for those with smaller wrists — a demographic underserved in the wearables market. However, the Garmin Lily is a bit bare-bones for our liking. Garmin markets this as “the small and fashionable smartwatch women have been waiting for.” Sure, it’s small and fashionable, but the second half of that sentence may be stretching things. We found the device somewhat barebones during our Garmin Lily review.

Due to its compact design, Garmin made some sacrifices with the Lily’s feature set. For instance, it doesn’t have Garmin Pay or onboard GPS. It does, however offer detailed sleep tracking and accurate heart rate data. This is a good pick if you are a woman looking for a very basic device. It’s also Garmin’s only watch specifically designed for women.

Garmin LilyGarmin Lily
Garmin Lily
Great fit, for even the slightest of wrist sizes • Simple, easy to understand UI • Accurate heart rate tracking
MSRP: $199.00
Garmin's new smartwatch for women is good at the basics but left us wanting more.
The Garmin Lily smartwatch borrows many of the brand’s staple fitness tracking features from the Vivoactive 4 and Vivosmart 4 lines. It’s fairly economical compared to the competition. It affords you the basics like heart rate tracking, weather readings, and activity metrics. Outdoor enthusiasts may need a dedicated adventure watch (and Garmin has you covered there), but casual gym-goers will gravitate to the Garmin Lily.

Pros

  • Great fit, for even the slightest of wrist sizes
  • Simple, easy-to-understand UI
  • Accurate heart rate tracking
  • Detailed, accurate sleep tracking

Cons

  • Display pattern can be distracting
  • Proprietary, non-standard charger
  • Proprietary straps may cause headaches

Honorable mentions

That’s it for our list of the best Garmin watches you can buy, but it’s only a fraction of what’s out there. We also want to give an honorable mention to the following products:

  • Garmin Fenix 6 series: Featuring last-gen tech, the Fenix 6 series is still a line of powerful devices and a good way to save some cash. The devices can often be found on sale for significantly less than their launch price.
  • Garmin Venu 2 Plus: Now that the Venu 3 is out, the previous model is available for a discount across many retailers. If you need an ECG app now, this is a worthy option.
  • Garmin vivosmart 5: Garmin reentered the fitness tracker game with the vivosmart 5. The latest adds a touchscreen display and interchangeable bands.
  • Garmin Instinct 2: For adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts, this addition to the Instinct line adds a ton of features, including added sport modes and impressive battery life with solar charging.
  • Garmin Instinct Crossover: For a feature-packed hybrid experience, the Instinct Crossover offers the best of the Instinct lineup plus real ticking watch hands and even better GPS accuracy.
  • Garmin Forerunner 265: Another great running watch at a middle-of-the-road price, the Forerunner 265 is easy to recommend. We couldn’t find much not to like about it.

FAQs

Yes. In addition to Android phones, Garmin watches can also connect to iPhones. To connect your device to your iOS phone, Download the Garmin Connect app from the App Store.

Most Garmin wearables are water-resistant to 5ATM.

We think a Garmin watch is absolutely worth buying. Garmin devices are historically reliable and accurate. They’re also supported for many years, making each generation a worthwhile investment.

Yes, Garmin can connect with the popular running and cycling app Strava. To link your Garmin device and Strava account, open Garmin Connect, select settings, and select connected apps. Finally, select Strava and sign in to your Strava account.

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this debate. Garmin and Fitbit each have their strengths and are better for a certain type of user. Read our full Fitbit vs Garmin comparison guide to learn more about both ecosystems.