10 Best Garmin Activity Trackers 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a strong choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a reliable activity tracker with advanced features. Its bright and colorful 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen makes interaction easy and enjoyable, while traditional button controls add convenience during workouts. The watch excels at heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking, boasting multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology for very accurate location data even in tricky environments. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and around 20 hours when using GPS continuously, which is quite good for extended outdoor activities.

Sleep and recovery insights are thoughtfully integrated, giving you a morning report on sleep quality, training readiness, and heart rate variability, helping to tailor your workouts intelligently. There are over 30 built-in activity profiles including running, cycling, and swimming, making it versatile for different sports. Safety features like incident detection add peace of mind but require your phone to be nearby with network coverage.

You also get smart notifications for calls and texts from your paired smartphone, plus Garmin Pay for contactless payments, which is handy for on-the-go use. This watch suits active individuals who want detailed training feedback, strong GPS performance, and long battery life, combined with convenient smart features. It might be less ideal if you need deep water resistance or perfectly precise health measurements.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch is a highly capable activity tracker designed for serious runners and multisport athletes. One of its standout features is the brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display, which paired with traditional button controls, makes it user-friendly. Its lightweight titanium bezel adds durability without extra weight. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and up to 31 hours in GPS mode, ensuring it can keep up with long training sessions and outdoor adventures.

The built-in GPS with multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology promises superior accuracy, even in challenging environments, which is essential for precise tracking during runs or other activities. Additionally, the full-color maps and turn-by-turn directions can help you navigate new routes confidently. The smartwatch excels in health and fitness tracking, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and activity tracking. The training readiness score based on sleep quality, recovery, and training load is particularly useful for optimizing performance and avoiding overtraining. Personalized daily suggested workouts and race strategy planning are great for athletes aiming to improve their performance.

Other features like wrist-based running dynamics, body battery energy monitoring, and training status insights provide a comprehensive overview of your training and health. The wealth of features may be overwhelming for casual users or those new to fitness trackers. The high-tech capabilities come at a premium price, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. The large 1.4-inch display is clear and vibrant but might feel bulky for those with smaller wrists. If you're an athlete looking for an advanced, feature-rich smartwatch to elevate your training, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is a strong contender. If you prefer a more straightforward activity tracker, some of the advanced features might be more than you need.

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is an impressive health and fitness GPS smartwatch that caters well to individuals looking to monitor their health and stay active. With a battery life of up to 11 days, it reduces the need for frequent charging, making it convenient for everyday use. The bright AMOLED display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, enhancing the user experience.

One of its standout features is the comprehensive health monitoring, which includes heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, stress levels, and even menstrual cycle tracking. This makes it a versatile option for a wide range of users, including those needing specific health insights. The built-in GPS and over 30 sports apps, such as running, cycling, and swimming, make it a solid choice for fitness enthusiasts. Its water resistance also means you can wear it while swimming or in the rain without worry.

Additionally, the ability to download music and use it with wireless headphones allows for a more enjoyable workout experience without needing a phone. However, there are a few drawbacks. The wrist-based heart rate monitoring, while convenient, may not be as accurate as chest strap monitors, especially during high-intensity workouts. The price might also be a consideration for some, as Garmin's products tend to be on the higher end. Also, the 1.2-inch screen size might be a bit small for users who prefer larger displays. While it supports multiple languages and can connect to both Android and iOS devices, some users might find the initial setup and navigation of features slightly complex. For those who want a reliable, feature-packed fitness and health tracker, the Garmin vívoactive 5 offers a solid combination of performance, battery life, and health insights.