10 Best Garmin Forerunners 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a strong option for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a versatile smartwatch. It has built-in GPS and wrist-based heart rate tracking, which are reliable for measuring pace, distance, and your heart rate during workouts. The AMOLED touchscreen is bright and colorful, making it easy to see your stats even outdoors, and its lightweight 43 mm design feels comfortable on the wrist. Battery life is solid, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and about 19 hours with GPS active, which is enough for most training sessions and longer runs. This model shines with its training features—personalized daily workouts adapt based on your recovery and performance, plus it offers race-specific plans and over 25 activity profiles beyond running, including cycling and HIIT. Health insights like sleep tracking, recovery time, and heart rate variability provide useful feedback to help improve your fitness safely.

It also supports music storage with popular streaming apps and connects to wireless headphones, letting you run phone-free. Smart features like notifications, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and safety options like incident detection add convenience and peace of mind. One drawback is that some advanced safety features require pairing with a smartphone and network coverage, so they aren’t fully independent. Also, while the watch supports many smart features, it’s primarily focused on fitness rather than being a full smartwatch replacement. For those seeking an easy-to-use, performance-focused running watch with great battery life and music capabilities, the Forerunner 165 Music offers a well-rounded choice.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch stands out in the running smartwatch category, bringing a range of features that cater specifically to athletes and fitness enthusiasts. One of its key strengths is the brilliant AMOLED display, which provides clear visuals and is responsive to touch, making it easy to navigate through various functions. With up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and around 20 hours in GPS mode, this watch offers impressive longevity, allowing users to engage in extended training sessions without the constant worry of recharging.

The robust training metrics and recovery insights are also a highlight. Features like the training readiness score, which evaluates factors such as sleep and recovery, help users optimize their workouts and avoid overtraining. Additionally, the ability to receive personalized daily suggested workouts based on race input makes it an excellent choice for those preparing for upcoming events.

On the safety front, features like incident detection and assistance offer peace of mind for outdoor runners, ensuring that help can be summoned easily if needed. The multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology enhances GPS accuracy, even in challenging environments, making it reliable for various terrains. The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a solid option for dedicated runners and fitness enthusiasts who appreciate advanced training metrics, safety features, and long battery life.

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a high-end GPS running and triathlon smartwatch designed for serious athletes who want detailed insights into their performance. Its standout feature is the bright 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen combined with button controls, making the display easy to read in various lighting conditions. The watch offers multi-band GPS with full-color maps, helping you confidently navigate any route with dynamic round-trip routing. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours with GPS active, which covers long training sessions and multi-day events without frequent charging.

It includes advanced heart rate monitoring with wrist-based running dynamics and running power metrics, offering detailed data to improve running economy and avoid overtraining. The built-in LED flashlight is a practical addition for early morning or late-night workouts. Smartwatch features like call handling, voice assistant support, and notifications keep you connected on the go. It also supports multisport auto-transition for triathletes and provides personalized Garmin Coach training plans.

The titanium bezel and sapphire lens add durability while keeping the watch lightweight. This watch suits runners and triathletes who want a premium, feature-rich device with excellent battery life and detailed training insights.