10 Best Garmin Forerunners 2026 in the United States

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 training and health. Its brightest AMOLED touchscreen combined with durable titanium and sapphire materials makes the watch both visually appealing and tough enough for daily use. The built-in LED flashlight is a thoughtful addition for early morning or nighttime runs, enhancing safety. Battery life is solid, offering up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours with GPS active, so you can rely on it for long training sessions without frequent charging.

This watch provides advanced running metrics like running economy and step speed loss, though measuring some of these requires an additional HRM 600 chest strap. Its personalized Garmin Coach training plans adapt to your performance and recovery, helping you train smarter. The multisport auto-transition feature is very useful for triathletes, automatically switching tracking modes between swimming, cycling, and running. Wrist-based running dynamics and power measurements give you a detailed view of your form and effort.

Smart features include making and receiving calls directly from your wrist and using your phone’s voice assistant for messages, which adds convenience during workouts. Full-color maps and multi-band GPS support let you explore new routes confidently, with dynamic routing adjusting as needed. Health monitoring includes a training readiness score based on various factors and an ECG app for heart rhythm checks, though the latter is limited to certain countries and users over 22. This watch is an excellent choice for dedicated runners and triathletes seeking a durable, feature-packed device with robust health and training tools.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a solid choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use smartwatch with strong GPS and health tracking features. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen combined with physical buttons offers a user-friendly experience, especially for outdoor use. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and about 19 hours with continuous GPS, so it can handle long training sessions and daily wear without frequent charging.

This watch stands out with personalized workout suggestions, adaptive training plans, and detailed recovery insights that help you improve your fitness smartly. It supports over 25 activity profiles, making it versatile beyond just running. Health tracking includes wrist-based heart rate and sleep analysis, although some metrics are estimations rather than medical-grade readings. Safety features like incident detection add peace of mind during outdoor activities, though they require your phone to be nearby with network coverage.

Smart notifications keep you connected without constantly checking your phone, and Garmin Pay lets you make contactless payments on the go (availability depends on your region). One minor downside is the relatively small storage capacity (4 GB), which is typical but means limited onboard music storage compared to some competitors. The Forerunner 165 is well suited for casual and serious runners who want a reliable, feature-rich smartwatch that supports training and health tracking with the convenience of smart features.