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10 Best Garmin Forerunners 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Garmin Forerunner 55, GPS Running Watch with Daily Suggested Workouts, Up to 2 weeks of Battery Life, Black - 010-02562-00

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,254
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
4821 reviews

GPS Accuracy
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is lightweight, comfortable, and packed with features like GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and suggested workouts.
Battery Life
Battery life is fantastic, lasting for days even with regular use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is lightweight, comfortable, and packed with features like GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and suggested workouts.
Training and Performance Metrics
Accurate pace and distance tracking, with detailed post-run stats in the Garmin Connect app.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is an excellent choice for runners looking for a reliable and easy-to-use GPS running watch. Its built-in GPS tracks your runs accurately, providing detailed data on how far, how fast, and where you’ve run. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, making it suitable for both daily use and longer running sessions.

The heart rate monitoring feature is convenient, though it’s important to note that it’s not a medical device and may not be as accurate as dedicated heart rate monitors. The watch offers various training and performance metrics, including race time predictions, finish time estimates, and PacePro, which helps plan your race day strategy. These features are great for anyone looking to improve their running performance.

The Forerunner 55’s smartwatch features, such as Bluetooth connectivity and customization options from the Connect IQ Store, add to its versatility. Additionally, it’s water-resistant and suitable for activities like pool swimming. However, the display quality, with a 1.04-inch screen, might feel small for some users, and the design is fairly basic compared to more premium models. In summary, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a solid running watch packed with useful features for runners, though its simple design and small display might not appeal to everyone.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,254
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
4821 reviews

GPS Accuracy
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is lightweight, comfortable, and packed with features like GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and suggested workouts.
Battery Life
Battery life is fantastic, lasting for days even with regular use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is lightweight, comfortable, and packed with features like GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and suggested workouts.
Training and Performance Metrics
Accurate pace and distance tracking, with detailed post-run stats in the Garmin Connect app.
#2

Garmin Forerunner 165, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black

Rating
9.6
Battery Life
Smartwatch Features
Display Quality

Most important from
3052 reviews

Battery Life
Worked 9 days on one charge, even with three swimming sessions.
Smartwatch Features
Comfortable to wear and visually appealing, with essential smartwatch features.
Display Quality
The display is nice, and having both buttons and a touchscreen is a great combination.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a solid choice for runners seeking an easy-to-use smartwatch. Its built-in GPS provides accurate pace and distance tracking, which is essential for outdoor training. The AMOLED touchscreen display is bright and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to navigate through various features. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours in GPS mode, ensuring it lasts through long runs or workouts.

One of the standout features is the personalized daily workout suggestions based on performance and recovery, which can help users stay on track with their fitness goals. With over 25 built-in activity profiles, it caters to a range of fitness enthusiasts, from runners to cyclists to HIIT lovers. Safety features like incident detection and the ability to send location updates to emergency contacts add a layer of security for outdoor activities.

There are some drawbacks to consider. While the Forerunner 165 excels in fitness tracking, its smartwatch capabilities, like notifications and Garmin Pay, may not be as seamless as dedicated smartwatches. Additionally, though it provides important health metrics, those looking for precise data might find the wrist-based heart rate monitoring less accurate compared to chest straps. Water resistance is a plus for those who enjoy swimming or running in the rain, but the watch's functionality can be limited in severe weather conditions. The Garmin Forerunner 165 is an excellent option for dedicated runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a reliable, feature-rich smartwatch. It's particularly suited for those who appreciate fitness tracking and personalized workout suggestions but may not fully rely on smartwatch functions beyond basic notifications.

Rating
9.6
Battery Life
Smartwatch Features
Display Quality

Most important from
3052 reviews

Battery Life
Worked 9 days on one charge, even with three swimming sessions.
Smartwatch Features
Comfortable to wear and visually appealing, with essential smartwatch features.
Display Quality
The display is nice, and having both buttons and a touchscreen is a great combination.
#3

Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Powder Gray

Rating
9.4
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
846 reviews

GPS Accuracy
GPS accuracy is a highlight, providing precise tracking for outdoor activities.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, lasting up to several days on a single charge, even with regular use of GPS.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The heart rate and pulse ox tracking are very accurate, comparable to trustworthy dedicated devices.
Training and Performance Metrics
Workout options are varied and customizable, making it a versatile fitness watch.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display is exceptional, offering vibrant colors and sharp clarity, making it easy to read even under bright sunlight.

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.

Rating
9.4
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
846 reviews

GPS Accuracy
GPS accuracy is a highlight, providing precise tracking for outdoor activities.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, lasting up to several days on a single charge, even with regular use of GPS.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The heart rate and pulse ox tracking are very accurate, comparable to trustworthy dedicated devices.
Training and Performance Metrics
Workout options are varied and customizable, making it a versatile fitness watch.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display is exceptional, offering vibrant colors and sharp clarity, making it easy to read even under bright sunlight.

Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Forerunners

When choosing a Garmin Forerunner watch, it's important to focus on the features that match your fitness goals and lifestyle needs rather than just looking for the newest or most advanced version. Think about how you want to use the watch—whether that's simple activity tracking, advanced workout metrics, or something in between. Consider which activities you'll be tracking most often, how you want to use the GPS, and how much detail you want from your health and fitness data. This approach ensures that the watch you pick will support your routine rather than overwhelm or underdeliver.
GPS and Activity TrackingGPS is the technology in a Forerunner that tracks your location during activities like running, cycling, or hiking. Accurate GPS is crucial if you care about tracking your distance and route precisely. Some models have quicker or more advanced GPS capabilities, while others are simpler but still reliable for basic use. If you need pinpoint accuracy for outdoor workouts, pick a model with advanced, multi-band GPS; if you're mainly running or walking in familiar areas, basic GPS tracking should suffice.
Battery LifeBattery life refers to how long your watch can go between charges—usually ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how you use it. Watches with longer battery life are useful for those who plan to use features like GPS continuously or who don't want to charge the device frequently. If you frequently participate in long runs or hikes, or just dislike charging often, a longer battery life will be important. For casual use and short workouts, shorter battery life may not be a big drawback.
Heart Rate and Health MetricsHeart rate sensors and health metrics (like sleep tracking, VO2 max, and stress monitoring) help you understand your fitness and overall wellness. Some Forerunners offer more advanced tracking, which is valuable if you want detailed feedback on performance, recovery, and health trends. Beginners or those mainly interested in step counts and basic heart rate can choose simpler models, while serious athletes might appreciate advanced health metrics for training optimization.
Training and Performance FeaturesThese include things like training plans, interval workouts, running dynamics, and recovery recommendations. More advanced features support structured training for races or performance improvement, providing guidance based on your activity data. If you just want to track runs or rides, you don't need all the bells and whistles. But if you’re targeting specific goals or enjoy analyzing your progress, look for models with comprehensive training tools.
Display and Build QualityThis covers the screen size, display type (like color or black and white), and how durable the watch feels. A larger, color display can make metrics easier to read at a glance, but it may also impact battery life. Rugged build quality is useful for outdoor and high-impact sports. Choose a display and build that fit your comfort, your main activities, and whether you value a watch that’s lightweight, stylish, or tougher and built for the elements.
Smart FeaturesSome Forerunners include smart features such as music storage, contactless payments, and notifications from your phone. These can add convenience for workouts and daily use, letting you go phone-free during activities or stay connected. Think about if these extras will genuinely make your experience better—if you listen to music while running or want wrist payments, they might be worth it.

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