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10 Best Garmin Gps Watch 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Garmin Venu 3S Soft Gold Stainless Steel Bezel 1.2-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 41mm French Gray Case and Silicone Band

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,109
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
3544 reviews

GPS Accuracy
The watch's fitness tracking is spot-on, delivering accurate data and seamless GPS tracking for activities like running, biking, and swimming.
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting for days even with heavy use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Heart rate monitoring is super precise and automatically tracks workouts without needing to press a button.
Display Quality
The vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is stunning and easy to read, even in bright sunlight.

The Garmin Venu 3S stands out with a vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, offering a clear and colorful display that enhances user experience. Its GPS accuracy is reliable, making it a strong choice for outdoor activities like running and cycling. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, reducing the need for frequent charging. The heart rate monitoring is robust and provides continuous tracking, which is valuable for both fitness enthusiasts and those who want to keep an eye on their health.

With more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, the activity tracking capabilities are extensive, catering to a wide range of sports and fitness regimes. It also boasts water resistance, making it suitable for swimming and everyday wear without worrying about water damage. On the smart features front, the Venu 3S supports phone calls and voice assistant integration, adding convenience for users who prefer hands-free operation. Additionally, the watch's durability, with a stainless steel bezel and silicone band, ensures it can withstand daily wear and tear.

The 41mm case size might be smaller for those with larger wrists, and while the sleep coaching and Body Battery energy monitoring offer insightful data, they might be overwhelming for users new to fitness tracking. While the watch is compatible with both Android and iOS, Android users get the added benefit of directly texting from the watch. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Venu 3S is a solid GPS watch that combines advanced fitness and health tracking with practical smart features, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,109
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
3544 reviews

GPS Accuracy
The watch's fitness tracking is spot-on, delivering accurate data and seamless GPS tracking for activities like running, biking, and swimming.
Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting for days even with heavy use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Heart rate monitoring is super precise and automatically tracks workouts without needing to press a button.
Display Quality
The vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is stunning and easy to read, even in bright sunlight.
#2

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

Rating
9.8
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
650 reviews

GPS Accuracy
GPS accuracy stands out, providing precise tracking for outdoor activities.
Battery Life
Battery life impresses, lasting several days on a single charge, even with regular GPS use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Heart rate and pulse oximeter tracking are very accurate, comparable to dedicated devices.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display offers vibrant colors and sharp clarity, making it easy to read even under bright sunlight.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a versatile running smartwatch that shines in many key areas. Its AMOLED touchscreen display is vibrant and easy to navigate, and the combination of touchscreen and traditional button controls offers flexibility. The watch is lightweight at 46 mm, making it comfortable for long-term wear. GPS accuracy is a standout feature, thanks to the multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology, providing reliable positioning even in challenging environments.

It boasts an impressive battery life, with up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours in GPS mode, making it suitable for long-distance runners and outdoor enthusiasts. Heart rate monitoring and activity tracking are robust, with insights into sleep, recovery, training status, and daily suggested workouts that adapt based on your performance and recovery. These features are designed to help optimize your training regime effectively.

Water resistance makes it suitable for open-water swimming, and the safety features like incident detection add a layer of security. Smart features such as notifications, Garmin Pay, and music storage enhance its functionality as a daily wearable device. However, the watch's advanced features and metrics, while comprehensive, may be overwhelming for casual users or those who do not require in-depth fitness tracking. Additionally, although the display quality is high, it may consume more battery if constantly used at high brightness. In terms of durability, the watch is built to handle various activities, but the AMOLED display might be more prone to scratches compared to traditional screens. Users who prioritize a high-quality display, advanced training metrics, and reliable GPS will find this smartwatch particularly beneficial.

Rating
9.8
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitoring

Most important from
650 reviews

GPS Accuracy
GPS accuracy stands out, providing precise tracking for outdoor activities.
Battery Life
Battery life impresses, lasting several days on a single charge, even with regular GPS use.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Heart rate and pulse oximeter tracking are very accurate, comparable to dedicated devices.
Display Quality
The AMOLED display offers vibrant colors and sharp clarity, making it easy to read even under bright sunlight.
#3

Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Powder Gray, 010-02809-00

Rating
9.6
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Durability

Most important from
789 reviews

GPS Accuracy
GPS accuracy is excellent, a crucial upgrade that justifies the investment.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, lasting a week or more, making it ideal for extended use.
Durability
The watch is durable, showing no marks or damage even with constant wear.
Display Quality
The display is bright and easy to read, enhancing the overall user experience.

The Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch offers a lot of impressive features for runners and active individuals. Its brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display ensures clear visibility and user-friendly navigation, while the lightweight titanium bezel adds to its durability. One of the standout strengths is the GPS accuracy, enhanced by multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology, making it reliable even in challenging environments.

The battery life is another major plus, providing up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and up to 31 hours in GPS mode, which is excellent for long training sessions or competitions. The watch is equipped with advanced heart rate monitoring and provides detailed activity tracking, including sleep, recovery, and training metrics, which can help users optimize their workouts and recovery time. The multi-sport profiles and personalized race plans are particularly helpful for triathletes and runners who want to improve their performance.

Some users might find the plethora of features overwhelming, especially if they are new to smartwatches. The device's water resistance and durability make it suitable for various outdoor and water-based activities. Smart features, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity, add to its versatility, although the reliance on the Garmin Connect app might be a drawback for those who prefer standalone devices. Despite these minor points, the Garmin Forerunner® 965 is a strong contender for anyone serious about their fitness and training goals.

Rating
9.6
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Durability

Most important from
789 reviews

GPS Accuracy
GPS accuracy is excellent, a crucial upgrade that justifies the investment.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, lasting a week or more, making it ideal for extended use.
Durability
The watch is durable, showing no marks or damage even with constant wear.
Display Quality
The display is bright and easy to read, enhancing the overall user experience.

Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Gps Watch

Choosing the right Garmin GPS watch can significantly enhance your fitness and outdoor activities. These watches come with a variety of features tailored to different needs, from basic fitness tracking to advanced navigation and performance metrics. To find the best fit for you, it's important to understand the key specifications and how they align with your personal goals and activities.
GPS AccuracyGPS accuracy determines how precisely the watch can track your location. This is crucial for activities like running, cycling, and hiking where accurate distance and pace measurements are important. GPS accuracy can vary based on the watch's technology and the environment. For most users, standard GPS is sufficient, but if you need highly precise tracking, look for watches with multi-band or dual-frequency GPS, which offer better accuracy in challenging environments like dense forests or urban areas.
Battery LifeBattery life indicates how long the watch can operate before needing a recharge. This is particularly important for long-duration activities like marathons, ultra-trails, or multi-day hikes. Battery life can range from a few hours in GPS mode to several weeks in smartwatch mode. If you engage in long activities, opt for a watch with extended battery life or power-saving modes. For everyday use, a watch with a moderate battery life that lasts several days between charges should suffice.
Heart Rate MonitoringHeart rate monitoring tracks your heart rate in real-time, providing valuable data for fitness and health monitoring. This feature is essential for those who want to train within specific heart rate zones or monitor their cardiovascular health. Watches with optical heart rate sensors offer continuous monitoring, while some models also support chest strap sensors for more accurate readings. Choose a watch with reliable heart rate monitoring if you are serious about your training or health metrics.
Activity TrackingActivity tracking includes features like step counting, sleep monitoring, and calorie tracking. These features help you maintain an active lifestyle and monitor your overall health. Basic models offer standard activity tracking, while advanced models provide more detailed insights and personalized recommendations. If you are looking to improve your general fitness and health, a watch with comprehensive activity tracking features will be beneficial.
Water ResistanceWater resistance indicates how well the watch can withstand exposure to water. This is important for swimmers, divers, or anyone who might get their watch wet. Water resistance is measured in meters, with higher values indicating better protection. For swimming, look for watches with at least 50 meters of water resistance. For diving or water sports, consider models with higher ratings like 100 meters or more.
Smart FeaturesSmart features include notifications, music control, contactless payments, and more. These features enhance the watch's functionality beyond fitness tracking, making it a versatile companion for daily use. If you want a watch that can also serve as a smartwatch, look for models with a wide range of smart features. However, if your primary focus is fitness and outdoor activities, you might prioritize other specifications over smart features.
DurabilityDurability refers to the watch's ability to withstand physical wear and tear. This is important for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes who subject their watches to harsh conditions. Durable watches are made from robust materials like stainless steel, titanium, or reinforced polymers and often feature scratch-resistant screens. If you engage in rugged activities, choose a watch known for its durability to ensure it can handle the demands of your lifestyle.
Display QualityDisplay quality affects how easily you can read the watch screen in different lighting conditions. This includes factors like screen resolution, brightness, and whether the display is color or monochrome. High-quality displays are easier to read in bright sunlight and offer better visibility of detailed maps and metrics. If you often use your watch outdoors, opt for a model with a high-resolution, bright display. For indoor use or basic tracking, a standard display may be sufficient.

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