10 Best Garmin Smart Watches 2026 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix 8 (47 mm) is a solid choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want a premium multisport smartwatch. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED display is bright and clear, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, so it looks good and stands up well to rough use. The titanium bezel adds extra durability while keeping the watch lightweight. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and about 47 hours with GPS active, which is great for long trips or extended training sessions.

GPS accuracy is enhanced by multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, making it reliable for navigation and tracking even in challenging environments. The watch also includes a 3-axis compass, gyroscope, and barometric altimeter to support outdoor adventures. It offers excellent water resistance with a 40-meter dive rating, suitable for swimming and scuba diving.

For health tracking, the watch has continuous heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep and respiration tracking, and a Pulse Ox sensor to estimate blood oxygen levels, although these readings are not medical-grade. Smart features are well thought out, with a built-in microphone and speaker allowing calls from the wrist, voice assistant support, and even off-grid voice commands without needing your phone nearby. Its 32 GB memory and Garmin OS ensure smooth operation, and the touchscreen is responsive. The Garmin fēnix 8 is an excellent option for serious athletes and adventurers who want a tough, versatile smartwatch with long battery life, accurate GPS, and rich health and smart functionalities. Casual users might find it more than they need, but for those pushing their limits outdoors, it serves as a dependable companion.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch is an impressive device for fitness enthusiasts, especially runners. The colorful 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen display is bright and easy to read, and the smartwatch offers both touchscreen and traditional button controls for convenience. It boasts a lightweight design, making it comfortable to wear during long workouts or daily activities. With up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, it excels in terms of battery performance, ensuring you can track your activities without frequent charging. The multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology enhances GPS accuracy, even in challenging environments, which is crucial for precise tracking of your runs and workouts. Additionally, it is water-resistant, making it suitable for activities like swimming and running in the rain.

This smartwatch offers advanced training metrics and recovery insights, including heart rate variability (HRV) status and training readiness score, providing valuable information for optimizing your workouts and recovery. The 30+ built-in activity profiles cater to various activities like triathlons, cycling, and open-water swimming, making it versatile for different sports. Smart features such as smart notifications for calls and texts, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and music storage add to its practicality.

However, it does have a few drawbacks. The 8 GB storage might be limiting for users who want to store a large amount of music or data. Additionally, while the smartwatch is packed with features, the accuracy of some health metrics like sleep and recovery might not be perfect, though they provide close estimations. In summary, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is a robust, feature-rich smartwatch ideal for fitness enthusiasts who seek detailed tracking and smart functionalities, despite minor limitations in storage and metric accuracy.

The Garmin vívoactive 6 is a strong choice for anyone looking for a fitness-focused smartwatch with smart features. It shines with its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display, making the screen clear and colorful, which is great for everyday use and workouts. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, so you won’t need to charge it frequently. The built-in GPS is reliable for tracking your outdoor activities like running or cycling, offering good accuracy without needing your phone.

Health monitoring is comprehensive: wrist-based heart rate tracking, body energy levels, sleep analysis with coaching, stress tracking, and even menstrual and pregnancy tracking give you a full picture of your wellbeing. It supports more than 80 sports apps, including swimming, indicating a decent level of water resistance. The watch also offers smart notifications and customizable workouts, along with animated guides to help you exercise correctly. Garmin’s durable build and lightweight design (just 1.3 ounces) make it comfortable for daily wear and active use.

While the health stats are quite detailed, some data are estimates rather than medical-grade measurements. The 50mAh battery capacity is small but optimized well for long use. This smartwatch suits adults focused on fitness and health tracking who want a stylish, durable, and feature-rich device without complicated tech jargon.