10 Best Garmin Womens Running Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 265S Running Smartwatch is a lightweight, feature-packed watch designed for women with smaller wrists. It features a colorful 1.1-inch AMOLED display and offers both touchscreen and traditional button controls. The GPS accuracy is enhanced by multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology, ensuring precise positioning even in challenging environments. The heart rate monitoring is wrist-based and includes advanced metrics such as HRV status and VO2 Max, which are beneficial for detailed training insights and recovery tracking.

The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode, making it suitable for long training sessions and everyday wear. Water resistance is suitable for open-water swimming, adding to its versatility in various sports. The smartwatch provides comprehensive training and performance metrics, including daily suggested workouts, race adaptive training plans, and a training readiness score based on recovery and sleep data.

Smart features include notifications for calls and texts when paired with an Android or Apple smartphone, adding convenience. The design is lightweight, at just 39 grams, and comfortable, making it ideal for all-day wear. However, the relatively small 1.1-inch display may not be preferred by those who like larger screens, and some features require a paired smartphone for full functionality. This Garmin watch is an excellent choice for dedicated runners and athletes looking for a compact, advanced smartwatch that can support various training needs.

The Garmin vívoactive 6 is a solid choice for women looking for a reliable running watch that combines health tracking with smart features. Its built-in GPS is precise enough for most outdoor activities, and the wrist-based heart rate monitor offers continuous feedback to help you stay in your desired training zone. Battery life stands out with up to 11 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode, so you won’t need to charge it frequently, especially during longer training periods. The AMOLED display is bright and clear, making it easy to read stats even in sunlight. It’s also lightweight and comfortable, with a stylish design that suits everyday wear.

Among its training features, the watch offers over 80 built-in sports apps and animated workouts, which is great for variety and learning correct form. The personalized suggestions and recovery insights help users train smartly and avoid overdoing it. Health tracking goes beyond running, with Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep analysis, stress tracking, and even menstrual cycle support, providing a comprehensive wellness overview.

On the downside, while it performs well in water resistance for swimming and sweat, it might not be suitable for deep-water sports. The heart rate and other health data are close estimates rather than medical-grade measurements, so they should be used as general guidance. Also, some users might find the screen smaller compared to other smartwatches, though it keeps the watch lightweight. Connectivity through Bluetooth allows syncing with your phone for notifications and music control, but it lacks cellular support, meaning it always needs a nearby phone for internet-dependent features. This makes the vívoactive 6 an excellent option for runners and active women who want a versatile watch that supports a healthy lifestyle with strong fitness tracking and comfortable wear.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a women's running smartwatch that stands out with its colorful AMOLED display and robust features. Its built-in GPS offers accurate pace and distance tracking, essential for runners looking to monitor their performance closely. The wrist-based heart rate monitoring ensures you can keep an eye on your fitness levels without additional accessories. One of its strong points is the impressive battery life, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode, making it reliable for long-distance runners or those with busy schedules.

Water resistance adds to its durability, allowing usage in various weather conditions and while swimming. The watch excels in training and performance metrics, offering personalized daily workouts, recovery insights, and over 25 built-in activity profiles, catering to diverse fitness routines beyond just running. Smart features like Garmin Pay, smart notifications, and safety tracking enhance its usability, making it a convenient companion for daily life.

Comfort and design are well thought out, with a lightweight, 43 mm size that is not too bulky on the wrist. However, the watch might be a bit on the pricier side, and some users may find the numerous features overwhelming if they prefer a simpler device. Additionally, setting up safety features requires a smartphone with network coverage, which might not be available in all locations. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is a highly capable smartwatch that is particularly beneficial for women runners seeking detailed performance metrics and smart functionalities.