10 Best Garmin Smart Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a robust multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable performance and durability. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED display offers bright, sharp visuals protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. The titanium bezel and pebble gray band add to its premium and rugged feel.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours with continuous GPS use, so it easily supports long adventures without frequent charging. GPS accuracy is enhanced by multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology and built-in sensors, ensuring precise location tracking and turn-by-turn navigation for varied workouts or outdoor exploration. The watch provides comprehensive health monitoring, including wrist-based heart rate tracking, advanced sleep analysis, respiration tracking, and Pulse Ox measurements. It also offers an ECG app to check heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation.

With a 40-meter dive rating and leakproof metal buttons, it supports scuba and apnea diving, reinforcing its water resistance and durability. Smart features include making and taking calls directly from the wrist, voice assistant integration, and offline voice commands, adding convenience for daily use. This smartwatch is well suited for active users who want a high-end, durable device with excellent battery life, reliable GPS, and extensive fitness tracking capabilities.

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 tactix 8 is a robust and feature-packed smartwatch designed especially for tactical and outdoor use. It stands out with its 1.4-inch solar-charged display, titanium bezel, and sapphire lens, making it very durable and scratch-resistant. Its battery life benefits from solar charging, which can extend use during outdoor activities. GPS accuracy is excellent due to multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, ideal for precise navigation in challenging environments.

Heart rate monitoring is comprehensive and includes advanced health tracking like sleep, respiration, Pulse Ox, and an ECG app. Water resistance is strong, supporting dives up to 40 meters, making it suitable for swimming and diving. Smart features cover a wide range, from tactical functions like jumpmaster and stealth mode to general fitness tracking and compatibility with a companion app for managing profiles and targets. The watch also offers aviation navigation and preloaded maps, making it versatile beyond just fitness.

The watch excels in durability and specialized features, though its weight is slightly on the heavier side at 95 grams, which might feel bulky for casual users. The memory is limited, and the smartwatch operates on Garmin's OS, which is user-friendly but may feel different if you're used to other platforms. For those seeking a top-tier tactical smartwatch with broad outdoor capabilities and premium build, this model is a strong choice. However, if you prefer a lighter, simpler everyday smartwatch, this might be more than you need.