10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Edition is designed for outdoor and tactical use, featuring a tough 50mm fiber-reinforced case and a sharp 1.3-inch AMOLED display that’s bright and clear in various lighting. Its multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology ensures highly accurate positioning, ideal for hikers, military personnel, or adventurers needing reliable navigation. The watch offers impressive battery life—up to 24 days in smartwatch mode and 40 hours when using GPS continuously—so frequent charging during extended trips is not a concern.

It comes packed with tactical features like jumpmaster mode, waypoint projection, stealth mode, compatibility with night vision goggles, and a kill switch, making it suited for mission-critical scenarios. For everyday health tracking, it monitors your heart rate, sleep quality, and oxygen levels, though these readings are estimates and not medical-grade. The watch is also water-resistant up to 10 ATM and built to military standards for thermal and shock resistance, ensuring durability against tough conditions.

Smart conveniences include Garmin Pay for contactless payments and a built-in LED flashlight with multiple settings. While the weight is light at 59 grams, the size might feel bulky on smaller wrists due to its 50mm case. Customization options with interchangeable bands add versatility to the style and comfort. Some advanced ballistic features require an additional purchase, and the watch’s complexity might exceed what casual users need. This model is well-suited for those seeking ruggedness, tactical tools, and reliable GPS in one durable smartwatch.

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a high-end multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want robust performance and durability. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright and clear, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, making it easy to read even in bright conditions. The titanium bezel adds to its sturdy build, enhancing durability for tough environments.

GPS accuracy is excellent, supported by multi-band SatIQ technology and sensors like a compass and barometric altimeter, which makes navigation reliable during outdoor activities. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and around 84 hours with continuous GPS use, suitable for long adventures or training sessions without frequent charging. Water resistance is strong, with a 40-meter dive rating and leakproof buttons, allowing use in swimming and diving scenarios.

It offers comprehensive health and activity tracking, including wrist-based heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep analysis, respiration tracking, and Pulse Ox, though these are approximations and not medical-grade. The watch also features smart capabilities such as calls and voice assistant support through a built-in speaker and mic, plus off-grid voice commands that work without a smartphone. The battery capacity is relatively small in milliamps, so longevity depends heavily on efficient software, and some advanced health features like ECG and Pulse Ox aren’t available everywhere due to regional restrictions. Weighing over 100 grams, the watch may feel bulky for some users. This Garmin watch suits those needing a durable, feature-packed multisport GPS watch with long battery life and strong outdoor navigation, but might be more than necessary for casual fitness users or those who prefer lighter wearables.

The Garmin fēnix 8 Pro is a premium multisport GPS smartwatch designed for serious athletes and outdoor adventurers. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen offers bright, clear visuals protected by a durable sapphire lens and a strong titanium bezel, making it resistant to scratches and tough conditions. The watch supports built-in GPS with preloaded topographic maps, golf courses, and ski resorts, helping you navigate easily. Its inReach satellite technology enables two-way messaging, voice calls, and SOS emergency signals directly from the watch, which is a major advantage for off-grid exploration.

Battery life is solid for a smartwatch with an AMOLED display, though heavy use of satellite and LTE functions may reduce it faster. Health tracking is comprehensive, including heart rate, sleep, stress, and oxygen saturation monitoring, though these metrics are approximate and not medical-grade. The watch is also water-resistant to 40 meters and supports scuba diving, making it suitable for various water activities. Smart features like music storage, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the ability to leave your phone behind add to its convenience.

Weighing 90 grams with a large 51mm case, the watch offers interchangeable silicone bands for comfort and style. It is especially fitting for users who need rugged durability, advanced GPS navigation, and satellite communication in one device, while casual users might find it more than they require and could be impacted by the subscription cost for inReach features.