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 Venu 3S is a stylish smartwatch featuring a vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen that offers sharp, colorful visuals, making it easy to read your stats and notifications. Its battery life of up to 10 days in standard smartwatch mode is impressive, allowing you to go many days between charges, which is convenient for everyday use. The watch includes built-in GPS that supports over 30 sports apps, so it’s a good choice if you enjoy activities like running, cycling, swimming, or golf and want reliable location tracking.

It also offers advanced health tracking with features like Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep coaching, and heart rate monitoring, helping you understand your fitness and rest better. You can even make and take calls or respond to texts right from the watch when connected to your smartphone, which adds useful smart features. While the watch has a built-in speaker and microphone, these functions depend on your phone connection, so it’s not fully standalone for calls. The watch is designed to be durable and water-resistant, suitable for swimming and daily wear.

With a lightweight design and a soft silicone band, it feels comfortable to wear all day. The Garmin Venu 3S is suitable for those who want a health-focused smartwatch with good battery life, vibrant display, reliable GPS, and useful smart features in a compact and stylish design. It might be less ideal if you need a watch with fully independent calling.

The Garmin tactix® 8 is a premium tactical GPS smartwatch that stands out with its 1.4-inch AMOLED display, titanium bezel, and sapphire lens, ensuring durability and clarity. One of its standout features is the extensive battery life, offering up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and up to 84 hours in GPS mode, making it perfect for long adventures. The multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology provides superior positioning accuracy, which is essential for tactical and outdoor activities. Dedicated tactical features such as jumpmaster, stealth mode, and night vision compatibility make it highly suitable for military and tactical professionals. Additionally, it includes a built-in LED flashlight for visibility in low-light conditions.

Health monitoring is comprehensive, with 24/7 heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep tracking, and Pulse Ox, though it's important to note that some features may not be available in all regions. The 40-meter dive rating is impressive, supporting scuba and apnea diving activities, making it a versatile choice for water sports enthusiasts. The smartwatch also offers a full range of smart features, including notifications and connectivity via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB.

On the downside, its advanced features and robust design come with a higher price tag, which might not be justified for casual users. Additionally, its weight of 92 grams may feel bulky for some users. While the tactix® 8 excels in tactical and outdoor scenarios, it might be overkill for those who need a simpler smartwatch for everyday use. For those who need a rugged, feature-packed smartwatch, it's a solid choice.