Deciding to pick a Garmin is easy. However, selecting the one that you want is tricky owing to the number of products available on the market. Popular for their innovative products, Garmin Smartwatches are multiple use watches for people with an active life. Whether you are looking for a stylish watch to make a fashion statement or monitor your fitness, Garmin has something for you. Unlike other models from competing brands, these watches come with advanced features for enhanced performance. In the following post, we have reviewed the top selling Models from this brand in a bid to help you pick a model that meets your needs perfectly. Therefore, you are certainly going to get a decent Garmin smartwatch companion for running, swimming, cycling, or a model to keep you aware of your daily physical output.
Best Garmin Watches 2021 : Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Garmin Forerunner 935 Watch
Garmin Forerunner 935 combines the best tracking capabilities with numerous features and unbeatable GPS accuracy. Doubling as a fitness tracker, this watch is our best overall best product. One of the main selling points that come with this model is the stellar battery. In smartwatch mode, the battery lasts for about two weeks while GPS reduces the life to 24 hours.
The Forerunner 935 has something special for almost all users. Despite being made to suit the needs of a runner, this is a stylish watch that you can wear on an everyday basis. This watch comes in a lightweight design that feels comfortable in your hands. Additionally, this watch connects to android and apple Smartphones ensuring that you don’t miss any important notification. More importantly, this watch connects to a Wifi network, allowing for easy uploads to Garmin connect, music control and audio prompt.
Pros and Cons
- Offers advanced running and multisport features in a comfortable watch
- Compact and stylish design
- Compatible with Android and Apple Smartphones
- Large, easy to read screen
- A bit expensive
2. Best Runners-Up: Garmin Fenix 5X Plus Smartwatch
When compared to other Smartwatches, the Fenix 5X Plus is arguably the most robust feature packed watch available on the market. It is also one of the latest inventions, meaning it comes with the latest features and technology. Also working as an activity tracker, this watch can track all the sports. From running, swimming, to skiing, this watch offers a detailed report of each activity. What makes this watch stand out is its oversized industrial size. Coming with a larger screen with better resolution, reading the activity metrics has never been easier.
Another upbeat feature that comes with this unit is the elevate write heart rate monitor. It doesn’t stop here; this watch will also let you monitor the sleep, count steps, and burnt calories. What’s more, this watch is compatible with Android and Apple Smartphone. It supports smart notification to ensure you monitors all your emails, texts, and social media alerts.
Pros and Cons
- Offers tons of advanced features
- Comes with on-screen street maps and topo
- Large display makes it easy to read
- Impressive internal capacity that holds up to 500 songs
- Feels large for some users
3. Best Budget: Garmin Forerunner 35
Bringing an excellent blend of sleek design, essential features, and affordable price, individuals on a tight budget, find the Forerunner 35 indispensable. Although it doesn’t have many tracking features when compared with advanced models, it offers basic features. These include things such as heart rate monitor as well as a sleep monitor. This watch will also help you track running, reps, cycling, and laps while recording your distance and speed. We have this model available in one color. However, this shouldn’t stop you from using it on multiple occasions. The watch comes with different color silicon bands that let you create the style you want.
What’s more, when paired with a Smartphone, the watch displays all the notification including texts, emails a social media notifications. The watch comes with a boxy design that is fitted with a color display. Moreover, thanks to the intuitive controls, controlling your music and reading the notifications from your phone is made simple.
Pros and Cons
- Reasonably priced making it a decent choice for people on a budget
- Comes with all the basic activity monitoring features
- Lightweight, compact, and modern design
- Excellent battery life
- Not ideal for advanced users
4. Best Durability: Garmin Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch
Are you planning a camping or hiking trip in the Jungle or wilderness? Well, despite your confidence in completing your quest it is crucial to be fully prepared to tackle any challenge. Garmin Instinct has all the features that enable you to triumphant on your trips. Coming with a rugged design, this watch is built to withstand the harshest environment. Combining Galileo a Glonass satellite network, this watch GPS delivers accurate results regardless which part of the world you are in.
Doubling as a survival tool, this watch also comes with a three-axis compass as well as a barometric altimeter that ensures you are on the right track. Similarly, this watch pairs with your phone, so as you get all the notification in time. Some of the other features that come with this watch include live tracking; automatic uploads as well as a group-track feature.
Pros and Cons
- Delivers best in class durability
- Extended battery life
- Accurate GPS tracking
- Easy to read screen
- Limited activity tracking capability
5. Best Advanced Features: Garmin Fenix 5 – Slate Gray with Black Band
If you are a serious athlete or bodybuilder then you need a robust timepiece that doubles as an activity tracker. Fenix 5 smartwatch is designed to offer you with this and much more. Featuring rugged design and advanced features this is a smart multi-sport watch to fit your active life. The watch integrates sophisticated training tools to assist in monitoring your performance and overall health. Different from other models, this watch delivers enhanced readouts that display both anaerobic and aerobic advantages that come with each workout.
Besides its running tracking features, this model also comes with unique features that help with other physical activities. These include activities such as skiing, swimming, paddle sports as well as golfing. More to this, this watch comes with a decent selection of quick fit bands. Here you can choose from silicon, metal, or leather. This makes it simple for you to mix and match style to go with the activity or sport.
Pros and Cons
- Comes with Advanced Fitness Metrics to meet all your needs
- Equipped with a GPS to help you navigate your way
- Rugged design, boasting of a stainless steel bezel for enhanced durability
- Water resistant, helps track swimming sport
- High price tag
6. Best Compatibility: Garmin Forerunner 235 Watch
When compared with other models from the Forerunner line, the Forerunner 235 smartwatch is a great choice for people working with a tight budget. Featuring a large color display, decent battery life, and activity monitor, this model will suit the needs of all runners regardless their experience levels. The watch is also lightweight and feels comfortable on your wrists. It is available in three different color options, allowing you to pick the model that suits your needs best.
Despite the affordable price, this watch has managed to retain all the cool features from other models. For starters, it connects to Garmin app that ensures that you receive all the notifications from your watch. As an activity tracker, thus watch helps you track the pace, distance and workout time. Additionally, it also doubles a sleep monitor, ensuring that you get quality sleep every night.
Pros and Cons
- Nice design that doesn’t feel bulky
- Good battery life
- Inbuilt GPS, so you don’t need a phone for tracking
- Great compatibility to all Smartphones and tablets
- Available in few color choices
7. Garmin Vívoactive 3, GPS Smartwatch
From workout, staying connected to your phone to paying, Viviactive 3 smartwatch is build to cater to people with an active life. Coming with decent size and design, this is everyday wear. It is integrated with GPS tracking making it well suited for workouts such as running. Similar to other models from this brand, this watch also includes a heart rate monitor. It also pushes all the notification from your phone, so you never miss a call, text, or important emails.
Best still, this smartwatch comes with exciting features making it cool casual wear. By downloading the various watch faces, you can customize the display to meet your needs. Another cool feature that comes with this model is the Garmin pay App that allows you to make payments easily. Interestingly, by pairing a single button with a touchscreen display, using this watch simple.
Pros and Cons
- Large display covered with gorilla glass for enhanced durability
- Weather resistant, allows you to use it everywhere
- Comes preloaded with over 15 sports app
- Compatible to Android and Apple Smartphones
- Shorter battery life
Purchasing The Best Garmin Smartwatches
Garmin is one of the first brands to produce Smartwatches. With numerous products from this manufacturer, users may be confused about the best features to look for when it comes to the selection of the best products. Below are some of the key elements that should help you in finding a model that works best for you.
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Features
Garmin watches come with multiple features. However, it is important to note that these features are subjective. This means that some of the features that work for your friend may not necessarily mean they are best for you. The best thing about Garmin is that they come in many features. For you to pick the best, start by thinking of the features that you need most. From here, you can pick a model that meets your needs perfectly.
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Use
The next consideration is use. Are you looking for a smartwatch for tracking your activity or something that doubles as a fitness tracker? Well, Garmin watches are designed to suit multiple uses. Models with GPS are best for runners. If you would want to track other sports such as swimming and other sports make sure they are designed to track the specific sport.
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Battery
Generally, Garmin watches come with decent battery life. However, as you would expect, some excel in this attribute than others. If you are looking for extended battery life, select the latest models. While these models may cost more, they offer a decent life, meaning you don’t have to recharge more often.
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Price
The price of the Garmin watches is determined by various factors. The first determinant is the features included. As you might have guessed, models with many advanced features tend to cost more. Next, we have the model year of production. Of course, the latest models will cost more than the previous model. While the price shouldn’t be the main determinant when it comes to selecting the best model, ensure that you pick a model that is within your budget range.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking to make a fashion statement, track your activity, or boost your workouts, Garmin watches are a nice selection. Each of the above-reviewed products is designed to meet specific goals. For starters, think of what you need in your watch. After this, proceed to purchase any of the above models that fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are all Garmin Smartwatches waterproof?
A: All Garmin watches are water resistant, but not all are waterproof. This means even if they resist light water splash and sweat, not all models are ideal for swimming or bathing. Before doing so, it is crucial to look at the manufacturer’s instructions.
Q: Do Garmin Smartwatches pair up with all Smartwatches?
A: Garmin Smartwatches are designed to work with both Android and Apple Smartwatches. However, it is crucial to ensure that the watch is compatible with the version of your Phone’s operating system.
Q: Are Garmin Smartwatches built to stand up rugged activities
A: Garmin aims at bringing a balance between durability and functionality. Some will prefer the stylish model that comes in a sleek design. While these might not handle extreme activities such as activity, they represent a great sense of fashion. On the other hand, there are models designed to withstand repeated uses in harsh environments.