With the help of our guide for 2022, it will be much simpler for you to determine which Garmin watch or smartwatch is ideal for you. Every user and every budget can find something that works for them here. There is a Garmin that is designed just for you, whether you are an athlete or a more casual smartwatch user with fundamental fitness interests.
Garmin watch models with fewer bells and whistles may be preferable for those who are just starting out with smart wearables. On the other hand, athletes who take their training very seriously should consider the Garmin Fenix 6 or wait for the Fenix 7, which is expected to be released in the near future.
Garmin’s Assistance and Incident Detection features are something that a good number of these smartwatches are able to provide for their users. There are some functions that can only be found on Garmin smartwatches, and they are ideal for people who exercise alone, such as solitary runners or cyclists, young people, or senior citizens. While the use of Garmin Connect and a network connection are prerequisites for assistance, incident detection is a function that is unique to each model.
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This isn’t the end of it
Please be aware that this list is not exhaustive as there are a great many Garmin wearables that you could take into consideration. Consider the above as a summary of the whole range of options now available. In the end, not a single one of the Garmin watches that have been recommended below will let you down.
Best Garmin Multisport Watches
Epix Gen2
The new Epix Gen 2 is an excellent companion for physical activity, but it comes at an extremely high cost. This legendary Garmin smartwatch was crafted with materials of the highest quality, which contributes in part to the product’s premium price tag. Users have the option of selecting either the Sapphire/Black Titanium, the Sapphire/White Titanium, or the Slate Steel variant for their device. These materials ensure that the eEix Gen 2 is a long-lasting sports watch that is capable of withstanding all weather conditions, some bumps and bangs, or even just an intensely active lifestyle.
At these prices, a lot of people who are shopping for multisport GPS watches could think about getting the Fenix 7 instead of the Epix Gen 2. The Epix will prove its value to you by its longevity; its incredible screen resolution, which cannot be found on any other Garmin model; and its GPS capabilities, such as round-trip routing, turn-by-turn navigation, and multi-continent topo maps. Because it has reliable GPS tracking functionalities, the Epix Gen 2 was designed specifically for extreme adventurers. Using the Connect app, you can take advantage of the various safety measures offered by Garmin.
Incident Detection, Assistance, LiveTrack, Live Event Sharing, and GroupTrack are just a few of the features that your smartwatch, the Epix Gen2, can provide for you so long as it is connected to a smartphone and the software. All you need to do is go on one of these extreme adventures. In the event that the worst-case scenario occurs, all of these safety measures, including your GPS tracking, will notify emergency contacts of your whereabouts.
Fenix 7
Garmin users have a lot of reasons to be excited about the arrival of the Fenix 7, as it is an excellent sports watch that features a few significant upgrades compared to the Fenix 6 model. This release was widely anticipated. In addition to that, you can get it in one of three sizes (the Fenix 7, 7S, or 7X), with a solar option, or in a variant called Solar Sapphire.
A more precise GPS, a more accurate heart rate sensor, and a revamped user interface are some of the primary enhancements made on the Fenix 7, all of which come in a package that is both slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. In point of fact, the majority of the Fenix 7 (regardless of the size or model) can be considered a more stripped-down version of what the Fenix 6 offered, or a more streamlined version of what the Epix 2 supplied. Even while the buttons are less noticeable and the band is more straightforward, this does not indicate that there are fewer functions on the 7. It tracks all of the same workouts as the 6, plus it adds a few more exercises and activity profiles. When you take into account all of Garmin’s other safety features, the upgraded GPS that comes with the 7 comes in quite handy.
The Garmin Fenix 7 offers a wide variety of methods to stay connected, including Incident Detection, LiveTrack, GroupTrack, and Assistance functions, contactless pay, music streaming, and Smart Notifications. All of these features are included in the base model.
The built-in LED flashlight that is included with the Fenix 7x is without a doubt one of the most interesting aspects of the 7 series. Even if it isn’t the brightest light, it will undoubtedly come in handy whenever it’s required.
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Fenix 6
One of the best outdoor tracking devices available is the Garmin Fenix 6. In point of fact, many people see it as the undisputed master of all multisport wearables. On the other hand, if you enjoy this device but are concerned about its battery life, you might want to look at the Fenix 6 Solar, which is the absolute pinnacle of the product line. (Compare it to other solar watches to see how it stacks up)
The Fenix 6 is equipped with GPS and a heart rate monitor, allowing it to track the majority of outdoor activities. The amazing thing is that it continues to function even when used underwater (offering a 10ATM rating). The Global Positioning System (GPS) is becoming widely used while preserving its reputation for dependability and precision. In addition, the battery life in GPS mode is up to 36 hours, so it won’t die on you as rapidly as it would in other modes. All things considered, this watch is a sturdy and dependable option for anyone who enjoys being outside.
Outdoor enthusiasts can also benefit greatly from the Fenix’s assistance and incident detection features, both of which are powered by the GPS in the watch and your phone’s connection to the company’s app. Both of these functions work to keep you safe and connected while you enjoy the great outdoors. If something were to happen to you while you were on your own, either of these two options might alert your emergency contacts to your location. It is necessary to turn on the automated feature known as Incident Detection in order for the watch to be able to detect rapid changes in speed or falls.
Garmin Watches That Are On Trend
vívomove Sport
Garmin’s Vivomove Sport introduces an entirely new design aesthetic for the company, despite the fact that the majority of Garmin’s watches and smartwatches are geared toward various types of sports and fitness. It is a hybrid analog/smartwatch, which means that in addition to the hands and markers for the time, it also has a touch screen that is buried behind.
Although it does include a respectable number of intelligent features and fitness monitoring functions, the primary selling point of the vvomove is its ability to monitor your heart rate. Sport is unquestionably one of the most contemporary and stylish design choices. You can choose from four different colors right now, in addition to numerous different band personalization possibilities. However, if it is a hybrid, what kinds of smart capabilities do you get with your smartwatch that looks like an analog watch?
When you consider that the majority of the time your screen is concealed from view, there are actually quite a few. You are provided with all of the essential functions for fitness tracking, such as monitoring of your heart rate and sleep, step counting, stress tracking, women’s health tracking, sophisticated sleep monitoring, and preloaded applications for sports. The hybrid watch does not have a GPS receiver built in, but it can sync up with smartphones that are compatible and use those devices’ maps.
Because the Sport is compatible with Garmin Connect as well, you will be able to take advantage of the various safety features and synchronize your watch with a number of important contacts in case of an emergency. When you exercise on your own, keeping these contacts handy can help you stay safe and connected through features such as LiveTrack, Assistance, and Incident Detection.
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Garmin Vivoactive 4S
The design of the 4S is noticeably more contemporary, and its size is comparable to that of a standard smartwatch. Something that has never been seen before from Garmin, which has usually been known for producing cumbersome wearables (the Vivoactive 4S is only 40mm by 12.7mm and is a slimmer version of the 4).
In addition to this, it has an excellent fitness tracking system as well as an integrated GPS that can pinpoint your location in a matter of seconds, allowing you to obtain an accurate record of your ride or run. When safety and support functions such as incident detection are taken into consideration, the precision of the GPS becomes useful.
Finally, as a lovely finishing touch, there are sensors that measure your sleep as well as your Sp02 levels. These sensors will monitor you while you sleep throughout the night.
Vivosmart 5 by Garmin
This model of Garmin’s fitness band has fewer functions than some of the company’s other, more advanced models. This is the follow-up model to the Vivosmart 4, which was introduced in the year 2018. And it went far beyond our expectations. Nevertheless, there will come a moment when the only thing that is necessary is an upgrade.
The new Vivosmart 5 band features an improved touchscreen interface in comparison to its predecessor, but it is missing a vital function that is essential for someone who uses a pedometer for exercise on a less frequent basis. Connected GPS is included on both the Vivosmart 5 and the Vivosmart 4, in place of the traditional GPS functionality. This is a letdown for us because we had hoped to see both features, and we feel as though it detracts from the smart aspect of the smartband, which is unfortunate in our opinion.
Choose a more advanced Garmin model, like the Fenix 7 or the brand-new Epix 2, which can use the location information from your phone to track your runs when you’re by yourself.
Best Garmin Models in Your Price Range
Venu Sq Garmin
The Garmin Venu Sq is a more reasonably priced variation of the Garmin Venu that, despite having the same capabilities as the Garmin Venu, comes in a square form factor.
The Venu Sq comes with all of the necessary sensors already built in, including a built-in GPS system, pulse oximeter, and HRM. Because it features distinct modes for walking, cycling, and swimming, it is an effective instrument for monitoring athletic performance.
It also has smartwatch capabilities, such as an onboard music player (with the music variation), contactless payments, and access to the Garmin Connect IQ store, where apps and watch faces may be installed. These functions are included in both versions of the watch.
The basic Venu does not include an AMOLED display, animated workouts that you can follow along with right from your wrist, or an altimeter that can chart increases in height. If you are willing to forego the use of some more advanced capabilities, the Venu SQ should fulfill your requirements.
Because it combines the best of Garmin’s sports and smartwatch capabilities with a screen that is on par with that of some of the most advanced smartwatches now available, we believe that the Venu is the ultimate example of what Garmin is capable of doing.
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The Garmin Forerunner 55
The Forerunner 55 is the successor to the Forerunner 45. It is an impressive smartwatch that can go for up to two weeks without needing to be recharged. The GPS mode has a battery life of twenty hours. It is even able to monitor your pulse when you are swimming. It is compatible with Androids as well as iPhones and works quite well.
It is compatible with a variety of sports modes, such as yoga and pilates, as well as the elliptical trainer, stepper, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for cardio. Additionally, it is capable of tracking your training history and recommending routines. It supports everything that the 45 does and more, in addition to that.
The Forerunner 55 is a Garmin that can be used for general purposes, but it really shines as a running watch because it has some of the most cutting-edge capabilities that are available from this well-known brand and sports ecosystem. Prepare for the race and estimate the time it will take you to finish based on the instruction and coaching you received. Utilize GPS-based pace guiding for an even higher degree of precision. This watch is an excellent training partner for runners. This running watch is a solid choice that won’t let you down. The main potential negatives include a lack of onboard music and a touchscreen if you are used to using an interface with such features and are not ready to spend more money on a more costly model such as the Venu 2.
Garmin’s highest-rated smartwatches for runners
Forerunner 945 Garmin
The Forerunner 945 is the ideal watch for athletes that engage in running. Although it does not have as many capabilities as the Fenix 6, which is more of a multisport watch, this watch is perfect for runners. If you wish to run without your phone, the 945 also comes in an LTE version, which can be helpful in that situation. Therefore, if you enjoy running long distances, you should give this one some thought.
Both the HRM and GPS provide extremely precise readings. Additionally, runners have a high level of praise for the color maps and the two weeks of battery life (when the GPS mode is turned off).
Even though it’s designed for runners, this watch can keep track of more than just one sport at a time. In point of fact, it has thirty pre-installed activities, an indicator detection system, and assistance during times of crisis.
On the other hand, if you only run or go to the gym occasionally, you should probably keep reading since this Garmin might not be for you. Those who want to keep a tight watch on their data may find this feature very useful. Check out this article where we compare the Garmin Fenix 6 and the Forerunner 945.
Venu Plus 2
As a result, the Venu 2 Plus is unable to record any information from your workouts, and as a result, it is the ideal, albeit more expensive, fitness monitoring watch. It also follows the trend set by other Garmin models, which is to place a bit more of an emphasis on style, in addition to placing an emphasis on those health-related aspects. But what can you get with the Plus that you can’t get with the basic Venu 2? Primarily, the ability to place phone calls directly from the wrist!
The Venu 2 is able to display notifications, texts, and emails sent to and received from your connected and compatible phone. However, the Plus watch model gives you the ability to make calls directly from the watch. Just for this feature alone, the Venu 2 Plus might be worth the additional $30.
When you start to work, the Venu2 is able to track several numbers, including the typical ones like heart rate and steps, in addition to a range of different types of workouts. The Venu2 is also capable of measuring your stress levels, blood oxygen saturation, respiration levels, and advanced sleep tracking. Additionally, it can measure your body battery levels. But apart from that, in what other ways might the Venu2 improve your workouts?
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What other features are included in the Venu 2 Plus?
It offers a number of other connectivity capabilities, including music streaming from services like Spotify, Deezer, or Amazon, and safety tracking, all of which help to make working out more enjoyable. The Venu 2 Plus from Garmin is compatible with the Garmin Connect app, so users can access additional exercises and more personalization choices, as well as HIIT workouts and Garmin Coach. However, the most useful aspect of Connect is its built-in safety features. Assistance, Incident Detection, and LiveTracking are some of the safety elements that are included in this package.
The underwater rating of 5 atm is the same as that of the Venu 2 and the Venu Sq. Nevertheless, this is something that will primarily be of concern to serious swimmers or divers. The rating is lower than that of several other sports watches now on the market. If you do not anticipate spending a significant amount of time underwater, the rating is still appropriate for use in showers, steam rooms, and swimming pools with laps.
If you believe that the Garmin Venu Sq is a watch that is equivalent to the Apple Watch, then it is likely that you will regard the Venu2 Plus as being comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 as well (in look and features). Although it costs twice as much as the Sq, the Venu 2 Plus comes with a number of additional features, including a Battery Saving Mode, an overall battery life that is twice as long, rapid recharging, additional sports apps and workouts, and the ability for Venu 2 models to display animations of the workouts.
Music for Garmin Forerunner 645
There is a possibility that the Forerunner 645 Music offers the best value for the money. Although it isn’t the only Garmin watch that can be used to play music, it is the one that offers the most convenience. Because an offline playlist may hold up to 500 songs, there is no need to carry your phone around with you when you listen to music. Check out our analysis of running watches that play music.
Again, in contrast to clothing, the use of a bezel made of stainless steel gives this model a much more eye-catching appearance. You can wear it all the time and anywhere you want, as long as it has a respectable multisport offering, with the exception of open water swimming and triathlons, both of which it does not track.
In general, this is a nice-looking garment that would be appropriate for folks who commute to work on foot or by bicycle on a daily basis. Music can be played while you move, your activity can be monitored, and there is no need to adjust your watch to match your outfit.
Additionally, it is compatible with Garmin Connect, so this device gives a ton of amazing capabilities.
The Most Effective Solar Smartwatch
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
The Instinct 2 Solar is able to harvest energy from the sun and includes a screen made of Power Glass, which gives it the possibility of an infinitely long battery life. Even when using the GPS function, keeping your wrist exposed to the sun can extend the amount of time you can use this watch by days and even weeks.
When compared to the first generation of the Instinct smartwatch, as well as the majority of Garmin’s other smartwatches, the Instinct 2 smartwatch comes in a much wider variety of models. There are a total of five types, with the Standard, Tactical, and Surf variants being the ones offered by Solar.
There are an infinite number of ways to get active, remain safe, find your way, and monitor your health that are available across all of these permutations of Instinct 2. These versions continue to make use of a button-based control method, which enables the screens to remain relatively compact. However, these smartwatches are still more cumbersome than others because they were designed with a focus on durability and rough sports.
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The best Garmin for a variety of different sports
D2 Air Garmin
The D2 Air is the most recent aviation-specific smartwatch released by Garmin. In addition to the already outstanding range of health and fitness functions offered by the Epix, the device now possesses potential in the realm of flying (2nd gen).
Both inside and outside of the aircraft, pilots can make use of the several features that are available on the Garmin watch, such as the HSI and weather alerts (horizontal situation indicator). Additionally, the Garmin D2 Air features a touch-sensitive AMOLED display, an integrated heart rate monitor, support for a wide range of frequencies, and compatibility with many GPS systems.
The smartwatch is currently offered for purchase in the United States. However, information regarding pricing and availability in other regions has not yet been made public.
Garmin Marq
In addition, Garmin has recently introduced the Marq Collection, which is comprised of five brand-new smartwatches designed with a particular sport in mind.
In addition to a Garmin cockpit interface, the Nexrad Weather Radar, and other features tailored specifically for pilots, the Marq Aviator has the capability to display three different time zones simultaneously. Additional elements include a multi-link bracelet strap and a multi-link bracelet design. These features were inspired by aviation, titanium, and ceramic manufacturing, respectively.
For example,
It comes preinstalled with over 250 different tracks, as well as software for automatic lap splitting, a track timer, and recording software that automatically tracks the performance of a driver’s laps in real time. This design features a color scheme that is red with charcoal gray accents.
The face displays tidal information, wind speed, and temperature in nautical colors, while the software features of the Marq Captain include tack aid, time to burn, and a virtual starting line. In addition, the face also provides tack help.
Garmin FAQ
Leave a comment below if you have any further questions, and we’ll be happy to answer them!
Are phone calls possible using a Garmin watch?
On our list, the only watch that allows you to make phone calls from your wrist is the Gamin Venu 2 Plus. The notifications, messages, emails, and alarms sent to your phone can be received by any of the other smartwatches listed by Garmin. In addition, if you have an Android phone, you may use certain variants of the vivoactive and Venu headphones to send and receive text messages.
Is the battery life of Garmin smartwatches generally satisfactory?
The majority of Garmin’s watches are known for their exceptionally long battery lives. Nevertheless, some models have more capacious battery storage than others. One device that exemplifies this is the Forerunner 945, which can go nearly 14 days without needing a charge and can go 36 hours with GPS mode active. On the other hand, the Fenix 6 has a remarkable battery life that may last for 20 days without being charged. You should pick a watch that is tailored to your requirements. For example, if you frequently go on extensive outdoor excursions, a watch with a longer battery life would be ideal for you.
Why are Garmin watches more expensive than those made by competitors?
It’s common knowledge that Garmin watches are more expensive than those made by competing brands on the market. The initial investment in one of these smartwatches may be somewhat higher, but it will be money well spent in the long run. Garmin watches always use the most recent technology to provide you with advanced features like ECG scanners and SpO2 sensors. Garmin watches are available at many different price points. When they make their watches, they also make use of high-quality materials, such as fiber-reinforced polymers, to ensure that the watches are durable enough to withstand the passage of time.
Which Garmin Fenix is the best?
The Fenix 6S Pro Solar Edition is the premium model, but it comes with a steep price tag because of its status as the top-tier Fenix product. These variants are more expensive than the Fenix 6 Standard, Pro, or Sapphire due to the addition of solar charging capabilities, which is the reason why they are in such high demand.
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Which Garmin watches are powered by the sun or can be charged using solar energy?
- Fenix 6
- Instinct Solar (Standard, Tactical, Camo, Surf)
- Enduro
- Tactix Delta Solar and Delta Ballistics
- Quatix 6X Solar
- Garmin Tactix Delta Solar Edition
Which variants of the Garmin navigation system come with the Incident Detection and Assistance feature?
As long as your smartwatch is connected to a smartphone and Garmin Connect, you will be able to use either of the two built-in safety features. This is the case for all of Garmin’s smartwatches.
Which of Garmin’s smartwatches comes with a built-in music storage option?
- Forerunner 945 and 945 LTE, 745, and 245 Music
- Fenix 6, 6S, and 6X all models
- Venu Sq Music, Venu 2 (all models)
- vivoactive 4 and 4S
- Rey
- Darth Vader
- Captain Marvel
- First Avenger
- Descent (all models)
- MARQ (all models)
- quatix 6 and 6X
- tactix Delta
Which watches by Garmin come equipped with a GPS receiver?
- Forerunner (all models)
- Enduro
- Descent series
- tactix series
- D2 series
- Fenix 6 / 6S / 6X
- Instinct series
- MARQ series
- quatix series
- Venu series
- Approach series
- Garmin Swim 2
- vivoactive series
- Lily
Which variants of the Garmin watch are waterproof?
The smartwatches made by Garmin all have a water resistance certification of either 5 or 10 atmospheres (atm).
Which variants of Garmin are equipped with LTE?
The Venu 2 Plus includes the ability to use a microphone to make phone calls and compose text messages, and the Garmin 945 comes in a specialized LTE version. The LTE functionality should also be included in the soon-to-be-released Fenix 7. However, other variants of Garmin’s smartwatches utilize Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in order to connect to your phone and display notifications on your wrist. These models are described below.
Is ECG monitoring available on the Garmin?
The watches produced by Garmin do not, sadly, come equipped with this particular function. You may learn more about the Garmin Fenix 7 by reading more here.
Is there a microphone available for use with the Garmin Fenix?
They do not, in fact, do that. However, the Venu 2 Plus comes equipped with a microphone.
Which model of the Garmin multisport watch is the best?
Garmin’s tactix, Forerunner 945/945 LTE, and the Fenix 7 series are all excellent choices for those looking for a multisport watch because of their tough durability, extensive workout and health tracking functions, the capacity to store music, and their connectivity to GPS satellites. The fitness watches that are described above range in price from just under to just over one thousand dollars (USD), and they are loaded with functions.
If you are looking for the greatest multisport watch that Garmin has to offer at the best price, then you should consider purchasing one of the older Forerunner models, such as the 745 or the 245 Music. These models offer a large number of sports functions without being too expensive.
Further Reading: Best Smartwatch For OnePlus
In Conclusion
No matter which model you choose, every Garmin smartwatch comes equipped with features that are both up-to-date and in high demand. This brand has long been known for producing the best fitness companions and smartwatches on the market, from the Fenix 6S down to the previous models.
