There are now plenty of smartwatches on the market that have GPS capability. In fact, it is becoming a standard feature on most mainstream watches. However, Garmin GPS watches are still leading the way when it comes to accuracy. This makes it a favourite amongst fitness lovers. Especially those who want accuracy built into a robust body and a modern design that looks great on their wrist.
Why is Garmin so Good at Making GPS Watches?
First and foremost, Garmin has been in the smartwatch-making game for a long time. Back in 2003, it launched its first-ever wrist-based run tracker to allow athletes to keep track of their training. Over the past two decades, Garmin has built on what they developed in that first offering, the Forerunner 101, and have certainly honed their skills within the GPS Smartwatch field. Take a look at our top Garmin GPS watches. You can buy them with confidence when you are ready for your new smartwatch.
Garmin Fenix 7
For quite some time, the Garmin Fenix 7 has been highly anticipated.And now it’s here. Rather than providing us with a brand new gadget, the firm improved on the Fenix 6. They also created the Fenix 6 Pro and 6 S Pro. Later in the year, the solar versions were also available.
Despite the fact that the Fenix 7 is Garmin’s most capable multi-sports watch to date, its new training tools have been carefully built so that they are accessible to a larger variety of athletes. Stats like stamina and training load are presented in a style that is easy to understand and clearly demonstrates the long-term benefits of this week’s activities. However, those who like the five-button navigation of the Fenix series can disable it and remain with what they’re used to. With no extra weight, battery life has increased significantly, and mapping tools have been dramatically improved. There is one notable omission from the Fenix 7 Plus: a microphone for using your phone’s voice assistant and making phone calls.
The Fenix 6 has, however, reached the end of its useful life. It’s past time for a fresh edition. We do know that Garmin often releases new products in the late summer and early fall. In other words, an announcement might be made at any moment.
Furthermore, we are certain that the organisation will keep to its mid-high budget when it comes to pricing. Various variations are available for different requirements. In the end, the new model will almost certainly be more costly than the old model in the existing market. Customers will be able to purchase older versions at a lower price.
Garmin Forerunner 55
The recent Garmin Forerunner 55 is a budget-friendly running watch with useful features. It meets all of the essential requirements for new runners.
Garmin Forerunner 55 in black and blue
For a long time, the Forerunner watch was the finest budget running watch available. When the Forerunner 35 and 45 were originally launched, this was definitely the case.
On the other hand, the Forerunner 55 faces stiff competition. At slightly under $200, it’s about the same price as the fantastic Coros Pace 2. Garmin has put numerous essential features from its more costly running watches into the 55 to counter Coros’ threat. It also boosted the GPS battery life to 20 hours (from 13). However, when you’re not using the GPS, the battery life is as impressive.
Garmin Forerunner 255
Designed with runners in mind, the Forerunner 255 can help you understand your training load. It can support you with adaptive training plans and keep you safe with incident detection so that you can head out with confidence. It will even analyze your running form. You will then receive feedback on what you are doing well and what you need to work on!
Aside from the running capabilities, this smartwatch also offers a range of smart functions. Keep in touch with your loved ones and use the Garmin IQ store to download several apps that will personalize your experience.
Choose between the Forerunner 255, Forerunner 255 Music, and Forerunner 255s. These are 46mm wide devices, while the Forerunner 255s and 255s Music are 5mm smaller at 41mm wide. Aside from their little stature, the 255s versions’ specifications are nearly identical. Batteries may last up to 14 days and 30 hours in GPS mode, but the Forerunner 955 has touchscreen technology
There’s still a tonne of new functionality in the 955 despite its lack of a touchscreen, like the Morning Report, the race widget, and HRV status. Multi-band GPS allows you to switch between different sports profiles as you work out, which is ideal for triathletes and other multi-disciplinary athletes since it provides the same enhanced GPS monitoring across several satellite bands.
Aside from Pulse Oximeter readings and VO2 Max, there are no new Garmin health metrics or features to be found here. While the 255 watches can use PacePro to help guide you on your run, there is no mention of ClimbPro here, which means it won’t provide information on forthcoming slopes. For example, you may plan routes on sites like Strava and then sync them to your watch.
Garmin Epix 2
Garmin’s most sophisticated sports tracking technology is integrated into the Epix 2’s durable 47mm shell, which is topped off with an eye-catching AMOLED touchscreen. For those who aren’t blown away by the Fenix 7, this is the watch to buy. Because of its bright, vibrant screen and high power consumption, the Epix 2’s battery life falls well short of the Fenix 7’s. It’s up to you to decide if appearances or durability are more important to you.
According to Garmin, the Epix 2 can operate for up to 16 days in smartwatch mode (or 6 days in always-on mode), 42 hours with GPS enabled (or 30 hours in always-on mode), or 75 hours in max battery GPS mode, which detects your location occasionally rather than continually.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro
If you are a fan of many different sports, then the Fenix 6X Pro is a great choice. Furthermore, it comes in three different case sizes to suit all wrists. It can last up to 14 days on a single charge and comes with an Sp02 monitor and heart rate tracking to help you track your progress as you work out. If skiing is your thing, you will be impressed with the preloaded ski maps for over 2000 resorts worldwide.
The Fenix 6X Pro is also a good companion for your health. Features like hydration tracking and step counting will keep you hydrated and focused on achieving your move goals. If you are off on an expedition, you can even switch on Expedition mode. This enables you to utilise GPS power and keep your battery running for weeks on a single charge.
Read about the entire Fenix 6 range.
Garmin Product | Supplier | |
Fenix 7 | Amazon | View Offer |
Fenix 7 | eBay | View Offer |
Fenix 7 | Garmin | View Offer |
Fenix 7 | Target | View Offer |
Garmin Tactix
If you need a watch to take on ops, then the Garmin Tactix is an excellent choice. It comes with ABC sensors and top-of-the-range GPS that will help you plan your moves with confidence and precision. Furthermore, it also comes with TracBack. This helps you find your way back to the start of your journey when you need to move out.
It is waterproof to 50m and has been designed to interact with other Garmin users by sharing waypoint information, routes and tracks so that everyone can take the same path. It has a rugged design and lights up the screen with a green backlight that won’t cause problems with night vision. The Tactix may be designed for the field, but it is also a great companion when you get home. Featuring many useful smart features that will make life a little bit easier.
You can also get the Tactix in a solar version for extended battery life.
Garmin Forerunner 955
If you want to combine your love of running with a smartwatch that can offer music playback and contactless payment, then the Garmin Forerunner 955 is a great choice. It comes with preloaded maps to help you navigate your runs and offers in-depth tracking features so that you can analyze your performance over time and improve your outcomes.
The battery lasts up to 42 hours when you have GPS mode on. And a whopping 15 days in smartwatch mode.
Another great aspect of this device is its focus on safety. So, if you find yourself in trouble or have a fall, it can support you to get the help you need, offering you the confidence you need to go wherever you want.
Garmin Vivoactive 4S
The Garmin Vivoactive 4S has a smaller watch face than its big brother, the Vivoactive 4, but it still has full health and fitness tracking, on-screen workouts, and music streaming capabilities. This wristwatch has energy monitoring for the body battery. You may keep track of your energy levels throughout the day to see when it’s ideal to exercise and when it’s best to unwind. It contains a Pulse 0x sensor, which determines how effectively your body takes oxygen by measuring blood oxygen levels.
It also has a stress monitoring tool that may aid in mental health improvement. If it senses that you are nervous, it will remind you to relax and even encourage you to do a brief breathing exercise. It tracks your activities throughout the day as well as your sleep. You’ll receive a thorough picture of how you sleep with a breakdown of your light, deep, and REM sleep phases, as well as Pulse 0x and breathing data.
The Vivoactive 4S has 20 preset GPS and indoor training modes, including walking, running, cycling, pool swimming, golf, and more. It also features easy-to-follow on-screen aerobic, strength, yoga, and Pilates workouts to help with technique and injury prevention. The battery life falls short of expectations, and the screen is difficult to see inside.
Garmin Venu Sq
If you are looking for a smartwatch with GPS, then the Garmin Venu Sq is a great choice and comes with a stylish square design. It offers notifications for calls, texts, and other alerts and has contactless payments enabled so that you can treat yourself on the go without worrying about taking your wallet. Love listening to music on the go? then upgrade and get the Garmin Venu Sq Music and get your favourite tunes direct from your wrist.
The battery lasts for up to six days between charges. There are a number of different sports that you can track to monitor your fitness levels and challenge yourself to get more active. If sport is what you love, then the workout planner can create specific plans for you. These cover yoga, Pilates, cardio, strength, and more. Plus, there is a wide range of wellness monitoring tools to keep you in great condition, including a body battery, Sp02 monitor, and heart rate tracking.
Garmin Venu 2
The Garmin Venu 2 is currently considered one of the greatest watches available. The watch impressively bridges the gap between a smartwatch and a running watch with its mix of activity tracking features and vital everyday applications.
The Venu 2 puts a significant focus on wellness, like many contemporary wearables, with all-day stress monitoring and a running battery score to remind you to care for your mental health. You may monitor your sleeping habits in addition to your daily steps, stairs climbed, and calories burnt.
Venu 2 features true tools for monitoring a range of activities, unlike other fitness trackers. Runners are given special attention. The integrated GPS is exceptionally precise, as you’d expect from a company that established its name on satellite navigation. It provides measures with a minuscule margin of error and displays highly detailed maps that show your changing pace throughout your workout.
Fitness
Garmin Coach (which works with training programmes downloaded via the Garmin Connect app), leaderboards for any challenges you’re participating in, and a recap of your most recent workouts are all included in the watch’s built-in apps. Customers of Venu Sq may also download the Challenges app, which is not preinstalled.
The integrated altimeter in Venu 2 now allows for auto-pause, split recording, and height monitoring during training. It’s not quite as sophisticated as the Fenix 6 or Forerunner 945, which provide more comprehensive options for regulating training and real-time navigation, but it’s a fantastic value.
Gym-goers will love the fact that this is the first Garmin device to display muscle maps, which allow you to design workouts based on the amount of training stress each muscle group receives. It’s the small things that add up. The Venu 2 doesn’t count steps during a spin class, unlike some other sports watches we’ve seen lately, and the always-on screen makes it easy to tell which heart rate zone you’re in during strenuous exercises.
Swimmers will benefit from underwater heart rate monitoring, stroke type identification, and pool analytics, while golfers will find the Venu 2 to be as capable as many specialised golf watches.
Because the AMOLED display has a very high quality, you can examine all of this data with the Garmin Connect app without having to check your phone. The elements work together to produce a sports watch that is beautiful and practical enough to wear all day and night.
GPS Watches for All Your Needs
The great thing about Garmin watches is that they are not just for runners. From military usage to running and sports tracking to everyday smartwatches, Garmin offers a device for everyone. Their GPS trackers are excellent, but they are not the only impressive feature on offer. So, if you want a top-quality watch that can track your every move, choosing Garmin is the logical choice!
While you’re here, why not think about something for the younger members of your family and have a look at these great smartwatches for kids.
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Last Updated on July 19, 2022
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