If you have ever searched for the best fitness tracker or the best Android smartwatch, you may be familiar with Garmin, who designs a variety of varables that cater to both the smartwatch and the fitness crowd. When you are looking for the right mix of the two, the Vivoactive 4 is the best Garmin smartwatch you can buy. Whether you are a professional athlete or a first-time runner, there are many great options here.  |
| Source: Garmin |
Best Overall: Garmin Vivoactive 4
Source: Courtney Lynch / Android Central
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 may be a year old now, but it's overflowing with features that make it a worthy upgrade from the previous model. Now you will have your pick between two sizes: 45mm and 40mm. The larger model gives you an extra day of battery life in smartwatch mode over eight days. It will run for six hours in GPS and music mode. Smaller models are down to seven days and five hours respectively.
For the good stuff, you'll have all the essentials, such as built-in GPS, smartphone notifications, Garmin pay and 5 ATMs resistance. Music storage is now standard, which is more than you had to pay with the predecessor. You will have many similar workouts, such as strength, cardio, elliptical training, floor climbing, indoor rowing and yoga. There is now a Pulse Ox sensor to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels and respiration to monitor the number of breaths per minute. As a result, you will have more pleasant sleep data.
Body batteries allow you to check your energy levels during the day by collecting data from heart rate variability (HRV), stress, sleep, and activity. This will help you to schedule your workouts and relax at maximum time. There are over 40 on-screen workouts for strength training, cardio, yoga and Pilates. Follow the animation on your watch as it displays the proper look and technique.
If you go with a larger 45mm watch, you will only have a slate or silver color option. You can find plenty of Garmin Vivoactive 4 bands that allow you to personalize your wearable more. It would have been nice to have a rich display at this price point, but Vivoactive 4 uses the same transformative display as most Garmin wearables.
Pros:
- Built-in GPS with great tracking features
- 5 atm water resistance
- On Garmin
- Music storage
- Good battery life
- Pulse aux sensor
Opposition:
- very beautiful
- 45mm has fewer color options
- Lacquer display
Best Price: Garmin Vivoactive 3
Notable features of the Vivoactive 3 include built-in GPS, smartphone notifications, Garmin Pay, several preloaded sports apps and 5 ATM water resistance. The smartwatch also provides stress tracking, sleep tracking and heart-rate monitoring. The battery will last up to a week in smartwatch mode and up to 13 hours in GPS mode. As we mentioned, you have to work hard to find all these features at this price point.
As you can see, choosing a smartwatch is not the worst thing in the world which is not the newest option on the market. You have to completely bang for your buck here. Another difference that may affect your choice is that Vivoactive 3 does not offer music storage as a standard feature. You will have to spend a little more to get the model that comes with music storage.
Pros:
- Great value
- 5 atm water resistance
- Better battery life
- Built-in GPS
- On Garmin
Opposition:
- Music storage is not standard
- No on-screen workout
- Only comes in one size
Best Hybrid: Garmin Vivomov HR Vivomov HR
For those looking for a reasonably priced hybrid smartwatch that offers a great and attractive design with a good feature set, the Vivomov HR is ideal. Probably one of the most attractive aspects of this model is its surprisingly affordable price tag, which is a nice bonus if you are on a budget. This watch offers up to five days of battery life in smartwatch mode and an additional two weeks in regular watch mode.
While this is by no means the watch of a full-blown runner, it still owes a lot to the casual athlete who wants to track the basics. Whenever you record a workout, the Vivomov HR will track your heart rate, speed, distance, ascending floor, and speed. It will also track your sleep patterns and stress levels. It is disappointing that this wearable is equipped with an accelerometer and five atm water resistance, yet it does not offer swimming tracking. However, given that it is a hybrid smartwatch with a screen that does not work underwater, it makes sense.
If you are happy with basic activity tracking and heart rate monitoring features, the Vivomove HR is a great watch on your wrist. You won't have GPS or swim tracking, but it's a small price to pay for a budget-friendly hybrid smartwatch. Not to mention that there are some choices of choppy colors and styling to choose from, so it would be nice as it handles your tracking needs.
Pros:
- Fair price
- 5 atm water resistance
- Battery life decision
- Stunning, stylish design
- Monitoring activity, stress, sleep and heart rate
Opposition:
- Built-in gps
- No swimming tracking
- Touchscreen navigation can be tricky
- Hard to read in direct sunlight
Best Lifestyle Watch: Garmin Venu SQ Garmin Venu SK
Source: Courtney Lynch / Android Central
Those who offer Garmin without breaking the bank will appreciate Venu Sak. As the name suggests, it is a square version of the original Venu. You can expect many differences to separate the two, but this is not entirely true.
The Garmin Veenu Sq comes in a standard and a music version, although you'll pay more for a music model with Wi-Fi. On the original Garmin Venu, all models have music storage and Wi-Fi. The budget-friendly, square-shaped model isn't quite as fancy, but it still looks and feels good on the wrist. It comes in a 40 mm fiber-reinforced polymer case with a 1.3-inch color LCD - no premium AMOLED screens or stainless steel bezels here. You get a 20mm interchangeable Garmin Veenu SQ band, which makes it easy to change your look.
Surprisingly, there are only major differences between those Garmin Vinoo and Vinoo Sq. It lacks an altimeter and a gyroscope, so it will not have to measure altitude or angular velocity. Also, this new release of Garmin can do everything about the original can. You have more than 20 preloaded sports apps, 5 ATM water resistance, body battery energy monitoring and pulse aux sensors, GPS to measure blood oxygen saturation levels, heart-rate monitoring, activity and sleep tracking. You also have mobile payment with Garmin Pay.
If you don't mind having a watch without music or Wi-Fi (or accepting that you'll pay more for those perks), the Garmin Venu Sq is an excellent lifestyle watch with an excellent price tag. It is not nearly as premium and stylish as the original Venu, but may not be your top priority in choosing a wearable.
Pros:
- Onboard gps
- Heart rate monitor
- 5 atm water resistance
- Pulse Ox and Body Battery
- Six days battery life
- On Garmin
Opposition:
- Music version costs more with Wi-Fi
- Ultimators, gyroscopes
- Best Lifestyle Watch
Best for women's fashion: Garmin Lily Garmin Lily Heart Rate
Source: Courtney Lynch / Android Central
The Garmin Lily is a small but efficient smartwatch designed specifically for women by women. It is not uncommon for some to feel that they have to choose between smartwatch features and maintain their style. While it may not be for all women, this watch is great because it combines the two, so you are not forced to choose one over the other. Garmin Lily may just be one of the best smartwatches for women.
The first thing you will notice is that this smartwatch has a monochrome display. If you are used to a bright and shiny AMOLED display, it can pull off a bit. However, the text and numbers are large, crisp and easy to read. Not to mention, you will enjoy up to five days of battery life on a single charge.
Other key features include heart rate monitoring, 5 atm water resistance, activity / sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring and more. You'll also be able to choose whether you want a sport model with aluminum hardware and a silicon band, or a classic model with stainless steel hardware and a leather band. As you can guess, the classic model is slightly more expensive.
It is notable that the Garmin lily lacks some salient features. If you want a full-blown smartwatch experience, it can affect your final decision. You will not have built-in GPS, music storage, or NFC payment. Another issue for some users will be the proprietary T-Bar lugs used for the proprietary band system. This means that whenever you want to change the band, you will need a special device, which is a bit of a hassle. Fortunately, there are still third-party Garmin Lily bands on the market. You just have to make sure that they are the correct 14mm straps.
Pros:
- Activity / sleep tracking
- 5 atm water resistance
- Music control and notifications
- Heart rate monitor
- Up to 5 days of battery life
Opposition:
- Built-in GPS, NFC payment
- Monochrome display is not for everyone
- Proprietary band
- Best for women's fashion
Best for Runners: Garmin Fourrunner 945
Source: Garmin
Looking for a reliable GPS powered smartwatch that will never disappoint you? The Forerunner 945 fits the bill. This model takes some of the key features of Garmin's many high-end smartwatches and wraps them in a powerful package. Let's start at the top. It promises two weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode, 10 hours in GPS mode with music, and up to 60 hours in ultratrack mode. The size is 47 mm, so it is large and in charge. It is also thin and light, which is important for those intense workouts. When your Garmin Forerunner 945 band can be changed in a matter of seconds, you will get a convenient 22mm quick release system.
You look forward to multi-sport tracking, updated training analysis, Garmin Pay, built-in music player, GPS and full-color maps. Some outdoor activity profiles include hiking, climbing, skiing, and kayaking. Training weight analysis tells you how much time you have spent working in various aerobic and anaerobic areas. It even gives suggestions based on your performance so that you can be more productive. This pulse oxy sensor has also been found to track blood oxygen saturation levels, which supports enhanced sleep monitoring and height elevation.
It is easy to see why runners and serious athletes alike admire all of the amazing features that the Forerunner 945 offers. Whether you are looking to track a simple long distance race or a more complex triathlon, there is no limit to what you can do with this smartwatch. That said, this is not the cheapest option out there, but the price tag warrants. If you want complete experience, you will need to invest in a running dynamics pod for additional data, such as stride length, vertical oscillation, and ground contact time.
Pros:
- Built-in GPS, full-color maps
- 5 atm water resistance
- Endless Activity Tracking
- Monitoring stress, sleep and heart rate
- Music storage and control
- On Garmin
Opposition:
- quite expensive
- Only one size option
- Running Data Pod is required for additional data
- Best for runners
- Precursor 945
Best for Adventurers: Garmin Phenix 6
Source: Garmin
The Phenix 6 Series is another wearable that Garmin has released within the last year. Some users find that the Garmin Fenix 6 is no different from the predecessor. The good news is that it is still full of features. There are a few other models in the series, but we will discuss the standard Phenix 6, which is 47 mm. It is worth noting that the higher you go in the Phenix 6 series, the more expensive your watch will be. Looking at different clock modes, battery life varies. Smartwatch mode lasts for 14 days, GPS mode lasts for 36 hours, Max Battery GPS mode lasts for 72 hours, Expedition GPS activity promises you 28 days and Battery Saver Watch Mode 48 days.
It is clear at first glance that the Phenix 6 is not really an everyday lifestyle watch. It is large and very rugged, with good reason. It is designed for challenging campaigns that require a durable device. While there have been no major software upgrades from its predecessor, there are enough subtle changes to justify purchasing the new version.
Now you have your data organized in the widget. Tap a button on the home screen to sort through important data such as last activity, steps, heart rate, notifications, music controls, weather and calendar. GPS accuracy has been improved, and you will also be able to get an underwater reading heart rate. In addition to basic activity tracking profiles for strength, cardio, elliptical training and so on, there are also a ton of outdoor safety profiles. You'll do hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, and more. It is clear that Phenix 6 is the ultimate adventure companion.
There is not much you can do with this smartwatch. It is not made with fashion as a top priority, but it is not its purpose. If you are constantly pushing the limits when going out for a workout, then the Phenix 6 will be right there with you. It can be expensive, but it is easily the best Garmin smartwatch for adventure and discovery.
Pros:
- New and improved gps
- 10 atm water resistance plus underwater wrist-based heart rate
- Solid, durable design that can withstand
- Monitoring activity, stress, sleep and heart rate
- Multiple activity profiles to choose from
- On Garmin
Opposition:
- One of the most expensive options
- There are not too many new features compared to the predecessor
- Not the most stylish watch
Best Upgrade Pick: Garmin Foreigner 745
Source: Garmin
It is faced with deciding whether you should upgrade or not, sometimes it happens without a mind. For many users this can happen when they see what the Garmin Forerunner 745 has to offer. This is a much-needed upgrade to the wearable-tried true-precursor 735XT. The company says the new Forerunner is geared toward 745 runners and triathletes, which require detailed training stats, device-workouts, and a lot of smartwatch functions.
It comes in a 44-mm reinforced-polymer case with a 1.2-inch reflective display that is easy to read in sunlight. The 22 mm Garmin Forerunner 745 bands are interchangeable. You can expect up to six hours of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to six hours in GPS with music mode. The watch has several key features, including onboard GPS, heart rate monitoring, activity and sleep tracking, multiple playing modes, music storage for up to 500 songs, and Garmin Pay.
You also get many other advanced features. The Garmin Foreigner 745 provides performance monitoring tools such as VO2 max, training load, training status and aerobic and anaerobic training effects. After a challenging workout, the improved recovery time feature will tell you how long to rest before a difficult training session. Garmin Coach offers free training plans that will suit your specific goals and performance.
At 6 mm diameter and 13 mm thick, it can be very large for people with wearable daily wrists. Unfortunately, this is one of Garmin's few smartwatches that only comes in one size. The hefty price tag may deter some users, but it will be worth the investment for those who are dedicated to their training program.
Pros:
- Onboard gps
- Heart rate monitor
- Advanced Training Metrics
- 5 atm water resistance
- One week of battery life
- On Garmin
- Music storage
Opposition:
- Too expensive for some
- Only comes in one size
- Best upgrade pick
Best for Music: Garmin Fourrunner 245 Music
Source: Andrew Martonic / Android Central
As you are now assembled, there are many Garmin Forerunner models to choose from. Luckily, you can get a Garmin Running Smartwatch without spending a fortune. The Forerunner 245 Music is most popular for its long list of advanced running features and offering onboard music storage for up to 500 songs.
Remember that this model is pricier than the standard Forerunner 245, which does not offer music storage. Both models are compatible with the interchangeable Garmin Forerunner 245 band. As far as battery life is concerned, smartwatch mode lasts for 7 days, GPS with music mode lasts for 6 hours and GPS mode without music can last up to 24 hours.
It gives you quite a few upgrades that its predecessor lacked, including pool swimming, strength workouts, all-day stress tracking, UltraTech mode, and more. Athletes will enjoy hosting advanced facilities, such as running dynamics and support for Garmin coaches. You will have the necessary tools to set and reach your goals. The Forerunner 245 Music also has a training position facility that lets you know if you are overtraining or undertaking. You can see how your workouts affect your speed and endurance. Then, the training load compares the amount of your most recent exercise to the optimal range for your fitness level.
The only real complaints worth mentioning with this Garmin smartwatch are the NFC payment and the lack of an altimeter. The latter seems like a very strange omission because even the most basic weaves are all they have. Many users will not miss Garmin Pay, but it is still a good feature. You will still get Wi-Fi connectivity, music storage, smartphone notifications, built-in GPS and adequate activity tracking.
Pros:
- Built-in GPS
- 5 atm water resistance
- Good battery life
- Enough music storage
- Pulse aux sensor and body battery
- Monitoring activity, stress, sleep and heart rate
Opposition:
- Lacks Garmin Pay
- No ultimate
- Cost is high for music
- Best for music
Best for Style: Garmin Venu 2
Source: Jeremy Johnson / Android Central
If you are worried about sacrificing your prudence when purchasing a smartwatch, you will meet your match with the new Garmin Venu 2. This is one of the company's latest releases, and it actually offers quite a few upgrades that users can appreciate. One of the biggest improvements is battery life, which can now last between 10 and 11 days depending on the model you purchased. You also get a battery saver mode to help your smartwatch last longer when you're in a pinch.
Not only do you get the same gorgeous AMOLED display on the original Venue model, but you also get two size options. Venu 2 is 45 mm and the smaller 2S is 40 mm. Both models are compatible with the release Garmin Veenu 2 and 2S bands, 22mm and 18mm respectively.
Sleep tracking suits have also been improved. Now you get a sleep score that reflects firstbeat analytics powers. Your sleep score is based on the quality and quantity of your previous night's sleep. You can also see your sleep statistics on your watch. Before that, you need to open the Garmin Connect app to review your sleep statistics. Venu 2 also has a fitness age feature that estimates whether your body is under or over your chronological age. It uses your actual age, weekly vigorous activity, rest rate, and BMI or body fat percentage to estimate your fitness age. You can access tips to reduce your fitness age.
You still get the main set of features, including the Garmin built on many of its warbles, including built-in GPS, more than 25 sport modes, heart-rate monitoring, activity and sleep tracking, pulse aux, body battery, women's health- Tracking, onboard music included. Storage, mobile payment via Garmin Pay. If you want a stylish lifestyle wearable with useful features then this is the best Garmin smartwatch.
Pros:
- GPS, HRM, NFC
- Fitness age and sleep score
- Sharp AMOLED Display
- Two size options
- 5 atm water resistance
- 10 to 11 days battery life
Opposition:
- Too expensive for some
- Smaller models are not more affordable
- Best for style
Best Garmin Smartwatch: Which Should You Buy?
It is challenging to label just one of these Weirbriels as the best Garmin smartwatch to choose from, with only one model and features. If you are looking for a luxurious lifestyle watch with tons of features to enhance your overall experience, we recommend the Garmin Vivoactive 4.
You will find that the Vivoactive 4 sits right in the middle of the cost range of Garmin wearables, and has a good price tag for all that it offers. You have all the tracking needed for activity, sleep, stress, heart rate, and a few other new ones. You can also track respiration, hydration, blood oxygen saturation level and energy level. They are not everything; This Garmin powerhouse now offers music storage and on-screen workouts.
Of course, if you are a beginner, there are more affordable and basic Garmin smartwatch options designed for beginners. On the other hand, experienced experts will find a wide selection of high-end weaves that satisfy their cravings for details and tons of features. Whatever your purpose, there is definitely a Garmin smartwatch designed to meet your needs. Not to mention that there are plenty of great Android smartwatches out there that may fit the bill as well.