10 Best Garmin Smartwatches 2026 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix 7S Pro Sapphire Solar is a solid choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a robust multisport GPS smartwatch. Its 1.2-inch round display is bright and clear, housed in a durable fiber-reinforced polymer case with a scratch-resistant sapphire solar lens that extends battery life by using sunlight—this means you can get weeks of use in smartwatch mode without worrying about charging often. The watch includes a useful built-in LED flashlight, handy for nighttime training or low-light situations. Garmin’s GPS and sensor accuracy stand out with multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology, ensuring reliable location tracking and efficient battery use.

It supports a wide range of sports and activity modes, including new features like hill and endurance scores, which help you track climbing strength and overall fitness. Health monitoring is comprehensive, offering 24/7 tracking of heart rate variability, Pulse Ox for altitude adaptation, and advanced sleep tracking, although the data should be seen as estimates rather than medical-grade measurements. Smart features like morning reports and training readiness summaries make understanding your performance easier. Navigation is enhanced with preloaded maps for golf courses, ski resorts, and TopoActive maps, plus helpful turn-by-turn prompts.

Comfort-wise, the watch is lightweight at 58 grams and designed to fit well on smaller wrists with its 42 mm case. On the downside, the 1.2-inch screen might feel small for some users compared to larger smartwatches, and the proprietary OS could limit app variety. Also, while solar charging improves battery life, heavy GPS use will still drain it faster. This Garmin model is well suited for those who value durability, precise outdoor tracking, and detailed training insights, though it may be less appealing if you want a larger display or a wide range of third-party apps.

The Garmin tactix 8 Elite is a robust, premium tactical GPS smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals needing advanced navigation and durability. Its standout features include a large 1.4-inch solar-charged display which helps extend battery life, paired with a sturdy titanium bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire lens, making it highly durable. The watch excels in GPS and navigation with multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology for pinpoint accuracy, plus built-in sensors like compass and barometric altimeter to aid outdoor navigation. It supports specialized tactical functions such as jumpmaster mode, waypoint projection, stealth mode, and compatibility with night vision goggles which are ideal for tactical use.

For fitness and health tracking, it offers comprehensive monitoring including wrist-based heart rate, sleep, respiration, Pulse Ox, and even an ECG app. It supports a wide range of sports and training plans to improve endurance and strength. The watch is water-resistant to 40 meters, suitable for swimming and diving activities, including scuba and apnea diving.

Smart features include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connectivity, notifications, and the ability to sync with the AB Quantum mobile app for managing ballistic profiles and targets. Its battery capacity is modest and while solar charging helps, heavy use of GPS and smart features may require frequent charging compared to simpler models. The price and feature set may be more than casual users need, as it is tailored to tactical and serious multisport users. Weighing 95 grams, it offers a reasonable balance of size and build but could feel bulky on smaller wrists. This watch suits those seeking a highly durable, feature-rich tactical smartwatch with advanced navigation and health tracking, while casual fitness users might prefer something simpler and lighter.

The Garmin Instinct 3 45mm is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need a tough, reliable smartwatch. Its standout feature is the solar-charged display, which can keep the battery running almost indefinitely if you spend a few hours outside daily, making it excellent for extended adventures without worrying about charging. The watch has a strong build, with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal bezel, plus it meets military standards for shock and thermal resistance and is water-rated to 10 ATM, so it can handle rough conditions and swimming.

Navigation is a strong point here, thanks to built-in GPS combined with a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, and multi-band GPS technology, allowing accurate location tracking and efficient battery use. The included LED flashlight is a handy bonus for nighttime use, adding practical value for outdoor activities. Health and fitness tracking cover basics like heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and Pulse Ox, giving a well-rounded view of your wellness without being medical-grade. Smart features include notifications, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and safety tools like incident detection and emergency assistance, which require a paired smartphone.

The display is relatively small at 0.9 inches and round in shape, which might feel limited for some users used to larger screens. Customization options are available through the Connect IQ Store, allowing you to add apps and watch faces. This watch is ideal for those who prioritize durability, long battery life, and reliable outdoor navigation instead of flashy displays or extensive smartwatch features. It may not suit users wanting a larger screen or a full set of advanced smart capabilities but excels as a rugged companion for outdoor and fitness activities.