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10 Best Garmin Activity Trackers 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8 score

Garmin vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Black

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is an impressive health and fitness GPS smartwatch that caters well to individuals looking to monitor their health and stay active. With a battery life of up to 11 days, it reduces the need for frequent charging, making it convenient for everyday use. The bright AMOLED display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, enhancing the user experience.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Battery Life
The battery life on the Garmin vívoactive 5 is significantly longer compared to other smartwatches like Fitbit.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Tracking and health features like sleep tracking, nap option, heart rate monitoring, water and calorie tracking, and GPS are very well received.
GPS
Tracking and health features like sleep tracking, nap option, heart rate monitoring, water and calorie tracking, and GPS are very well received.
Water Resistance
Tracking and health features like sleep tracking, nap option, heart rate monitoring, water and calorie tracking, and GPS are very well received.
Sleep Tracking
The watch offers great data on sleep patterns, morning reports, weather updates, and various workout categories.
Smartphone Notifications
The watch offers great data on sleep patterns, morning reports, weather updates, and various workout categories.
Activity Tracking
Tracking and health features like sleep tracking, nap option, heart rate monitoring, water and calorie tracking, and GPS are very well received.
#2
9.6 score

Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Powder Gray, 010-02809-00

The Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch is a highly capable activity tracker designed for serious runners and multisport athletes. One of its standout features is the brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display, which paired with traditional button controls, makes it user-friendly. Its lightweight titanium bezel adds durability without extra weight. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and up to 31 hours in GPS mode, ensuring it can keep up with long training sessions and outdoor adventures.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Battery Life
The battery life is awesome, lasting about 2 weeks between charging, a significant improvement over other watches that require nightly charging.
GPS
The accuracy of the GPS is excellent, making it worth the money to upgrade.
#3
9.4 score

Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music, GPS Running Smartwatch with Music, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Black - 010-02641-20

The Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music is a comprehensive activity tracker that excels in several key areas, making it a great choice for fitness enthusiasts and runners. It boasts impressive battery life, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, which means less frequent charging. The built-in GPS is accurate and reliable, ideal for tracking runs, while the water resistance enables you to use it during swimming or in the rain without worry.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, allowing users to see the watch at a glance without needing to raise their hand constantly.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Setup is straightforward, and the watch provides all the necessary data for running and cross-training, with spot-on GPS accuracy and heart rate monitoring.
GPS
Setup is straightforward, and the watch provides all the necessary data for running and cross-training, with spot-on GPS accuracy and heart rate monitoring.
Water Resistance
The watch fits well, especially the smaller 255S model, and performs well while swimming, offering lots of battery life and cool features.
Smartphone Notifications
Despite limited smartwatch capabilities, it reliably shows notifications and supports emergency contact initiation and Garmin Pay.
Activity Tracking
Activity tracking is significantly superior to Fitbit and Apple Watch, making it an excellent choice for fitness enthusiasts.

Top 10 Best Garmin Activity Trackers 2025 in the United States

Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Powder Gray, 010-02809-00

Battery Life: up to 23 days, 31 hours GPS
Heart Rate Monitoring: Wrist-Based Heart Rate
GPS: Built-in GPS with multi-band GNSS
Sleep Tracking: Sleep Monitoring And Sleep Score
Activity Tracking: Training Readiness; Daily Suggested Workouts

Garmin Venu 3S Silver Stainless Steel Bezel 1.2-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 41mm Sage Gray Case and Silicone Band

Battery Life: up to 10 days
Heart Rate Monitoring: reliable, comprehensive insights
GPS: GPS Via Smartphone
Water Resistance: suitable for swimming
Sleep Tracking: detailed insights and tips
Activity Tracking: comprehensive health monitoring

Garmin Forerunner 265S Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Amp Yellow, 42 mm

Battery Life: up to 15 days, 24 hours GPS
Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based tracking
GPS: Built-in GPS with Multi-band GNSS
Water Resistance: water-resistant
Sleep Tracking: detailed morning report, sleep quality
Smartphone Notifications: Smart Notifications
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Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Activity Trackers

Choosing the right Garmin activity tracker can be a rewarding experience, as it can help you monitor your fitness progress, stay motivated, and achieve your health goals. To make the best choice, it's important to understand the key specifications and features that differentiate various models. By considering your personal fitness needs and lifestyle, you can find the perfect tracker that fits seamlessly into your daily routine.
Heart Rate MonitoringHeart rate monitoring is a feature that tracks your heart rate in real-time. This is important because it helps you understand your cardiovascular health, optimize your workouts, and monitor your stress levels. Basic models may offer continuous heart rate monitoring, while advanced models provide additional insights like heart rate variability and recovery time. If you're an athlete or someone who engages in high-intensity workouts, a tracker with advanced heart rate monitoring features would be beneficial. For casual users, basic heart rate monitoring should suffice.
GPS TrackingGPS tracking allows the activity tracker to record your outdoor activities like running, cycling, and hiking with precise location data. This is important for accurately measuring distance, speed, and route. Some models come with built-in GPS, while others rely on your smartphone's GPS. If you frequently engage in outdoor activities and prefer not to carry your phone, a tracker with built-in GPS is ideal. For those who mostly exercise indoors or don't mind carrying their phone, a tracker without built-in GPS will work just fine.
Battery LifeBattery life refers to how long the activity tracker can operate on a single charge. This is important because it determines how often you'll need to recharge the device. Battery life can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the model and usage. If you prefer a low-maintenance device, look for a tracker with a longer battery life. However, keep in mind that features like GPS and continuous heart rate monitoring can drain the battery faster. Choose a battery life that aligns with your usage patterns and charging habits.
Water ResistanceWater resistance indicates how well the activity tracker can withstand exposure to water. This is important if you plan to use the tracker while swimming, showering, or in rainy conditions. Water resistance is usually measured in meters, with higher values indicating better protection. For swimmers or those who engage in water sports, a tracker with higher water resistance (e.g., 50 meters or more) is essential. For general use, a tracker with basic water resistance (e.g., splash-proof) should be adequate.
Sleep TrackingSleep tracking monitors your sleep patterns, including duration and quality of sleep. This is important for understanding your sleep habits and making improvements to your overall health. Basic models may track total sleep time, while advanced models provide detailed insights like sleep stages (light, deep, REM) and sleep scores. If improving your sleep is a priority, look for a tracker with comprehensive sleep tracking features. For those who are less concerned about sleep data, a basic sleep tracker will be sufficient.
Smartphone NotificationsSmartphone notifications allow the activity tracker to display alerts for calls, messages, and app notifications. This is important for staying connected without constantly checking your phone. Some models offer basic notifications, while others provide more interactive features like quick replies and app integration. If you want to stay connected and manage notifications on the go, choose a tracker with robust notification features. For users who prefer minimal distractions, a tracker with basic notification capabilities will do.
Activity and Workout ModesActivity and workout modes refer to the pre-set exercise profiles available on the tracker. This is important for accurately tracking different types of activities, such as running, cycling, yoga, and strength training. Basic models may offer a few common modes, while advanced models provide a wide range of specialized workouts. If you engage in diverse physical activities, look for a tracker with multiple workout modes. For those who stick to a few types of exercises, a tracker with basic activity modes will be sufficient.

FAQ