10 Best Garmin Watch For Running And Cycling 2025 in the United States

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice for both runners and cyclists looking for a versatile GPS smartwatch. Its bright AMOLED display offers clear visibility, making it user-friendly while on the go. With a battery life of up to 11 days, it ensures that you can track your activities without frequent recharging, which is a significant advantage for long training sessions or multi-day events. The built-in GPS provides accurate tracking of distances and routes, essential for outdoor activities like running and cycling.

This smartwatch is packed with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate tracking and Body Battery energy monitoring, which can help users optimize their training and rest periods. The extensive range of more than 30 sports apps caters to various fitness activities, accommodating both traditional runners and more niche users, such as those in wheelchair sports.

For those who enjoy smart features, the vívoactive 5 supports music downloads and offers connectivity with popular streaming services, allowing for phone-free listening during workouts. The user interface is generally intuitive, but some users may find the multitude of features overwhelming at first. The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a feature-rich smartwatch that meets the needs of fitness enthusiasts, particularly in running and cycling, combining essential fitness tracking with smart features.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is an excellent choice for runners and cyclists, offering a range of features tailored to those who want to track their performance closely. One of its standout features is the brilliant AMOLED display, which makes it easy to read data even in bright conditions. The multi-band GPS ensures that you can confidently navigate even in challenging environments, while the battery life is impressive—lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode, which is especially beneficial for long-distance activities.

Another strength of the Forerunner 965 is its comprehensive training metrics and recovery insights. It provides a training readiness score that takes into account your sleep quality and recovery, helping you decide when to push hard or take it easy. The watch also adapts daily suggested workouts based on your performance and recovery, which is a fantastic feature for those serious about improving their fitness.

The durability of the watch is commendable, featuring a lightweight yet robust titanium bezel along with water resistance, making it suitable for various weather conditions. Plus, the customizable user interface and smart connectivity through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enhance its appeal. The Garmin Forerunner 965 meets the needs of serious runners and cyclists who appreciate detailed training metrics and a robust GPS system, but it may be more than what casual users require. If you're committed to tracking your fitness journey in-depth, this smartwatch is worth considering.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music smartwatch is designed to cater to both running and cycling enthusiasts with its robust set of features. Its built-in GPS offers accurate tracking of pace and distance, which is crucial for outdoor activities. The watch excels in battery life, providing up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours in GPS mode, ensuring it lasts through long training sessions without frequent recharging.

The wrist-based heart rate monitoring helps you keep an eye on your health metrics effectively. Additionally, the personalized workout suggestions and Garmin Coach feature aid in achieving specific fitness goals by adapting to your performance and recovery needs. The AMOLED touchscreen display is vibrant and user-friendly, complemented by traditional button controls for ease of use, especially during workouts. The watch’s lightweight design and 43 mm size make it comfortable to wear for extended periods.

For music lovers, the ability to download and listen to playlists from services like Spotify and Amazon Music without needing your phone is a great plus. Safety features like incident detection and Assistance add a layer of security by sending your live location to emergency contacts when paired with your smartphone. However, the smartwatch also has some limitations. The relatively new model might face occasional software bugs that Garmin needs to address through updates. The contactless payment feature, Garmin Pay, may not be supported by all banks or payment networks, limiting its usability.