12 best Garmin watches

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Previously, Garmin was known mainly for its travel and car navigators. However, now its range is much wider – it includes action cameras, smartwatches and some other devices. And it is about the clock that will be discussed in this material. We will tell you about the best models that will appeal to both a tourist and an athlete, and just a person striving to keep himself in shape. The review is compiled on the basis of data analysis at https://rankquality.com/smartwatch/.

Rating of the best watches from Garmin

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best watches from Garmin	1	Garmin fenix 6 sapphire	RUB 84,489
	2	Garmin Forerunner 945	RUB 67 804
	3	Garmin fenix 6	RUB 63,237
	4	Garmin Fenix ​​5X Plus Sapphire	RUB 63 690
	5	Garmin Forerunner 935	RUB 46 160
	6	Garmin venu	RUB 27,000
	7	Garmin Vivo active 4s	RUB 22,500
	8	Garmin Vivo move HR Premium	RUB 29,555
	9	Garmin Instinct	RUB 21,740
	10	Garmin Vivo active 3	RUB 13,658
	11	Garmin Vivo move HR Sport	RUB 13,740
	12	Garmin Forerunner 35	RUB 11,960

Garmin fenix 6 sapphire

Rating: 4.9

One of the most expensive Garmin products. In Russian stores, they ask for more than 70 thousand rubles for this smart watch! For this money, you get a magnificent copy, on the front panel of which there is a round display with a diagonal of 1.3 inches. The resolution of 260×260 pixels allows you not to observe pixelation – the picture seems very clear.

The body of this device is made of stainless steel, which is partly due to the high cost of this. The strap was made of silicone. However, in the future you can easily change it. The watch can also boast of a sapphire crystal, which covers the display. The materials selected by the manufacturer made it possible to realize water resistance. It corresponds to the WR100 class. Therefore, the owner of the watch can easily dive in it. But only without scuba gear!

Using the device seems to be as convenient as possible. Its strap is very easily adjustable in length, and the software allows you to synchronize with any smartphone, no matter what operating system it is running. Curiously, this watch can even play audio by sending audio to the wireless headset at Bluetooth. Wi-Fi, NFC and even ANT + modules are also used here to transmit and receive data! In short, the Garmin Fenix ​​6 Sapphire is able to interact with some sports sensors.

This model is the best choice for the traveler and mountain climber. Absolutely everything you need is built into the clock. There is a thermometer, an altimeter, a digital compass, and a heart rate monitor. For complete happiness, only a barometer is not enough. The watch can also come in handy during sleep, as they are able to monitor it.

It remains to tell about the battery life. Garmin has tried to squeeze the maximum out of the technology available to it. The watch can achieve 48 days of operation from a full charge. But this is only if you disable almost all the functionality. It is more appropriate to talk about the 'Expedition' mode, in which the device will require the connection of the network adapter after 28 days. An impressive result too! Well, almost full functionality begins to consume the charge very much, which is why it lasts for a much shorter period. We recommend turning on GPS only as a last resort, since its activation reduces the battery life to 36 hours (and up to 10 hours if you also decided to listen to music at that moment).

Advantages

• Implemented waterproofness;
• The body is made of steel;
• Long battery life;
• It is possible to use a GPS chip;
• Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth and ANT + modules;
• Compass, altimeter and thermometer included;
• Continuous pulse measurement is possible.

disadvantages

• Very high cost;
• PayPass resets your password every few hours;
• Not very bright screen backlight;
• The silicone strap is not very reliable.

Garmin Forerunner 945

Rating: 4.8

This watch is available in two versions. The usual one is estimated at 45 thousand rubles. For many people, it will be fine. But if you play sports on a professional basis, then it is better to look at the HRM kit – it includes two additional sensors that work wirelessly. It is such a kit that will be able to track absolutely all parameters that you can think of – up to the respiratory rate.

But let's get back to regular smartwatches, which cost 10 thousand rubles less. This model has some moisture protection. But the manufacturer does not recommend diving with it, which is somewhat disappointing. The device is held on the hand with a comfortable silicone strap. The weight of the device does not exceed 50 g. And this is a very good result! If you look at the competitors' products, you will notice that they are much heavier.

As expected, a smart watch can connect to any smartphone. After that, different notifications will be displayed on them, including about incoming calls. A small vibration motor will not let you miss any of them. The text of the notification is easy to read, since it uses a good 1.2-inch display with a resolution of 240×240 pixels. Its round shape makes the device look stylish enough. The gadget also allows you to play music by outputting it to a wireless headset, but with certain restrictions, and therefore we do not put this fact on the list of advantages.

Tourists will like the watch due to the presence of not only a heart rate monitor, but also an altimeter with a compass. The Garmin Forerunner 945 also has a GPS chip, thanks to which both route and speed are saved during a run. But we recommend not to indulge in the constant use of the navigation chip, as the operating time with it is significantly reduced. If with GPS it is 36 hours, then in normal mode the smartwatch can function for up to two weeks!

This device is able to monitor not only physical activity, but also sleep. Installing additional applications will enable additional functionality. Well, as for the wireless modules, the user is waiting for what is called a 'full stuffing'.

Advantages

• There are modules Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi and ANT +;
• Long battery life;
• Altimeter and compass included;
• Continuous heart rate measurements are possible;
• There is a built-in GPS chip;
• Low weight.

disadvantages

• No barometer and thermometer;
• High cost, especially for the extended kit;
• The optical heart rate monitor may not work correctly;
• Not all copies last long.

Garmin fenix 6

Rating: 4.7

This smartwatch looks pretty expensive. And why shouldn't they look like that if they are asking for 50 thousand rubles? Their body was made of steel. As for the strap, it is made of silicone. It is easily regulated, but this is its only advantage. The fact is that the fastening of this accessory turned out to be very unreliable, one day it can break, as did several buyers among those who wrote reviews. Fortunately, the strap can be easily swapped for any other.

This smartwatch displays information on a 1.3-inch round LCD display with a resolution of 260×260 pixels. The screen is covered with a protective glass. But this is not a sapphire if you are interested in this fact! The display shows readings of an altimeter, thermometer, compass and built-in heart rate monitor. The latter, by the way, can carry out measurements in a continuous mode. Well, do not forget about smart firmware that supports the installation of additional applications – this can expand the functionality of the watch even more.

During a run, the device allows you to activate the GPS chip, thanks to which the speed and route are recorded. It can also be useful when you are in another city – the watch will help you find a hotel or restaurant, working as a navigator. However, we still do not recommend flirting with GPS. If it is constantly active, then the smartwatch will require connecting the network adapter after 36 hours. If you turn it off, then the device should work for one and a half to two weeks. Well, in the 'Expedition' mode you can count on at all 28 days!

This gadget is protected from water according to the WR100 standard. This suggests that you can swim and even dive with it, but to a shallow depth. If you are going to dive under the water, it is better to look for another model.

Perhaps this is one of the best watches created by Garmin. And given their cost, it is not surprising that the device includes wireless modules Bluetooth, ANT + and NFC.

Advantages

• There is a GPS chip;
• Long battery life;
• Compass, thermometer and altimeter included;
• Continuous pulse measurement is possible;
• Popular wireless modules are present;
• Excellent display
• Implemented waterproofness;
• The body is made of steel.

disadvantages

• High price;
• Not a very secure strap.

Garmin Fenix ​​5X Plus Sapphire

Rating: 4.7

Another smartwatch model from Garmin, available in several versions. They differ from each other not in sensors, but in the material of which the case and strap are made. In particular, if you are not on a budget, you might consider purchasing the version with a leather strap. And the watch with a titanium case seems to be richer than its alternative, made of stainless steel. However, all this is up to you, because the functionality of all versions is exactly the same.

This smartwatch is great for outdoor use as it has some shock protection. They are also not afraid of water, as evidenced by the IPX7 and WR100 certificates. The manufacturer assures that you can safely swim in them, even diving under water. Avoid using them only when scuba diving.

The device turned out to be very heavy – the scales under it show 96 g. This is due not only to the rich insides, but also to the rather thick silicone strap. But on the other hand, absolutely no one could find fault with the service life of the latter.

Unlike many other examples, the Garmin Fenix ​​5X Plus Sapphire can be synced to any smartphone. Even very old phones running Windows Phone are supported! The device itself has a 1.2-inch LCD display with a resolution of 240×240 pixels. It displays all the notifications received on the smartphone. Also, the watch will vibrate if someone calls you. They can also be used as an MP3 player by outputting sound to Bluetooth – a headset. For storing music, 15 GB of internal memory is used.

The list of wireless modules present here is not limited Bluetooth 4.2 LE. The user can activate Wi-Fi, NFC and even ANT +. The device also received a digital compass and a GPS chip, which perfectly complement each other. If the latter is kept active in constant mode, then the network adapter will be required after 32 hours. But if you turn it off, you can achieve 20 days of battery life. However, this is the perfect result. It is unlikely that you will enjoy it, because you will want to turn on the constant measurement of the pulse, which also actively consumes energy.

What else can you say about the Garmin Fenix ​​5X Plus Sapphire? Many tourists will like this model, including due to the presence of an altimeter – somewhere in the mountains it will definitely come in handy. There is also a thermometer. The only thing missing is the barometer.

Advantages

• Water protection implemented;
• The case is made of stainless steel or titanium;
• Reliable strap;
• Decent LCD display
• Long battery life;
• There is support for all modern wireless standards;
• Continuous pulse measurement is possible;
• Built-in GPS chip;
• Compass, thermometer and altimeter included.

disadvantages

• High price;
• Software work is not fast;
• The hand under the strap starts to sweat;
• Inconvenient PIN code entry into Garmin Pay.

Garmin Forerunner 935

Rating: 4.6

You might be under the impression that Garmin only makes high-end smartwatches. But no, there are mid-budget models in its assortment. For example, for Garmin Forerunner 935 they ask about 36 thousand rubles. This is still not a low price, but it cannot be called transcendental. For this money, you get a device with a plastic case and a silicone strap. It is waterproof, but only according to the WR50 standard, which means showering and swimming without diving.

On the front panel of the 49-gram gadget there is a round-shaped color display with a diagonal of 1.2 inches. The resolution is quite acceptable, 240×240 pixels. A smaller setting would result in well-observable pixelation, and a larger setting would result in higher power consumption. The screen is covered with mineral glass, which copes well with its protection.

It is curious that this model has not only a vibration motor, but also a speaker. The device also includes ANT +, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless modules. For the sake of reducing the cost and weight, the manufacturer got rid of only the NFC chip, so you will have to forget about paying for purchases at the checkout. But Garmin did not fix the GPS. Therefore, you will be able to save the route of your run, as well as all the speed indicators. The navigation chip can also help in an unfamiliar city.

This smartwatch is capable of monitoring physical activity and sleep. They have a built-in heart rate monitor that can work in a constant mode. But do not forget that it drains battery power a lot. If you turn on both it and the GPS, then the network adapter will be needed after a day. Also, this model is capable of boasting a thermometer, compass and altimeter.

Advantages

• Low weight;
• Decent LCD display
• Built-in GPS chip;
• There is support for many wireless standards;
• There is a speaker;
• A thermometer, altimeter and compass are included.

disadvantages

• High price;
• The body is made of plastic, albeit of high quality;
• Not the best water resistance;
• The heart rate monitor can lie a lot;
• Not very fast software.

Garmin venu

Rating: 4.5

Another, and far from the very latest, smartwatch equipped with a stainless steel case. They still look very expensive, which allowed the manufacturer to estimate them at 33 thousand rubles. Unlike the models discussed above, it uses AMOLED – a display with a higher resolution. To be precise, this parameter is 390×390 points. This has greatly increased the legibility of graphics and fonts. But there are no miracles in the world. The screen greatly affected the battery life, which became very short-lived.

The device comes with a silicone strap. The watch looks great on any hand, even a very thin one. At some point, you forget about the existence of the device, since its weight does not exceed 46.3 g. At the same time, its insides are protected from water ingress. But not too much – the watch complies with the WR50 standard, which allows you to swim, but not dive.

Garmin products are rarely complete without a GPS chip. Here it is also present, keeping track of the run and the shown speed. However, its activation completely kills the duration of operation from a full charge, so many buyers tried to forget about its presence. But Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, many of the owners of Garmin Venu use regularly. There is also support for ANT +, a wireless technology used by all kinds of sports sensors.

This model is capable of boasting a very broad functionality. She also knows how to display readings from her own sensors. However, their number is very limited. Heart rate monitor, thermometer and compass – that's all. Alas, this gadget will not be able to measure atmospheric pressure and height above sea level. But he is still capable of monitoring sleep, which will definitely please someone.

Advantages

• Very high display resolution;
• There are four color options;
• Very small size and weight;
• Built-in GPS chip;
• There are ANT +, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules;
• There is a thermometer, heart rate monitor and compass.

disadvantages

• Not very long battery life;
• Not the best water resistance;
• Wouldn't hurt an altimeter;
• Counts extra steps in the shower and even during sleep;
• Incorrect floor count;
• Not all chest straps are supported.

Garmin Vivo active 4s

Rating: 4.5

This smartwatch should appeal to girls the most. The fact is that they have a case made of stainless steel and painted in a beautiful bronze color. Nothing bad can be said about the strap made of polymer material. Well, the round display completes the beautiful picture, thanks to which the device looks like a traditional mechanical watch. The diagonal of the screen is 1.1 inches, and the resolution is 218×218 pixels. Not much, but still enough to familiarize yourself with certain parameters.

As expected, this device can be synchronized with a smartphone. In this case, it will receive notifications about calls, messages and events in applications. As for independent capabilities, the watch is equipped with a compass, thermometer and even an altimeter. There is also a heart rate monitor capable of continuous measurements. And the manufacturer also introduced a GPS chip into his creation. However, we have to admit that turning it on does not make sense, since an actively working navigation chip will force you to remove the gadget to recharge it after five hours.

Garmin products are usually waterproof. Here it complies with the WR50 standard. This means that you can still take a shower in hours, but diving under water is no longer recommended. But the manufacturer managed to reduce the weight to 40 g. This is another argument in favor of the fact that women will like the device.

Otherwise, this is a typical smartwatch, sold at far from the lowest price. They have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules commonly used to sync with a smartphone. The second, however, is also needed to transmit sound to a wireless headset. There is also support for ANT +, thanks to which information is received from some sports sensors.

Advantages

• Nice design;
• Very small size and weight;
• Very high quality display;
• Built-in GPS chip;
• Compass, altimeter and thermometer are included;
• Realized constant pulse measurement.

disadvantages

• Short battery life;
• Not perfect water resistance;
• The design is not very reliable.

Garmin Vivo move HR Premium

Rating: 4.5

Another watch, similar to its mechanical counterparts. Their body can be painted in silver or gold. As for the strap, it is unexpectedly made of leather. In a word, one gets the impression that this watch is for a business person, and not for some traveler. Although the opposite is evidenced by a set of sensors, which includes an altimeter and a heart rate monitor. The second, by the way, is capable of operating continuously. Only the thermometer and the GPS chip are missing.

The manufacturer tried to minimize its creation as much as possible. As a result, the device is also very lightweight. Time is shown here by the usual arrows. Below them is the display, the borders of which are barely visible. It displays notifications from a smartphone, as well as readings from the aforementioned sensors. The diagonal of this screen is only 0.38 inches, so don't rely on graphs and pictures – all information is displayed in the form of one or two lines of text. The display resolution is 64×128 pixels.

In this watch, you can theoretically go to the pool. However, if you want to dive under water, this can lead to sad consequences, because the moisture protection here corresponds only to the WR50 standard. Someone else will not be satisfied with the wireless modules built into this device. The fact is that there is no NFC or Wi-Fi among them. Only Bluetooth is used to interact with a smartphone. The watch also supports ANT +, a technology used by sports sensors.

It remains to add that if you do not save battery power, then it should be enough for 120 hours of operation. The maximum from the device can be 336 hours, but for this you have to turn off all smart features.

Advantages

• Weight is only 56.5g;
• Supplied with an additional silicone strap;
• Smartphone player control is possible;
• The touchscreen display is below the analog arrows;
• Constant heart rate measurement is available;
• Stylish design;
• Small size and weight.

disadvantages

• There is no GPS chip;
• There is no Wi-Fi and NFC;
• Not the best moisture protection;
• The display is very small;
• Measurements are not always accurate.

Garmin Instinct

Rating: 4.4

If above we talked about quite expensive smartwatches, now it's the turn of cheaper ones. For example, for Garmin Instinct in Russian stores they ask 20 thousand rubles or a little more. It is clear that for that kind of money, the manufacturer could not offer a device with a case made of stainless steel. Here, plastic is involved instead. But there are at least six color options to choose from! As for the strap, it was made of silicone.

Despite the relatively modest cost, this model is capable of boasting moisture protection according to the WR100 standard. Therefore, you can even dive in the watch, albeit without scuba gear. At the same time, the device cannot be called heavy, because the scales under it will show only 52 g.

If you want a smartwatch with an incredibly large screen, then you are in the wrong place. The Garmin Instinct includes a tiny display with a diagonal of only 0.91 inches and a resolution of 128×128 pixels. In addition to this, it is also monochrome!

It would seem that a watch with such a display should work on a full charge for a very long time. But no, the manufacturer claims only 336 hours, and this is without the use of smart functions. In reality, the gadget will require a network adapter to be connected every three to four days. And all due to the fact that the device received a decent number of sensors and wireless modules. For example, there is a GPS chip here. If you activate it during a run, the smartwatch will save both the route and speed indicators. It also has support for the ANT + standard used by sports sensors. Well, for synchronization with a smartphone, Bluetooth is intended.

As befits such a device, it is able to monitor not only physical activity, but also sleep. The watch includes an optical heart rate monitor that can take measurements in a continuous mode. Also on the screen of the gadget you can display the readings of the thermometer, altimeter and compass.

Advantages

• Water protection implemented;
• Not very heavy;
• There is a GPS chip;
• Includes thermometer, compass and altimeter;
• Lots of color options.

disadvantages

• The screen is monochrome;
• No Wi-Fi or NFC
• Not very long battery life;
• Not the most correct measurements;
• The altimeter must be calibrated regularly.

Garmin Vivo active 3

Rating: 4.4

This watch is available in four colors. And whichever you choose, you get a device with a stainless steel case. According to the already good tradition, the gadget received a round touchscreen display. As for the strap, silicone was used to create it. Some people won't like it. But do not forget that the strap can be changed by purchasing, for example, a leather accessory.

This model is capable of boasting moisture protection, but very simplified – as much as possible the owner of the watch is allowed to swim without diving. The weight of the device does not exceed 43 g. It must be one of the lightest representatives of our rating! At the same time, the device found a place for a 1.2-inch display, the resolution of which was 240×240 pixels. The screen is covered with scratch-resistant glass, but it is not sapphire.

Garmin is trying to supply its devices with a large number of sensors and wireless modules. Garmin Vivo active 3 is no exception to the rule. To begin with, there is a GPS chip here. With it, you can find out absolutely everything about your run. Especially if you also use sports sensors by connecting them via the ANT + standard. The gadget is also capable of synchronizing with a smartphone, for which technology Bluetooth is used. There is also an NFC chip that allows you to pay for purchases with hours. Only Wi-Fi is missing in the device. However, there is nothing wrong with that.

To finish the story about Garmin Vivo active 3, you need to list the sensors present in this watch. The altimeter is useful for those who hike in the mountains or ride a bike in hilly terrain. A thermometer can be considered a nice bonus. The compass comes in handy when viewing a map. Well, the heart rate monitor will warn you in time that your workout is beyond reason. By the way, the device also knows how to monitor sleep, which is also good news. The battery life is disappointing. The maximum from the device can be achieved only 168 hours. In reality, you will use the network adapter every three to four days.

Advantages

• Many popular wireless modules are available;
• Constant heart rate measurement is available;
• Altimeter, thermometer and compass are included;
• Built-in GPS chip;
• Good display
• Relatively small size and weight;
• The case is made of stainless steel.

disadvantages

• Not the longest battery life;
• Not perfect water resistance;
• Floors are poorly counted;
• Weak vibration, rendering the alarm useless.

Garmin Vivo move HR Sport

Rating: 4.3

Another clock that displays time using analog hands. But this is already a youth model, so the arrows here are painted in bright colors. Well, the low cost allowed the manufacturer to release five color options – there is no doubt that all of them will be sold out.

Below the arrows there is a modest display with a diagonal of 0.38 inches. It is almost impossible to notice its boundaries, unless you look at the watch from an unnatural angle. The screen resolution is small, only 64×128 pixels. Therefore, you can only rely on textual information; you will have to forget about charts and pictures.

The watch turned out to be very light, its weight does not exceed 40.8 g. This is not surprising, because the body of the device is made of plastic, and the strap is made of silicone. Also, the manufacturer saved on moisture protection, which here corresponds only to the WR50 standard.

A reasonably inexpensive smartwatch could do without many useful sensors and wireless modules. But Garmin didn’t take such a step. She provided her device not only Bluetooth – a module with which synchronization with a smartphone is carried out, but also with ANT + support. This allows in the future to expand the functionality of the watch by purchasing some sports sensors.

As expected, this gadget monitors not only physical activity, but also sleep. It is also able to determine the current altitude above sea level. And there is also a heart rate monitor that can take measurements in a continuous mode. Perhaps only a thermometer is not enough for someone. Well, and a GPS chip, for that matter. However, the latter would be useless with such a screen.

The dimensions of the display have a positive impact on the battery life. In this regard, this model shows very good results, on average functioning from a full charge for about one week or even a little longer.

Advantages

• Modest size and weight;
• The screen is below the analog arrows;
• ANT + support has been implemented;
• Long battery life;
• There is an altimeter;
• Constant heart rate measurement is available;
• You can control your smartphone player;
• Not very high cost.

disadvantages

• Not the best water resistance;
• There are not many useful sensors;
• There is no GPS;
• No Wi-Fi and NFC;
• Some software problems.

Garmin Forerunner 35

Rating: 4.2

Not ready to spend a lot of money on smartwatches, but you absolutely need a Garmin product? In this case, you can consider the option of buying Forerunner 35. This device is not the first freshness, but for 10 thousand rubles it can offer a very wide functionality. In particular, it can monitor sleep. Also, the watch allows you to control the smartphone player. And, of course, there is a heart rate monitor. Unlike fitness trackers, the watch can measure your heart rate continuously.

This model has a plastic case and a silicone strap. All this had a positive effect on the weight, which was only 37.3 g. Smart watches can be under splashes of water for some time. In theory, you can even swim in them, unless you are a diving enthusiast. This is evidenced by the WR50 water protection class.

The front panel of the device houses a square monochrome screen. It is due to such a display that the manufacturer managed to save money, greatly reducing the final price tag. The screen resolution is 128×128 pixels, which is quite enough for displaying all kinds of icons. Control is carried out by pressing the buttons located on the sides of the display. There are also physical keys – they are located on the side ends.

Syncing Garmin Forerunner 35 with your smartphone is via Bluetooth. There is also ANT + support for interacting with sports sensors. Also, the watch received a GPS chip, which may also be useful at some points.

Alas, otherwise this is a typical inexpensive smartwatch. Here, for example, there is no altimeter. The thermometer was also eliminated as unnecessary. The manufacturer hasn't even been generous with a digital compass! However, a smartwatch with a monochrome screen is in any case not the best choice for a tourist or an amateur to climb mountain peaks.

Advantages

• Continuous pulse measurement is possible;
• Very small size and weight;
• There is ANT + support;
• There is a GPS chip;
• Not very high cost.

disadvantages

• Not the best water resistance;
• The display is monochrome;
• An NFC chip would be nice;
• There are very few sensors of all kinds;
• Not very long battery life;
• Not everyone will like the control method;
• Capturing GPS satellites takes a couple of minutes.

Conclusion

Now you know which Garmin watch you should pay attention to. It is a shame that this company has to install components that are now barely evolving – Garmin cannot create its own processor. Alas, Qualcomm's smartwatch processors suffer from one problem – they cannot provide long battery life. Fortunately, not all Garmin watches are based on such a chip.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.