Table of Contents
One of the best Garmin smartwatches compared
Editor’s tip | Value tip | ||||
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Product | Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE | Garmin Intuition 2 | |||
Picture | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Benefits |
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Disadvantages |
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Score | Garmin Epix 2 – evaluation | Garmin Venu 2 Plus – evaluation | Garmin Fenix 7 – evaluation | ||
To the provide* |
Within the desk above you may discover our private highlights from Garmin’s a number of smartwatch sequence. Within the additional course of this text, we are going to present you all of the fashions from the assorted sequence as soon as once more intimately, together with their detailed technical specs.
Desk of contents:
- Shopping for recommendation: Which Garmin smartwatch is the perfect for me?
- One of the best Garmin smartwatches by sequence
1. Shopping for information: What to anticipate from Garmin’s watches?
Garmin launched its first sports activities watch with built-in GPS in 2003. Again then, the iPhone was nonetheless a distant thought in Steve Jobs’ head, and sensible options in watches had been desires of the longer term. In 2022, we’re making telephone calls and chatting on our wrists, however we’re additionally utilizing our smartwatches to verify our vitals and measure our health ranges. In any case, no different gadget is worn so near the physique through the day.
Within the following paragraphs, we are going to due to this fact check out which sports activities and health options Garmin smartwatches provide on the one hand – and which smartwatch options you possibly can anticipate on the opposite.

1.1 Sports activities & health options on Garmin watches
Clearly, an important factor about Garmin’s watches are their sports activities and well being options. All sports activities watches from Garmin – right here in factors 2.1 to 2.4 – provide a coronary heart charge sensor together with measurement of resting coronary heart charge and coronary heart charge variability. The physique battery operate, i.e. your day by day form, can also be accessible on all fashions, as are sleep and stress monitoring. And all Garmin sports activities watches additionally decide your cardio health within the type of the VO2Max worth.
The snapshot of your well being knowledge referred to as “Well being Snap Shot” is supported by all Garmin smartwatches listed right here, aside from the Forerunner fashions. The Forerunner 55 additionally lacks measurement for flooring climbed and SpO2 values, and the Forerunner 245 doesn’t document your respiration charge. All different fashions embrace these options.

Bluetooth, ANT+ and Wi-Fi are on board with all Garmin sports activities watches besides the Forerunner 55. Which means the smartwatches not solely connect with your Wi-Fi at dwelling and your smartphone, but additionally to numerous equipment from Garmin, together with cadence sensors for biking or varied chest straps. Nonetheless, the working effectivity values that the extra superior Garmin chest straps measure are usually not supported by the Venu and Vivoactive sequence.
GPS sensors are additionally current in every single place. Some new fashions additionally help multi-band GPS, though we couldn’t discover any distinction to the already glorious GPS accuracy of the Garmin smartwatches within the sensible take a look at of the Epix 2, for instance. By the way in which, all Garmin smartwatches lack an ECG measurement. If this function is essential to you, I like to recommend looking at our smartwatch greatest record.
1.2 Smartwatch features in Garmin’s smartwatches
The Garmin fashions are usually not solely glorious sports activities watches, but additionally smartwatches with varied sensible options. Notifications from smartphones can be found on all fashions described right here, in addition to fundamental calendar features and climate forecasts. Garmin Pay can also be included in the entire watches described right here (besides the Forerunner 55), and Garmin’s cost service helps many banks within the USA. A present record could be discovered right here on the Garmin web site.
Except the Intuition, Forerunner 55 and non-music Forerunner 245, all Garmin smartwatches provide an inner storage for music – however controlling music saved on the smartphone is feasible on all watches. The Venu 2 Plus is the one mannequin that presently helps voice assistants, and the Forerunner 945 is the one one to supply an LTE possibility.

All Garmin smartwatches on this comparability even have the proprietary Join IQ Retailer in frequent. Right here you’ll find watchfaces and knowledge fields for exercises in addition to quite a few apps like Spotify, Komoot, Amazon Music or Accuweather. You can too check out the choice within the browser by way of this hyperlink.
The underside line is that the Garmin watches provide plenty of smartwatch options. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t anticipate such a seamless integration together with your smartphone as for instance with the Galaxy smartwatches or the Apple Watch.
1.3 Garmin smartwatches for ladies and men
With only a few exceptions, Garmin’s smartwatches are designated as unisex – and that is a very good factor. Thankfully, most fashions additionally are available quite a lot of sizes. Since girls are inclined to have slimmer wrists, the S fashions ought to usually be fascinating right here, for instance the Garmin Fenix 7S or the Intuition 2S.
However, some fashions even have an X variant, for instance the Garmin Fenix 7X. The 7X is especially enormous, and also needs to end up too huge on many males’s wrists with its ridiculously huge 51-millimeter case.

2. One of the best Garmin smartwatches by sequence
Garmin’s smartwatches could be divided very roughly into 4 main completely different sequence:
- For demanding customers and professional athletes: Fenix, Epix, Tactix & extra
- Stylish all-rounders from the Vivoactive and Venu sequence
- Garmin’s working watches: meet the Forerunner sequence
- The sturdy fashions of the Intuition-2 sequence
2.1 For demanding customers: Fenix, Epix, Tactix and extra

Garmin builds the highest fashions across the Fenix sequence – right here, nonetheless, you must reckon with a relatively huge design and upscale costs. The Fenix 7 begins at round 600 euros, whereas the Tactix 7 Professional Photo voltaic Ballistic has an MSRP of 1600 euros.
For that sum of money, Garmin has squeezed nearly every little thing that’s presently potential by way of sensors in its high-end watches – the fashions from the Fenix, Epix, Tactix, D2 & Co. sequence have all that in frequent. Nonetheless, there are particular fashions for various goal teams which are, for instance, appropriate for being learn with night-vision gear or provide particular security options.
The next desk exhibits an important fashions from Garmin’s Fenix 7 sequence compared with the Epix 2, Tactix 7, Quatix 7 and D2 Mach 1.
Product | Garmin Tactix 7 | ||||
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Determine | |||||
Case measurement | 42 mm | 47 mm | 51 mm | 47 mm | 51 mm |
Strap measurement | 20 mm | 22 mm | 26 mm | 22 mm | 26 mm |
Show expertise | MIP | MIP | MIP | AMOLED | MIP |
Show glass | Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Glass | Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Glass | Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Glass | Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Glass | Sapphire Glass |
Show measurement | 1.2 inches | 1.3 inch | 1.4 inch | 1.3 inch | 1.4 inch |
Decision | 240 x 240 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels | 280 x 280 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 280 x 280 pixel |
Touchscreen | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Reminiscence | 16 / 32 GB | 16 / 32 GB | 16 / 32 GB | 16 / 32 GB | 32 GB |
Weight | 47 – 58 g | 73 – 79 g | 89 – 96 g | 70 – 76 g | 89 g |
Battery life (smartwatch) | as much as 11 d / 14 d (photo voltaic) | as much as 18 d / 22 d (photo voltaic) | as much as 28 d / 37 d (photo voltaic) | as much as 16 d | as much as 28 d |
Battery life (GPS) | as much as 37 h / 46 h (photo voltaic) | as much as 57 h / 73 h (photo voltaic) | as much as 89 h / 122 h (photo voltaic) | as much as 42 h | as much as 89 h |
Waterproof | 10 ATM | 10 ATM | 10 ATM | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
Particular options | – | – | Flashlight | – | Tactical features Night time imaginative and prescient mode Flashlight |
Photo voltaic operate | relying on mannequin | relying on mannequin | all fashions | relying on mannequin | all fashions |
Variants | customary Photo voltaic Sapphire Photo voltaic | Customary Photo voltaic Sapphire Photo voltaic | Photo voltaic Sapphire Photo voltaic | Customary | Customary Professional Professional Ballistics |
Value (MSRP) | from $699 | from $699 | from $899 | from $899 | from $1099 |
Analysis | Garmin Fenix 7 – evaluation | Garmin Epix 2 – evaluation | |||
To the provide* |
2.2 All-rounders from the Vivoactive and Venu sequence

In Garmin’s Venu and Vivoactive sequence, you may discover the all-rounders. These smartwatches are usually a bit extra elegantly designed than the Forerunner fashions, for instance – and naturally rather more discreet than the relatively cumbersome fashions from the Fenix sequence. Whereas the Forerunner fashions are aimed extra in direction of runners, the Venu and Vivoactive watches are relatively focused in direction of all-around athletes and health fanatics.
Not like the Forerunner fashions, the assorted Venu 2 and Vivoactive 4 fashions provide the Well being Snapshot. Right here, the watch analyzes your total well being based mostly on pulse, coronary heart charge variability, SpO2 worth, respiratory charge, and stress and offers you a abstract. However, the Venu and Vivoactive fashions do not have the superior working metrics. Even with a appropriate chest strap, you sadly will not have entry to floor contact time, vertical motion and the likes whereas working.
One other distinctive function in Garmin’s lineup could be discovered within the Venu 2 Plus: The smartwatch is appropriate with Siri, Bixby and Google Assistant. Because of the built-in microphone and speaker, you can too use the watch as a speakerphone and depart your smartphone in your pocket.
The desk under exhibits the Garmin Venu 2S, Garmin Venu 2 Plus and Garmin Venu 2 compared with the Vivoactive 4S and Vivoactive 4.
Product | Garmin Venu 2S | Garmin Venu 2 Plus | Garmin Venu 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 4S | Garmin Vivoactive 4 |
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Determine | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Case measurement | 40 mm | 43 mm | 45 mm | 40 mm | 45 mm |
Strap measurement | 18 mm | 20 mm | 22 mm | 18 mm | 22 mm |
Show expertise | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | MIP | MIP |
Show glass | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
Show measurement | 1.1 inch | 1.3 inch | 1.3 inch | 1.1 inch | 1.3 inch |
Decision | 360 x 360 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 218 x 218 pixels | 260 x 260 pixel |
Touchscreen | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Reminiscence | approx. 4 GB | approx. 4 GB | approx. 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
Weight | 38 g | 38 g | 49 g | 40 g | 51 g |
Battery life (smartwatch) | as much as 10 d | as much as 9 d | as much as 11 d | as much as 7 d | as much as 8 d |
Battery life (GPS) | as much as 7 h | as much as 8 h | as much as 8 h | as much as 5 h | as much as 6 h |
Waterproof | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Particular options | – | Helps voice assistants | – | – | – |
Photo voltaic operate | no | no | no | no | no |
Value (MSRP) | from $351 | from $399 | from $449 | from $299 | from $299 |
Score | Garmin Venu 2 Plus – evaluation | ||||
To the provide* |
2.3 Garmin’s working watches: the Forerunner fashions

Because the identify suggests, Garmin’s Forerunner sequence is aimed toward runners. Accordingly, even the second smallest mannequin, the Forerunner 245, is provided with working metrics with the intention to get an in depth analysis of your working effectivity values with the matching chest strap.
However, you additionally must do with out consolation options within the Forerunner fashions. For instance, all the lineup all the way in which to the highest mannequin doesn’t have touchscreens, and the Well being Snapshot function can also be lacking. Garmin clearly differentiates between endurance athletes and all-round athletes in its two mid-range sequence. If you’d like the perfect of each worlds, you may have to succeed in for the Fenix fashions.
There are additionally just a few options you may must do with out on the smaller or older Forerunner fashions. The Forerunner 55, for instance, can not observe blood oxygen saturation and doesn’t help working effectivity evaluation. The Forerunner 245, however, lacks respiration charge measurement.
Within the following desk you possibly can see an important technical knowledge of the Garmin Forerunner 55, Forerunner 245, Forerunner 745 and Forerunner 945 compared.
Product | Garmin Forerunner 55 | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 745 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
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Determine | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Case measurement | 42 mm | 42 mm | 44 mm | 47 mm |
Strap measurement | 20 mm | 20 mm | 22 mm | 22 mm |
Show expertise | MIP | MIP | MIP | MIP |
Show glass | Chemically strengthened glass | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass DX | Gorilla Glass DX |
Show measurement | 1.0 inch | 1.2 inch | 1.2 inch | 1.2 inch |
Decision | 208 x 208 pixels | 240 x 240 pixels | 240 x 240 pixels | 240 x 240 pixels |
Touchscreen | No | No | No | No |
Reminiscence | okay. A. | okay. A. / approx. 4 GB (music model) | approx. 4 GB | approx. 8 GB |
Weight | 37 g | 39 g | 47 g | 49 – 50 g |
Battery life (smartwatch) | as much as 14 d | as much as 7 d | as much as 7 d | as much as 14 d |
Battery life (GPS) | as much as 20 h | as much as 24 h | as much as 16 h | as much as 36 h / 35 h (LTE) |
Waterproof | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Particular options | – | – | – | LTE model accessible |
Photo voltaic operate | no | no | no | no |
Variants | Customary | Customary Music | Customary | Customary LTE |
Value (RRP) | $169 | $249 / $299 (music) | $419 | $469 / $565 (LTE) |
Score | ||||
To the provide* |
2.4 The rugged fashions of the Intuition 2 sequence

Every sequence under Garmin’s Fenix lineup embodies a sub-aspect of the flagship fashions. Garmin’s Venu and Vivoactive fashions are the all-rounders with broad health options and touchscreens, whereas the Forerunner fashions are aimed toward endurance athletes. Lastly, the Intuition 2 sequence represents the outside capabilities and resiliance of the Fenix lineup.
For instance, the Intuition 2 and Intuition 2S provide glorious battery runtimes – and within the solar-powered variants they may even be operated completely with out recharging. That is proper: The Intuition 2 Photo voltaic affords nearly infinite battery life, so long as you get to see the solar usually. As well as, the Intuition watches are extraordinarily sturdy and water-proof as much as 10 ATM.
However, you must do with out a touchscreen and as a substitute get two nested monochrome shows with comparatively low decision. You even have to chop again on the built-in reminiscence. As a substitute, there are a number of particular variants of the Intuition 2 every with their very own options, for instance, particularly for surfers, hunters or truckers.
The next desk exhibits the technical specs of the Garmin Intuition 2S and Garmin Intuition 2 compared:
Product | Garmin Intuition 2S | Garmin Intuition 2 |
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Determine | ![]() | ![]() |
Case measurement | 40 mm | 45 mm |
Strap measurement | 20 mm | 22 mm |
Show expertise | MIP (monochrome) | MIP (monochrome) |
Show glass | Chemically strengthened glass | Energy Glass |
Show measurement | 0.79 x 0.79 inch | 0.9 x 0.9 inch |
Decision | 156 x 156 pixels | 176 x 176 pixels |
Touchscreen | No | No |
Reminiscence | 32 MB | 32 MB |
Weight | 42 – 43 g | 53 g |
Battery life (smartwatch) | as much as 21 d / 51 d (photo voltaic) | as much as 28 d / limitless (photo voltaic) |
Battery life (GPS) | as much as 22 h / 28 h (photo voltaic) | as much as 30 h / 48 h (photo voltaic) |
Waterproof | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
Particular options | Obtainable with particular features as Camo, Tactical, Surf and Dezl model | |
Photo voltaic operate | relying on mannequin | relying on mannequin |
Variants | Customary Photo voltaic | Customary Photo voltaic |
Value (MSRP) | from $349 | from $349 |
Score | ||
To the provide* |
Extra wearables from Garmin
At this level, we’ve targeted on the 4 main smartwatch sequence from Garmin. Other than these fashions, nonetheless, the producer additionally affords plenty of different wearables that we wish to point out at the least as soon as right here:
- Garmin’s Vivomove sequence: hybrid smartwatches with an analog watch face and show.
- Garmin’s Vivosmart sequence: health trackers within the traditional wristband kind issue
- Garmin’s Vivofit sequence: easy health trackers with extraordinarily lengthy battery life
- Garmin’s Vivofit Jr fashions: exercise trackers for youths in a strong design
- Garmin Lily: compact, trendy smartwatch with easy health options
Within the close to future, you may additionally discover extra detailed data in addition to critiques, how-tos and extra on the above fashions on NextPit. Additionally, in fact, I like to recommend you to take a look at our huge smartwatch information:
Did we neglect something, like a selected mannequin or piece of data you’d discover useful? And which Garmin smartwatches are your favorites? We stay up for your suggestions!