Christmas aside, there are other special occasions that come up throughout the year in which a Garmin watch or device would be the perfect gift. Whether it’s for yourself or that special someone in your life.
I have had a Garmin watch on my wrist for 17 years (that’s half my life), and have used an inReach device on adventures when I am out of cell range. As a runner, and avid outdoor enthusiast who is often in the mountains and out of service, backpacking, hiking, trail running and taking part in different activities I have found the Fenix 8 AMOLED to be the best suited watch for me, along with the Garmin inReach Messenger Plus or the inReach Mini. I am always recommending the watch to friends, family and my audience, as I do love it so much, though have come to realize it may not be and isn’t the best fit watch for everyone. That’s why I have decided to write up this blog post, in hopes of narrowing down which watch or device may be best for you or that special someone you are wanting to gift one to.
Garmin offers multiple price points, and all devices include core health and activity tracking, while higher-end models provide more advanced performance, mapping and training analytics.
Important: LTE and inReach features require a subscription.*
I have affiliate links attached to every product, so if you’ve felt inspired to take the leap and purchase a device for yourself or someone else, purchasing through my link would be so appreciated.
Throughout this guide, I’ve listed some Best Budget Picks and Premium Picks depending on your budget and needs.
The Hiker/Adventurer
PRO – Premium multisport GPS watch. Leave their phone behind while staying connected with voice calling, messaging, interactive SOS capabilities and LiveTrack™ through LTE connectivity. Up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Active subscription required. Premium Pick.
AMOLED – Premium multisport GPS smartwatch built to perform with advanced strength training features, dive capability, speaker/mic, LED flashlight, TOPO maps and compact styling. Up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
SOLAR – For those who go beyond. With up to 28 days of battery life with the Power Sapphire solar charging lens.
Instinct 3 – Rugged GPS smartwatch
Help them take on their next adventure with this rugged GPS smartwatch featuring a super-tough design, solar charging lens or AMOLED display, and a bold look all its own. It allows them to navigate their next trail with ABC sensors: altimeter, barometer and a 3-axis electronic compass. Premium Pick.
Lower price point than the Fenix, with essential features. AMOLED (up to 18 days of battery life in smartwatch mode), Solar (unlimited battery life) or E version (up to 16 days of battery life) depending on the price you want to spend.
Instinct E – Instinct E is the GPS smartwatch with a rugged design and the essential features needed to take on the day, at a lower price point than the Instinct 3. Best budget pick.
inReach Messenger Plus – A reliable way to stay in touch when off-grid. With this device, they can send texts, photos or voice messages and check-in without cell service. In the event of an emergency, they can send an interactive SOS message to Garmin Response℠, the 24/7 international emergency response coordination center.
Active subscription required.
The Trail runner/Ultrarunner
PRO – Premium multisport GPS watch. Leave their phone behind while staying connected with voice calling, messaging, interactive SOS capabilities and LiveTrack™ through LTE connectivity. Up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Active subscription required. Premium Pick.
AMOLED – Premium multisport GPS smartwatch built to perform with advanced strength training features, dive capability, speaker/mic, LED flashlight, TOPO maps and compact styling. Up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
SOLAR – For those who go beyond. With up to 28 days of battery life with the Power Sapphire solar charging lens.
Enduro 3 – The ultraperformance GPS smartwatch. Lightweight design, advanced endurance metrics and ready for heavy use. Weighs just 63 grams with an ultralight nylon band. Best-in-class solar battery life: up to 320 hours of battery life in GPS mode with solar charging.
inReach Messenger Plus – A reliable way to stay in touch when off-grid. With this device, they can send texts, photos or voice messages and check-in without cell service. In the event of an emergency, they can send an interactive SOS message to Garmin Response℠, the 24/7 international emergency response coordination center.
Active subscription required.
The Road Runner/Marathoner
Forerunner 970 – Purpose-built for performance-driven athletes. Features a bright, colorful display, advanced training and recovery features, a built-in flashlight and full-color mapping. Premium pick*
Forerunner 570 – GPS running smartwatch designed for dedicated runners with a bright, colorful display plus advanced training and recovery features.
Venu 4 – For those with goals who want an on-wrist coach to guide them toward a healthier lifestyle. Advanced smartwatch with an AMOLED display, metal design and built-in flashlight.
The Everyday Runner
Forerunner 165 – A more affordable option for someone getting into running or signing up for their first race. Purpose-built GPS running smartwatch with personalized adaptive training plans and a bright display. Best budget pick.
Venu S2 – For those wanting a more complete picture of their health at a lower price point. Up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 26 hours in GPS mode. Best budget pick.
The Cyclist/Mountain Biker
Forerunner 970 – Performance-driven GPS running smartwatch with advanced training and recovery features, AMOLED display, full-color mapping, built-in flashlight and multisport design. Includes training readiness, HRV, race widget, daily suggested workouts and multi-band GPS (model dependent). Premium pick.
Edge MTB – Mountain bike computer built tough with a rugged compact design for long days on the trails. New enduro and downhill ride profiles with 5 Hz GPS recording during descents show detailed line choice. Includes Grit/Flow, jump metrics, ClimbPro, multi-band GPS and up to 14 hours of battery life in demanding use cases.
Edge 1050 – Higher price point with a larger, more vivid display and advanced metrics. Premium cycling computer with performance insights, in- ride competitions and free personalized coaching. Up to 20 hours of battery life in demanding use cases. Premium pick.
The Gym Goer
Vivoactive 5 – Bright, colorful display with purpose-built health and fitness features. Up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Midrange fitness option.
Venu 4 – They’ve got goals and want an on-wrist coach to guide them toward a healthier lifestyle. Advanced smartwatch with AMOLED display, metal design and built-in flashlight. Up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
Venu S2 – For those wanting a more complete picture of their health, at a lower price point. Affordable health-focused option with up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 26 hours in GPS mode. Best budget pick.
Providing sleep score, Body Battery, workout animations, wellness tools and long-lasting AMOLED battery life.
The Yogi
Venu 4 – They’ve got goals and want an on-wrist coach to guide them toward a healthier lifestyle. Advanced smartwatch with AMOLED display, metal design and built-in flashlight. Up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
Venu S2 – For those wanting a more complete picture of their health, at a lower price point. Affordable health-focused option with up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 26 hours in GPS mode. Best budget pick.
Vivoactive 5 – Bright display, slim design and purpose-built fitness features including HR, Body Battery, stress and sleep tracking. Up to 11 days of battery life. Midrange fitness option
Lily 2 – Small, stylish smartwatch with built-in GPS and essential fitness and health features. Includes women’s health tracking.
The Walker
Lily 2 – Small, stylish smartwatch with built-in GPS and essential fitness and health features. Includes women’s health tracking.
Vivosmart 5 – For someone wanting to take charge of their health with a comfortable, easy-to-use fitness tracker. Tracks HR, Body Battery, stress and sleep. Best budget pick.
Venu S2 – For those wanting a more complete picture of their health, at a lower price point. Affordable health-focused option with up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 26 hours in GPS mode. Best budget pick.
The Triathlete
Forerunner 970 – Performance-driven multisport watch with AMOLED display, mapping, flashlight, Training Readiness, HRV, race widget, daily suggested workouts and multi-band GPS. Premium pick.
Forerunner 570 – GPS running smartwatch designed for dedicated runners with a bright, colorful display plus advanced training and recovery features.
Forerunner is more affordable than the Fenix which I mentioned above for the hiker/adventurer or trail runner.
Enduro 3 – Ultraperformance GPS smartwatch. Lightweight at 63 grams with ultralight nylon band. Best-in-class solar battery life with up to 320 hours in GPS mode with solar charging.
The Golfer
Approach S70 – If golf is their world, this is their watch. Premium GPS golf watch with the tools and insights needed to improve their game.
Approach S50 – Golf smartwatch with a bright, colorful AMOLED display and fitness features.
Approach R10 – Portable Golf Launch Monitor.
Approach Z30 – Golf Laser Range Finder.
The Diver
Descent x30 – Dive computer with a vibrant 2.4” display, made with recycled ocean-bound plastics. Long battery life, multiple dive profiles and durable housing. Premium pick.
Descent G2 – Watch-style dive computer for both diving and everyday wear with multiple dive modes, long battery life, surface GPS and dive log syncing.
The Dog Lover
Alpha LTE – TLTE-enabled dog tracker that attaches to a dog’s collar for real-time tracking in the Alpha app. Includes geofence alerts and LED visibility.
Active subscription required.
Kids
Bounce 2 – Delay the smartphone purchase with this LTE-enabled kids smartwatch. Allows two-way text and voice messaging via the Garmin Jr. app and provides real-time location tracking. Tracks steps, sleep, activity and more.
Bounce – The older version, at a lower price point.
Vivofit Jr. – Fitness tracker that turns activity into an interactive adventure, with activity unlocking app-based educational challenges
Sleep Fanatic
Index Sleep Monitor – Lightweight smart band that tracks sleep stages, HR, respiration, skin temperature and more, syncing to Garmin Connect for deeper insights.
If you ever have questions about any of the Garmin products I would LOVE to help you out – or if you have a device you’re looking at that I haven’t listed. Feel free to message me through DM via my instagram account @brookewillson
I hope this helps narrow things down a bit and makes the selection process a little less overwhelming.
Happy Adventuring!
Fresh Air And Freedom 