What Is the Best Garmin Smartwatch for 2021?

Thinking of buying a brand new Garmin smartwatch? Well, we don’t blame you! With the fitness and outdoor side of this business quintupling in size since 2009, Garmin’s become a go-to watch brand for athletic individuals around the world.

However, with countless models to choose from, though, the tricky part’s picking the best Garmin smartwatch for your specific needs! Know the struggle and want some help with the task? You’re in the right place.

What Is the Best Garmin Smartwatch for 2021?

Today we’re going through a selection of their latest models to help you pick the right one for you in 2021. Check them out!

• Garmin Fenix 6

With its impressive 36-hour battery life (that’s while using the GPS!), durable design, Bluetooth connectivity, and incredible tracking capabilities, the Fenix 6 is one of the top Garmin smartwatches on the market today. Not only can it track almost every sport under the sun (even functioning underwater), but you’ll also enjoy up to 64MB of onboard storage for keeping music, files, and more.

As for downsides, some people may find this watch to be somewhat bulky and the lack of a touchscreen could be irksome too. Oh, and it’s far from cheap! Overall, though, the Fenix 6 is hard to fault.

• Garmin Forerunner 55

Like the sound of the Fenix but looking for more of an entry-level smartwatch? You’re sure to love the Forerunner 55.

A great option for new runners, it’s much more affordable and lightweight, while still offering an impressive set of specs. Expect 20 hours of battery life while using the GPS, 200 hours of onboard data storage, and accurate GPS and heart-rate monitoring.

• And the cons?

First, unlike other Garmin watches on the market today, the only other sport you can track is cycling. And second, the plastic used in the design makes the Forerunner 55 less visually appealing than other models we’ve seen. Thankfully, sites like Mobile Mob sell a variety of accessories that could improve the look if this turns out to be the watch you want.

• Garmin Forerunner 945

Do you consider yourself an athlete? If so, you’ll struggle to find a better Garmin smartwatch than the Forerunner 945.

Designed with runners in mind, you’ll appreciate the faultless accuracy of its heart rate monitor and GPS system. There are also full-color maps for aiding navigation and progress as you hit the trails! Its 36-hour battery life is a bonus too.

It’s true that the Forerunner lacks some of the features you get with the Fenix 6 above. However, you’re still able to track over 30 different activities (although its swim-tracking can be a little awry sometimes).

Only its sky-high price could be enough to put you off.

• Garmin Vivoactive 4

While the Vivoactive 4 isn’t one of Garmin’s latest models, it’s so jam-packed with useful features that we’d feel remiss to leave it off this list!

Buy the larger, 45mm model (there’s also a 40mm version) and you’ll enjoy a whopping 8-day battery life in smartwatch mode. There’s the built-in GPS as usual, Garmin Pay, music storage, and an array of activities you can track, including yoga and indoor rowing. Animations on the watch screen will even show you the proper technique for the workout you’re doing!

We love the Pulse Ox sensor as well. This helps track things like how many times you breathe per minute and your blood oxygen saturation levels. Aside from its uninspiring display, the Vivoactive 4 is another high-performing watch to consider.

• Garmin Venu Sq

Garmin doesn’t just create watches for people with money to burn! There are plenty of top-quality budget-friendly options to choose from too. Case and point?

• The Venu Sq

This entry-level smartwatch may lack the bells and whistles of other Garmin models, but it has all the features you need (with room to spare). Expect 14 hours of battery life while using the GPS, a handy touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and enough onboard memory to store 200 hours of activities.

Added bonuses include its bright color screen and attractive overall design. You can also purchase a (more expensive) version that boasts a built-in music player.

• Garmin Forerunner 745

Geared toward triathletes and runners, the Forerunner 745 is a definite upgrade from its predecessor: the 735XT.

For the athletes out there, you’ll adore the workouts on it, the wide array of functions, and the detailed statistics it delivers after each training session. Other noteworthy features include the ability to store up to 500 songs on the watch, alongside handy performance monitoring tools (such as training status and load).

The high price of this Garmin is one thing, yet our main qualm with the Forerunner 745 is its size! 44mm in diameter and 13mm thick, it’s far from small. Even worse, this is one of the only Garmin watches with no “compact version” available for those with daintier wrists.

• Garmin Lily

The best Garmin smartwatch for women is undoubtedly the Lily. Boasting supreme aesthetic appeal, it boasts a 1-inch screen that’s far smaller than others on this list and a generally slim design to boot. Oh, and it has touchscreen capabilities too!

As for the battery, you’ll get 5 days of use when it’s in smartwatch mode. You can also connect to Bluetooth and store up to 200 hours of activities onboard. More importantly, it tracks a whole host of activities and monitors your heart rate every step of the way.

Those aesthetic advantages do come at a cost though. There’s no built-in GPS tracking and you can’t store music either, nor pay using Garmin Pay.

• Time to Buy the Best Garmin Smartwatch

Garmin’s well-known across the globe for making amazing watches that make life as an athlete or fitness fiend ten times more convenient. However, their products aren’t cheap and new models hit the shelves every year! The result?

• Picking one can be a challenge

With any luck, though, the suggestions in this article will simplify the decision. Keep the insights in mind and you’ll be one step closer to buying the best Garmin smartwatch for your needs. Want to learn all about some other high-quality watches?

We’ve got you covered. Search “watches” on the website now.