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

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 265S is a well-rounded smartwatch designed for running and cycling enthusiasts. It features a bright AMOLED touchscreen with traditional buttons, making it user-friendly and easy to navigate even during intense activities. Its lightweight design, especially the 42 mm size, makes it comfortable for those with smaller wrists. The battery performance is impressive, offering up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 24 hours in GPS mode, which is excellent for extended training sessions and long races.

GPS accuracy is enhanced with multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology, ensuring precise tracking even in challenging environments. The heart rate monitoring is robust, providing essential metrics like HRV status, training readiness, and sleep tracking to help optimize your workouts and recovery. Additionally, it has over 30 activity profiles, including running, cycling, and open-water swimming, catering to various training needs.

The smartwatch's 1.1-inch display might feel small for users who prefer larger screens. Also, the battery capacity of 4 milliamp hours might seem low, but it achieves impressive battery life through efficient power management. The connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB, ensure you stay connected with smart notifications for calls and texts from your smartphone. Safety features like incident detection and live location sharing add peace of mind during outdoor activities. Customizability and user interface are strong, with personalized workout suggestions and a race widget to plan your strategy. While it’s well-suited for its target audience, the high level of detailed metrics might be overwhelming for casual users.

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.