8 best Garmin watches for every type of athlete
Unsure on which wearable to choose? Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered (The Independent)
Garmin has been a leading manufacturer of sports watches and fitness trackers since 2003, releasing hundreds of models in that time. You’ll see them on the wrists of runners at 5K races and marathons, as well as on Ironman participants, golfers and even kite-boarders.
With so many different Garmin watches to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Most Garmin devices have in-built GPS, a long battery life, heart-rate monitoring and activity tracking, but the advanced metrics vary between models, making some more suitable for runners and others better for recording and analysing every detail of a cycling training session.
They’re not just for serious athletes, either. If you’re starting a new activity and you want to improve your fitness, the right Garmin watch could act as a personal trainer on your wrist, suggesting optimal times to work out based on your body’s recovery and sleep scores.
To help you navigate the wearables rabbit warren, we’ve tested out some of the brand’s most popular models, to help you pick the right type of Garmin watch for every circumstance.
How we tested
We worked up a sweat and burned some calories doing different activities with each Garmin watch to fully explore its features. Each model was tested running and cycling, as well as swimming so that we could check how well it operated in water.
A selection of the Garmin watches we tested
(Zoe Griffin)
After setting up the Garmin watches and trying to sync them with both an Apple and an Android phone, we scrolled through the watch interfaces to explore what features they offered and what metrics they could monitor. We rated each watch for usability, such as how easy it was to find the key statistics, as well as accuracy of GPS, durability and comfort on the wrist. We also tested the watch in daily life, assessing how it looked and felt.