Best Garmin Watches for Men - Fenix 8 AMOLED

9 Best Garmin Watches for Running, Cycling and Lifestyle

Jacob Osborn
By Jacob Osborn - Guide

Published:

Readtime: 14 min

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Multinational company Garmin was already a pioneer of GPS technology and navigation instruments when it released its first smartwatch in 2003. Dubbed the Forerunner 201, it was the world’s first wrist-based GPS trainer and also a prescient example of things to come, not just for the brand but for the wearables industry at large.

Here we are over two decades later and Garmin continues to lead the way with their slate of top-selling smartwatches and adjoining apps. The Forerunner series is still going strong and so are other innovative models like the Fenix, Venu, Vivoactive, and more. But which Garmin watch is recommended for you and your fitness routine or lifestyle? Let’s find out!

Garmin Watch Comparison

Garmin WatchDiameter:Display:Battery:Memory:Water-Resistance:Price:
Fenix 8 AMOLED51mm
35.56mm – 454 x 454 pixels AMOLED

Up to 29 days (13 days always-on)

32 GB
100 metresAUD$2,049
Forerunner 165
43mm

33.4mm – 390 x 390 pixels

Up to 11 days
4 GB
50 metres

AUD$429
Instinct 2X Solar50mm27mm – 176 x 176 pixels AMOLED
40 days / Unlimited with solar

64 MB
100 metresAUD$769
Venu 3S
45mm
35.4mm – 454 x 454 pixels
Up to 14 days

8 GB

50 metres
AUD$749
Vívomove Trend
51mm
25.6mm – 254 x 346 pixels
Up to 5 days
14 days of activity tracking data50 metres
AUD$499
Fenix 747mm
33.02mm – 260 x 260 pixels

Up to 18 days

16 GB

100 metres
AUD$949
epix Pro (Gen 2)
47mm
35.33mm – 416 x 416 pixels AMOLED
Up to 16 days (6 days always-on)

32 GB

100 metres

AUD$1,529
Forerunner 965
47mm
35.4mm – 454 x 454 pixels
Up to 23 days

32 GB

50 metres
AUD$999
Vivoactive 5
42.2mm

30.4mm – 390 x 390 pixels

Up to 11 days (5 days display always-on)

4 GB

50 metres

AUD$499
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Best Garmin Smartwatches at a Glance

The Garmin watches we’ve included below will inspire you to hit the tracks, cycle path or even the hay, depending on whether it has sleep-tracking included. For reference, we have selected the models based on the flagship release within each range. For example, the Fenix 8 is offered in 43mm, 47mm and 51mm sizes. However, we have focused on the flagship 51mm as it represents the top-of-the-line edition in the Fexix 8 collection. To choose the best Garmin watches for men right now, we focused on features, functionality and affordability, taking into consideration their intended use and versatility. Highlights from our list include the following options:

Now you’ve read the highlights, let’s check out the complete list.

Best Garmin Watches for Men - Fenix 8 AMOLED
Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED | Image: Garmin

1. Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED

Model:Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED
Reference010-02905-12
Diameter51mm
Display35.56mm – 454 x 454 pixels AMOLED
Battery lifeUp to 29 days (13 days always-on)
Memory32 GB
Water-resistance100 metres
Price:AUD$2,049
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Garmin’s Fenix launched in 2012 as an outdoor adventure watch and fitness tracker, but it’s become so much more in the time since. The recent Fenix 7 was so reliable, in fact, that astronauts wore it to collect biometric data during the Polaris Dawn space mission in 2024. Picking up where its precursor left off, the Fenix 8 AMOLED is likewise formidable on all fronts, and recommended for pretty much any outdoor activity one can think of.

With its slim bezel, large AMOLED display, and built-in LED flashlight, the Garmin Fenix 8 offers the best in wearability and legibility alike. This one is built to last in all kinds of ways, complete with a battery life of up to 29 days and the ability to plunge underwater to up to 100 metres. Pair it via Bluetooth with your Android or iOS smartphone and you can use the integrated mic and speaker for on-wrist calling.

Will the lofty price tag of the Fenix 8 have you doing a double take? Probably. It might also lead you toward comparable models like the epix Pro 2, which offers similar functionality at a fraction of the cost. If money isn’t an issue, however, then the Fenix 8 is easily one of the best multisport smartwatches you can wear across multiple outdoor adventures, whether those adventures be on the ground, underwater (it’s dive-rated to 40 metres), or all the way up in the stars.

Best Garmin Watches for running - Garmin Forerunner 165
Garmin Forerunner 165 | Image: Garmin

2. Garmin Forerunner 165

Model:Forerunner 165
Reference010-02863-20
Diameter43mm
Display33.4mm – 390 x 390 pixels
Battery lifeUp to 11 days
Memory4 GB
Water-resistance50 metres
Price:AUD$429
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Many of us just want a sturdy smartwatch that tracks with accuracy, fits comfortably, and doesn’t cost a small fortune, and the Forerunner 165 is that smartwatch. High functionality at a reasonable price is the name of its game and an AMOLED touchscreen display is part of the deal. If value is what you seek, then your journey for the best Garmin smartwatch stops here.

As you may recall, the original Forerunner was Garmin’s first-ever smartwatch and also the world’s first wrist-based GPS trainer. To this day, the series delivers the core performance specs that we’ve come to expect from reliable fitness trackers. While aimed primarily at runners, the model is perfectly usable for other activities such as cycling, HIIT, and strength-building.

Thanks to a lightweight design and 43mm case size (among others), Garmin’s Forerunner 165 is also more wearable than its bulkier counterparts. The watch lasts up to 19 hours in GPS mode and up to 11 days in standard mode. Combine all that with a stylish interface and an approachable price tag and you get all the basics without breaking the bank.

Best solar Garmin watch - Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar | Image: Garmin

3. Garmin Instinct 2X Solar

Model:Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Reference010-02805-10
Diameter50mm
Display27mm – 176 x 176 pixels AMOLED
Battery life40 days / Unlimited with solar
Memory64 MB
Water-resistance100 metres
Price:AUD$769
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When it comes to solar-powered gadgets, your mileage can definitely vary. Hence, the first bit of good news is that Garmin’s Instinct 2X Solar actually works as advertised, making it one of the best outdoor smartwatches that money can buy. Rounding out its adventure-ready charms is polymer case construction built to military standards with thermal, shock, and water resistance. Put simply, this thing is a beast.

Garmin is already well-known for cutting-edge innovation, and they equipped the Instinct 2X Solar with plenty of killer upgrades. As a result of software improvements, for example, the watch now supports a wider range of activities, such as golf and surfing. The battery life is also better than ever and good for up to 40 days on a single charge, which isn’t to mention the (virtually) unlimited energy provided by solar power, a blatant benefit for cyclists and campers.

Another terrific feature of the Instinct 2X Solar is a circular aperture on the display, which functions as a date and time window and helps streamline legibility. Between that, the rugged design, the health monitoring, the extended lifespan, and the targeted sensors, this smartwatch is yet another standout from the Garmin range. It’s easy to recommend for hikers, cyclists, hunters, and anyone else who likes to take their adventures to an extreme. Look out, G-SHOCK!

Best Garmin Watch - Garmin Venu 3S
Garmin Venu 3S | Image: Garmin

4. Garmin Venu 3S

Model:Garmin Venu 3S
Reference010-02784-01
Diameter45mm
Display35.4mm – 454 x 454 pixels
Battery lifeUp to 14 days
Memory8 GB
Water-resistance50 metres
Price:AUD$749
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Touting a stylish interface, Garmin’s Venu 3S is often considered the brand’s answer to competing models from Samsung and Apple. However, don’t take that to mean it’s not a high-performance fitness wearable as well, as it delivers accurate biometric tracking along with over 30 indoor and GPS sports apps.

One might ultimately call the Venu 3S a perfect everyday smartwatch in that it covers ample ground and looks downright sleek in the process. Its battery life of up to 14 days makes the Samsung Galaxy seem wimpy by comparison, while the slew of health functions puts it on par with Fitbit. There’s also support for a full spectrum of platforms and functions, such as music subscriptions, smartphone connectivity (for calls), Garmin Pay, and more.

Putting functionality aside, it’s hard to deny the Venu 3S’s visual allure. To gaze upon its brilliant design is to imagine a boardroom meeting where executives purposefully put brands like Apple in their crosshairs. The result? One of Garmin’s best smartwatches, naturally.

Coolest Garmin Watch - Garmin Vívomove Trend
Garmin Vívomove Trend | Image: Garmin

5. Garmin Vívomove Trend

Model:Garmin Vívomove Trend
Reference010-02665-02
Diameter51mm
Display25.6mm – 254 x 346 pixels
Battery lifeUp to 5 days
Memory14 days of activity tracking data
Water-resistance50 metres
Price:AUD$499
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The very word “Vívomove” might conjure dollar signs in your imagination, and the model’s stylish fusion of digital and analog elements helps drive home the luxury theme. You’ll then be glad to know that this watch is actually one of Garmin’s most budget-friendly offerings, even as it packs conspicuous functionality under its handsome hood.

As you might expect, the Vívomove Trend is recommended for watch lovers who desire a classic aesthetic with all the perks of smart performance. The analog-style dial is really a digital display in disguise, upon which the wearer can track fitness and touch or swipe various functions. Call it a best-of-all-worlds Garmin smartwatch that moves forward without losing sight of the past.

The Vívomove Trend can last up to five days on a single charge and it comes with plenty of technological bells and whistles, including contactless pay, smart notifications, Pulse Ox, and more. It isn’t necessarily built for outdoor extremes, but it delivers plenty of stylish bang for your buck. Viva la Vívomove!

Best Garmin Watch for Travel - Garmin Fenix 7
Garmin Fenix 7 | Image: Garmin

6. Garmin Fenix 7

Model:Garmin Fenix 7
Reference010-02540-01
Diameter47mm
Display33.02mm – 260 x 260 pixels
Battery lifeUp to 18 days
Memory16 GB
Water-resistance100 metres
Price:AUD$949
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If you want the benefits of a Garmin Fenix but don’t feel like spending over AUD$2,000 on the Fenix 8, you can score this previous model for roughly half the price. What you get in return is a masterpiece of a multisport GPS smartwatch that offers top-notch accuracy and performance, so much so that astronauts wore it during the recent Polaris Dawn space mission.

One might wonder what the key differences are between this model and its follow-up. For starters, the Fenix 7 isn’t rated for scuba diving and it’s missing the AMOLED display. The battery life is shorter as well but still impressive in its ability to run for up to 18 days on a single charge. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for one of the best Garmin watches for durability, fitness tracking, navigation, workouts, connectivity, and training, this one delivers all that and more.

Best Outdoor Garmin Watch - Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)
Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) | Image: Garmin

7. Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)

Model:Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)
Reference010-02803-01
Diameter47mm
Display35.33mm – 416 x 416 pixels AMOLED
Battery lifeUp to 16 days (6 days always-on)
Memory32 GB
Water-resistance100 metres
Price:AUD$1,529
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Garmin’s epix stands toe-to-toe with the Fenix as a smartwatch of choice among thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. As such, the latest epix Pro makes for another (slightly more) affordable alternative to the mighty Fenix 8. Recently upgraded with a built-in LED flashlight, it brings you everything you could want from a multisport smartwatch, including a sharp AMOLED display, rugged case design, advanced sensors, and a variety of health and training features.

To put it as simply as possible, the epix Pro (Gen 2) is a quintessential outdoor smartwatch in terms of performance and design. It has functionality and fitness tracking down to an exact science and looks quite sleek as well. Use it for up to 16 days at a time (in Smartwatch mode) and behold the consistency of its performance and the luminosity of its ultra-bright display.

This one might not be as luxurious as a Garmin Marq (the brand’s most premium offering), but it leaves virtually nothing to be desired when it comes to the specs that matter most.

Best Garmin Running Watch - Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin Forerunner 965 | Image: Garmin

8. Garmin Forerunner 965

Model:Garmin Forerunner 965
Reference010-02809-22
Diameter47mm
Display35.4mm – 454 x 454 pixels
Battery lifeUp to 23 days
Memory32 GB
Water-resistance50 metres
Price:AUD$999
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More than a smartwatch, Garmin’s Forerunner 965 is an indispensable tool for runners. This is performance with a purpose and it goes out to triathletes, in particular. Features such as improved GNSS tracking via SatIQ, route tracing, and colour mapping come to life on the brilliant AMOLED display, taking functionality and navigation to bold new heights. The health sensors are similarly superlative, measuring everything from oxygen saturation to stress levels as you train and compete.

In addition to its running-based features, the Forerunner 965 supports apps for everything from cycling to open-water swimming to strength training to golfing and more (though it’s not compatible with Garmin’s CT-10 golf club tracking system). It connects to various music platforms for phone-free listening and syncs with basic services like Garmin Pay and the Connect IQ Store as well. Recommended for runners perhaps, but this smartwatch goes well beyond the call of duty.

Garmin Vivoactive 5
Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Image: Garmin

9. Garmin Vivoactive 5

Model:Garmin Vivoactive 5
Reference010-02862-11
Diameter42.2mm
Display30.4mm – 390 x 390 pixels
Battery lifeUp to 11 days (5 days display always-on)
Memory4 GB
Water-resistance50 metres
Price:AUD$499
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As an affordable alternative to models like the Venu 3, the Vivoactive 5 is a perfect entry point for casual and even dedicated athletes. Recent software upgrades make it sharper and more functional than ever before, dialling up the value factor in the process. Speaking of upgrades, the smartwatch now features an ultra-sharp AMOLED in lieu of the pixel display found on previous models.

The Vivoactive 5 is available in a variety of colourways and it matches the stylish aesthetic with a bounty of fitness-based features. Body Battery Energy Monitoring and Sleep Coach are now part of the package, allowing users to monitor their body’s energy levels throughout the day and get better rest at night. There are also 30 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps for walking, running, cycling, pool swimming, strength training and more, along with wheelchair mode.

If you regularly hit the gym but aren’t training for a triathlon or planning a scuba-diving expedition, the Vivoactive 5 should be right up your alley. Its animated workouts and guided meditation practices may even inspire you to take on new challenges as you explore the many built-in features. Put down the Apple Watch and pick this one up instead. Welcome to the world of Garmin.

Garmin Connect mobile app
Garmin Connect mobile app | Image: Garmin

Things to Consider for Garmin Watches

When you roll with Garmin, you gain not just a smartwatch, but access to a full ecosystem of apps and platforms. However, not every Garmin smartwatch is compatible with every platform, nor is every resource offered free of charge. Here’s a closer look at the brand’s foremost apps and services.

Garmin Connect

Compatible with all Garmin devices, the Garmin Connect mobile app puts your daily activity and health data in one convenient place. Load it up to follow your progress or compete with previous accomplishments as you continue along your fitness journey. This one is free to use.

Garmin InReach

Garmin inReach is the brand’s own satellite-based communications platform, which allows you to send and receive text messages, share your location, trigger SOS alerts for emergency response, and more. It’s compatible with select Garmin devices and smartwatches, including the fenix 7. Some of its services are provided free of charge while others require a paying subscription.

Garmin Express

Garmin Express is a desktop application for Windows or Mac computers that offers map and software updates and allows you to register your device. It can sync with the Garmin Connect website for fitness data transfers and also upload music onto your smartwatch from your personal MP3 library. The desktop app is compatible with Garmin devices (via USB stick), but not compatible with your phone or tablet.

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Jacob Osborn

Staff Writer

Jacob Osborn

Jacob Osborn is an accomplished author and journalist with over 10 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin--Madison and co-authored a Young Adult novel through ...