10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in the UK

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a GPS running smartwatch designed to be user-friendly and lightweight, making it suitable for beginners and casual runners. Its key strength lies in its GPS accuracy, effectively tracking distance, speed, and location, which is essential for running enthusiasts. Heart rate monitoring at the wrist allows users to keep tabs on their cardiovascular health without needing additional equipment. The watch offers solid battery life, ensuring you won't need to recharge frequently during training sessions or daily use.

Water resistance is another plus, enabling use in wet conditions or during pool swims, although it may not be suited for deep-water activities. Activity tracking is comprehensive, offering insights into various physical endeavors, from running to yoga and cycling. This is bolstered by coaching features like Garmin Coach and PacePro, which provide tailored training guidance and race strategy. Smart features include connectivity via Bluetooth, allowing users to customize watch faces and download applications, enhancing the smartwatch experience.

In terms of durability, the Forerunner 55 is robust enough for daily wear and active use, although heavy-duty sports might require more rugged devices. The limited storage capacity of 32 MB might restrict data-heavy applications or extensive music storage. All these features come in a compact, stylish package that suits a wide range of users irrespective of gender. The Forerunner 55 excels as a reliable, entry-level running smartwatch with advanced features typically required by dedicated runners, although it may not fulfill extreme sports enthusiasts' needs.

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice if you're looking for a versatile smartwatch with good health and fitness tracking. Its built-in GPS offers reliable location tracking for outdoor activities, and with more than 30 sports apps including swimming and cycling, it covers most workout types well. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, which means less frequent charging compared to many competitors. Heart rate monitoring is wrist-based and works continuously, helping you track your fitness and stress levels throughout the day. The watch also offers advanced sleep tracking with personalized coaching to improve rest.

While water resistance is indicated by the inclusion of swimming features, it is best suited for casual water use rather than deep diving due to the lack of detailed depth ratings. Smart features like music playback, adaptive training plans, and detailed health metrics add great value without being overwhelming. The AMOLED touchscreen is bright and colorful, making it easy to read even outdoors. One minor drawback is the relatively small screen size (1.2 inches), which might feel cramped if you prefer larger displays. Additionally, some health data like energy monitoring and stress tracking are estimates and should not be considered medical-grade readings.

In terms of durability, the watch is lightweight and well-built, suitable for everyday wear and active lifestyles. This watch is ideal for people wanting a reliable, feature-rich fitness companion with excellent battery life and useful health insights.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a feature-rich running smartwatch designed for fitness enthusiasts who value comprehensive training insights and smart functionalities. One of its standout features is the accurate built-in GPS, which is crucial for tracking runs without needing a smartphone. The watch impressively offers up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, making it reliable for both daily use and extended outdoor activities.

With heart rate monitoring and advanced activity tracking, this watch supports a wide range of fitness goals. It is lightweight and water-resistant, allowing for comfortable wear during workouts and protection against sweat or rain. Additionally, morning reports and personalized daily workout suggestions help users tailor their training regimens effectively.

However, the smartwatch does come with some limitations. While it offers music storage with a 4 GB capacity, which is great for phone-free listening, it requires a subscription for services like Spotify. The smart features, such as Bluetooth connectivity, are basic, and may not compete with more tech-focused smartwatches that offer wider app integration and advanced notifications.

Durability is a plus with Garmin products, and this model is no different, designed to withstand rigorous use. The 1.82-inch display ensures visibility even in direct sunlight, although it may be less vibrant compared to other high-end smartwatches. The Forerunner 255 Music is ideal for runners and active individuals who prioritize fitness tracking and music on the go. While it excels in sports and fitness features, those seeking a more extensive suite of smart functionalities might look elsewhere. The watch combines practicality with advanced health monitoring, making it a strong contender in the sports watch category.