10 Best Garmin Watch For Running And Cycling 2026 in the United States

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice for both runners and cyclists looking for a versatile GPS smartwatch. Its bright AMOLED display offers clear visibility, making it user-friendly while on the go. With a battery life of up to 11 days, it ensures that you can track your activities without frequent recharging, which is a significant advantage for long training sessions or multi-day events. The built-in GPS provides accurate tracking of distances and routes, essential for outdoor activities like running and cycling.

This smartwatch is packed with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate tracking and Body Battery energy monitoring, which can help users optimize their training and rest periods. The extensive range of more than 30 sports apps caters to various fitness activities, accommodating both traditional runners and more niche users, such as those in wheelchair sports.

For those who enjoy smart features, the vívoactive 5 supports music downloads and offers connectivity with popular streaming services, allowing for phone-free listening during workouts. The user interface is generally intuitive, but some users may find the multitude of features overwhelming at first. The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a feature-rich smartwatch that meets the needs of fitness enthusiasts, particularly in running and cycling, combining essential fitness tracking with smart features.

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 255S is a smaller, lightweight GPS smartwatch designed specifically for runners and cyclists who want detailed training insights without bulk. Its GPS is reliable for tracking outdoor activities, and the watch supports up to 26 hours of GPS use, which is excellent for long workouts or races. The 12-day battery life in smartwatch mode means you don't have to charge it frequently, providing convenience. Heart rate monitoring is continuous and enhanced by features like HRV status, giving you a snapshot of your recovery and overall wellness, though these readings are estimates rather than clinical measurements.

The watch offers strong training support, including personalized workout suggestions, race time predictions, and adaptive daily plans that adjust based on your performance, helping both beginners and experienced athletes improve. With additional metrics available when paired with accessories (sold separately), it provides advanced running analysis for those wanting deeper data. The always-on color display is clear and easy to read, even in bright sunlight, and the smaller 41mm size ensures it feels comfortable and not too bulky on the wrist. Durability is solid, with sweat-ready materials and water resistance suitable for most outdoor conditions.

Connectivity includes Bluetooth syncing with the Garmin app for detailed stats and workout planning, plus smart features like contactless payments and wireless charging that add convenience. Some advanced metrics require extra sensors, and while the watch is packed with features, new users might find the range of options a bit overwhelming initially. This makes the device a well-rounded choice for runners and cyclists seeking a capable, comfortable GPS watch with strong battery life and useful training tools.