10 Best Garmin Smart Watches 2025 in the UK

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a solid choice if you're looking for a versatile fitness-focused smartwatch with strong health and activity tracking features. Its bright AMOLED touchscreen is easy to read, and the watch provides detailed monitoring of your body’s energy levels, sleep quality, stress, and heart rate, which can help you better understand your daily wellness.

With over 30 built-in sports apps including running, swimming, cycling, and even wheelchair-specific activities, it suits a wide range of fitness styles. The built-in GPS works well for outdoor exercise, giving you accurate tracking without needing your phone. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, so you won’t need to charge it very often. The watch is comfortable to wear given its lightweight and compact size, and it offers useful smart features like music playback and compatibility with both Android and iOS devices.

The vívoactive 5 is well suited for those wanting a reliable all-round smartwatch focused on fitness and health tracking with good battery life and smart capabilities.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a well-rounded smartwatch tailored for runners and fitness enthusiasts. It offers robust activity tracking capabilities, including heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring, sleep tracking, and adaptive workout suggestions that evolve based on your performance and recovery.

One of its standout features is the impressive battery life, lasting up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, making it highly reliable for long-term use without frequent recharging. The GPS accuracy benefits from multi-band satellite tracking, ensuring precise tracking even in challenging environments. Additionally, the safety and tracking features allow you to share your location with selected contacts, adding an extra layer of security during runs.

The smartwatch also supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments and smart notifications for emails, texts, and alerts when paired with your smartphone. However, the watch has a relatively small memory storage capacity of 4 GB, which might be limiting for users who desire to store more music or apps directly on the watch. The design is lightweight and comfortable, but the 1.3-inch screen size may feel small for those accustomed to larger displays. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Forerunner 255 excels in providing advanced training insights and safety features, making it a great choice for dedicated runners and those seeking comprehensive health tracking.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a compact and lightweight smartwatch, ideal for running enthusiasts looking for easy-to-use features. It excels in activity tracking with built-in GPS, offering accurate running and training guidance, which is particularly helpful for those who are focused on improving their fitness levels. Its GPS navigation is reliable for outdoor activities, ensuring you stay on track during your runs. With a battery life that can last up to two weeks in smartwatch mode, it's suitable for those who don’t want to recharge frequently.

This watch also features water resistance, meaning it can handle sweat and rain during intense workouts without issue. When it comes to smart features, the Forerunner 55 offers Bluetooth connectivity and basic smartwatch capabilities, though it may not be as advanced in smart functionalities compared to more premium models. The design is comfortable, featuring a round, sunlight-visible display that is easy to read even in bright conditions, making it user-friendly during outdoor activities.

However, its screen size is relatively small at 1.04 inches, which might be a limitation for users who prefer larger displays for better readability and navigation. Additionally, its memory storage is ample, allowing for a variety of workout data to be stored, but it might not support extensive app installations due to its focus on fitness tracking rather than general smartwatch use. This device is tailored for runners seeking straightforward features and guidance rather than complex smartwatch functionalities. It’s an affordable choice for those prioritizing fitness features over extensive smart tech integrations.