10 Best Garmin Watches 2025 in Canada

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a versatile GPS smartwatch suited for fitness enthusiasts seeking detailed health tracking and a colorful, easy-to-read display. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED screen delivers clarity and vibrant colors, making it enjoyable to use both indoors and outdoors. Battery life is strong for a smartwatch with an AMOLED display, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, meaning less frequent charging compared to many competitors.

The built-in GPS offers reliable tracking for outdoor activities like running and cycling, while over 30 sports profiles cover a wide range of workouts, including swimming, golf, and HIIT. For health monitoring, it provides comprehensive features such as Body Battery energy tracking, sleep quality analysis with coaching, heart rate monitoring, and stress measurement, all aimed at offering personalized insights into wellbeing. The watch also supports wheelchair users with specific activity tracking and workouts tailored to their needs. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB, making syncing and updates convenient.

The watch is relatively light and compact but may not feel as rugged as some other Garmin models designed for extreme durability. Although it includes some smart features, it may not offer as many app options or advanced smartwatch functions as higher-end Garmin or other brand watches. The vívoactive 5 represents a solid choice for those wanting a bright, user-friendly watch with strong health and fitness tracking, good battery life, and a variety of sports modes, especially if prioritizing clear display and extended use between charges.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a strong choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a user-friendly smartwatch with accurate GPS and reliable heart rate monitoring. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is easy to read outdoors, and the combination of touchscreen and button controls adds convenience during workouts. Weighing just under 40 grams, it feels lightweight and comfortable for daily wear. Battery life is solid, offering up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and about 19 hours when using GPS continuously, which is enough for most training sessions and races.

The watch supports over 25 activity profiles, including running, cycling, and HIIT, making it versatile for various sports. Recovery and training insights are useful features, providing personalized workout suggestions and recovery time, which can help users avoid overtraining. Safety features like incident detection add peace of mind during outdoor activities, though they require a paired smartphone with network coverage. On the smart side, it delivers notifications for calls and texts and supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments, streamlining everyday convenience. The watch is water-resistant enough to handle sweat and light rain, but it may not be suitable for deep-water activities.

The display resolution is modest at 240 x 240 pixels, but it is sharp enough for clear visibility. The build quality is typical of Garmin, sturdy enough for regular use without feeling bulky. If you're mainly after a running-focused smartwatch with solid GPS, good battery life, and useful training features, the Forerunner 165 offers a well-rounded package. However, if you want advanced smartwatch features like music storage or onboard maps, you might want to look at more premium models.