As a woman searching for the best Garmin watch, your quest is complicated.
You’re not only looking for the functionalities that fit your lifestyle but also for a design you can easily pair with your everyday outfits.
The best Garmin watches for women have to work like a clock and come with a stylish look.
No matter how active you are and how much you’re planning to use it to track your activities, multiple color options from the manufacturer or the possibility to swap straps as you see fit are desirable.
Check our selection from below and see which one you fancy while learning what features are the most important!
See Our Best Garmin Watches For Women
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| 2
Best For Low Budgets
2Garmin Vivoactive HR GPS
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| 3 |
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| 5 |
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Best For Low Budgets
6Garmin vivomove HR Hybrid Smartwatch
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Best For Higher Budgets
7Garmin fenix 6S Pro Premium Multisport GPS Watch
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Best Overall
8Garmin Instinct Solar-Powered Rugged Smartwatch
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1. Garmin Vivoactive 3
Garmin Vivoactive 3 is designed for people with an active life. Equipped with a wide range of sports-oriented features, this is the watch that lets you keep accurate track of your fitness level, heart rate (to measure stress levels), and keep up to date with the latest news through notifications.
The watch is durable, waterproof, and elegant due to the chemically strengthened Corning Gorilla Glass lens, stainless steel bezel, and fiber-reinforced polymer case. Also, due to the Garmin Choma display, the watch is easy to read even in direct sunlight. This makes it the perfect workout companion in all kinds of weather.
It comes with 15 sports apps for various activities such as yoga, running, swimming, or more and the built-in GPS lets you accurately record the distance, pace, and location for your outdoor activities. Moreover, you have access to a wide range of free watch faces so you can have fun personalizing the interface to your liking.
Other cool features you may enjoy are contactless payment using the watch, free widgets and apps, and BT connectivity with your smartphone. The battery is designed to last up to seven days, depending on the features you use.
Lastly, the Vivoactive 3 features the Side Swipe interface which improves navigation through all the menus and widgets. This way, you don’t have to adjust your habits to the watch – you just use it the way it’s more convenient.
Specifications
Pros
- Elegant & durable design
- Up to 7 days of battery life
- Waterproof and resistant to all weather conditions
- It features a wide array of apps and widgets
- Side Swipe and contactless payment
- It measures heart rate and provides accurate tracking history
Cons
- Heart rate tracking is not available in swim mode
- Side Swipe can be triggered involuntarily by loose clothing
- GPS accuracy is not at 100%
2. Garmin Vivoactive HR GPS
- Compatible with Garmin SurfTracker App
- Long battery life of up to 8 days in watch/activity tracking mode
- Can be paired with compatible smartphone to display notifications
- 24/7 heart rate monitoring
This Garmin vivoactive model isn’t a surf watch straight out of the box, but access to Garmin’s apps – their SurfTracker app in particular – means it can quickly be used as one.
This smartwatch with GPS technology caters to a wide range of activities so if you have an active lifestyle you’ll find many uses for it.
Whether you’re a hiker, runner, golfer or cyclist, the relevant data for that activity can be tracked. The 24/7 heart rate monitoring also allows you to keep an eye on the effort you’re exerting.
The colour touchscreen is easy to read even in sunlight and if you pair the watch to a compatible smartphone you’ll be able to see notifications on your wrist.
The battery life is good for a watch with this many features, lasting up to 8 days between charges.
Specifications
Pros
- Sunlight-readable, high-resolution colour touchscreen
- GPS-enabled activity tracking for multiple activities (running, swimming, skiing etc.)
- Can be customised with apps and designs from Garmin’s store
- Water rating of 5ATM (equivalent to water resistance of 50m)
Cons
- Tracking data is not always completely accurate
- Some users report difficulties syncing to other devices
3. Garmin Fenix 6 Premium
This outdoor sportwatch has GPS, and other navigation features that make it ideal for multiple outdoor sports. The crystal is protected by a rugged stainless steel bezel (the top ring on the watch that surrounds the crystal) and the watch is tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance.
There are satellite navigation and tracking functions, along with a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter.
The GPS combines with GLONASS and Galileo to track your position more accurately than GPS alone, meaning you can hike or trail ride in more challenging environments.
Activity features include enhanced wrist heart rate, built-in activity profiles, Vo2 Max estimates and more. The built-in activity profiles are for trail running, swimming, running, biking, hiking, rowing, skiing, golfing and more. There’s also performance metrics and training load balance readings, advanced sleep monitoring and the ability to read altitude acclimation at high elevations. Use the watch to track your training load balance, training status, and running and cycling dynamics.
A great feature is the customizable power manager, where you can monitor how various settings and sensors impact battery life, allowing you to adjust to extend your battery life. The battery has four modes with different performance life depending how you use it: up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, up to 36 hours in GPS mode, up to 28 days in expedition GPS activity mode, and up to 48 days in battery saver watch mode.
The display is readable in sunlight and is “always on,” meaning you can easily check it while climbing or cycling. When paired with a compatible smartphone, you can receive notifications and use Garmin Pay™ contactless payments. Also when paired with a smartphone, the watch will sense an incident and send your location to emergency contacts.
Specifications
Pros
- GPS combines with two other systems to provide accurate tracking capability.
- A multitude of activity monitoring, including built-in activity profiles.
- Customize what features you’re using to extend battery life.
- Garmin is known for its GPS products.
Cons
- Despite the ability to adjust battery modes, this watch will need lithium battery replacement on a regular basis if you use the advanced features on a regular basis.
- The multitude of features may be too much for some users.
4. Garmin Forerunner 735XT
The Garmin name is synonymous with GPS, so this multisport watch fits the bill with GPS and GLONASS capacity and much more.
It has a wrist heart rate monitor to track your performance, and comes with advanced dynamics for running, cycling and swimming.
It can also be paired with a Running Dynamics Pod, HRM Run or HRM Tri Monitor, to provide more in-depth data. Check your VO2 max estimate, use it as a race predictor and recovery advisor, and pair it with a chest strap heart rate monitor to read your lactate threshold. Use the information to improve your running form with running dynamics data such as ground contact time balance, stride length and vertical ratio.
You can also use it to do live tracking, receive smart notifications, and do automatic uploads to Garmin Connect. The Garmin Connect IQ store offers free watch faces and apps for customization, as well as training plans, and the ability to track your progress with personal bests, activity reminders and more.
Adjust the settings to adjust the battery life: in Smartwatch mode it’s up to 11 days; in UltraTrac mode without the wrist heart rate it’s up to 24 hours; and in GPS mode it’s up to 14 hours.
Garmin rates the watch at 5ATM, meaning it will withstand a pressure equivalent to a depth of 165 feet (50 meters). It can handle splashes, rain or snow, showering, swimming, diving into water, and snorkeling.
Specifications
Pros
- This watch has everything you need for training for any sport, including tracking activity, and connecting to get notifications.
- You can adjust the settings to preserve battery life.
- GPS and GLONASS capacity to track in difficult conditions.
Cons
- If you want more advanced data, you have to connect to a second device, like a chest strap heart rate monitor, which is not included.
- Water resistance is not high enough for extreme conditions.
5. Garmin vivoactive 4S Smaller-Sized GPS Smartwatch
- GPS smartwatch with 218 x 218 pixels screen resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 touchscreen display;
- Real-time wrist-based heart rate monitoring and advanced sleep monitoring, with daily smart features, including music storage & play;
- Compatible with both iPhone and Android devices;
- Over 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps.
If you’re searching for a smartwatch with a classy look and packed with fitness and health features, Garmin’s Vivoactive 4S might be the one.
It’s available in two sizes, of 1.57 and 1.77 inches, with 5 color shades, from black to a soft combo of light gold and pink.
With this GPS smartwatch, you can track almost every body function you can think of. It comes with pre-programmed workouts and plenty of storage space.
And the smaller size that we reviewed has a particular elegance.
It looks like a regular watch and can easily fit even the fancier styles, making it suitable for almost anyone.
Specifications
Pros
- Stylish and delicate design, available in two sizes;
- Advanced features keep track of your health and energy levels;
- Can download and play songs from third-party providers;
- Thousands of themes to choose from, to customize it even more.
Cons
- Occasionally issues reported with the sync of major updates.
6. Garmin vivomove HR Hybrid Smartwatch
- Sport smartwatch with GPS, 64 x 128 pixels screen resolution, and OLED display;
- Smart notifications and smart features, music player included if paired with a smartphone;
- Wellness monitoring tools and heart rate estimation with Elevate technology;
- Compatible with iPhone, Android, and Windows devices
When shopping for a smartwatch with a limited budget at hand, this hybrid smartwatch from Garmin, Vivoactive HR, has all the chances to fit the bill.
Its clock functions are impeccable, the battery life is good, and its heart rate and pedometer data are accurate. Setup is easy, and all features work as advertised.
Design-wise, you’ll notice it looks a tad thick and somewhat large compared to the screen size. But it serves both the analog and the digital functions more than decent.
If the digital battery happens to go on the blink, it will work fine on the analog mode. If you don’t mind that it’s not particularly elegant, you’ll be thrilled with its modest price and the built-in range of smart features.
Specifications
7. Garmin fenix 6S Pro Premium Multisport GPS Watch
- Electronic smartwatch with GPS and a MIP LCD always-on display at a 240 x 240 pixels resolution;
- Wrist heart rate estimation and Pulse Ox for health and wellness monitoring;
- Advanced navigation features, with preloaded TOPO maps, ski maps, and more;
- Supports smart notifications, music storage and streaming, as well as contactless payments.
The Fenix 6S Pro version from Garmin is a premium GPS watch crafted explicitly for the active ones.
Packed with plenty of useful multisport features, it doesn’t just help you track an impressive range of activities, but it also brings lots of maps to your fingertips.
All without neglecting the wellbeing and health features you typically expect from a smartwatch.
Even if you’re not planning on taking it to lengthy expeditions, you can count on its long-lasting battery to take you through the week.
Also, the music and contactless payment options it offers are perfect for navigating through the urban jungle.
Assuming you don’t mind the price, you’ll want to put it on your shortlist.
Specifications
Pros
- Excellent choice for active people interested in doing and monitoring workouts;
- Outstanding accuracy with its metrics and data measurements;
- Backed by a practical and versatile mobile app;
- Above-average battery life.
Cons
- Somewhat on the pricey side.
8. Garmin Instinct Solar-Powered Rugged Smartwatch
- GPS smartwatch with solar charging functionality;
- Water-rated to 100 meters and fits the U.S. military standard 810 (water, thermal, and shock-resistance);
- Built-in navigation, activity tracking, health, and energy levels monitoring;
- Up to 16 MB of activity data storage capacity.
A lightweight smartwatch with an airy interface, lots of tracking options, and battery life you can hardly believe it’s real?
Sure, with this Garmin Instinct solar-powered smartwatch, you can get it all and then some more. Granted, you’ll hardly find aspects to complain about this one!
One look at its long list of features makes it clear that this gadget encompasses the right mix of smart connectivity and activity tracking that makes it a wise investment.
Not only that, but it will also prove a long-lasting investment, considering the military standard that backs it up.
Specifications
Pros
- Lightweight, comfortable, and available in various colors;
- Outstanding screen visibility and responsive menus;
- Accurate sensors and advanced tracking functionalities;
- Excellent battery life.
Cons
- One can accidentally tap its lock button very easily.
Garmin Ladies Watch Buying Guide
Features
Garmin watches focus on sports. All their features are meant to support you in your daily, recreational, and workout activities.
Still, there are quite a few essential features you should look into, from location to activity tracking and entertainment options while working out.
GPS
The GPS function allows the smartwatch to gather more accurate information about your activities.
Whether you are exercising or traveling, the GPS will come in handy. Just bear in mind that it also drains the battery life.
Activity Tracking
Activity tracking can be activated with a few swipes or automatically step in as it detects your activity.
Either way, it will monitor your activity, giving you insights to adjust your fitness goals, develop new workout programs, and look back at your evolution.
Water Resistance
Water-resistance is a common feature with fitness trackers because your smartwatch is supposed to accompany you even when diving or swimming.
As a woman, you might also love the convenience of not having to take down your smartwatch when doing the dishes.
So, know that most models are rated as waterproof for depths of as much as 50 meters.
For more waterproof smartwatches, make sure you check our detailed guide on it.
Music Storage
When going on a run, taking your phone is not necessary if you have a running watch with music storage.
Listening to music through your smartwatch is a perk regardless if you’re walking or jogging.
Just check how many songs it can store, compatibility with music apps, whether it supports wireless pairing with headphones, and if it works with offline playlist transfers or downloads.
Sleep Tracking
Sleep is a significant health indicator, and most smartwatches will track it.
Typically, this feature should analyze your sleep duration, phases, and overall quality.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Whether for tracking your heart condition during workouts or managing stress throughout the day, having live input on your heart rate is helpful.
Most Garmin female watches have a wrist sensor for heart monitoring.
Uses
Like the male models, the Garmin watches for women are a miniature smartphone wrapped around your wrist.
Despite their many features, their primary use remains focused on activity tracking. From walking and running to tactical or swimming, there are many activities you can use it for.
Running & Cycling
Running and cycling are two of the most common activities that any fitness tracker should monitor.
Cyclists and runners are always looking to improve their speed and distance, and the best way to track that is to have a smartwatch for cycling.
You won’t have a hard time finding one that monitors your running, though you will need to consider its GPS, extra fitness features, battery life, app functionalities, and OS compatibility.
Hiking
The more sensors your chosen Garmin watch integrates, the more suitable it will be for tracking your hiking.
With this activity, you need information related to location and altitude, sunrise/sunset times, air pressure, and weather prediction, to name a few.
Your climbing watch is very much needed on your hiking trips, so make sure you check our guide featuring the best hiking watches.
Tactical
When looking for tactical smartwatches, you need a military-grade model, resistant and rugged, with practical functions, and ready to give you accurate information on the terrain (altitude, relief, weather) and your health status (heart rate, oxygen levels, etc.).
If tactical watches interest you, give our buying guide and product reviews a chance.
Swimming
Tracking your swimming may be done differently depending on how serious you are about it.
The bare minimum is a simple, waterproof smartwatch that can count laps.
The advanced swimming watches can track your swim distance and speed, strokes, pace, and more.
Style & Design
When it comes to style and design, women are interested in the overall look and feel.
Starting from the color shades and ending with the weight, the thickness of the case, and the strap’s width, there are many factors to consider.
A white Garmin watch is a top choice among women. Still, if you can find a pink Garmin watch that suits your style, you might be even more pleased with its feminine look.
Comfort
You will hardly feel a comfortable watch on the wrist. It comes with a flexible, long-lasting strap.
And it is lightweight and with a thin profile.
While it might be tempting to go for a model with a smaller case diameter, the wider ones are more practical because you have a better view of all the settings.
Pricing Range
A top-tier Garmin watch for women will easily cost somewhere between $1000-1500.
The more features it packs, the more expensive it is, but generally, a quality model for women can cost over $700 (at the high end) and $200 at the low end, with a $300-400 as an average price for an above-average smartwatch.
Our Verdict
Style and functionality are not that easy to pair, though it’s not impossible either. Most Garmin watches for women are activity-tracking oriented with different features and varying materials.
The elegant models are not ideal for tracking or swimming.
The more practical ones focus on monitoring your workouts without compromising on the aesthetics too much.
Indeed, there are many smartwatches from Garmin for women. The problem is that you won’t necessarily find them labeled as such.
So, you have to consider all options, expecting to spot the ones with a more elegant and feminine touch.
