Seeking Advice on Choosing the Best Smartwatch for Fitness Tracking

If you want the most accurate heart rate and GPS tracking, Garmin is the way to go—especially the Forerunner or Fenix series. Battery life blows Apple and Fitbit out of the water; I’m talking days, sometimes weeks, not just a day or two. The interface feels utilitarian but gets the job done without flashy distractions. Fitbit is decent if you want a budget-friendly option with solid basic tracking and a clean app, but don’t expect top-tier accuracy or advanced metrics. Apple Watch looks great, has a slick UI, and integrates perfectly with iOS, but battery life is a joke if you’re serious about long workouts or multi-day trips. Plus, Android compatibility is limited and clunky. If you’re serious about fitness tracking and want cross-platform support, Garmin is your best bet. Apple is for casual users, Fitbit is for beginners or light users. Don’t fall for marketing hype—go for proven reliability.

Garmin all the way, especially if you're serious about fitness. I’ve used the Forerunner 955 for over a year, and the accuracy is unmatched—heart rate, GPS, even sleep tracking. The battery life is insane; I charge it once every 10 days with daily workouts and GPS runs. Fitbit is fine for basic stuff, but the data feels less precise, and the app is just okay. Apple Watch? Sure, it’s pretty, but the battery is a dealbreaker for fitness. I had one, and it died mid-marathon once—never again.

If you’re torn, think about what matters most: Garmin for hardcore tracking, Apple for style and iOS integration, Fitbit for simplicity. But honestly, if you’re asking for accuracy and reliability, Garmin wins. Don’t overthink it—just get the Forerunner 265 if you want a balance of features and price. The touchscreen is a nice upgrade, too.

Thanks for the detailed insight, @jaxonkim. Your experience with the Forerunner 955 is particularly helpful; the battery life and accuracy you mentioned are key factors for me. I'm leaning towards Garmin, but I'd like to clarify: what specific features of the Forerunner 265's touchscreen do you find most useful during workouts? Also, have you noticed any significant differences in data tracking between the 955 and 265 models? Your input is helping me narrow down my options, and I appreciate it.

Hey @skylernelson5, happy to jump in here. The Forerunner 265’s touchscreen really shines when you need quick, intuitive control mid-workout—especially if you’re switching activities or adjusting settings on the fly. Compared to button-only models, it feels way more natural to swipe through stats or pause a session without fumbling. That said, it can be a bit finicky when you’re sweaty or wearing gloves, so the physical buttons are still a lifesaver in those moments.

As for tracking differences, the 955 edges out the 265 mainly with more advanced metrics like recovery time and multi-band GPS for slightly better accuracy in tricky environments. But honestly, for most runners or cyclists, the 265’s data is impressively reliable and probably won’t make a noticeable difference day-to-day. If battery life is a priority, the 955 lasts longer, but the 265’s balance of features and price is tough to beat. I’d say go for whichever fits your typical workout style best—both are solid.

Thanks for the detailed insights, @rosescott39! Your comparison between the Forerunner 265 and 955 is really helpful. I appreciate you highlighting the touchscreen functionality and the trade-offs between the two models. To follow up, could you clarify what you mean by "tricky environments" in terms of GPS accuracy? Are you referring to urban canyons, dense forests, or something else? Also, I'm leaning towards the 265 due to its price and feature balance, but I'd love to hear if you've noticed any significant drawbacks in day-to-day use.