Garmin has released an excellent lineup of fitness watches this year. The downside is that Garmin has raised its prices across most lineups, making 2025 the most expensive year yet to get the best features. And given Garmin’s current stock struggles, I wouldn’t be surprised if prices keep climbing next year to appease stockholders.
We gave the 2025 Garmin watches — the Vivoactive 6, Instinct 3, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, Venu 4, Venu X1, Fenix 8 Pro, and Bounce 2 — generally glowing reviews. But my fellow reviewers and I had to acknowledge how expensive they all were, with mid-range models priced like flagship watches and the most expensive ones costing as much as a great smartphone.
Likewise, it’s much easier to recommend the Instinct 3 AMOLED now that its price has fallen to $399 ($100 off). As much as its sporty design and up to 24 days of battery life will appeal to die-hard Garmin fans, its price was a bit too high considering you don’t get “unlimited” battery life or offline maps. Now, it matches the Instinct 2 series’ original pricing, while giving you new perks.
My last deal highlight is for Garmin’s weirdest watch of 2025: the Venu X1. It’s my favorite to wear because it’s so incredibly comfortable, weighing just 40g with the nylon strap and measuring an absurd 7.9mm thick, while giving you a 2-inch, 2,000-nit display that makes maps and other features look fantastic. It’s really hard to recommend at the original $800 price, but at $200 off? I think it’s a great value, and a better choice than the $849 Fenix 8.
This only scratches the surface of all the Garmin watch deals available for Black Friday, but in terms of 2025 Garmin watches, I’m genuinely surprised at how tempting these deals are.
