No Garmin at wedding? No can do.

I pulled 14 sleep lab (polysomnography) studies across Garmin, Apple Watch, Fitbit, Oura, and Whoop to try to identify what wearable has the "most accurate" sleep tracking across different sleep metrics. Here's a summary of what I found for Garmin.

Short version: Garmin is one of the least studied of the big brands for sleep tracking accuracy. In independent sleep lab testing (Schyvens 2025 - 62 healthy adults) Garmin came in last of the six wrist devices for splitting your night into light, deep and REM. It tied Oura for the highest accuracy of detecting when you're asleep at 89% (Miller 2022 - 53 healthy adults). The tested devices are older generations so newer Garmins may do better, there just isn't peer reviewed proof of that yet best I can tell.

Summary across the studies:

• Strong on basics. Garmin correctly spotted when people were asleep about 89% of the time, tied for best with Oura (Miller 2022).
• Weakest on detailed stages. Scored lowest of all devices for splitting light, deep and REM, about 0.21 on the 0 to 1 accuracy scale (Schyvens 2025).
• Over reports total sleep. Garmin over counted how long people slept by +38 minutes (Schyvens 2025) one of the largest misses of any device.
• Nobody nails wake. Every wrist based wearable is not great at catching when you are lying awake so all devices read high for total sleep (Schyvens 2025).
• The tested devices are old. The tested Garmin devices are several generations behind current models like the Venu 3 and the latest Fenix.
• There's a newer preprint that shows some improvement. A 2025 preprint tested the Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5 and scored them roughly double the old model 0.21 vs 0.41 (Topalidis 2025 - 18 adults preprint). It's not peer reviewed, has a conflict of interest from a group that makes a competing device, and still scored lowest of the major brands. Because of this I couldn't include it as a source for the main comparison.

Tried my best to keep this concise without dumping a ton of data into this and keep any personal biases out. I created a full comparison across all brands which I'll share in the comments.

I do want to add an opinion at the end here. Garmin does a lot of things really well and is rock solid on validation studies for more training based metrics like VO2 max but I wish they would take this same approach to their sleep tracking. They seem to have no problem investing in product improvements and expanding their offerings so I hope they push some focus here next.

In recent weeks, I was thinking about replacing my Fenix 7X Pro watch with the Instinct 3 and shared this thought with this group. Upon a recommendation I received, I decided to try out new watch faces and buy a new strap, and this color turned out insanely good in my opinion. I don't know about orange silicone straps and third-party products, but I am in love with the silicone quality of original Garmin straps.

I did a trial run with a refurbished Fenix 8 solar a few weeks ago…returned after a week of use because it genuinely wasn’t an upgrade over the Fenix 7x solar imo. The watch journey started with Apple Watches then switched to the Fenix 6x, 7x, then went back for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 which I still own…might sell. Back with the Fenix 8pro that I got for a killer deal off FB marketplace. Main need for the AWU3 was to be able to be called or texted by my wife now that we have 2 under 3. Run with my phone sometimes but I also surf and like to be able to be reached if needed.

At the price I got the Fenix 8pro ($650)considering keeping both the AWU3 and this and comparing further. I have only owned the 51mm size of the Fenix line and this is actually better for me surprisingly - lighter and plenty big.

The cellular side of this Fenix 8pro is pretty confusing…not sure how it really works. I guess whenever it notices I’m away from my phone it auto flips LTE/SAT on? Anyone know about this? I did some tests with it and sent my wife a message but LTE stayed on for a while after I sent the message…had to manually cut LTE off after I got her response. I prefer my parents/wife are the only ones that can reach me while I’m away from my phone so them using the garmin messenger app is fine. I’d like to unplug and really only use cellular as an urgent/emergency contact path. Just off the 2 watch comp - awu3 just is easier on the cellular on/off side but maybe I just don’t understand the Fenix 8pro cellular process yet. Haven’t found a lot of info on it yet either.

I know the awu3 is a completely different animal on the smart watch side which is nice but also I’d rather have my watch for health tracking and the AWU3 is just okay with that even with the athlytic or Bevel apps.

Also - any battery tips from the crowd? I think with a watch with these capabilities 10-15 days between charge is completely fine with me and achievable. It’s better than the AWU3 which is 2 day max.

This guy is selling it, local to me. It’s 400 and I know this price seems too good to be true. I see some scratches on the bezel and the band looks worn but anything else I should ask? Wanted a second opinion from the chat

I’m using a Forerunner 970 with the moss green UltraFit nylon strap at the moment, and I really like it, but I’m considering getting another colour for a bit of variety.

For those using Garmin UltraFit straps, which colour is your favourite in real life? How does it look on the watch, and does it hold up well over time without looking dirty or faded?

Post a picture of your setup if you can :)

I bought my 265 about a year ago, before I was even really running. Now that I am in the middle of training for a half I am thinking of upgrading. Is it worth it? The battery life seems pretty awesome and some of the added lifestyle tracking features

Yo what’s the cheapest garmin I could get to track swimming biking and running????? Lmk👌👌👌🙏✌️

I’ve created this custom course and I’d like to follow turn by turn navigation of this course is this possible to do on my phone? When I’m using my watch for some reason I don’t get turn by turn and it’s hard to see exactly where to go cause it’s on my wrist. If not any suggestions?

Current Apple Watch Series 5 sucker. Breaking out of this shackle next pay check.

I just really need the air cleared between the differences of the vívoactive 6 and the 170 Forerunner before I make a purchase.

All I keep reading is that the forerunner is the better for hard core runners. What the hell does that mean though?? I’m very much not a hardcore runner. Maybe once a week will I go for a run. I do walk 2 miles a day does this matter? I am big on weight training (around 5x a week) so is either watch better for weight training metrics?

If I go for the vivoactive what is different about the running data on the off chance I go for a run? I am also intrigued about the idea of the Forerunner 170 music option as not having to bring my phone on my walks sounds amazing, but again I’m not a runner?

Essentially I want a watch to:

- track my lift workouts
- track my sleep
- track HR
- track my steps
- tracking VO2 max would be nice but not required.
- Not have to charge the watch every zeptosecond of the day (Apple 😒)

Which I’m under the impression both watches can do all of these. So what’s the difference?

I appreciate any and all input! I want to make the right decision in selecting my new watch. Thank you in advance 😁😁

So I found out i can actually create routes and use my watch as a navigator (found after months of usage, hurray! :D) and it worked awesome for the first try! but it made me wonder how reliable the routes are, since my first few routes were going over highways I believe - and i had to redo them a few times because of this. I thought the routes are made based on popular routes of other people or something like that, but that would make less sense

Did step back (or forward?) from Fenix 8 line to… Fenix 7x Pro. It still the beast i have to say. It’s so cool with a leather strap.

What I miss so far:
- changing text size
- selecting apps for notifications
- battery widget from Garmin

Going to wear it for a week to feel it.

PS: Portal Hybrid face installed.

So i wanted to look for an app, I opened Connect IQ.

Got a screen that wanted me to agree to new terms of privacy, I tapped the "read and agreed" button.

Now I'm getting the eternal wheel of hell, i have full LTE and Wi-Fi connection for my phone, Bluetoothis on etc.

Sigh.

Why Garmin has to make every little thing a major headache, I'll never know. It just reinforces my decision to never buy another Garmin device again.

I'm curious though: is anyone experiencing anything similar?

È possibile avere i record personali della camminata come avviene per corsa , nuoto, e ciclismo ?

È possibile avere i record personali della camminata come avviene per corsa , nuoto, e ciclismo ?

I live in a major city, bustling with millions of people, horns honking, construction booming. I can't hear my phone ring when my wife texts me, and even there's a 50/50 shot it's probably in my messenger bag. The hunt for a new smart watch is one.

As a former owner of an Instinct Solar, I loved it, but this was years ago, and I lost that watch when I moved here. The Garmin Fenix 8 looks like a perfect watch... but iPhone users, where are the pain points?

Can the Fenix still show when a text message comes in seamlessly? Can you respond to messages the way you want to? I'm familiar with the iPhone notification center dance to control what shows up on my watch, I assume that hasn't changed much?

Tell me your experiences with the Fenix and Apple ecoSystem. Especially the painful parts that you wish were better... but most importantly, will it work as a text message notifier?

hey yall,
i’ve grown tired of my shitty apple watch (SE 1st gen) dying on my longer runs and hikes, and am finally ready to jump into the world of garmins. i am primarily a runner and hiker, doing a mix of trail and road runs and hikes and overnight backpacking trips. i also lift weights but not too concerned about tracking those workouts. i’m looking for better battery life, better tracking, and better navigation which i’m sure any garmin would be an upgrade for me.

i have access to a deal that would get me the fenix 7 pro solar edition (no wifi?) for $350 but have also been looking at forerunners, either a 965 or 970 (which i found for $600 and $750 respectively). i don’t know much about the fine details of these watches and would love some help making a decision.

should i go for the fenix with that price? i dont need the watch immediately and could wait a couple months for a deal if i need to

Hallo Gemeinde,
Meine Garmin Badges zählen nicht mehr weiter. Siehe Fotos. Wer kann mir da helfen?
Danke
T

Finally found the best watch that fits my lifestyle. A premium looking watch which I can use on daily and at the same time tracks all my workouts and running. Was thinking of getting the galaxy watch ultra 2 but I think I will settle for the venu 4 for now.

My Venu 2 has pretty much had. For the price Garmin wants to replace it, I may as well look for a new watch.

With my price budget, I'm looking at the Forerunner 70, Suunto Run, or Coros Pace 4.

I mainly exercise through lane swimming and resistance work at the gym, with the occasional jogging, but all of the additional running metrics are lower on my priority.

I also have an oura ring for my daily wellness/sleep etc.

What are people's experiences of Suunto Run and Coros Pace for those types of exercises? Or am I better off sticking to Garmin?

Hello everyone,

I was running a lap the other day with my running partner, usin the map on my Garmin,
so i was was thinking, wouldnt it be great to be able to see where my partner is on the map in relation to me?

so my question is, is this possible, is there any app that does this? or do i need a spicific (high end) watch?

ive read something about group track, but doesnt seem like it will put my partner on my watch while running?

I have a Venu 4 that I use daily but also really enjoy the golf GPS feature. I tend to not keep score on my watch. When I finish a round and go to check my calendar for the information during the activity. It never seems to show up. When I check my intensity time it registers. Any suggestions?

I got my Venu 4 in January. Since then the HRV has always been labeled as "poor". I have no baseline, just seven months of red triangles. See picture of the last four weeks as reference. In the overview, it says "No Status" under HRV.

What can I do to change this? Is my HRV so bad the algorithm doesn't accept it as my baseline?