10 Best Garmin Womens Running Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition is a high-performance smartwatch designed to cater to avid runners and athletes. It boasts a large 1.4-inch AMOLED display that is always on and protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens with a titanium bezel, making it suitable for larger wrists and providing durability. The built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes is a handy feature for night training, enhancing safety and convenience.

The watch offers advanced training technology with features like hill score and endurance score to track and improve running strength and overall endurance. Its GPS accuracy and multi-GNSS with SatIQ technology ensure precise navigation in various environments, and the preloaded maps for golf courses and ski resorts add extra utility for sports enthusiasts. Heart rate monitoring, Pulse Ox, and advanced sleep monitoring provide comprehensive health insights, although it is important to note that this device is not meant for medical use.

The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 384 hours, which is suitable for long training sessions and adventures. With Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity, it integrates well with both Android and iOS devices. Water resistance adds to its robustness, making it safe to use in wet conditions. However, the watch may feel bulky and heavy (88 grams) for users with smaller wrists, and its advanced features might be more than what a casual runner needs. Nevertheless, its extensive training and health monitoring features make it an excellent choice for serious athletes looking for a comprehensive training companion.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a women's running smartwatch that stands out with its colorful AMOLED display and robust features. Its built-in GPS offers accurate pace and distance tracking, essential for runners looking to monitor their performance closely. The wrist-based heart rate monitoring ensures you can keep an eye on your fitness levels without additional accessories. One of its strong points is the impressive battery life, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode, making it reliable for long-distance runners or those with busy schedules.

Water resistance adds to its durability, allowing usage in various weather conditions and while swimming. The watch excels in training and performance metrics, offering personalized daily workouts, recovery insights, and over 25 built-in activity profiles, catering to diverse fitness routines beyond just running. Smart features like Garmin Pay, smart notifications, and safety tracking enhance its usability, making it a convenient companion for daily life.

Comfort and design are well thought out, with a lightweight, 43 mm size that is not too bulky on the wrist. However, the watch might be a bit on the pricier side, and some users may find the numerous features overwhelming if they prefer a simpler device. Additionally, setting up safety features requires a smartphone with network coverage, which might not be available in all locations. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is a highly capable smartwatch that is particularly beneficial for women runners seeking detailed performance metrics and smart functionalities.

The Garmin Forerunner 265S Running Smartwatch is a lightweight, feature-packed watch designed for women with smaller wrists. It features a colorful 1.1-inch AMOLED display and offers both touchscreen and traditional button controls. The GPS accuracy is enhanced by multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology, ensuring precise positioning even in challenging environments. The heart rate monitoring is wrist-based and includes advanced metrics such as HRV status and VO2 Max, which are beneficial for detailed training insights and recovery tracking.

The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode, making it suitable for long training sessions and everyday wear. Water resistance is suitable for open-water swimming, adding to its versatility in various sports. The smartwatch provides comprehensive training and performance metrics, including daily suggested workouts, race adaptive training plans, and a training readiness score based on recovery and sleep data.

Smart features include notifications for calls and texts when paired with an Android or Apple smartphone, adding convenience. The design is lightweight, at just 39 grams, and comfortable, making it ideal for all-day wear. However, the relatively small 1.1-inch display may not be preferred by those who like larger screens, and some features require a paired smartphone for full functionality. This Garmin watch is an excellent choice for dedicated runners and athletes looking for a compact, advanced smartwatch that can support various training needs.