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(Pocket-lint) - Garmin has the most comprehensive range of smartwatches, GPS sports watches and fitness trackers in the fitness world.

Whether you're a hard-core athlete new to tracking your activity, or you sit somewhere in the middle, there really is a Garmin watch for every type of user.

The only problem with this extensive portfolio is that it can get quite difficult to figure out which Garmin is best for your needs - and, of course, your budget. That's where this guide comes in.

We've tested, reviewed, and rated just about every Garmin watch to give you an idea of ​​what's on offer. You can check out our full Garmin reviews for the detailed history of each device, but it's a great place to narrow down your options and familiarize yourself with the range.

How to choose the right Garmin watch

Before you can really know which Garmin device is best for you, it's important to understand who each range is aimed at.

Naturally, Garmin offers many other devices for specific sports - such as its Approach golf wearables, the Swim, Epix and Descent series or the Vivo fitness bands - but the models above are the most common models which we recommend. If you're looking for something specific, chances are Garmin has a tracker for the job.

What is the best Garmin watch?

Within the many families of Garmin devices, there are several generations, different case sizes and standard or premium versions. This makes the task of ranking the best Garmin watches even more difficult, since often older models from higher-end lines (like the Fenix ​​or Forerunner) are still outstanding choices.

In fact, for those who have a rough idea of ​​which Garmin device they are suitable for, it is sometimes worth considering the latest generation model. These often age very well, as Garmin supports discontinued devices with software updates and can come with a handy price discount.

To help keep things simple and to the point here, however, our ratings largely reflect Garmin's current product lineup.

1. Garmin Venu 2 / 2S / 2 Plus
2. Garmin Fenix ​​7 / 7S / 7X
3. Garmin Forerunner 55
4. Garmin Forerunner 945 / 945 LTE
5. Garmin Vivoactive 4 / 4S
6. Garmin Venu Square
7. Garmin Forerunner 245 / 245 Music
8. Garmin Solar Instinct
9. Garmin Vivomove
10. EnduroGarmin

Garmin Venu 2 / 2S / 2 Plus

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The Venu 2 family is our current pick for the best Garmin watch to consider, with each model offering a superb mix of essential features and a sleek design that can rival any smartwatch in the industry.

Although the 43mm Venu 2 Plus is the newest addition to the range, we have grouped it together with the older 45mm Venu 2 and 40mm Venu 2S as the differences are relatively minor. Unlike the significant jump in performance between the original Venu and the second generation, the Plus model simply adds the built-in microphone and speaker for calls, texts and voice assistant exchanges.

For some this will be an essential upgrade - and worth the extra cash - but, for the most part, we think the Venu 2 and 2S are the best options to consider.

Whichever you choose, you'll receive the beautiful AMOLED touchscreen, with a full range of fitness and health tracking features at your fingertips. There's also support for Garmin Pay, downloadable music from Spotify, Deezer or Amazon Music and, of course, access to the delights of Garmin Connect.

Put simply, if you need a sporty smartwatch, this line of devices is very hard to beat.

Garmin Fenix ​​7 / 7S / 7X

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The Garmin Fenix ​​7 comes in many forms. Provided you can stomach the price, you'll also be tasked with choosing between the regular 7 (47mm), 7S (42mm), 7X (51mm) and then if you want the standard, solar, or solar sapphire variation.

Our top recommendation from the range is the Fenix ​​7 Solar, as it offers the best mix of features and value for money. Really, though, you can't lose here. We'd say the hardest part of choosing between the Fenix ​​7 lineup is finding out which case size best suits your wrist in day-to-day use.

There are slight variations between models, but overall you can get around 15-20 days of battery life, 10ATM water resistance, GPS, heart rate, altitude, barometer, temperature sensors and all-new touchscreen support. Each offers exceptional sports tracking performance, from daily steps to multi-day event tracking, and combines this with personalization, easy strap swapping and compatibility with the wider Garmin system.

All data is analyzed and feedback is given to help improve training performance and recovery, as well as daily stress and sleep efficiency. Mobile payments are also supported.

While it's likely to be overkill for most users, those who spend a lot of time outdoors, play multiple sports, or want the ultimate in tracking performance will love the Fenix ​​7 range.

Don't sleep on the Fenix ​​6 either - it previously held that spot on our list and is still an outstanding range of sports watches. The main downside between the generations is the lack of a touchscreen and the slightly less attractive design, but we suspect the price difference will be significant enough that most people will overlook these changes.

Garmin Precursor 55

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The Forerunner 55 may be an entry-level model, but it still offers an extremely rich experience for beginners. For those who are just starting to track their runs, there really is nothing better.

It's certainly more limited outside of running tracking than higher-end models in the family, which can expand to advanced tracking for other sports and activities, but features like suggested workouts , Garmin's own PacePro feature, cadence alerts, recovery guidance and the adaptive training plans available through Garmin Coach will guide you to that new personal best.

It also has a battery life that can last for 20 hours when tracking via GPS and about two weeks with normal use.

Garmin Forerunner 945 / 945 LTE

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The Forerunner 945 is now a bit long in the tooth, but the watch is still an outstanding choice for serious triathletes and sports enthusiasts. Essentially, it offers everything the 935 did and fills in the gaps.

So in addition to being able to track a wide variety of sports accurately and with detailed commentary, this generation adds support for Garmin Pay and offline music.

The latter means you can connect your headphones via Bluetooth and listen to your favorite songs from services like Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer.

There's a small increase in price over the previous generation, but it also adds color offline mapping and emergency call features to alert people if you have a problem on your journey or your race.

There's now also an LTE version which, in addition to keeping you connected and supporting LiveTrack and more, also includes Garmin's fourth-generation optical heart rate sensor.

Garmin Vivoactive 4

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With the emergence of Venu watches in recent years, the Vivoactive range has become somewhat cannibalized.

That said, there's still a place for it - and the Vivoactive 4 is a very solid option for those who want a fitness device with a bit more of a smartwatch-like design.

With the Vivoactive 4 there's a choice of sizes - 42mm or 45mm - but luckily there's only one version of this tracker. With the third generation, there was a version with music and one without, and Garmin has simplified things by bundling support from the start.

It also integrates Garmin Pay and, unlike most of the company's devices, has a touchscreen. The screen can't match the quality of the Venu 2 range, but that's why it's cheaper.

Garmin Venu Square

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It's a bit of a left-field option from Garmin, but, given that most of its devices follow the same design language, it's welcome. The Venu 2 range already offers a great alternative to high-end Apple Watch models, and this entry-level square model is a real competitor to cheaper Apple models, like the SE and Series 3.

It offers all of Garmin's lifestyle features, such as automatic activity detection, 24/7 heart rate tracking, step tracking, and sleep tracking. There's also built-in GPS, which not all cheaper devices feature, and a variety of tracking modes mean it's able to record your training and sports performance.

Paired with six days of realistic battery life and offering smartphone notifications, this is a good Garmin for those who want something a little smaller and subtler. There's also a music edition if you want offline music, but it costs a bit more.

Garmin Precursor 245

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If the Forerunner 945 models are slightly out of your budget (or needs), going lower in the range is a safe bet.

While Garmin has the Forerunner 745 as a good upper midpoint in the range - and it's definitely worth considering - we think the Forerunner 245 watches are more appealing to users who want a little more than the basics.

You get a very good activity tracking experience, with smartwatch-like notifications, wellness features, and sleep monitoring.

If you opt for the 245 Music version, you will also be able to pair Bluetooth headphones and access offline music from Spotify. And, provided your phone is connected to the watch, you can also access the security feature - alert someone if you have a problem.

Garmin Solar Instinct

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The Instinct Solar is another evolution based on the same principle as other long-lasting Garmin watches, but it is designed to be slightly more robust.

While the Fenix ​​normally takes that position, the Instinct meets Mil-Std 810G protection, 100m resistant and also shockproof. It also offers 14 days of battery which can be recharged over time in the sun.

It's a bit bulkier than some other Garmin devices, but, at its heart, it'll give you the same GPS, heart rate, and activity tracking. The downside to this focus on tracking is the lack of smartwatch functionality - there's no Garmin Pay or music support, for example - but there are other watches to explore if that's on your wish list.

Garmin Vivomove HR

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The Vivomove is a slightly different take on Garmin, moving away from sports devices for something more classic. The designs in this family are hybrids, giving you a regular watch face with physical clock hands and a hidden display accessible via a tap.

It started with the Vivomove HR, but now there's a Vivomove Luxe and a Vivomove Style - all have a similar approach, but differ slightly in design. If you're not really looking for a device that will accompany you on your runs, but will track your daily activity, then the Vivomove family is likely to be the watch for you.

Despite the low-key appearance, it will still track a full range of activity data, reporting your activity level and syncing with Garmin Connect on your phone and sending you notifications.

Garmin Enduro

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The Garmin Enduro arrives at the top of the range, building on the offering of the Fenix ​​6 Solar models with a slight increase in display and body size, while also moving to a wider fabric strap .

The real gains here are in battery life, with the Enduro designed for ultra-endurance athletes, adding some trail running features and promising 50 days of battery life in mode smartwatch - more than 3 times that of the Fenix ​​Solar. Garmin goes further, saying it can last a full year in battery saver mode, with solar charging boosting the battery.

Otherwise, it offers all the functionality and protection you get from the Fenix, with the choice of premium bezel materials.