The 5 Best Garmin Watches for Students: (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide)

Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Luis Cooper

Garmin makes the most reliable and respected fitness trackers.

With a variety of models, we have come up with some assessed wearables to help you choose the best one as a student. 

The best garmin smartwatches are the best for fitness-focused folks.

It tracks all steps, sleep, and heart rate but some models are focused on recovery and rest. 

These models also sync Garmin Connect that provides a wealth of health and fitness data to make your goals.

However, after much research, we have picked the best garmin watches for students to guide you in deciding the best for you.

Which are the Best Garmin Watches for Students?

Here are my recommended top 5 Best Garmin Smartwatches for Students:-

1. Garmin Forerunner 265S: (Best Running Smartwatch for Students)

Features:

Garmin Forerunner 265S is the best tracker for runners and fitness freaks thanks to its multi-day battery life, an AMOLED display, and a variety of suggestions for workouts. 

Design: 

I’m amazed by its design featuring a bright AMOLED touch display with established button controls.

It has a lightweight design with 42 mm for smaller wrists.

With the right watch face, you also get an AM report with data on your sleep and HRV status.

This will also include training readiness and weather reports. 

Performance: 

Fitness freaks would appreciate the daily personalized workout suggestions.

It even has a Garmin Connect app with your scheduled course.

This course includes built-in activity profiles like running, cycling, or swimming.

I love that after every run suggested workouts are adapted after every run to match performance. 

One of the best features is that the training score is based on sleep quality, and training load to know if you are able to do intense and get most of your workout. 

As a fitness tracker, this smartwatch works the best.

By using HRV status it provides you with exercise history and performance and gets insights into your training status.

You will come to know whether you are training productively or strained. 

Moreover, I have experienced safety and tracking features that include incident detectors and assist you by sending a message with your current location to your emergency contacts.

But there is a minor caveat: you are only assisted when paired with a compatible smartphone with network coverage.

It’s not a deal breaker but it deserves consideration if you don’t own a smartphone. 

Despite these issues, Garmin’s forerunner is the best for almost everyone.

It excels as a smartwatch with SatlQ technology to enhance accuracy while optimizing battery life. 

Specs:

Brand	Garmin
Model name of the product	Garmin forerunner 265S
Weight of the item	1.38 ounces
ASIN	B0BS1T488Z
Dimensions of the product	1.64 x 1.64 x 0.51 inches
Model number	010-02810-05
Memory storage capacity	8 GB
Screen size	1.1 Inches
Size of the band	Standard
Style	Modern

2. Garmin Forerunner® 255: (Best GPS Smartwatch with Long-Lasting Battery)

Features: 

Design:

Design-wise the forerunner 255 remains unchanged apart from the fact I was testing a smaller version of this smartwatch that was quite impressive.

The forerunner 255 is controlled using five buttons two on the right and three on the left side.

I have experienced that lack of touch display isn’t a loss at all as the touch screen automatically gets off when you are working out.

Plus, trying to touch the display with sweaty fingers isn’t worth the price tag. 

Like all Garmin smartwatches, the display is customizable and now you are able to twist everything from the connect app. 

One more interesting thing about this wearable is while running you are able to swap and add data fields on your smartphone. 

Moreover, the forerunner has a MIP display that is easy to read even in direct sunlight.

The watch has a 46 mm display with a 1.3-inch diameter. 

Battery Life:

While testing the battery life I experienced great improvement in battery life compared to its predecessor.

The forerunner 255 battery lasts for 14 days and the GPS battery life of 30 hours. 

I found these timings to be pretty accurate when I turned on Pulse Ox only at night and turned off smart notifications this way the wearable gets charged in a couple of hours. 

Health Features:

Here’s the game changer of this wearable.

The 255 has come up with more advanced features usually listed in most running watches.

The smartwatch also has an advanced V4 sensor.

Its green light monitors your heart rate, and the red light records your blood oxygen level.

The pulse Ox sensor calculated breathing rate, HRV, and stress. 

Furthermore, the forerunner 255 instantly tracks sleep data but the unique function is morning reports that give you an overall idea of how well you slept and how hard you are training.

I appreciate that the report shows on the display until it’s dismissed. 

It’s essential to distinguish between the AM report and Garmin’s readiness score that is available on expensive watches.

The training score gives you an idea of how you should train yourself and the battery score is available for a general snapshot of your health. 

The forerunner 255 includes a snapshot feature.

This is a two-minute measurement that monitors your heart rate, blood oxygen level, respiration rate, and HRV.

You do this recording regularly to gain an insight of how health-wise things trend. 

Specs:

Brand	Garmin
Model name of the product	Garmin forerunner 255
Weight of the item	1.7 Ounces
ASIN	B09WTYT878
Dimensions of the product	1.8 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches
Model number	010-02641-01
Memory storage capacity	4 GB
Screen size	1.3 Inches
Size of the band	Standard
Style	Non-music

3. Forerunner® 965: (Best Garmin Watch for Students)

Features: 

Design:

The Garmin 965 talks all about that amazing 1.4-inch AMOLED display that looks stunning.

It’s not only filled with colors between light and dark but it also has a superb 454 x 454 pixel resolution that is pretty bright. 

The display can be read in every light or situation even below the water with lots of data.

You can also turn on always on display and as it’s extremely less energy consuming that won’t affect the battery life. 

It’s all overlayed in a gorilla glass that makes it scratch-free.

Since I’m testing it and roughly through it in the bag, there’s no single on it. 

Comparing it with the previous generation design it comes with a bezel that’s made from lightweight titanium.

Since the wearable is alive this metal would stay in its perfect condition. 

The strap has three color options and in all cases, there is a double clasp and a comfortable silicone strap that can be swapped easily because of the QuickFit system. 

Performance:

The forerunner 965 sounds great when you have a look at its specifications but does this work well for real-world performance?

Yes.

As you hear Garmin you expect good GPS accuracy is incredible.

The fact is it finds satellites and gets ready in seconds.

I have even tested it in rural areas and GPS works in seconds. 

Tracking wise this wearable is stunning.

When I experimented with it against a chest strap it showed more accurate results, there was a little increased lag in impulsive HR changes as it’s on your wrist not directly on your heart.

Even while swimming it monitors excellent heart rate that could be used because of easy to glance at display. 

The GPS works accurately and has an excellent HR monitor that makes a list of data that could be used with Garmin algorithms to work in useful metrics.

This watch also offers heart rate variability so you can monitor how your heart fitness is trained. 

On the other hand, you have a load measured to monitor the effect on your muscles which means the watch will notify you when you have to rest and what training you need. 

Talking about the elegance of this wearable, how can we forget the battery.

Battery life is worth mentioning here as it has 23 days in standby, 31 hours in GPS mode, and 10.5 hours with GPS and music playback.

That means it needs rare charging while training.

So you don’t need to talk it’s charger while going on a long weekend.

Plus it gets charged rapidly. 

Specs:

Brand	Garmin
Model name of the product	Garmin forerunner 965
Weight of the item	53 Grams
ASIN	B0BS1XZY7T
Dimensions of the product	1.85 x 1.85 x 0.52 inches
Model number	010-02809-00
Memory storage capacity	32 GB
Screen size	1.4 Inches
Size of the band	Standard
Style	Modern

4. Garmin Lily 2: (Best Stylish Smartwatch for Girls)

Features: 

Display:

This small and stylish watch enhances your look with an advanced patterned lens and reveals a bright touch display with a tap.

It has a metal case with a silicone band.

You also get a chance to change band colors so you can find a perfect fit. 

Health Tracking: 

With this fashion-forward wearable, you also get a whole picture of your health data with 5 days of battery life.

I also experienced acknowledgment of sleep score, breathing tracker, menstrual cycle, and all-day stress tracker with alerts if your heart rate changes. 

On the other hand, it also tracks yoga, and cardio, with advanced sports apps by connecting your smartphone’s GPS to track outdoor activities. 

The forerunner tracks how active you are throughout the day with burned calories, and counts steps.

The metrics tracked show data on your display. 

Specs: 

Brand	Garmin
Model name of the product	Garmin lily 2
Weight of the item	0.8 ounces
ASIN	B0CP9BFHFB
Dimensions of the product	0.4 x 1.39 x 1.39 inches
Model number	010-02839-01
Memory storage capacity	12 GB
Screen size	1 Inches
Size of the band	Standard
Style	Minimalist

5. Forerunner 165: (Best Garmin Watch with Music on Your Wrist)

 

Features: 

Design:

The forerunner 165 is generated for fitness freaks with an emphasis on the features to help train for goals including milestones. 

For construction, the garmin 165 has a polymer case and a bezel.

It has a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a bold and bright display even in extreme sunlight. 

I have a 7.5-inch wrist and this wearable is quite comfy.

As it has a case diameter of 42mm it does not look huge. 

Furthermore, the forerunner 165 features a five-button interface.

I appreciate that when I workout I get sweaty because tactile buttons are more reliable than touch displays.

However, the interface took a few days to get used but operating the watch is quite useful. 

While wearing the forerunner 165 feels lightweight.

You get 50 meters of water resistance which is more convenient to survive on a sweaty wrist. 

To attach the band garmin uses standard 20mm spring bars.

The strap is soft, made from lightweight silicone that closes with a plastic pin and buckle system.

If you don’t like wearing a band you can also swap it with a 20mm strap. 

GPS Accuracy:

When I first went out with this garmin 165 I experienced the onboard GPS during a bike ride to see how well it tracks the distance. 

Moreover, I tested this in the mostly densely populated areas where buildings block the view of the sky. 

The Garmin took 45 seconds to connect to GPS at the start of my ride.

That is a long time to be paired with a dual-band watch.

However, it remained connected throughout my journey. 

Then I tried testing it for step counter accuracy and found that it beats many high-end fitness trackers.

The Garmin forerunner does not track multi-sport activities including triathlons.

It also tracks 25 workout types.

Still, the forerunner 165 has a large number of workouts covered including HIIT, cardio, walking, and much more.

You also get support for yoga, pickleball, or tennis. 

Health and Sleep Tracking: 

For fitness and health freaks it has a heart rate sensor and pulse oximeter.

However, for ECGs, there is no option in this smartwatch. 

While sleeping the sensors monitor your quality of rest.

In the morning the Garmin 165 provides a morning report with data of how well you slept and your training for the day.

The sleep insights are provided in the form of a sleep score and include details about your sleep stages namely REM. 

The A.M. report includes a weather chart on the previous night’s heart rate variability.

This metric helps you know your heartbeat rhythms day by day.

And then the forerunner 165 has detection for daytime snoozes. 

Specs:

Brand	Garmin
Model name of the product	Garmin forerunner 165
Weight of the item	1.38 Ounces
ASIN	B0CT3SGHXL
Dimensions of the product	1.69 x 0.46 x 1.69 inches
Model number	010-02863-20
Memory storage capacity	4 GB
Screen size	1.2 Inches
Size of the band	Standard
Style	Standard

Buying Guide:

Primary Activity: 

As you look for a garmin smartwatch it is essential to begin with acknowledging the main activities that you want to track with your wearable. Garmin watches are usually generated by the type of intended activity with watch designs for those activities. 

Size:  

Are you a small or large watch lover? Garmin offers different varieties featuring from slim and sleek to larger and practical. 

Screen Type: 

You must go for a bright display that competes with a smartwatch and has longer battery life with an always-on display that looks stunning in bright sun. 

FAQs:

What are the Garmin watches famous for? 

Garmin watches usually feature GPS sports wearables that focus on improving your health, fitness, and performance. 

Why are Garmin watches so expensive? 

They come with a variety of features like accurate sensors, multi-GNSS GPS tracking, activity trackers, and other advanced features. 

Is the Garmin watch worth it? 

If you are coming from a traditional watch, Garmin core strengths lie in fitness, adventures, and durability. These are the devices to withstand the elements and last weeks on a single charge. 

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