Garmin fēnix® 8 Review: The Ultimate Multisport Smartwatch?
For serious athletes and outdoor adventurers, the smartwatch market is packed with options, but few promise the breadth of features and ruggedness offered by Garmin. Today, we’re reviewing the Garmin fēnix® 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED, Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Titanium with Spark Orange/Graphite Band. Let’s dive in and see if this premium smartwatch lives up to the hype.
Detailed Review
The Garmin fēnix® 8 is a powerhouse of features packed into a robust and stylish design. The first thing you notice is the brilliant 1.4” AMOLED display, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens. This screen is a significant upgrade over previous fēnix models, offering vibrant colors and excellent readability even in direct sunlight. The titanium bezel adds to the premium feel while ensuring durability.
Beyond its aesthetics, the fēnix® 8 is a performance beast. Garmin has clearly focused on providing comprehensive tools for athletes. The targeted strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking, and sport-specific workouts cover a vast range of activities. The built-in GPS, with multi-band and SatIQ technology, provides exceptional accuracy, and the ABC sensors (altimeter, barometer, compass) are essential for navigating the outdoors.
One of the standout features is the training readiness score, which considers sleep quality, recovery, training load, and HRV status to provide personalized guidance on when to push harder and when to rest. The 24/7 health and wellness monitoring, including heart rate, respiration, stress, sleep, and Pulse Ox (though note its limited availability), offers a holistic view of your well-being. While the ECG app is a welcome addition, its availability is also restricted.
The fēnix® 8 also excels in usability. The built-in speaker and microphone allow for on-wrist calls when paired with a smartphone, and the off-grid voice command feature provides convenient access to select watch controls even without a phone connection. Dynamic round-trip routing simplifies workout planning, ensuring you return to your starting point on schedule. The 40-meter dive rating expands its versatility, making it suitable for scuba diving and apnea activities. And, of course, the long battery life, up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours in GPS mode, is a major plus for extended adventures.
While the price point positions this watch firmly in the premium category, the sheer range of features and the robust build quality justify the investment for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Bright and durable 1.4” AMOLED display with sapphire lens | High price point |
| Extremely long battery life | Pulse Ox and ECG app availability limited by region |
| Comprehensive health and fitness tracking features | Data presented is an estimation, not a medical diagnosis. |
| Built-in speaker and mic for calls | Large size (51mm) might not be suitable for smaller wrists. |
| Dive-rated to 40 meters | Can be overwhelming with the sheer number of features. |
| Built in LED Flashlight |
Excellent Alternatives
- Garmin Epix Pro – A top-tier Garmin smartwatch with similar features and a vibrant AMOLED display.
- COROS VERTIX 2 – Known for its exceptional battery life and focus on outdoor adventures.
- Polar Grit X Pro – A rugged and reliable multisport watch with a strong emphasis on training analysis.
Final Verdict
The Garmin fēnix® 8 is an exceptional multisport smartwatch that caters to serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who demand the best. While the price is high, the robust feature set, durable design, and outstanding battery life make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a comprehensive and reliable training companion. If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can keep up with your demanding lifestyle, the fēnix® 8 is a top contender.
Our Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5
