Best Garmin watch for MTB 2024 – we test smartwatches tough enough to handle all-condition riding on mountain bike trails

While a GPS bike computer is an excellent ride stats, cycle training and navigation device for drop bar bikes, a much better option for mountain bikers is to use one of the best Garmin watches for mountain biking instead.

The inevitable crashes we encounter on the trails are not great news for bar or frame-mounted computers, as it's easy for them to get flung deep into the undergrowth or trashed on impact. Factor in that even a quick glance down at your GPS bike computer while riding a MTB trail can massively multiply the chances of a crash, and spending your money on a smartwatch is a wise move.

A wrist-mounted smartwatch is a safer and usually cheaper option for recording your rides, and with the best Garmin watches for MTB, you of course get the bonus of training and day-to-day health tracking and use for recording other sports too. However, if you're still unsure which type to choose, take a look at our deeper dive into bike computer vs smartwatch article. 

We've tested the watches here in a range of riding conditions that cover everything from cold, sloppy, and sodden to baked, battered, and dusty. For advice on choosing a watch see our 'how to choose' and FAQs sections at the bottom of the page.

The best Garmin watches for MTB

The quick list

Best Garmin watch for mountain biking

1. Best smartwatch overall

The 955 Solar is the top model in Garmin's Forerunner range of smartwatches. Released in 2022, along with a cheaper, non-solar version, the watch gets all of Garmin's latest health tracking and performance analysis tools into a model that's more lightweight and affordable than the likes of the Fenix range.

Being the flagship Forerunner means that, unlike some older models, the 955 is the recipient of all the latest Garmin features which include HRV (heart rate variability) measuring, Training Readiness, and deeper insights into your workout performances. The only downside is to get the most accurate measurements. you'll need to wear the watch 24 hours a day and you won't get certain aspects, such as HRV, until you've worn the watch for three weeks straight. This affects all Garmin watches with such facilities though, not just the Forerunner 955.

The full mapping is excellent and following routes is easy with timely notifications from the smartwatch when you need to make turns etc. When following pre-loaded routes, you get the benefit of Garmin's ClimbPro feature (lifted from their GPS bike computers). Garmin's MTB-specific stats Grit, Flow, and Air Time are displayed via the Garmin Connect phone app after your ride. The 955 also auto connects with your e-bike's systems to give live stats on the watch, such as battery level, while you ride and more detailed bike and rider performance analysis via the app.

As for battery life, even with regular GPS-tracked rides, you're likely to go more than a week between charges. Though with a smaller face than the Garmin Enduro series, solar charging is less effective. The 955 is compatible with Amazon Music, Garmin Pay, Tacx trainer control and can connect to a host of other Bluetooth and ANT+ devices.

2. Best value smartwatch

Garmin gave its entry-level adventure watch an overhaul last year and the new Instinct 2 is even better than before. It's packed with useful health metrics as well as the ability to track all manner of outdoor activities. We have found GPS accuracy to be plenty accurate even when riding in thick woodland.

The most notable feature is the new solar capabilities, using Garmin’s Power Glass screen the Instinct 2 has the capability of unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode or 48 hours in GPS mode. Not only does that cut down the number of times you need to charge your watch but it's also a massive advantage if you are looking to track big adventures.

As it sits at the bottom of Garmin’s rugged adventure range there are a few concessions when it comes to the spec. The screen is black and white rather than color, although it's very crisp and easy to read even in tricky light conditions. Mapping is also a weak point as it only has breadcrumb routes and a restrictive number of waypoints.

If you are just looking for a tough outdoor smartwatch to record your rides, runs, hikes, or whatever then the Instinct 2 is a great option, and unless I really need navigation, the Instinct 2 has become my go-to for recording mountain bike rides.  

The watch is available in two face sizes, with solar or the cheaper non-solar, as well as a range of different colors and activity-specific models too. See below for the Instinct 2 Crossover that has analog hands with a smartwatch background.

For more information, check out our full Garmin Instinct 2 smartwatch review.

3. Best smartwatch for multi-day rides

As with a lot of Garmin's updated tech, on the outside it doesn't look like much has changed between the Enduro 2 and Enduro, but look under the hood and there are a lot of updates that make the Enduro 2 a considerably more powerful smartwatch.

The exterior uses the same ultra-premium Titanium construction, material hook and loop strap, and button layout. However, the Enduro 2 adds a touchscreen to simplify menu navigation and mapping. Battery life is the big selling point of the Enduro series and the Enduro 2 offers 150 hours (with solar) of GPS recording, considerably more than its predecessor despite the day-to-day smartwatch battery life being quoted as less.

GPS accuracy has been improved as the Enduro 2 uses multi-frequency positioning if you're looking for pinpoint accuracy, which pairs nicely with the Enduro 2's new mapping capabilities. The new TopoActive Mapping means you can navigate without needing to be tethered to a phone. The mapping has loads of detail as well which makes navigation easy and during testing we found it to be a big upgrade on the very basic map display of the original Enduro.

The Enduro 2 has a load of new health and activity metrics as well. Real-time Stamina, Training Readiness, Training Status 2.0, HRV Status, and Morning Report features all feed into helping you train more effectively and perform your best out on the trail. 

4. Best no-frills smartwatch

We've been testing the Garmin Enduro for a year now and it certainly lives up to its name. While this has nothing in particular to do with enduro racing, the smartwatch has a very impressive battery life, even if you're recording plenty of activities. The long intervals between charges are enhanced still further by solar charging as you ride and we went over a month during the summer before needing to plug the Enduro into the mains.

The payoff for longer battery life is less functionality and the Enduro falls short on that front when compared to the Garmin Fenix series, newer Forerunners, and the Enduro 2. That said, it still has an impressive feature collection that includes heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level measuring, MTB-specific data – aka Grit, Flow, and Air Time (via the Garmin Connect app), suggested workouts, and much more. The biggest drawback is that mapping is very basic and consists of simple routes rather than full maps and there's no music storage capacity either.

Despite these shortcomings, the Enduro is still an extremely useful smartwatch with good looks and an easy-to-read full-color display. It's basically bombproof too as during testing it's been mistreated in just about every unfavorable condition imaginable. But despite being hammered by mud and grit, freezing temperatures, extreme heat and dust, and enduring many hours of cold winter surfing (yes, it has a surf mode), the Enduro is still scratch-free and in great condition – even the Velcro strap is only just starting to signs of wear after I thought would get shredded after a couple of months of hard use. 

So if detailed maps aren't a priority and you're after a multisport smartwatch that needs minimal charging and will still look good after any abuse you can throw at it, then the Garmin Enduro is definitely well worth serious consideration.

5. Best feature-packed smartwatch

The Garmin Fenix 7 is a rugged multisport watch aimed at serious athletes who are looking to push themselves to the next level. It’s packed with features to help you best progress your training, with performance metrics, a recovery time advisor, and a race widget. The real-time stamina feature is particularly useful, helping you track your exertion and pace yourself during events. 

The addition of a touchscreen, an improvement on the Fenix 6, makes the watch much easier to operate and really comes into its own when you are navigating across maps. The GPS tracking and mapping are excellent, with plenty of free maps available to download. The watch’s heart rate monitor is extremely responsive, making this an excellent watch for high-intensity interval training. 

The Fenix 7’s display does lack a little contrast, and the blue backlight means its colors can look a bit muddy. There's a small LED torch light on the outside facing edge we've found has been really useful at times. The largest face (51mm) is the heaviest Garmin we've tested though, so needs to be done up tight on your wrist to avoid an annoying wobble as you ride – which also gives wobbly biometrics if that's happening. But overall, it’s a very impressive watch that's packed with useful outdoor adventure features.

The Fenix 7 comes in three sizes (42mm, 47mm, and 51mm) and, as well as the Standard Fenix 7, is available in Solar, and Sapphire Solar models.

6. Best smartwatch with a bright display

In a nutshell, Garmin's Epix Pro brings all the advanced training and health features of the Fenix 7 but adds an AMOLED display that's much brighter and easier to read than standard Garmin watch faces. That makes checking your stats as you ride much easier and it really brings the detailed maps this watch generates to life.

Also, like the Fenix 7, the Epix comes with an in-built flashlight that we've discovered can come in really handy in an emergency. Unlike the Fenix, there's no solar model available and battery life is shorter due to the greater amount of power required by the brighter screen. In testing, Garmin's claimed 42 hours of GPS use seems pretty accurate.

The Epix Pro is weightier than most of Garmin's smartwatches, so, like the Fenix, will wobble on your wrist while riding if not done up tightly. Wrist wobble is annoying and will give less accurate biometric measurements.

Price-wise, the Epix Pro is one of Garmin's most expensive adventure watches but you get unmatched performance for your money. For us, this smartwatch's outstanding feature is the AMOLED face which gives an unmatched display.

7. Best hybrid smartwatch

If you’re after something a little different, the Garmin Instinct Crossover blends smart multisport functionality with analog hands for a quirky, hybrid watch. It is basically a revamped Garmin Instinct 2, which uses satellite technology to ensure the analog hands deliver accurate timekeeping. When you press any of the function buttons, the analog hands rotate to get out of the way. 

When it comes to onboard features, the Instinct Crossover is packed with the same health metrics, and training and tracking features as the Instinct 2 it is based on. However, due to its analog hands and sacrifices made to its screen, it doesn't have any topographical maps so it won’t be the watch for you if you’re looking for the best option to guide you through new terrain. You do get directional cues when following loaded routes though.

Overall, it’s a tad pricey considering it isn’t offering as many features as the Instinct 2, but if you want something more traditional looking, which still has advanced health and fitness metrics, it could tick all your boxes. The Garmin Instinct Crossover is also available in a cheaper non-solar model. 

How to choose the best Garmin watch for MTB

When it comes to choosing the best Garmin watch for mountain biking and other sports, the main factor is usually price. However, there are a few other things that are worth considering when looking at the models available. We've tested all the leading Garmin smartwatches available, so here are some points to bear in mind...

• Features – It's worth considering whether you really need all the bells and whistles on Garmin's latest smartwatches. All the watches featured here have very good ride tracking facilities and, when paired with the Garmin app, will give you all the data you need. The newer and more expensive watches have more advanced training and day-to-day health tracking functions, which are useful and interesting, but you need to wear your watch 24/7 to get the most from them. If that's not what you're after, then the more basic Garmins here are a better choice.
• Mapping – If you're planning to use a Garmin smartwatch to follow maps, the newer/fancier models with proper maps are a much better bet than older/cheaper models with much more basic facilities. It's also a good idea to go for models with larger faces (such as the Enduro 2 or Fenix 7) as there's more room to display the map.
• Battery life – The more activity tracking you do with your watch, the faster the battery will run down, so if that's an issue for you, we suggest choosing one of the models with the longest battery life. The Enduro and Enduro 2 have seriously impressive batteries, while the Fenix 7 is very good too.
• Solar charging – Many Garmin watches also come in solar versions which top up the battery using sunlight while outdoors. However, unless you live in a place where the sun shines most of the time, you won't see a significant boost in battery life. So if you live in somewhere with mostly cloudy skies  (such as the UK), it's not really worth paying the extra for a solar facility.

Best Garmin watch for MTB: Everything you need to know