tldr; Latest flagship. AMOLED option, all features. Ultimate Garmin.
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Best praise vs top criticism for Garmin Fenix 8
“FR255 music certainly covers your requirements - the only but's I would have on it is: 1) its transflective MIP which I personally don't think works great in the UK , and has no ambient sensor, so if not enough light you cannot see the watch face and will need to press a button to light up the backlight to provide enough light for the screen to show up (there is a wrist gesture option after sunset, but on dreary days as I am sure you know it can get darker sooner than that, plus if lights not on indoors - not enough light - if there is a John Lewis, Currys or even a Samuels or similr jjewelery store near you - try and pop in to see if they have a model so you can check out screen - if no FR255 a FR955, fenix 7 or fenix 8 (MIP version) would give you an idea of what a MIP screen looks like; 2) no touch. Alt options would be vivaoctive 5 - but training metrics are basic. A FR165 music would be an option as amoled and has touch, but slightly fewer training metrics than the FR255, but does offer same running training features including the Daily suggest workout (DSW).”
“A lot depends on what you want out of it - but would also say that I think you probably aren't female based on your profile (but could be wrong) in which case would drop the Lily 2 variants (if want a hybrid then the instinct crossover is much more masculine and offers a lot more than the lily or could look at the vivomove series). Would also scratch the vivosmart as old and missing loads of features the others currently offer -and would say the same about the FR55. Would probably also drop out the inspire 3 due to its more basic nature (more a health/fitness tracker than smartwatch - technically so is the charge 6 but does offer more along smarwatch lines than tracker lines so fine to consider it more of smartwatch than tracker). And again would skip the FR945lte (as old, plus lte only usable for live track functionality - if you want lte for garmin then fenix 8 pro is the only garmin option --- none for fitbit unless you have an android phone and then get the pixel watch 3 or 4 lte versions). Do you want to make take/calls - then fitbit sense / vera; and garmin venu 3 / 4 / x1; fenix 8 series (and its variants) and FR570 and FR970 Do you want nfc pay - fitbit uses google wallet / garmin uses garmin pay and isn't as well supported as google wallet - but check on garmin pay support site to confirm what banks/financial services support it in your country (in most there is usually 1 digital financial service that is quick, easy and free to set up and use i.e. Curve/Revolt in most of Europe if you normal bank isn't supported. Do you want offline music as only the garmin's offer - fitbit doesn't. Do you want offline maps - Venu x1, fenix 7 (not worth it unless significantly cheaper than F7P - note that the epix 2 is the amoled version of the fenix 7), fenix 7 pro (not worth it unless significantly cheaper than F8), F8 variants; FR970 (and its prior gen FR965 (amoled) or FR955 (mip).). Fitbit health to match garmin health include fitbit premium sub for 2-3 years - then compare cost of products. If you want detailed fitness and training metrics and analytics then garmin - especially the F7 / F8 / FR265 /955/965/570/970. Venu / vivoactive are more health and lifestyle watches, and while they don't have the same level of training features, metrics and analytics than the Fenix/Forerunner/Instinct series offer - they do offer way more in this regards than fitbit does - so if that is important then would say venu/vivoactive over fitbit.”
422 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 2/24/2026