Three Apple Watch-beating Garmin watches under $200 – the perfect gifts for runners

Nov 23, 2025 - 23:30

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Three Apple Watch-beating Garmin watches under $200 – the perfect gifts for runners

Garmins Forerunner 55, Forerunner 165 and Vivoactive 5

(Image credit: Future)

I've personally tested all three of these Garmins, and I can attest that they're all really good fitness watches. They're great fitness trackers for gym-orientated people, but they're especially good for runners. If you've got someone in your life who's taken up jogging, and they don't yet own a smartwatch, these are a great gift.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is the oldest and cheapest watch of the bunch. Right now the Garmin Forerunner 55 is available from $149.99 at Amazon (was $199.99), and it's never been cheaper. If you want more advanced running features, its sequel the Garmin Forerunner 165 is available from $199.99 (was $249.99) at Amazon. Meanwhile the similar Garmin Vivoactive 5 is available from $199.99 (was $249.99) at Best Buy.

Today's best cheap Garmin Black Friday deals

Why get these deals instead of an Apple Watch? Unlike Apple Watches, all of the Garmins last over a week between charges, even when you include multiple workouts. Most Apple Watches last less than 24 hours.

They also work with both Android and iPhone, so if you don't know which device your recipient uses, it doesn't matter! You're not locked into an ecosystem in the same way you are an Apple Watch.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a more basic fitness watch, while the Forerunner 165 and Vivoactive 5 are a bit more recent, featuring AMOLED touchscreens and more advanced features such as safety tracking for runners (so your loved ones can follow you online as you run, which is great for races).

As they're all under $200 in the Black Friday deals right now, so there's never been a better time to pick one up.

Not in the US? Here's the best cheap Garmin deal in the UK:

Shop more of today's best Black Friday sales

Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

Matt is TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech.

A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.

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