Garmin Black Friday Special Deals Under The Spotlight

Images of the Garmin Epix Gen 2 Pro, Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Vivoactive 6 watches.

Another sale season means another selection of Garmin Black Friday deals, and this latest load includes some of the fitness giant’s best watches for runners and general exercise enthusiasts.

Garmin’s various ranges aren’t always the easiest to navigate, though, not without poring through a spreadsheet of specs.

Here is a quick look at some of the top models on sale, and what makes them stand out — and what’s missing — compared to the wider Garmin watch line-up. These prices are available direct from Garmin, and similar deals can be found at top online retailers.

Garmin Fenix E

$499 from $799 (47mm edition)
Release date: August 2024

This watch was introduced alongside the Fenix 8 but uses older technologies to bring the price down. It’s very similar to the Garmin Epix 2nd Gen, but has newer software. The key parts to consider include the Fenix E doesn’t have a flashlight, dual-band GPS or the latest-generation heart rate sensor array. These are significant sacrifices, but it also supports on-watch maps and is selling for $300 off right now. The next pick is likely a better buy, though.

Garmin Epix Gen 2 Pro

$449.99 from $899.99 (Standard 47mm edition)
Release date: May 2023

If you’re not keen on the sacrifices involved in the Fenix E, consider the Epix Gen 2 Pro instead. It’s a newer design that has the multi-band GPS, flashlight and newer heart rate array the Fenix E lacks. When you break it down, it’s very similar to the chart-topping Fenix 8 AMOLED, but simply lacks the microphone and speaker combo Garmin added in the Fenix. To many this may be no great loss, and the discount here is excellent.

Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED

$849 from $1099 (47mm AMOLED)
Release date: August 2024

The Fenix 8 is now ripe for sales periods, as it has been superseded by the Fenix 8 Pro range. But as those watches are so expensive, the Fenix 8 doesn’t feel as though it has truly been usurped by the newer model. This is also reflected in the current discount. You’ll still pay $849.99 for the 47mm AMOLED version, which is a good place to start out. Larger and smaller versions have money off too.

Garmin Venu X1

$599 from $799
Release date: June 2025

This is something genuinely new, and odd, from Garmin. The Venu X1 has what feels like a massive screen compared to other Garmins. It’s rectangular and measures two inches across. This is also a super-slim watch by Garmin standards, at just 7.9mm thick. The super-bright screen chews through the battery in the always-on screen mode and, perhaps surprising, the Venu X1 doesn’t have multi-band GPS. But it’s a highly capable tracker that offers something other Garmins don’t.

Garmin Forerunner 265

$299 from $449
Release date: March 2023

What happens if you opt for a cheaper Garmin? Stick to a Forerunner and you’ll get a pretty hardcore fitness watch regardless. The Forerunner 265’s key missing feature is it doesn’t support on-watch maps, so any navigation has to be done using a breadcrumb trail line rather than full-colour maps. This is an OLED watch, though, and is fairly similar to the newer Forerunner 570, minus an even brighter screen, metal bezel and next-generation HR sensor array.

Garmin Vivoactive 6

$249 from $299
Release date: April 2025

This may not be the biggest discount, but the Vivoactive 6 is a relatively recent release, and one with some surprisingly high-end fitness features. It supports breadcrumb trail navigation, structured workouts and “suggested” workouts for walking. This watch also has a more smartwatch-like design than most Garmins, with less bulk and less of a built-up appearance.

Forbes