Garmin Fenix 8
Exact average 86.3 · 7 printed, 2 estimated · printed scores only: 89
Image: Garmin9 professional reviewers tested the Garmin Fenix 8, and 7 recommend it. Most praised: battery life and health tracking. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by TechRadar, Breaking Eighty, OutdoorGearLab and 6 more
The catch: It is very expensive, and no longer the newest Fenix.
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What 9 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 95TechRadar
Regarded as a rugged, highly capable multisport watch with accurate tracking and long battery, with price the only significant drawback.
Read TechRadar review - 94Breaking Eighty
A two-year long-term test finds it an excellent all-round golf and fitness watch that is now much better value after price drops, even with the newer Fenix 9 out.
Read Breaking Eighty review - 91OutdoorGearLab
One of the best GPS watches available with accurate tracking, premium build and strong battery, but expensive, heavy and complex.
Read OutdoorGearLab review - 90Android Central
After early bugs were fixed it is now a great all-in-one Garmin with excellent training tools and accuracy, but the reviewer says it is too expensive and lacks a standout new feature.
Read Android Central review - 90Trusted Reviews
A great-performing AMOLED outdoor watch with battery life beating the competition, held back mainly by a steep price and limited reasons to upgrade from an Epix.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 90Tom's Guide
If money is no object it is the best sports watch available, with leading navigation and battery for an AMOLED model, though pricey and older Garmins offer better value.
Read Tom's Guide review - 70The Verge
Excellent for fitness tracking, but the added smart features do not justify a large price jump and the lack of LTE.
Read The Verge review - 83est.Wareable
Wareable calls it the best multisport watch, with an excellent AMOLED screen, battery life, mapping and training tools.
Read Wareable review - 74est.The Quantified Scientist
The Garmin Fenix 8 is a capable outdoor watch with excellent GPS tracking, but its heart rate sensor performance is inconsistent and often requires an external chest strap for reliable data.
Read The Quantified Scientist review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
Watch a video review
- The Quantified Scientist on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 74
From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other smartwatches critics rate highly
Common questions
Is the Garmin Fenix 8 worth it?
Most critics think so: 7 of 9 recommend it. It is very expensive, and no longer the newest Fenix.
Do critics agree about the Garmin Fenix 8?
Broad agreement: scores range from 70 (The Verge) to 95 (TechRadar), a spread of 25 points across 9 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Garmin Fenix 8?
Price (7 of 9 reviews), Software (2 of 9 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Garmin Fenix 8?
The Coros Nomad (critic score 89), top pick, narrowly.