Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSet up your Garmin by following the first-run prompts for your exact model, pairing it with Garmin Connect, then editing data screens either in the app or on the watch. Menu names and available controls vary by watch and firmware, so use the matching Garmin owner’s manual for button-level directions.
Before you begin: identify your Garmin model
Find the exact model name on the watch, its packaging, or in Garmin Connect. Garmin provides getting-started materials and owner’s manuals by device family; there is no single sequence of buttons that applies to every Garmin watch.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Charge the watch as its manual directs.
- Follow the on-screen prompts for the first setup. The order and controls can differ by model.
- Use Garmin’s support site to locate the getting-started page and owner’s manual for your watch before relying on a specific button path.
Pair the watch with Garmin Connect
Install or open Garmin Connect, sign in or create an account if needed, and follow the app’s instructions to add and pair your watch. Keep the watch nearby during pairing. A paired device is needed for settings managed through the app, although the exact pairing flow depends on the model and app version.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Choose where to edit your activity data screens
Data screens belong to an activity or profile, so changing a run screen does not necessarily change a cycling screen. Garmin Connect can edit some settings for compatible paired devices; other settings may have to be changed directly on the watch.
#1 Best Overall
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
| Route | When to use it | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Connect app | When your model exposes the activity and screen controls in the app. | A larger phone screen can make it easier to review options. Garmin says compatible changes are reflected on the device, but some settings prompt you to finish the change on the watch. Availability varies by model. |
| Watch controls | When the control is unavailable in the app, or the app asks you to complete the change on the device. | You can edit the activity’s screens using the watch’s own menus. Button names and paths vary by model. |
Customize screens in Garmin Connect
- Open More → Garmin Devices and select your watch.
- Open Activities & Apps, then choose the activity you want to edit.
- Open the available data-screen or data-field controls and make your changes.
- If Garmin Connect says a setting must be updated on the device, follow that prompt on the watch.
This path is available only where the paired model and app support the relevant controls. If you do not see the activity or screen options, use the watch’s menus or consult its manual rather than assuming your watch is malfunctioning.
Customize screens on the watch
On the watch, open the activity list, select the activity, and look for its settings and Data Screens. The exact controls differ. For example, the Forerunner 955 manual describes holding the menu control, choosing Activities & Apps, selecting an activity, and opening its settings to show or hide screens and change their layout or content. That is a model-specific example, not a universal Garmin path.
Rank #2
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode (5 days display always-on)
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Within the activity’s data-screen settings, choose which screens are shown, then select a screen to adjust its layout or fields. Refer to your model’s manual if the labels or controls differ.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Pick fields that are useful at a glance
Keep the first screen legible and focused on information you expect to check during that activity. Add another field or screen only if it serves a practical purpose. These are examples, not Garmin defaults or training prescriptions:
Rank #3
- Make a bold statement with this rugged GPS smartwatch, featuring a 0.9” display with solar charging lens and unlimited battery life with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions)
- Engineered with a supertough 45 mm fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal-reinforced bezel
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater visibility in the outdoors and provides convenient illumination when you need it
- Know your body better with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, Pulse Ox and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries)
- Navigate confidently with a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter and multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, which delivers superior positioning while also optimizing battery life
- Running: elapsed time, distance, and current pace.
- Cycling: elapsed time, distance, and speed.
Field names and available layouts differ across models and activities. If a field is missing from the choices, check whether your watch supports it for that activity.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Add a Connect IQ data field only if you need one
Connect IQ data fields are optional. Downloading one does not automatically place it on an activity screen: enable it in that activity’s data-screen settings. Garmin’s instructions describe selecting an activity and screen, editing its layout or field, then choosing Connect IQ Fields. In the cited Forerunner instructions, the layout may need to be set to one field to use the selected Connect IQ field.
Rank #4
- Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
- Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates
- Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more
Garmin’s support guidance says up to two Connect IQ data fields can be used at once. A field may not support every activity profile, so check compatibility if it does not appear as an option.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Easy-to-use running smartwatch with built-in GPS for pace/distance and wrist-based heart rate; brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 43 mm size
- Up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode
- Reach your goals with personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt based on performance and recovery; use Garmin Coach and race adaptive training plans to get workout suggestions for specific events
- 25+ built-in activity profiles include running, cycling, HIIT, strength and more
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside weather and HRV status (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Check the screens before an activity
- Return to the activity preview on the watch.
- Scroll through the screens and confirm that the fields and layouts you selected are visible.
- If a menu, button, or option does not match these examples, consult the manual for your exact model and follow its instructions.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
