Garmin has kicked off its Holiday 2025 sales, with the Fenix 8 at $250 off, the Venu X1 at $200 off, and a slate of other watches at $100-$150 off. The way Garmin structures its sales, these will be the best deals it offers this holiday period. Garmin has historically started their sales around November 12-15th, and then carries them through Black Friday, before it becomes a mixed bag of (usually) smaller sales until Christmas.
Garmin does *not* do deeper sales once they announce this slate (since that becomes a giant headache for retailers, when consumers demand refunds). Sometimes we see Uncle Amazon do deeper sales on much older items (like the Garmin Epix Gen 2), but you won’t randomly see either they or Garmin offer a $350 off the Fenix 8, or a $200 off the Fenix 8 Pro. The products selected are the ones you’ll see on sale.
In terms of these products, here are a few of the big newer ones that stand out in terms of new feature updates/thoughts/etc:
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro – $100 off: This sale is definitely an Amazon yolo sale, and one you won’t find elsewhere. Despite being just two months old, there’s a few specific colors/flavours that Amazon has discounted by $100. I actually picked up one under this deal. If you’re considering a Fenix 8 Pro, this deal is very unlikely to last. [Amazon Deal Here, and My Full Post Here]
Garmin Fenix 8: While the Fenix 8 Pro came out two months ago (which adds LTE & Satellite communications), the Fenix 8 is treated as one big cohesive family for software updates. So it’s still getting all the new quarterly updates with new Fenix 8/Fenix 8 Pro features, and I expect that to continue until a Fenix 9 or whatever comes out, probably next August or such. [Amazon Deal Here, and My In-Depth Review Here]
Garmin Forerunner 570 & Forerunner 970: These both came out this past spring, and are Garmin’s core running-focused watches with the Forerunner 970 the top-end watch. The FR970 is essentially a plastic Fenix 8, in terms of features. It lacks the dive functionality (and LTE/Satellite messaging features of the Fenix 8 Pro), but otherwise, has feature-parity with it. [Amazon Deal here, and In-Depth Review Here]
Garmin Venu X1: This came out back in June, and is basically the ‘newest’ product on this list. It shares the codebase with the Fenix 8, Venu 4, and Forerunner 570/970. As such, it’s got virtually every software feature of the Forerunner 970 & Fenix 8. I did an entire comparison video here. The reason it’s in this list is a bit more straightforward: Consumers feel it’s mis-priced too high. While all of Garmin’s prices are crazy high in 2025, this is actually the rare example that, from a pure features/specs standpoint, is priced correctly compared to the other units (in a relative sense). Point being, the discount here actually makes this a substantial deal if you like the thinner form factor. [Amazon Deal Here, and My Full Post Here]
Garmin Vivoactive 6: This came out earlier this year as a competitor to something like the Apple Watch SE series. Garmin always likes to have one of their Vivo or Venu devices in the Holiday sales, and since the just-announced Venu 4 is too new for that, the Vivoactive 6 is carrying the torch. [Amazon Deal Here, and my Full Post Here]
Garmin Instinct 3: This came out back in January and is still getting new features. I expect that to continue for a while. [Amazon Deal here, and My Full In-Depth Review Here]
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro & Epix Gen2 Pro: This might be the best deal thus far, in that these are down to $449. That’s astonishing. Basically, the things it lacks from the Fenix 8 series is diving support and the speaker/mic. But if you don’t care about those…then it has the flashlight and all the other goodness. There’s really no better deal in sports watches right now than that. Remember that Epix Pro is AMOLED, and Fenix Pro is MIP (they’d be merged into the Fenix brand name with the Fenix 8). Same exact software otherwise. [Amazon Deal here for Fenix 7 Pro, and for Epix Pro, and my Full In-Depth Review for Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro]
The rest of the products are relatively self-explanatory in that they are prior-gen devices that will no longer get meaningful new feature updates. They’ll continue to get security updates, smaller bug fixes, and random other things like Connect IQ updates. But don’t expect them to get some fancy new feature, unless it behooves Garmin in some other way (such as adding support for some new cycling accessory, as they sometimes do).
I’ll have a larger Black Friday & holiday deals list coming up. Plus, some full reviews will be very shortly on many of the backlogged review items (Apple Watch Ultra 3 is next, followed by KICKR CORE 2, followed by Fenix 8 Pro, followed by whatever I deem least painful to finish from the review backlog after that).
As always, thanks for your support. Using the links below (and throughout the holiday season) helps the site, so I appreciate it (seriously!) As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Europe & Canadian Folks: The vast majority of these deals do actually convert/work in Europe and Canada (in fact, almost every single Garmin deal is identical for Canada). Still, there are slightly more variances in Europe, both higher and lower, so YMMV.
Watches & Wearables:
This covers anything you can wear that’s watch-like or activity band-like, including sensors.
There are no deals currently.
Cycling Gear & Trainers:
Got a bike? Then this section is for you. Everything from bike computers to bike lights to trainers, it’s all here. I won’t generally be adding things like brake cables or bike seats here, but if I find a good deal on a cassette to stack on that new direct drive trainer you just bought, I’ll probably list it here.
There are no deals currently.
And then here’s a separate bucket for trainers and indoor bikes:
There are no deals currently.
Other Sports & Fitness:
Anything else that’s sports and fitness-related that I think is interesting will be here. It may not be super techy – but it’s stuff that most readers will be using in pursuit of their running/cycling/swimming/hiking/whatever.
There are no deals currently.
With that – thanks for reading, and for supporting the site via the links above.
“Garmin Fenix 8 is $250” in the title is quite the epic clickbait.
Doh. Fixed! I re-arranged the text like 12 different ways, and somehow on the last version the ‘off’ got…well…offed.
Also Epix Pro for $99 is a bit sus 🤔 And yet even at that price I don’t want it 😄
I have been considering the Fenix 8 or Forerunner 970 to replace my Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar. How much of an upgrade do you think that would be? The amoled, flashlight, newer HR sensor is what is drawing me in.
I’d say it’s a moderate upgrade, in terms of software features. For hardware:
A) GPS is basically the same accuracy level
B) Optical HR is definitely improved in edge-case scenarios with the Gen5 sensor on the F8/970
C) Flashlight of course is a biggie
D) Display is different (AMOLED), I vastly prefer it personally, but to each their own.
Software-wise, there’s a boatload there. Probably the easiest comparison is actually looking at the Forerunner 970 review, since it’ll basically show you everything vs the FR965, which you pretty much got on the Fenix 7 through various updates.
Obviously, the FR970 isn’t on sale (and isn’t planned to be). So then it kinda comes down to which form factor you want.
i have a fenix 6 pro that i bought on sale back in early 2020 and I wonder at what point the new software features will become compelling enough for me to upgrade.
im not an athlete, so im using it mostly for sleep, hrv, basic activity, workouts
is there a fenix 6 to fenix 8 comparison written up somewhere with some assessment beyond what i can see if i use the product comparison tool?
Hmm, that’s a messy one. I suppose technically speaking, you’d have to look at the ‘What’s new’ sections of three reviews and add them up:
A) Fenix 7 review would cover F6Pro to Fenix 7
B) Fenix 7 Pro review would cover F7 to F7 Pro
C) Fenix 8 review could cover F7 to F7 Pro
D) Plus, you’d want to layer in all the features in the Forerunner 970 ‘what’s new’ review too (that were added to F8). :)
Yeah, kinda a mess. :(
I had a F6Pro before, and switch to F7Xss for some navigation features not backport to F6Pro. I do not find any motivation for F8 and my bank is agree with that.
If you are happy with your F6Pro you will not find a lot of new features that will motivate the switch. Other than those you are interesting in.
For example, you can add GAP and Wrist-power to your F6 using these 2 datafields on the CIQ Store – link to runningwithpower.com
I wrote about the difference between I2 at launch and F6
https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/beta-program-archive/fenix-6-series/f/community-discussion/331591/fenix-6-series-compared-to-instinct-2-new-features—why-some-differences-garmin/1609140
Thank you! that makes sense.
Regarding your review backlog you mentioned at the end, I noticed the conspicuous absence of the Elite Square smart frame. You mentioned it in a late spring/early summer FIT File episode, as I recall with “one more thing” holding up publishing it. Should we read anything into the fact that it’s now completely off the backlog list with no review?
I wouldn’t read too much. As I noted then, it was a complicated review, and kept getting kicked down the road mostly due to that, along with a boatload of new spring cycling/watch releases. Given very few people were interested, well…that didn’t help.
Now interestingly, Elite recently (like a week or two ago), basically declared that for the meantime, they’re officially removing marketing claims around 3rd party trainer compatibility. It sounds like they want to still sort that out, but, it’s also not going to be something they claim.
I would guess you’ll see the Rivo review sooner, since myself and my wife have been riding that. And honestly, it’s kinda an easy review.
Dang, I came here hoping to find a $1200 off deal for the Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED :D
I’m constantly tempted by new gear, and have run with the 955 for two years now. My #1 priority is GPS accuracy. I run with an H10 chest strap, so even improvements on optical HR aren’t huge for me.
Has there been any advancements apart from Screen technology/Optical HR that would have any of these watches perform better than my 955/H10 combo when 99% of my activity is running?
Thanks
Epix pro gen2 is $449 and $539 in sapphire right now on Amazon, at least in the 42mm. (Seller Amazon.com)
link to amazon.com
Oh…nice find!
The same $450 price on Epix Pro is available direct from Garmin (so it must be official discounting.)
42mm $450
47mm $550
51mm $650
I don’t recall the pricing being size dependent. This seems like a new trial balloon.
link to garmin.com
I am hoping that someone throws-out a decent discount on the1040 Solar. It is time for an upgrade from my 1030 plus and I just can’t pass up the battery life on the1040 solar.
The Epix Pro Sapphire has been $499 for a couple of days now on Amazon, in the 47mm size.
link to a.co
Any way that I could bribe you to kick that Fenix 8 Pro review out sooner?
I’m debating selling my Epix Sapphire before the Black Friday sales (to get something out of it before the market is saturated), and upgrading to Fenix 8 regular or Pro.
It might be silly, but the flashlight would be a huge upgrade for me, as I use a flashlight about 30 times a day for my job, and also am reaching my hands into tight places while also trying to feel and measure things, so having the light built into watch would be huge advantage over a handheld flashlight.
I can get the Fenix Pro for only $75 more than the sale price of the regular (company partnership), so unless there is a major downer with the thickness, or battery life, it seems silly not to get the Pro.
I won’t use the LTE, but would use the satellite stuff, on occasion, if and when they sort out using multiple devices on the same satellite account.
Anyway, appreciate the review and/or some quick thoughts.
Totally get the flashlight aspect – I use it constantly as well (both at home and trips). A silly example from just last night is going into my 8yo’s bedroom and taking her (battery-dead) smartwatch off in the middle of the night so it was charged for her morning adventures today. Used the red-light LED on the watch to avoid waking her.
Honestly, if you can get the Fenix 8 Pro for just $75 more, that to me is a no-brainer. There won’t be any major ‘gotchya’ in my Fenix 8 Pro review. The TLDR will basically be:
– The same Fenix 8 you already know software/feature-wise
– Satellite communications are useful, but treat them as things for adventures to use sparingly, because it’s a bit cumbersome/slow (especially compared to Apple)
– LTE communications are much the same, especially requiring the other end to have the Messenger app. I see this more to communicate with a spouse or close friend for status updates on your run/ride/whatever, then a casual text conversation planning your next vacation
– Accuracy and such is all the same as before
– There’s been lots of bugs, as has been the theme of 2025 launches, but the vast majority of those are solved. I don’t think there’s any bugs that are directly impacting my or my wife’s swim/bike/run right now, save occasionally some fiddlyness with sending satellite messages (see above)
– Sucks that there’s no small-edition of the Fenix 8 Pro. My wife is very displeased.
– Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED is silly for so many reasons, mainly the lack of controls to turn down brightness, especially in darker settings. Hard do not buy on that model.
Hopefully, that covers it all. Again, tons more nuance in my full review (good and bad). But basically, that’s the short version of what it’ll say.
Thank you so much for taking the time to indulge my selfish request.
That is all super helpful info, and I’m pulling the trigger on buying the Fenix 8 Pro, and also selling my Epix Sapphire (with DLC coating, and 3x Garmin brand watch bands, 2x of which are brand new, still in the box, for $250 + shipping, if anyone is interested).
After following you for more than a decade, I finally became a paid subscriber.
Sorry that it took so long.
You have the best advice and follow-thru.
Cheers.
Thanks Tyler! Much appreciated!
Ray, you say re the Fenix 8 Pro, “There’s been lots of bugs, as has been the theme of 2025 launches.” Did you delay the full review a few months to give Garmin a chance to fix most of them? That would make sense to me .
Nah, I thought I’d have this out mid-late September. Instead, just behind on so many launches, one after another…just kept pushing things down the road for everyone (Apple, Wahoo, other Garmin products, other Wahoo products, DJI, GoPro, etc…).
That worked out for the best for those of us who wait for your full review before making a purchase. We avoided the frustration of dealing with very buggy devices.
Tyler, your epic pro 2 is in the 47mm size? Or the 42mm size.
Any opinions on one of the Fenix 7 Solar versions against the Instinct 3 Solar? I’ve had my original version Instinct since 2019(which I really like), but I’ve noticed over the last few months that it doesn’t hold a charge nearly as long now. I prefer the black and white display with it’s longer battery life to the AMOLED versions. After the Instinct 3 models were released, I’ve been waiting for Garmin’s end of year sales.
I’ll take a Fenix over an Instinct any day for the following:
A) Offline mapping
B) ClimbPro while hiking/trail running
That said, the Fenix 7 Solar (non-X,non-Pro), doesn’t have the flashlight compared to the Instinct 3, so that’s definitely ab it of a bummer. You might want to see if you can snag a Fenix 7 Pro, which would get you the flashlight.
For example, here’s the Fenix 7S Pro (with flashlight) for $469. Looks like the other sizes are in the same ballpark: link to amzn.to
Thanks for the feedback, Ray. I’ll look at of the Fenix 7 Pro Solar models, and then make a decision this weekend.
I’ve been looking at the Tactix 8 amoled. Is the Garmin fenix 8 Pro AMOLED Sapphire Multisport GPS Smartwatch 51MM a newer version that will get all the latest updates? Better longterm support than the Tactix 8?
Yeah, the Tactix 8 AMOLED is on the same party train as the Fenix 8 AMOLED.
The easiest way you can tell which train/boat you’re on is looking at the Beta group divisions in the Garmin Public Beta forum: link to forums.garmin.com
You can see which products are bunched together, with Tactix 8 on the same bandwagon as the other Fenix 8 devices.
In a European store that more or less follows Garmin retail price policy (no grey imports) the price of Enduro 3 is 799 euros (-100 euros) right now, while Polish Amazon has no availability. I am too lazy to search for the rest of the models.
In Australia we’ve got a good discount on 965 – 699 aud from 999.
Currently using a Coros Pace 2 and considering an update. Garmin 165, Coros Pace 3, or is it worth going all the way to the Garmin 265?
Pace 2 to FR265 is the path I’d take. Just my two cents.
Pace 3 new pricing at $199 isn’t bad. But I think if you’re going to go from Pace 2 and want to keep it in that price ballpark, very few people would argue (for a runner) that the Pace 3 is better than the FR165. Now, if you’re a triathlete, then that’s a different story.
I guess that I’m missing something here. Does the Pace 3 not do multisport? Their feature list says:
Other
Triathlon
Multisport
Strength
Pickleball
Padel
Training
Training Plan
But maybe ther eis somthing I’m missing…
That’s what I’m referring to – the fact that the Pace 3 does do multisport, but not the FR165.
In this context, may be worth noting that Pace 3 does not support dual-sided mode with Assioma pedals. I hope they’ve fixed this for the 4, would be perfect for me otherwise.
Just bought epix pro 51 sapphire for 550 a few wks back… Probably can still return it. Do you think the Fenix E at that sale price is a better deal?? 47mm has me hesitant, but continuing upgrades….
Definitely not.
The Fenix E doesn’t have a flashlight or doesn’t have Gen5 ECG. So, I’d definitely stick with the Epix Pro for sure.
Venu x1 not discounted in uk.
Fenix 8 Pro 47mm AMOLED is $100 off on Amazon right now
Only Carbon Gray
Very unexpected deal, thanks for sharing! Given it’s not a Garmin-supported deal, it’ll only last as long as Amazon wants to support it. Usually just hours: link to amzn.to
Decathlon have the Forerunner 255 for ~€200/200GBP across their websites.
Hey Ray, thanks for the deals breakdown.
I just purchased my FR 970 but with the sale price of the Fenix 8 I’m considering exchanging it for the AMOLED Sapphire version. Being that the 970 just launched a few months ago and the F8 a year ago, am I downgrading and paying $100 more to go with the Fenix?
Honestly it really just depends on how much you value two key things:
A) The aesthetics: Size/shape/weight/design/etc… of either model. Some people prefer the lighter FR970 watch, while others prefer a more fancy look to things with a Fenix.
B) The diving pieces: This isn’t on the FR970, and is really the big ticket item that’s missing at this point from the FR970.
The FR970 does have slightly better speaker on it than the Fenix 8 (original), though you’d only ever notice that in calling situations, not regular usage. Likewise, the FR970 has a brighter display, but again, I actually prefer the Fenix 8 display.
Software-wise, they are nearly identical at this point. Here’s the full comparison, though I suspect you’ve already seen it: link to dcrainmaker.com
When I watch one of your videos from your website as a subscriber, therefore with no commercials, does it really matter to you if watch until the end?
Hi Andy, thanks for being a supporter!
From a YouTube standpoint, the algorithm really only cares about two things in life (many people overthink the algorithm, and rightly/wrongly blame it on stuff, but ultimately, YouTube themselves will tell you only two things matter):
1) Click-through rate (CTR): The % of people who click through on a given thumbnail/titles, out of a page of thumbnails. This is all about how you ‘package’ the video, and can be changed constantly. A really really good CTR for a viral-ish video would be something like 10%, a bad-one like 3%, and I tend to average in the 5-6% for most videos, and 6-7% for videos that do well. CTR tends to change the longer a video has been out.
2) Watch time: This is the time, in minutes, for how much of a video someone watches. This is then compared against the duration of the video. This is then averaged against everyone, from people that watched 2.8 seconds and then tapped away, to people that watched it all the way through. So effectively, the goal is to get someone to watch as long as possible, to drive the watch time average up. There are all sorts of ways people do that, including the most annoying where they keep asking restating the question the first 30-60 seconds of a video, without answering them (which is different than providing an overview of what you’re going to do).
In any case, the watch time % is designed to protect against clickbait thumbnails. So if you have a crazy high CTR, but a super low watch time, then that tells YouTube your video was clickbait, and not to recommend it. Inversely, if you have a crazy-bad CTR but a really good watch times, that tells you that your thumbnail is crap, and to try and fix it. But some videos are inherently very niche, with limited appeal.
That’s where you basically get into the whole thing of ‘the algorithm’, and YouTube trying to find the right audience for it, by testing it against different population sizes. For example, let’s say I make a super detailed behind-the-scenes video about the Boeing 777, and a unique flight or something that’s rarely been seen (transporting penguins or whatever). A video which on the right channel could get half a million/millions of views, but on my channel with my tech-focused subscribers, it could get only 7,000 views. Over time, the YT algorithm will look at which of those viewers watched it, and then find someone with a similar viewing profile, and offer it up to them (hence, the CTR aspect), and on and on…
Long story short yes, watching till the end helps. :)
Is the Fenix 7 Pro SS for $449.99 USD or the Epix Pro Gen 2 47 mm for $499.99 USD the better deal? I’m a ultra runner doing 24-30 hour events.
Honestly, totally depends on your screen preferences. Identical software/features between them.
That said, battery will be the main factor here for you. For the 47mm Epix, you’re gonna be a bit tight on battery for those 30hr events, unless you drop it down to GPS-Only (which, as I’ve shown in other tests, is astonishingly close in 99% of cases, even in most city cases).
Personally, if I was doing 30hr events, I’d go with the 51mm Epix Pro (which, is bascially the same price), unless that was too big of a watch, in which case I’d slide back to the Fenix 7 Pro instead. While I’m reasonably confident you’d be able to make 30hrs with GPS-only (and maybe even always-on), I’d be hesitant that once you add in navigation/mapping, the fatigue of remembering to get off the map page at hour 20, etc… that it might be too worrisome.
Just my two cents…
In the UK; Epix Pro Gen 2 for £369.99 from H Samuel Jewellers online seems a bit of a deal.
Hi Ray,
Big fan here. I can get the FR970 for $160 more than the now on sale Epix Pro 2 47mm. Is it worth it the extra $$?
Thanks!
Forgot to mention that i currently have the Epix gen 2 but am thinking of upgrading to the Epix Pro 2 or to the 970. Os the 970 worth $160 more than the EP2?
Thanks!
Looks like Garmin is just allowing the newest devices to upgrade with the latest health features, right? I read somewhere that the Fenix 7, FR 965, and Epix 2 Pro are not receiving updates. If this is true, I would stay away from the units launched two years ago and older
As noted in the main posts, those older units are not receiving new feature updates (or at least major features), though, from a practical standpoint, they still have more features than virtually every competitor in the space.
As for the Lifestyle logging features, and Health Status, the older watches do actually work with those features. It’s just that for Lifestyle Logging, you’l need to do it on the app, versus the watch. Honestly, that’s probably where you’ll want to do it anyway, it’s kinda cumbersome on the watch.
List of which devices here: link to dcrainmaker.com
The epix pro 51mm goes down to $499 in the US if you select the titanium color.
link to amazon.com
Your content is more than wonderful ,
i will by a sport watch , its is the first time :) and there’s no option for my small wrist 16cm to buy a Garmin epix pro gen 2 (42mm) its a good price i like runnig on trails and road i m afraid about weight :(
Fenix 7 Pro for 400€ in Germany
Fenix 7 Pro down to £413.59 at Amazon UK.
Waiting for it to go sub £400, and will probably be the last Garmin I buy.
For a second, I thought you were claiming that the 965 was $150, and not $150 off. I was going to buy all of them!
I’m torn! First gps watch or smartwatch, and I typically prefer older smaller mechanical tickers. Debating between the Forerunner 965 and Fenix 7 pro Sapphire Solar. I run 3-7 miles on very hilly/wooded terrain, sometimes longer, and do some weightlifting or crossfit on the side. I’m honestly not sure if I’ll wear it much outside of runs but I’m thinking of giving that a try to get the full benefits of the thing. As I approach 50, gotta get some data on my health! Fenix 7 Pro seems to be “saving more money” but not sure if I’d like the look/feel of a lighter and brighter 965 instead. What do you think?
Hi Ray, any sense of whether the Tacx neo 3m deals will also come to the UK or Europe? Seems strange that the price in the UK now so far off the US price. Thanks!
Hard to know.
That said, one thing to keep in mind is that the NEO 3M prices were already heavily reduced compared to the official price in Europe, whereas due to MAP policies, the US price has always been high.
Still, it could use a price adjustment in Europe too. Honestly, if it were to have happened, I’d have expected that to happen already.
Thanks, Ray. Appreciate your perspective on this.