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 always historically started their sales around Nov 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 $150 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: 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.
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.
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.
Garmin Instinct 3: This came out back in January and is still getting new features. I expect that to continue for a while.
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 such, as they sometimes do).
I’ll have a larger Black Friday & holiday deals list coming up. Plus some full reviews 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 Folks Note: I’ve tried in the past to keep track of all the separate Amazon European sites, and honestly, I have given up, though, will do it for Black Friday. With 100+ products on the US list, and then cross-checking each one manually across each country…has proven impossible. That said, you can click any link and, in theory (strong hopefully theory), it’s often also on sale in the EU sites.
Watches & Wearables:
This covers anything you can wear that’s watch-like or activity band-like, including sensors.
| Product | Sale Price | Amazon | Other site | Sale Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Garmin Bounce LTE Kids Tracker - $30 off | $119 | Amazon | This is the activity tracker that both of our oldest daughters have used for years (age 8 & 9), as well as most of their friends now. They/we all like it. Check out my full in-depth review for all my thoughts. That said, the new Bounce 2 came out two months ago, and while my review isn't out yet, it's a far better product. But, quite a bit more too. The TLDR on that review will be that it's the best kids smartwatch/tracker to date (for both parents and kids), but obviously will cost you $100 more. | |
 | Garmin Enduro 3: $100 off $899 | $749 | Amazon | REI | This is the lowest price we've seen on this to date. The Enduro 3 is simply the Fenix 8 with a MIP/Solar display (but without the scuba or voice calling features). It gets all the Fenix 8 features and updates otherwise. |
 | Garmin Epix Pro - $589 (~$300 off!) $899/$999 | $589 | N/A | REI | ⚡This is a pretty solid deal, especially if you wanted the flashlight and ECG not found on the Epix Gen 2 (which came before the Epix Pro), but don't quite want to spend on the Fenix 8 AMOLED (Epix got renamed to Fenix 8 AMOLED) |
 | Garmin Fenix 8 Series - $250 Off! $999-$1,199 | $849 | Amazon | REI | ⚡ The Fenix 8 keeps getting all the new software features of the Fenix 8 Pro that was launched two months ago. Setting aside that Fenix 8 Pro which gained LTE & Satellite Messaging, this is otherwise the most capable sports watch on the market. Note that the Fenix 8 officially got a price hike to $1,099 in the last month or so, thus the $849 price instead of $749 price. |
 | Garmin Fenix E - $250 off! | $499 | Amazon | As a general rule, the Fenix E is the watch that literally nobody is buying, and makes no sense at higher prices. The hardware is simply the Epix Gen 2 with Fenix stamped on it. That watch is going for $400, though I expect we'll see it down to $300 over Black Friday. However, one *KEY* difference with the Fenix E, is that it includes all of the software features of the newer Fenix 8, whereas the Epix Gen 2 doesn't get all the new software features. Otherwise, save your $200. | |
 | Garmin Forerunner 165 (Base) - $50 off $249/$299 | $199 | Amazon | REI | |
 | Garmin Forerunner 165 Music - $50 off! | $249 | Amazon | REI | |
 | Garmin Forerunner 255/255S Music - $150 off! $349/$399 | $249 | Amazon | ||
 | Garmin Forerunner 265 Series - $150 off! $449 | $299 | Amazon | ⚡ This is (by far) the lowest price on the Forerunner 265, which was recently replaced by the Forerunner 570 (but at nearly twice this price). What's fascinating about this sale price, is it's well beyond the usual sale prices for Garmin for this product. This pricing is 100% an Kansas-themed 'Hello!' to COROS and their just released COROS Pace 4 at $249. | |
 | Garmin Forerunner 55 - $50 off $199 | $149 | Amazon | ||
 | Garmin Forerunner 965 - $150 off $599 | $449 | Amazon | This is the lowest price to date on the Forerunner 965, which is logical given the Forerunner 970 came out this past spring (which essentialy adds a flashlight and some other running metrics/features). | |
 | Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED - $100 off! $399/$449/$499 | $399 | Amazon | REI | |
 | Garmin Lily 2 - 20% off $249 | $199 | Amazon | The leather version is also on sale as well. | |
 | Garmin Venu 3 - $100 off! $449 | $349 | Amazon | The Venu 4 came out in September, though with a massive price jump. | |
 | Garmin Venu X1 - $200 off! | $599 | Amazon | REI | ⚡ This is the lowest price we've seen on the newest product in the entire Garmin Holiday 2025 sale lineup. This is basically a blend of a Forerunner 970, Venu 4, and Fenix 8...but super thin. It's argueably one of the best deals here at $599, though, Garmin is still clearly trying to figure out the right pricing to drive purchases. |
 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 - $100 off! $299 | $199 | Amazon | ||
 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 - $50 off! $299 | $249 | Amazon | ⚡ This is the first time we've seen the Vivoactive 6 on sale, which is essentially a Venu 4, but without the voice/calling/ECG features (and a few other tidbits). It's probably one of the best deals in Garmin's lineup (sale or otherwise). |
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.
| Product | Sale Price | Amazon | Other site | Sale Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Garmin Edge 540 - $100 off | $249 | Amazon | REI | ⚡At $249, it's pretty much impossible to beat this deal in terms of bike computers. There's no competitive option that beats it on features/battery/etc at this price, or frankly anywhere near it. Sure, it doesn't have a touchscreen, but it's not as bad as it used to be (I did a stint on it this winter for a week or so, and was fine). |
 | Garmin Edge 840 - $100 off | $349 | Amazon | REI | This is Garmin's main mid-range cycling GPS, it's what my wife uses and she's perfectly happy with it. |
 | Garmin Edge 840 Solar - $150 off | $399 | Amazon | REI | ⚡ This is the lowest price we've seen on the Edge 840. |
 | Garmin Varia RCT715 Camera Radar - $50 off | $349 | Amazon | REI | |
 | Garmin Varia RVR315 Radar - $50 off | $99 | Amazon | REI | This is Garmin's radar without the light, so it's a bit smaller as a result. Same radar tech though, and compatible with Garmin/COROS/Hammerhead/Wahoo bike computers. |
 | Garmin Varia Radar (RTL515) - $50 off | $149 | Amazon | REI | This is Garmin's standalone radar+taillight option, and $149 is pretty much the standard sale-price. Even despite all the new radars out there, this remains the most accurate option on the market. Now, only if Garmin would just re-release it with USB-C. C'Mon Garmin...maybe next year? |
 | Garmin Varia Vue Front Light/Camera - $50 | $499 | Amazon | REI | This is the first time this product has been on sale, since launching last spring. I'd argue it could have used a $100 off sale...but hey...they don't consult me. |
And then here’s a separate bucket for trainers and indoor bikes:
| Product | Sale Price | Amazon | Sale Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Tacx NEO 3M - 25% off! $1,999 | $1,499 | Amazon | ⚡ This is the lowest price we've seen to date on the Tacx NEO 3M, and finally takes it down to a semi-logical price (compared to it's competitors). This is a good buy, and obviously, given it's only a year old, I definitely don't expectany sort of new version of this anytime soon (the last NEO series unit was about 5 years between versions). |
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.
| Product | Sale Price | Amazon | Other site | Sale Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Garmin inReach 2 Mini Satellite Communicator (2-way) - $150 off | $249 | Amazon | REI | ⚡ This is the lowest price we've ever seen for this. This is my defacto satellite communicator when out of coverage area, and I've used it on a number of major treks over the past two years when well outside of cellular service, both in a 24x7 tracking mode for friends and family, but also there in case of emergency. Would strongly recommend for anyone doing anything in the wilderness. |
 | Garmin inReach Messenger Plus - $100 off! | $349 | Amazon | REI | This came out last fall, and is the second time this has been discounted, but now to the lowest price to date. The key difference with the new Plus model is that it adds the ability to send photos and voice messenges via satellite. I've used it a bit, and it's pretty cool because it makes it a lot faster to just say something rather than type it out, but the $499 price seemed excessive. $399 makes it slightly more palatable. |
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“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.
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 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?