Best 2023 Garmin Smartwatches for button controls

#1 Garmin fēnix 7X Pro
5.0

Button controls were consistently praised for intuitive navigation, glove/rain usability and reliable interaction during activity.

Pros: battery life, mapping and navigation

Cons: value for money, score tracking

#2 Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.6

Button controls are a standout usability feature, especially for workouts, with praise for tactile clicks and mid-activity control.

Pros: battery life, GPS accuracy

Cons: user interface, fit

#3 Garmin Forerunner 265
4.2

Button controls were widely praised for workout reliability, tactile feedback, and the larger Run button, though one reviewer disliked squishy secondary buttons.

Pros: battery life, value for money

Cons: mapping and navigation, smartwatch features

#4 Garmin Approach S70
4.2

Button controls are generally useful and easy, though one reviewer still noted a learning curve.

Pros: display quality, value for money

Cons: charging convenience, smartphone notifications

#5 Garmin Forerunner 965
4.2

Buttons were consistently praised as tactile, easy to use during workouts, and a dependable alternative to touch controls.

Pros: battery life, GPS accuracy

Cons: smartwatch features, charging convenience

#6 Garmin Venu 3
3.5

Button controls are useful during workouts, but opinions are mixed because some reviewers wanted more button navigation or found the smaller buttons less usable.

Pros: battery life, GPS accuracy

Cons: smartwatch features, smartphone notifications

#7 Garmin Vivoactive 5
3.4

Button controls drew mixed reactions: some liked having dual navigation, while others preferred more dedicated buttons or found presses fiddly.

Pros: value for money, GPS accuracy

Cons: sleep tracking accuracy, recovery insights

#8 Garmin vivomove Trend
2.0

Button controls were a recurring weakness because reviewers missed even a single physical button and found touch-only exercise control harder.

Pros: style and design, charging convenience

Cons: battery life, charging speed