Best 2025 Garmin Smartwatches for button controls

#1

Physical side buttons make the watch easier to operate with wet, dirty, or gloved hands. They provide a dependable alternative to touch input.

#2

Button controls were strongly praised, especially for wet hands, sweaty workouts, swimming, and glove use.

#3

Button controls were a clear upgrade over the S42, with reviewers calling the second button easier, more intuitive, and better for navigation.

#4

Button controls are generally well-liked, with reviewers praising the raised button, simplicity, and tactile workout controls.

#5

Button controls were mostly praised for texture and feel, but dive-rated buttons created mixed feedback from users who preferred older tactile clicks.

#6

Button controls were useful and reliable, preserving full control when touch is unavailable, though one reviewer wanted a more tactile click.

#7

Button controls were praised for premium haptics and easier, quicker operation than earlier Fenix buttons.

#8

Button controls are mostly praised for predictable wet/glove use, though a few reviewers found the buttons harder to press or slower than touch controls.

#9

Button controls were usable but not ideal for button-first users; reviewers found navigation workable while still preferring more physical controls on higher-end models.

#10

Button controls split opinion: one reviewer found them second nature, while others found the no-touchscreen button workflow slower or fiddly.

#11

Button controls were one of the most repeated tradeoffs: the two-button layout looks cleaner, but several reviewers missed more physical controls during activity.

#12

The two-button design was the most repeated control complaint, with reviewers missing Garmin’s extra buttons or wanting another shortcut button.