Why are there so many Garmin models?

Several parallel families aimed at running, multisport, outdoors and everyday wear, each with numbered generations and variants. Models from different families sit at similar prices while being built for different things.

Is the solar version worth it?

It extends battery life meaningfully if you are outdoors a lot, and adds cost. Within one model the gap between base and top variant is often larger than between two generations.

Should I buy an older Garmin generation?

Often yes. Garmin supports devices for a long time and year-on-year changes are incremental, so the superseded generation at a clearance price is strong value.

Cheapest place to buy a Garmin watch in the UK

The range names overlap more than the watches do.

Updated 27 September 2026 · 1 min read

The naming is the hard part

Garmin runs several parallel families aimed at running, multisport, outdoors and everyday wear, each with numbered generations and variants. Names differ by a digit or a word, and models from different families sit at similar prices while being built for quite different things.

Work out which family suits what you actually do first. Comparing across families on price alone is how people end up with a watch built for a sport they do not play.

Variants change the price more than the generation does

Within a single model there are commonly case sizes, a solar-charging option and a tougher lens material, each adding cost. The gap between the base and top variant of one watch is frequently larger than the gap between two generations of the same line.

Older generations stay excellent

Garmin supports devices for a long time and year-on-year changes are incremental. The previous generation, heavily discounted once superseded, is one of the better-value buys in wearables.

Before you buy

Decide the family from the activity, not the price.
Note the exact model and suffix.
Check whether you actually want solar or the tougher lens.
Check the case size — it affects price and fit.
Compare the previous generation of the same line.