One of the advantages of usingGarmin watchesis that – on top of their robust training and fitness features – they’re highly capablesmartwatches. Even better, they are very customizable – each Garmin watch comes stacked with a handful of watch faces that each offer varying levels of personalization. But the options don’t stop there, as you also have access to Garmin’s Connect IQ store, where developers can upload their own watch face designs and apps separate from the native options.
The choices, then, are nearly endless, so you can really fine-tune the look you want on your wrist. But the endless variety also means that sifting through and narrowing down which one is best for you can be overwhelming. While everyone’s preferences are different, we’ve taken some of the work out of it for you and have found some of the best watch faces available for Garmin watches.
How to change the watch face on your Garmin watch
Bored of your Garmin watch face? Here’s how to change it up, download a new one, or even create your own.
It’s important to note, though, that each of Garmin’s watches offers different compatibility for watch faces and apps. The selections below are the best watch faces for theGarmin Forerunner 965, and may not work if you have a different model. However, most developers create faces that are broadly applicable to just about every Garmin model, so there’s a good chance these will work no matter what you use; they may just look a little different.
Custom watch faces can drain your watch battery faster than the stock ones, so if you install a new watch face and notice a shorter battery life all of a sudden, it is likely because of that.
Garmin Forerunner 965
The Forerunner 965 is Garmin’s advanced running watch for serious athletes. It offers long battery life, maps for navigation, and multi-sport mode for those who tackle triathlons, among a length list of additional features.
Garmin Forerunner 165
The Forerunner 165 is Garmin’s entry-level running watch. It is compact and lightweight, yet still offers plenty of features for those wanting to focus on their fitness.
1Night Gleam Garmin watch face
Relive the 80s with this neon-style option
Night Gleamis a Garmin-created watch face that offers an 80s-style neon light look. There are four different color themes – cyan, yellow, pink, or golden – so you can set the vibe. This design also includes four different custom data fields, including two bar-based fields to track progress on things like steps or your body battery.
It’s a very simple face but adds a fun pop of color and style to your wrist. It’s also totally free, which is a nice bonus.
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2Anassic watch face for Garmin
Bring some analog style to your smartwatch
Your Garmin watch may be fancy and high-tech, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look a bit old-school. TheAnassic watch faceoffers an analog watch style with classic watch hands. There are multiple design options, varying from very minimal to ones that include a few data fields such as weather, heart rate, and weather.
you may opt for just the watch hands or choose a hybrid design with both digital and analog styling. You can also change the colors and style of the watch hands to make it even more customized.
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3GLANCE watch face for Garmin
Large and easily readable
As the name suggests, theGLANCE watch faceis designed to be readable at a glance. It uses a large, clear font so that you may quickly glance at your watch and get the information you need. It is highly customizable, with six data fields that you can adjust to display information that you like quick access to.
The colors are also customizable, allowing you to choose anything from black and white to a full rainbow. As an added bonus, it’s totally free.
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4QUAINT2 watch face for Garmin
A minimalist option with just the time
Many watch faces can become really cluttered when they offer more information than you may need. Sometimes, you just need the time, and that’s it, after all. TheQUAINT2 watch faceis our favorite minimalist option. It displays the time and nothing more. Despite the simplicity, you’re able to still customize the colors, allowing you to make a subtle statement if you want.
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5EASY Round watch face for Garmin
A data-heavy circular design
TheEASY Round watch facewas voted the Best Garmin Watch Face app of 2023 – and for good reason. It is a data-heavy option, with eight different fields circling the time to show information you want quick access to. You can choose from 40 different data fields to put in those or opt for the paid version to access more advanced features, such as the ability to launch widgets from the touchscreen, all weather-related metrics, Body Battery, Stress Level, and more.
It includes eight different stock themes to choose from that change the colors and style, or you can create your own using the “Customize” menu on your watch.
6Moon Walker watch face for Garmin
Show the moon phases on your wrist
Garmin’s Moon Walker watch face is the perfect option if you’re a space nerd or just like the moon. It’s one of Garmin’s first premium watch faces and is inspired by NASA’s Apollo Mission, resulting in cool, retro vibes. Plus, it prominently features a moon that shows you the current phase, which is pretty neat. You can choose between a day or night look, which leaves you with a gray or black background. There are three customizable data fields as well, so you can choose the information to have front and center. It will cost you $5, but if you want a special look to your watch, it’s worth it.
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Q: How do I know if a watch face is compatible with my watch?
When you log in to the Garmin Connect IQ store it will ask you to select a device that you want to load apps to. It will then only show you options that are compatible with your specific device. Alternatively, if you don’t have a device selected, or you’re thinking about other watches as well the Garmin IQ store makes it easy.
Towards the bottom of each app or watch face page, there is an option to viewCompatible Devices. Tap on that, and you will be able to see a list of compatible Garmin devices that can use that watch face or app.
Q: Are Garmin watch faces free?
Garmin’s stock watch faces are free, and many options in the Connect IQ Store are, too. However, there are some paid watch faces as well.
The price of these varies and is set by the individual developer, not Garmin. Most offer a free trial of varying lengths, so you can check out the watch face first to decide if you like it. Payment may be outside of the Garmin Connect IQ store, though.
