Garmin fēnix® 5X

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Overall

#28 in

Fitness Trackers

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Sentiment score65% positive
32
9
8

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Apr 26, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit IconJuice0188
6 months ago

I snaked an edit in on you, sorry about that.  They're good, but they're the main reason why I recommended going smaller and lighter. I had an old generation fenix, the largest model, and it was impossible to sleep in. A few years ago I got a lightweight instinct and I can wear it a lot easier. 

Reddit Iconnofun1770
2 months ago

I’ve had the Garmin Tactix Delta, Fénix 5x, 6 pro solar, 6x, 7x, and 8. I still go back and use my AU2 for a week from time to time. lol

Reddit Icon0ut_0f_Bounds
7 months ago

Yeah I got my Fenix 5X for ridiculously cheap, and it's been great. It even came bundled with 3 Tempe wireless thermometers that have turned out to be pretty useful.

7 months ago

I was a Suunto guy for years, but after my last one got smashed I switched to Garmin, mostly because the Fenix 5 pairs with my Inreach and everything syncs up.

Reddit Iconadorablefuzzykitten
8 months ago

I like my old Garmin Fenix 5X

Reddit Iconalexisnothere
10 months ago

I wear a Whoop band day to day and put on my good ol fenix 5x with a hr band when I’m out running

Reddit IconBlastTyrantKM
3 months ago

I had a fenix 5X. I got it primarily for the maps and I thought it would eliminate the need for constantly stopping to check my location and path on my phone. I do a lot of off-trail backcountry hiking, so topo maps is how I navigate and find a spot to set up camp. That kind of navigation and route planning is next to impossible on a watch. I was so looking forward to using it, but I quickly found out there was no practical way to make it work

5 months ago

Personally, I found maps on a watch mostly useless. I've had a Garmin Fenix 5x and I currently have an Amazfit T-Rex 3. The screen is too small to see any real details. I had to constantly zoom in to see any details that were near, then zoom back out so I could see just a little bit further ahead. Eventually, I fully gave up with the watch maps. It's MUCH easier to just use your phone for map navigation. Plus here's something to consider...if you have a fast charging power bank, a phone will charge *MUCH* faster than a watch. Not to mention, this time of year your watch is probably covered by at least one sleeve and maybe the cuff of a glove, too. Which makes it much more cumbersome to use for anything, let alone navigation Edit: I'm not saying you can't navigate with it. You can. But it's not "just glance at my watch to see where I'm going". It's not that. You have to stop and fiddle with it, and fiddle with it, and fiddle with it

Reddit Iconboston11runner
5 months ago

I purchased the fenix 8 (47 mm) this week, upgrading from a fenix 5 (51 mm). The fenix 8 is remarkably light, with a gorgeous AMOLED display. I’m loving the touchscreen and the incredibly long battery life. My fenix 5 lasted a solid eight years—and could probably go longer—but it’s now down to about a five-day charge. I can’t imagine using an Apple Watch and having to charge it every day. I’d say go with the 47 mm and save a few dollars.

Reddit IconBrofessorX
5 months ago

I tried a Garmin fenix 5x I think it was, I absolutely hated that it wasn't touchscreen, who the hell wants to navigate a smartwatch with side buttons. And im a simple watch user that only uses it to see incoming texts and pedometer step tracking. I know some are touchscreen and some aren't so just be prepared for that.

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