{"id":500585,"date":"2026-02-26T10:21:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T10:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/500585\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T10:21:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T10:21:14","slug":"my-favorite-garmin-smartwatch-feature-isnt-for-fitness-and-its-only-available-on-one-model-under-500","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/500585\/","title":{"rendered":"My favorite Garmin smartwatch feature isn\u2019t for fitness \u2014 and it\u2019s only available on one model under $500"},"content":{"rendered":"

Garmin makes some of my favorite smartwatches for tracking fitness goals and logging outdoor adventures. With no shortage of models to choose from, ranging from ~$160 for the entry-level Forerunner 55<\/a> running watch all the way up to top-tier, pro-athlete-oriented models like the $1,100 Fenix 8<\/a>, there\u2019s truly a Garmin for everyone.<\/p>\n

Of course, Garmin\u2019s massive catalog means that you might have to spend a little extra to secure your preferred features, both fitness-focused and ‘smart.’ For example, the aforementioned Forerunner 55 doesn\u2019t offer offline music storage, nor do any of Garmin\u2019s most basic models, but the next model up, the $299 Garmin Forerunner 165<\/a> Music, does.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

While offline music support is available on most Garmins over $299, other smart features are harder to come by, including my favorite non-workout tool. In fact, only a tiny number of the best Garmin<\/a> watches offer it, including just one model under $500<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

Just one sub-$500 Garmin has my favorite feature<\/p>\n

\n

\"Close-up\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia\/Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n

My favorite Garmin feature isn\u2019t a function of the operating system, but a tiny piece of hardware tucked into the case of several Garmins. I\u2019m speaking, of course, about Garmin\u2019s LED \u2018Torch\u2019 flashlight.<\/p>\n

This tiny yet powerful LED has proven itself useful time and again, in all sorts of settings, from walking the dog at night to navigating a darkened hotel room without bumping into furniture or waking my sleeping partner.<\/p>\n

My favorite Garmin feature isn\u2019t a function of the operating system, but a tiny piece of hardware tucked into the case.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, in 2026, only the following Garmin models (that we\u2019ve reviewed) offer the Torch: the Garmin Instinct 3<\/a> (from $399), Garmin Venu X1<\/a>($699), Garmin Forerunner 970<\/a> ($749), and the Garmin Fenix 8 (from $1,099).<\/p>\n

As you can see, all but the Instinct 3 cost a proverbial arm and a leg. Fortunately, the Instinct 3 is a fantastic smartwatch \u2014 though not quite as advanced when it comes to hardcore training\/recovery tools as the other listed \u2014 boasting not just an LED flashlight but a best-in-class battery, a rugged build with 100 meters of water resistance, a plethora of outdoor adventure tracking modes, and plenty of post-workout insights.<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

It also happens to be not just my preferred Garmin model and my go-to smartwatch for logging hikes, bike rides, and snowboard excursions.<\/p>\n

Imitation through flattery <\/p>\n

\n

\"Close-up\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia\/Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n

While Garmin mostly relegates the Torch flashlight to the brand\u2019s highest-end offerings \u2014 with the Instinct 3 being the sole exception \u2014 some of Garmin\u2019s competitors have begun including similar design elements in their more moderately priced watches.<\/p>\n

For example, the $299 Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro<\/a>, a budget-minded Fenix 8 competitor, sports an onboard LED flashlight at the top of the case just like Fenix 8. So does the $599 Suunto Vertical 2<\/a> (another Fenix 8 competitor), along with the just-released $549 Amazfit T-Rex 2 Ultra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

When will Apple, Google, and Samsung catch on? <\/p>\n

\n

\"Close-up\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia\/Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n

While other fitness and outdoor-focused smartwatch makers have seemingly caught on to the usefulness of an actual onboard flashlight, the full-featured big boys have yet to incorporate such tech\u2026 though it would be warmly welcomed.<\/p>\n

Sure, all of the best smartwatch<\/a> models from brands like Apple, Google, and Samsung offer a \u2018flashlight mode\u2019 that turns the screen white and maxes out the brightness, but this is nowhere near as useful or powerful as a dedicated LED flashlight hidden within the case.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, I\u2019m hopeful that 2026 will deliver more smartwatches with this incredibly useful, albeit not particularly high-tech feature; it would be especially nice to see it show up in a truly budget-minded smartwatch. If not a Garmin, perhaps an Amazfit.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Google\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News<\/a> and add us as a preferred source<\/a> to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. <\/p>\n

More from Tom’s Guide<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Garmin makes some of my favorite smartwatches for tracking fitness goals and logging outdoor adventures. With no shortage…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":500586,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[49,48,195,61],"class_list":{"0":"post-500585","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gadgets","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-gadgets","11":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/500585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=500585"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/500585\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/500586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=500585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=500585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=500585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}