Make the fēnix 9 Pro easier to use before you need it: learn the flashlight shortcut, tailor a button hold, and combine Garmin’s route and location tools for better trail orientation. The watch also offers voice notes and voice commands, though some features depend on the model variant and setup.
1. Toggle the flashlight with a double press
Quickly double-press the upper-left button to turn the flashlight on or off, according to Garmin’s fēnix 9 Series Owner’s Manual: Button Functions. It is a useful shortcut to learn in advance, rather than searching through menus when you need light. Garmin also documents a custom strobe mode in Controls; consult the manual for the options on your watch: Controls.
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2. Make a button hold your personal shortcut
Some button-hold functions can be customized, and the watch lets you create button shortcuts. Assign a function you use often so it is quicker to reach. Garmin’s manual does not establish one universal menu path for every model and software configuration, so confirm the current on-watch settings and steps in the Button Functions section before changing them.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →3. Pair round-trip routing with NextFork
For a route where you have a target distance in mind, dynamic round-trip routing can suggest a route for that distance. Garmin says it can recalculate to the same mileage if you go off course. During the activity, NextFork can show the distance to the next intersection and the trail name. Together, these tools can help with planning and orientation; they do not guarantee map accuracy, passable trails, or safe conditions. Feature availability and map details can vary by model and setup. See Garmin’s fēnix 9 Pro product page.
#1 Best Overall
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
4. Save a location or set a reference point
Use Save Location to record your current position for later navigation, or Reference Point to set a point for navigation. Garmin also lists Project Wpt., which creates a location using distance and bearing. These can help preserve a useful position such as a trailhead, vehicle, or point of interest. Check the manual’s Controls and Apps sections for the workflow on your watch before relying on a saved point.
5. Use voice features to cut down on menu work
Voice Notes
Garmin lists Voice Notes as a feature for recording a note on the watch. It can be handy when you want to capture a reminder without typing through watch menus. Check the Apps section of the manual for availability and operation on your model.
Rank #2
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode (5 days display always-on)
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Voice Command and your phone assistant
Voice Command lets you speak a command the watch can perform. Separately, Garmin says the microphone and speaker support interaction with a phone’s voice assistant when the watch is paired with a smartphone. These are distinct functions, and neither should be assumed to work in every environment or setup. Garmin’s product page describes the hardware and pairing context.
Check setup and variant-specific requirements
Pair the watch with a phone during setup and check for software updates. Garmin says updates may include privacy, security, and feature improvements. Owners of the fēnix 9 Pro – inReach variant should activate an inReach service plan in the Garmin Messenger app to use the applicable inReach services. See Garmin’s Getting Started guidance.
Rank #3
- Make a bold statement with this rugged GPS smartwatch, featuring a 0.9” display with solar charging lens and unlimited battery life with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions)
- Engineered with a supertough 45 mm fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal-reinforced bezel
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater visibility in the outdoors and provides convenient illumination when you need it
- Know your body better with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, Pulse Ox and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries)
- Navigate confidently with a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter and multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, which delivers superior positioning while also optimizing battery life
Garmin announced LTE and satellite connectivity for messaging, voice, and SOS features on the inReach variant, but warns that connectivity and SOS have limitations and may not be available in some places or situations. Check current requirements and coverage for your location and intended travel; the watch is not a guaranteed emergency lifeline. Garmin’s launch announcement and Getting Started guidance provide the relevant qualifications.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Easy-to-use running smartwatch with built-in GPS for pace/distance and wrist-based heart rate; brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 43 mm size
- Up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode
- Reach your goals with personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt based on performance and recovery; use Garmin Coach and race adaptive training plans to get workout suggestions for specific events
- 25+ built-in activity profiles include running, cycling, HIIT, strength and more
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside weather and HRV status (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Rank #4
- Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
- Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates
- Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more
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