Best Running Watches
Find out some of the best running watches you can buy today to suit your needs including common frequently asked questions and recommendations.
Ready to take your running to the next level?
We’ve got just what you need – the best running watches on the market with heart rate monitors, these GPS running watches will help you track your progress and achieve your fitness goals.
Look and feel great while training for your next marathon with one of our top-of-the-line running watches. You’ll love how they keep you informed of your progress at a glance, so you can focus on pushing yourself harder each time.
Check out our selection of the best running watches and find out which one is the right running watch for you!
Finding
The Best Running Watches For You
How We Choose The Best Running Watches For You
You want to buy a running watch, but you're not sure which one is the best for you.
There are a lot of different running watches on the market, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.
We've done the research for you and compiled a list of the best running watches available. Whether you're looking for basic functionality or more advanced features, we have a watch that will meet your needs.
Garmin Forerunner 255 GPS Running Smartwatch
Specifications
- GPS Battery Life: 6.5 hours (with music), 30 hours (without music)
- Size: 42mm and 46mm
- Weight: 1.70 ounces
- Water Resistance: 5ATM
- Music Storage: Up to 500 songs
- Workout Recommendations: Yes
- Sleep Tracking: Yes
- Smartphone Notifications: Yes
- Mobile Payments: Yes
- Touchscreen: No
Why We Love It
If you're looking for a reliable, GPS-enabled best running watch that can double as your go-to activity tracker, the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a great option.
This watch is equipped with wrist-based heart rate monitoring to help you keep tabs on your fitness level, and its superior position accuracy ensures that you always know your exact location when out on a run or hike. Plus, the Bluetooth music connection is perfect for listening to your favorite tunes while you work up a sweat.
What You Should Know
Garmin's Forerunner 255 Music GPS Running Smartwatch is the perfect device for athletes of all levels with 1.70 ounces of weight. Its slim design and always-on, full-color display make it light on the wrist and easy to read, even in direct sunlight.
With up to 14 days of impressive battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, you'll have a full picture of your health — from sleep to training.
You can also download up to 500 songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or other services, and connect with your wireless headphones for phone-free listening.
The morning report summarizes your sleep, HRV status, and daily workout suggestions in one place as soon as you wake up. Get ready for your next race with training tips, personalized daily suggested workouts, and more from the Garmin Connect app.
Apple Watch Series 9
Specifications
- Sizes: 41mm, 45mm
- Battery Life: 18 hours (36 with low power mode)
- GPS: Yes
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- LTE: Optional
- Mobile Payments: Apple Pay
- Water Resistance: 50m/ Swimproof
- Compatibility: iOS
Why We Love It
Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. The S9 chip enables a superbright display and a magical new way to quickly and easily interact with your Apple Watch without touching the screen. Advanced health, safety, and activity features provide powerful insights and help when you need it. And redesigned apps in watchOS give you more information at a glance.
Apple Watch has all the features you need to stay connected and healthy, including sensors to measure your blood oxygen levels and take an ECG. Apple Watch works seamlessly with your Apple devices and services.
Tap into helpful apps and expand what your watch can do with tens of thousands of apps on the App Store. So why wait? Click the link to check the price today for a special deal!
What You Should Know
It is the new Apple Watch on the market. It is full of features and has a lot of power. The downside of the Apple Watch is the battery life that lasts 18 hours only, compared to its competitors, however, the Apple Watch 9 has Apple's new low-power mode, which gives you 36 hours of battery.
While the Apple Watch 8 looks very similar to the Apple Watch 7, it has the addition of a skin temperature sensor, which allows runners to get more accurate sleep data and menstrual cycle tracking.
Despite these issues, it is one of the feature-rich fitness watches on the market. Why wait, click the button to check today's best deals on Apple Watch!
Garmin Forerunner 955 GPS Running Watch
Specifications
- Heart rate monitor: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Water resistance: 50 meters
- Display: 1.3-inch AMOLED display
- On-board music: Yes
- Mobile payments: Yes
- Sleep tracking: Yes
- Battery life GPS mode: 42 hours/49 hours with solar
Why We Love It
You are looking for the best way to track your runs? Then you need the Garmin Forerunner 955! This top-tier running watch is packed with features to help you get the most out of your workouts.
On the run, the large, easy-to-read display and simple navigation make it a breeze to keep track of your progress. And when you're done running, the touchscreen makes it easy to check your stats and see how you've improved over time.
Whether you're a casual runner or a competitive athlete, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to take their running to the next level!
What You Should Know
The Garmin Forerunner 955 running watches are perfect for any runner. With 15 days of incredible battery life, you can run any route with full-color multi-band GPS and built-in navigation.
Keep track of your fitness with the improved training status feature. Superior position accuracy with SATIQ Technology and optimized device battery life. HRV Status gives a deeper understanding of your overall health, recovery, and training performance.
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is a good running watch for any runner.
Fitbit Sense
Specifications
- Battery Life: 6 days+
- Size: 40mm case, 46 grams
- Screen Size: 1.58 Inches
- Water Resistance: 165 feet
- Music Storage: No
- Workout Recommendations: Yes
- Sleep Tracking: Yes
- Smartphone Notifications: Yes
- Mobile Payments: Yes
- Smartwatch: Limited as a smartwatch
- Features: Time Display, Sleep Monitor, Alarm Clock, GPS Mode, Notifications, Heart Rate Monitor
Why We Love It
This amazing device not only tracks your steps, distance, and caloric burn but also has some unique features that set it apart from the competition. Fitbit Sense is the best running watch with great features.
Fitbit app has a feature of EDA Scan, you can detect electrodermal activity, which may indicate your body's response to stress. The built-in skin temperature sensor allows you to keep track of your temperature changes each night. Fitbit Sense comes with built-in Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
If you're concerned about heart health, the Fitbit sense can assess your heart for atrial fibrillation – a heart rhythm irregularity. Plus, with high and low heart rate notifications, you'll always be aware of your heart rate.
What You Should Know
The Fitbit Sense is a great fitness watch with a lot of features. Fitbit Sense is a smartwatch designed to help you manage stress and keep your heart healthy. The watch has a sleek design and is comfortable to wear. The watch tracks your heart rate, steps, and calories burned. It also has a sleep-tracking feature.
The watch is water-resistant and has an always-on display. Always-on mode requires more frequent charging. The battery life of the watch varies with use and other factors. The watch is not without its flaws. Fitbit Sense is a great fitness watch for those who are looking for a device with features.
With a built-in skin temperature sensor, Fitbit Sense can detect electrodermal activity which may indicate your body's response to stress.
In addition, Fitbit Sense has a built-in GPS so you can see pace & distance without your phone during runs, hikes, rides, and more. Plus, with the built-in mic and speaker, you can take Bluetooth calls hands-free when your phone is nearby. With Fitbit Sense, you have everything you need to manage stress and stay healthy.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 GPS & Cellular 49mm
Specifications
- Screen Size: 49 Millimeters
- Special Features: Cycle Tracking, Activity Tracker, GPS, Voice Control, Heart Rate Monitor
- Shape: Rectangular
- Display: Always-On Retina display. Up to 3000 nits
- Battery: Up to 36 hours, Fast charging
- Water Resistance: 1000m, swim-proof, High-speed water sports, Recreational dive to 40m
Why We Love It
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular 49mm] Smartwatch, adorned with a robust Titanium Case and an Indigo Alpine Loop Medium, stands out as a pinnacle of innovation in wearable technology.
This smartwatch transcends conventional boundaries, featuring a comprehensive Fitness Tracker, Precision GPS for accurate location tracking, and an intuitive Action Button for seamless navigation. With an extra-long battery life, it ensures uninterrupted usage throughout the day.
The commitment to sustainability is evident through its carbon-neutral design, aligning with Apple's environmental initiatives. For potential buyers, understanding the fusion of cutting-edge features, durability, and eco-friendly considerations makes the Apple Watch Ultra 2 a remarkable choice in the realm of smartwatches.
What You Should Know
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular 49mm] boasts an impressive array of features, including a rugged titanium case, the Indigo Alpine Loop Medium, fitness tracking capabilities, precision GPS, an action button, and an extra-long battery life, all while maintaining a commitment to carbon neutrality.
However, potential buyers should be aware of certain key issues before making a purchase. Some users have reported concerns about the device's compatibility with certain third-party apps, occasional connectivity issues in cellular mode, and the relatively high price point.
Additionally, while the battery life is commendable, it may vary based on usage patterns. Prospective buyers should carefully weigh these factors against the watch's impressive features to make an informed decision.
Best Running Watches FAQs
With all the different brands, options, and varieties on the market, it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you.
We have created a comprehensive buyer's guide of frequently asked questions to help you choose the best smartwatch for your needs. This guide will help you understand what to look for when choosing the best running watch for you after reviewing many products on the market.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about running smartwatches.
Q: What watches do professional runners use?
A: Many professional runners use watches made by Garmin. These watches often have special features designed for runners, such as GPS tracking and heart rate monitors. Other popular brands of watches for runners include Apple and Fitbit.
Q: What is the best watch for a marathon?
A: The Garmin Forerunner 235 is a great all-rounder watch for marathon training and general activity tracking. Garmin is well-respected for its best-in-class GPS watch performance and smart algorithms which accurately map your runs.
Q: Why do runners use Garmin watches?
A: There are a few reasons that runners might use Garmin watches. One reason is that Garmin watches are specifically designed for runners, and they have features like pace tracking and distance tracking that can be helpful for runners. Another reason is that Garmin watches can connect to smartphones and other devices, which allows runners to track their progress and share their runs with others online. Finally, many runners find that Garmin watches are very reliable and durable, which makes them a good choice for long-distance runs.
GPS tracking: Garmin GPS watches tune in to navigational satellites to track your whereabouts. The data can determine your location, the distance you run or bike, and your pace. Activity tracking: When you're not running, Garmin watches act as an activity tracker to give you a full picture of your daily motion.
Q: What is the most accurate running tracker?
A: There are a lot of different running trackers out there, and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Some are more accurate than others, but in general, any of them should be able to give you a fairly accurate estimate of your distance and pace.
One of the most popular and accurate running trackers is the Garmin Forerunner series. They have a variety of different models to choose from, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget.
Q: Are running watches worth it?
A: Yes, running watches are worth it. They provide accurate data about your running performance that you can use to improve your training.
Some of the most important features of the best running watch include distance tracking, pace tracking, heart rate monitoring, and calorie burn tracking. By using this data, you can accurately measure your progress and ensure that you're getting the most out of your training.
Additionally, many running watches come with built-in GPS systems that track your location as you run. This is a valuable feature for runners who like to compete in races or run in new areas. It allows you to see exactly how far and how fast you ran on any given route.
Q: Why do runners wear watches?
A: There are a few reasons runners might wear watches while running. Some people like to track their pace and time, and a watch can be a helpful tool for that. Others may use watches as motivational tools, aiming to keep their pace consistent or faster than in previous runs. And finally, some runners like to use watches as data collectors, tracking things like distance, speed, and heart rate.
Q: Are Garmin watches accurate?
A: Yes, Garmin watches are accurate. They use GPS technology to track your movements and calculate your distance and pace.
Garmin watches are popular among runners and other athletes because they provide accurate data about performance. Some models also include features like heart rate monitors and sleep tracking, which can help track general fitness progress. Garmin is a brand you can trust if you're looking for a reliable and accurate sports watch.
Q: Are the Apple Watch series good for runners?
A: Yes, several features make the Apple Watch good for runners. For example, the Activity app tracks your progress on three activity rings (Move, Exercise, and Stand) throughout the day, and offers encouragement when you close one or more rings.
Additionally, the Workout app provides detailed information about your runs, including pace, the time elapsed, distance traveled, and heart rate. Lastly, the Breathe app guides you through deep breathing exercises to help you relax.
Q: Which Garmin is for ultra running?
A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best Garmin for ultra-running may vary depending on the specific needs of the runner. However, some of the most popular Garmin for ultra running include the Garmin Forerunner is the best of the range.
Each of these watches has unique features that may benefit runners in specific situations. For example, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is great for those who want a watch with a lot of bells and whistles.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a more basic option that may be better suited for beginner runners. Ultimately, it's important to choose a watch that meets your individual needs and fits your budget.
Q: Where do you put your phone when running?
A: Some people put their phone in their pocket, others attach it to their clothing with a phone belt clip, and still, others just hold it in their hand. There's no one right answer--it depends on what's most comfortable for you.
Just be sure to keep your phone secure and within reach so you can answer calls or texts if necessary. And avoid running with your phone if you're worried about dropping it and breaking the screen!
Q: How do I get more battery life out of my Garmin watch?
A: Reduce the backlight intensity for the Garmin watch and set the timeout to the lowest option. Disabling alerts and keytones can also help. The lower intensity of vibration alerts including disabling the Bluetooth or Phone connection can help improve battery life.