If you’re committed to elevating your running game—be it aiming for speed, endurance or frequency—you might consider investing in one of the best running watches that aligns with your goals. After evaluating running watches from Garmin, Coros, Polar, Apple and Android, the Garmin Forerunner 255 earned top marks for its dual-frequency GPS and personalized training. Meanwhile the Polar Pacer emerged as a great value running watch, and the Garmin Forerunner 45 stood out as the best running watch under $200.
Whether you’re looking for one with every elevated feature or one that simply tracks the basic ... [+] metrics, here are nine of the best running watches.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
When considering a GPS running watch, take stock of the range of features—training, recovery, general health, personalized coaching and battery life—and determine what you need for your own goals. We’ve handpicked nine of the best running watches to support your training, no matter what that looks like.
A Trusted, Reliable Workhorse With Even More Training and Health Features
Amazon
Garmin Forerunner 255
GPS satellite: Dual frequency | Display size: 1.3 inches | Screen resolution: 260 x 260 | Touch screen: No | Weight: 1.76 ounces | Battery life: 25 hours with dual-frequency GPS, 30 hours with single-frequency GPS, 14 days as a smartwatch | Water-resistant: Yes | Special feature: Sleep tracking, PacePro for race-day strategy
Pros:
Personalized training and racing features
Sleep tracking, including heart rate variability
Dual-frequency GPS
Live tracking
Cons:
Features may be overwhelming for some
Heavier watch
Although the Coros Pace 3 is a close contender as the top running watch, Garmin still takes the cake thanks to its training and health features from a trusted brand. The Garmin Forerunner 255 (which is also available as a music model—Garmin Forerunner 255 Music) is the Garmin workhorse for runners who want to hone in on their training, recovery and sleep. For some, these expanded features might be overwhelming (*slowly raises hand*).
When it comes to training, the Forerunner 255 can show you your grade-adjusted pace (hills do make things harder!), and its PacePro feature can help you strategize on race day with its GPS guidance. For example, if a hill is coming, it lets you know so you can plan accordingly.
The Forerunner 255 is one of the few models from the brand that offers dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy. It also has live tracking, so you can share your movement with friends and family for peace of mind.
Best Value Running Watch
Advanced Features Without The Price Tag
MOST POPULAR
Amazon
Polar Pacer
GPS satellite: Single frequency | Display size: 1.2 inches | Screen resolution: 240 x 240 | Touch screen: No | Weight: 1.44 ounces | Battery life: 35 hours in training mode, 7 days in smartwatch mode | Water-resistant: Yes | Special feature: Turn-by-turn navigation
Pros:
Ample training features at a lower price point
Lightweight and sleek design
Top-of-the-line heart-rate sensor
Cons:
Some users miss features the Pro edition offers (navigation, running power)
Polar is a household name when it comes to heart-rate sensors so, naturally, the Polar Pacer has a wrist heart-rate monitor to keep your efforts in check. The Pacer is a more streamlined version of the Pacer Pro, making it an excellent value.
The lightweight GPS watch promises up to 35 hours of battery life in full training mode (heart rate and GPS). When it comes to training, the Polar Pacer provides all the necessities and then some: coaching plans, training schedules, nutrition guidance and reminders, and recovery scores, to name a few. And because rest is part of training, too, the Polar Pacer can track your sleep, recovery and offers breathing exercises. (*Inhale, exhale.*)
Best Running Watch For Marathon Training
Lightweight Watch With Ample Features, Dual-Frequency GPS, Long Battery Life
Amazon
Coros Pace 3
GPS satellite: Dual frequency | Display size: 1.2 inches | Screen resolution: 240 x 240 | Touch screen: Yes | Weight: 1.12 ounces (nylon band), 1.28 ounces (silicone band) | Battery life: 15 hours with dual-frequency GPS in training mode, 15 days in smartwatch mode | Water-resistant: Yes | Special feature: Dual-frequency GPS, incredibly lightweight, customizable screens
Pros:
Incredibly lightweight design
Fast, accurate dual-frequency GPS
Route-planning
Long battery life
Customizable activity screens
Cons:
Navigation isn’t intuitive
Dial button can be hard to handle while running
No manual lap
Nylon band hard to clean and absorbs moisture
The Coros Pace 3 is quickly becoming an extremely popular running GPS watch, thanks, in part, to some quite famous endorsements, including Eliud Kipchoge, Des Linden, Emma Bates and Molly Seidel.
The nylon band with Velcro closure makes this watch mind-blowingly lightweight (nearly half an ounce lighter than most other GPS watches with silicone bands). You can choose a silicone band if you prefer; it’s easier to wash and wicks away moisture much better than nylon.
Unlike other GPS watches, Coros offers the dual-frequency GPS on all of its models, including the Pace 3, which is its standard model. Its training and health features (sleep, stress, heart-rate variability) help runners capture a full picture of what’s going on under the hood.
Runners training for a marathon can take advantage of the ample training features, including route-planning, training programs, track run–specific activity and more.
Best Running Watch Under $200
Cover Your Training Bases With A Trusted Brand
Amazon
Garmin Forerunner 45
GPS satellite: Single frequency | Display size: 1.04 inches | Screen resolution: 208 x 208 | Touch screen: No | Weight: 1.12 ounces (small), 1.28 ounces (large) | Battery life: 13 hours with GPS, 7 days in smartwatch mode | Water-resistant: Yes | Special feature: Downloadable training plans
Pros:
Budget-friendly Garmin watch
Adaptive training and downloadable training plans
Comfortable
Cons:
Battery life is only 13 hours with GPS
Some users concerned about heart-rate accuracy
I remember when the baseline model of a Garmin running watch was less than $100. Those days are gone, but the technology in a no-frills watch has improved. The Forerunner 45 is for runners who want a GPS watch that covers the bases and is simple to use.
When it comes to training, the Forerunner 45 has everything newer runners or runners who don’t want tons of features need, including distance, pace, adaptive training, downloadable training plans, wrist-based VO2 max and heart rate, and smartwatch capabilities.
The battery life is decent—nothing to write home about. It gets you through your workouts and long runs, but you should charge up pretty regularly.
Best Running Watch For The Semiserious Runner
No-Frills Running Watch With A Quick Charge And Smartwatch Features
Amazon
Garmin Venu Sq
GPS satellite: Single frequency | Display size: 1.3 inches | Screen resolution: 240 x 240 | Touch screen: Yes | Weight: 1.28 ounces | Battery life: 14 hours with GPS, six days in smartwatch mode | Water-resistant: Yes | Special feature: Preloaded workouts and smartwatch features
Pros:
Sleek smartwatch design
Basic running and training features
Quick charge
Cons:
Smaller display
Although the Garmin Venu Sq acts similarly to the Garmin Forerunner 45 in terms of a baseline GPS watch, it looks much more like that smartwatch, for those who want one watch that does it all.
One of our editors has worn the Venu Sq for several years, calling it reliable with minimal frills, “which is great for my needs as a semi-serious runner.” Our editor likes the daily functions, including the wallet feature and other health markers like heart rate.
On a quick charge, the Venu Sq works for nearly a week as a smartwatch and up to 14 hours with the GPS. Like the Forerunner 45, the Venu Sq offers training plans and other measures of performance, à la heart rate and VO2 max, as well as other activity tracking, including golf, swimming and cycling.
Best Running Watch For Battery Life
Become The Energizer Bunny With 127 Hours In GPS Mode
Amazon
Coros Vertix 2
GPS satellite: Dual frequency | Display size: 1.4 inches | Screen resolution: 280 x 280 | Touch screen: Yes | Weight: 3.2 ounces (silicone band), 2.56 ounces (nylon band)| Battery life: 127 hours in training mode, 43 days in smartwatch mode | Water-resistant: Yes | Special features: Dual-frequency GPS, incredible battery life
Pros:
127 hours of battery life on standard GPS
Plays downloaded music
Titanium alloy for durability
Cons:
Much more expensive than other running watches
Heavier than other watches
The internet agrees that when it comes to the most powerful battery for a GPS running watch, the Coros Vertix 2 rules the roost. When using standard GPS, this heavy duty running watch lasts for 127 hours before needing a charge (32 hours if you turn on the music). When using the dual-frequency GPS, the Coros Vertix 2 battery holds up for 49 hours. In smartwatch mode, the battery lasts more than a month.
The watch’s titanium alloy is more durable than the standard material used in running watches, making the Coros Vertix 2 an excellent trail and ultra option.
Best Running Watch For Features
Invest In Your Training, Recovery And Everyday Health
Amazon
Garmin Forerunner 965
GPS satellite: Dual-frequency | Display size: 1.4 inches | Screen resolution: 454 x 454 (with AMOLED) | Touch screen: Yes | Weight: 1.9 ounces | Battery life: 31 hours in training mode, 23 days in smartwatch mode | Water-resistant: Yes | Special feature: Incredible display
Pros:
More features than you could ever want
Incredible display
Live tracking
Cons:
More features than you could ever need
For $150 less, the Forerunner 265 more than supports your training
For the runner (and multisport athlete) who wants to assess every aspect of training and health, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is packed with data-driven features, and the display is gorgeous, too.
Like the Forerunner 265, this model has live tracking to share your movement with friends and family. The Forerunner 965 is very similar, essentially identical, to the Forerunner 265 when it comes to the running and health features. It has slightly more memory and activity options, including golf metrics, preloaded golf courses and climbing routes.
Although the watch is titanium, it’s still lightweight at 1.9 ounces, compared to the heavier Coros Vertix 2 titanium watch.
Best Running Watch For Apple Users
Seamlessly Merge Your Everyday Life With Your Workout Life
Amazon
Apple Watch Series 9
GPS satellite: Single frequency | Display size: 41 mm or 45 mm | Screen resolution: 484 x 396 | Touch screen: Yes | Weight: 1.1 ounces to 1.8 ounces, depending on model | Battery life: 18 hours normal use | Water-resistant: Yes | Special feature: Automatic track detection, retrospective ovulation estimates
Double finger tap feature not available during workouts
Some users say heart rate was inaccurate or cut out
The Apple Watch Series 9 does a lot of things right for runners and exercisers at a more affordable price point than the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (which, for serious runners, is a much better running watch, at double the cost).
The trademark Apple Watch design is sleek for everyday and workout use. Plus, if you choose an aluminum model with the brand’s new Sport Loop band, you’ll have the company’s first carbon neutral product.
The Apple Watch Series 9 does not use dual-frequency GPS, but because of the new processor, the watch is generally faster than previous models. It tracks everyday health features, including sleep, and cycle (with retrospective ovulation estimates), and has access to Apple Fitness+ for an additional cost. As far as basic training and exercise, the Series 9 checks most boxes at a more affordable price for an Apple Watch (but still more expensive than some of our other top running watch picks).
The watch has a new double-tap feature, which allows you to change screens by tapping your thumb and pointer fingers together. Unfortunately, this feature is not available during workout mode because the watch can’t differentiate between the physical activity or trying to double tap. A major downside to this watch versus the Ultra 2 is there is no lap feature.
Best Running Watch For Android Users
High-Quality Smartwatch With Fitness Features
Amazon
Fitbit Versa 4
GPS satellite: Single frequency | Display size: 1.3 inches | Screen resolution: 336 x 336 | Touch screen: Yes | Weight: .8 ounces without the band | Battery life: 6+ days | Water-resistant: Yes | Special feature: Access to Google features
Pros:
Seamless integration with Google
More affordable than Apple Watch
Long battery life for everyday use
Cons:
GPS has to be turned on before exercise
No access to third-party apps
Exercisers who love their original Fitbit but want to upgrade to a running smartwatch should find a solid option in the Fitbit Versa 4—a slightly less expensive model than the Fitbit Sense 2.
It tracks your basic health metrics, including sleep, stress and heart-rate variability, in addition to workouts. (You need to turn on the GPS to track distance before a run, which, as a default setting, doesn’t make much sense.)
Although the Fitbit Versa 2 does not have access to third-party apps, the Fitbit app does have workouts and other ways to analyze your health and training metrics. Many of the advanced health and wellness features, including daily readiness scores, are available only with a premium subscription.
The Forbes Vetted gear team has extensively reviewed other running and fitness essentials, such as ellipticals, folding treadmills and hydration vests. We also have lots of experience with the brands featured in this story, particularly Garmin and Coros.
Forbes Vetted contributor Heather Mayer Irvine, who authored this piece, has been running with a GPS watch for nearly 15 years.
Also, Gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who oversees this story, has a background in kinesiology and uses his education in biomechanics when reviewing fitness product recommendations.
To ensure we keep up-to-date with the best and most current products, this story is regularly revised to ensure all the information is accurate and each recommendation is still the best in its class. It was last updated in April 2024, when we added the Apple and Fitbit models and expanded the buyer’s guide.
How We Chose The Best Running Watches
To make sure we’re recommending the best running watches, we relied on a combination of our own experience and that of other runners and experts.
We used our own firsthand expertise and experience based on years of using running watches regularly.
We also consulted other runners and experts in the field, who may have different requirements and preferences.
We dove into product reviews and discussions on running forums to learn the pros and cons of some of the most popular running watches on the market according to real users.
When possible, we personally tested the watches to get hands-on experience with what could be the priciest piece of running gear you purchase.
What To Look For In The Best Running Watches
Battery Life
There’s no question a running watch needs a battery that goes the extra mile—literally. There are few worse things than being in the middle of a long run or—heaven forbid—a race, and your watch dies. There are two battery lives, so to speak, when considering a running watch: continuous GPS use and continuous daily use, without needing a charge.
Continuous GPS use sucks more battery, and runners who spend hours and hours on the trails (hi, ultrarunners), should invest in a watch that has a long-lasting battery.
GPS Connectivity
If you’re searching for the best running watch that does more than just clock time, it means you want GPS connectivity to assess accurate pacing and distance. Watches that use dual-frequency (also called “multiband”) GPS are much more accurate because they receive two radio signals from each satellite. The Coros Vertix 2 was the first running watch to use dual-frequency, but it’s now in more watches, including the Coros Pace 3—the brand’s standard model—and higher-end Garmin watches.
Metrics
Running watches are, of course, designed to measure aspects of your running workouts and races. Most running watches today provide baseline health metrics (akin to fitness trackers), including sleep, steps and heart rate, to name a few. But if you’re using your running watch for... running, you may want performance metrics, too. These might include pace, distance, VO2 max, heart rate, recovery, workout readiness and even personal coaching.
Features
On top of health and performance metrics, runners might also want to consider other watch features (à la a smart watch), including weather, text and calling, incident reporting and music. The more features a watch offers, the more expensive the watch is. Which brings us to...
Price
As with all electronics (or anything, really), a more streamlined version is generally less expensive than an item that has all the bells and whistles. GPS watches are hard to come by for much less than $200, but we found a few. Most cost at least $200 and can go for upward of $1,000, largely for multisport athletes who want to be incredibly tuned in to their fitness and performance.
What Type Of Watch Is Best For Runners?
Just like the best pair of running shoes, the best running watch depends on your goals and preferences. First and foremost, runners want a running watch that has a GPS, to allow them to access distance and pace.
Other things runners might want to consider include battery life, recovery scores, running fitness and training features—including personalized workouts. In addition to running and training-specific features, many running watches also track daily health metrics, including sleep, stress and cycles.
Do Running Watches Work On A Treadmill?
Depending on the model, a running watch might have an indoor run or treadmill run activity setting. This means the GPS is turned off, and the watch uses motion sensors, like accelerometers, to measure distance. In some cases, after a mile or so, you can calibrate your treadmill run for better accuracy. But take note—running on a treadmill while holding the rails decreases accuracy, because it can interfere with the motion sensors.
