The best running watches in 2024, tried and tested

Over the past decade, you’d be hard-pressed to find a piece of tech more prevalent in the running world than GPS watches. These wrist-based computers have progressed from simple time-keepers to complex fitness trackers that measure everything from heart rate to how much power you’re generating with each step to how well you can tackle hills; you can even get coaching straight from the watch and partner running apps. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of these watches ring up at nearly $1,000.

Yet most runners don’t need all the bells and whistles. In fact, more-expensive smartwatches might offer too much data, overwhelming newer runners and taking some of the joy out of movement. But with the current running boom, there’s a watch for nearly every type of runner and every budget. We put some of the most popular devices to the test to see which ones stood out from the pack.

Best running watch: Coros Pace 3

$229 at Amazon, REI and Coros

The Pace 3 is Coros’ entry-level watch, but that doesn’t mean it’s basic — it’s the new and improved version of the Coros Pace 2 running watch worn by big names like Eliud Kipchoge, the only human to run a marathon in under two hours, and Molly Seidel, the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the marathon since 2004. It’s also the watch I’ve worn for seven (!) marathons since 2020.

The Pace’s biggest selling point for runners in pursuit of PRs has always been its weight: The third iteration clocks in at a mere 30 grams with a nylon band while still incorporating seven built-in sensors (that’s 7 grams lighter than the Garmin Forerunner 55 and 2 grams lighter than the Apple Watch Series 8, but, frankly, a negligible difference that you can’t feel). The pulse oximeter (to measure the oxygen level of the blood, which can be helpful at altitude) is new, but the barometric altimeter, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, thermometer and an optical heart rate monitor all carry over from the Pace 2. (Both models pair with the brand’s new heart rate monitor armband for even more accuracy.)

Coros is also known for its long-lasting battery, and wearers will now get 38 hours in standard GPS mode, or 24 days of daily use — 8 hours and 4 days improvement, respectively, over the Pace 2, and almost double the juice of comparable Garmin devices. It’s enough battery to last you through a marathon, even if you forget to charge it the night before (and the night before that).

While the Pace was originally only a running watch, it now tracks 20-plus other activities, including the newly added Ski, Snowboard and XC Ski modes, which makes the third iteration significantly more versatile and likely more appealing to multisport athletes.

On the watch, runners can switch between road, treadmill, track and trail modes (trail mode was absent from previous Pace models); on the treadmill, you can set the speed on your watch to match that of the belt, while on the track, the brand’s proprietary algorithm measures laps during interval workouts according to the lane you choose. The GPS should be more accurate than ever, with the addition of dual-frequency satellite communication (this wasn’t available on the Pace 2) and the ability to access all five major satellite systems (the Pace 2 only connected to four) simultaneously.

The Pace 3 is also Coros’ first model to include a touchscreen, which makes fumbling with the dial to change the customized data screens a thing of the past. In addition to standard measurements like pace and distance, you can view nerdy stats like cadence, stride length, ground contact time and more if you pair the device with the heart rate monitor or Coros Pod 2 shoe-mounted data tracker. We tried using the touchscreen in “always on” mode, but ended up switching it to navigation and activities only, for the sake of the battery and so we weren’t always activating the watch.

Best premium running watch: Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar

$800 at Garmin, Amazon and REI

For the serious athlete who values performance over all else, Garmin’s high-end performance watches are hard to beat. The Fenix line has long been a top choice among runners (and multisport athletes) looking to eke out the best times, as well as anyone who wants access to a huge range of fitness data. There are 13 versions depending on which features you’re most interested in; we tested the 7 Pro Solar Edition.

This update adds a flashlight, improved heart rate tracking with twice as many LED sensors for more accuracy, solar charging and lots of new performance metrics. The flashlight (activated with a simple double tap to the top right button) may seem superfluous, but I actually appreciated it on early morning runs; you can choose from four different intensities and a red light mode. And solar charging extends the already significant battery life: You get up to 26 hours with all satellite systems plus multi-band GPS, 22 days in Smartwatch mode and up to 173 days in battery saver mode, with plenty of other customization options in between.

In addition to now-standard running metrics including cadence, stride length, ground contact time and more, the Fenix also tracks wrist-based running power, heat- and altitude-adjusted VO2 max, trail running adjustments, real-time stamina and recovery. Garmin also has a feature called Pace Pro that allows you to plot out your race-day strategy with GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance (I’ve used this in races before, and really like how it counts down the distance mile by mile).

Runners will also appreciate the addition of new training features, including an endurance score, which is calculated based on how well you’re able to sustain prolonged efforts, and a hill score, which measures running strength on steep climbs and endurance on longer ascents. While we generally prefer using a watch dial to see all this data during workouts, the side buttons and touchscreen work together on the Fenix to make navigating the screens easy — even in a torrential downpour.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this watch to runners who solely run on the road and are focused on race times; it’s bulky and heavy (weighing in at 79 grams) and better for runners who spend more time on the trails or split their time between multiple sports. This is especially thanks to Garmin’s suite of navigation features and military-style multi-band GPS with super-quick lockup, which was noticeably faster than Suunto and Polar and had no connection or accuracy issues, even when I was running a trail that was almost entirely within a canyon.

One of the reasons so many runners have stuck with Garmin over the years is how generally user-friendly the brand is. The app isn’t as sleek as those from Coros or Apple, but it gives you tons of informative feedback on your performance, and the device easily integrates with not just other Garmin devices but sensors, software and workout equipment from other manufacturers. The Garmin range, with its broad ecosystem of accessories, is hard to beat.

Best budget running watch: Fitbit Charge 6

$160 at Amazon, Best Buy and Target

The average price runners spend on a fitness watch/tracker was $270 in a survey by the website Running Shoes Guru, and the Fitbit Charge 6 rings up well under that. It’s definitely not a watch for hyper-focused runners who want to get into the nitty-gritty performance details of every run, but casual and budget-conscious runners will be happy with the activity-tracking features, battery life and comfort this watch provides.

The Charge 6 is one of the more premium options from Fitbit, and the latest version offers more accurate heart rate tracking, gym equipment integration (meaning it can broadcast your heart rate to the latest machines from iFit, NordicTrack, Concept2, Peloton and Tonal), a haptic side button and more Google services. The battery lasts seven days, and the device has all of the more advanced sensors, including an optical heart rate monitor, sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, a skin temperature sensor and sensors that track heart rhythm irregularities and stress. (FYI: To get the most detailed insights — including a Daily Readiness Score, which uses data to create personalized workout recommendations each day — you’ll need to purchase the Fitbit Premium subscription service, which is an additional $10 a month.)

One of the features I like the most about the Fitbit Charge 6 is automatic tracking. During an easy, 30-minute run, a notification popped up less than 5 minutes after I started asking me if I wanted to record my workout, and I selected “yes” via the responsive touch screen. (I almost always used the touchscreen over the haptic side button, which required me to squeeze the whole device.)

I’d recommend this watch to newer runners most because instead of tracking niche performance metrics like stride length or vertical oscillation (which most runners shouldn’t be obsessing over), it breaks activity down into Active Zone Minutes, which translate to three target heart rate zones (fat burn, cardio and peak). The watch even tells you what zone you’re in in real-time. For example, during one trail run, it kept buzzing as I alternated between the moderate and vigorous zones. That type of feedback helps you better understand how hard you’re working at any given moment and whether you need to dial it back or up the intensity, which is much more important information for people newer to the sport.

It’s definitely more basic than the more expensive models on this list, and I didn’t find the GPS or heart rate to be quite as accurate as the Coros and Garmin models while on longer runs. But sometimes less is more when it comes to running data and expenses.

Best running smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra 2

$799 at Amazon, Best Buy and Apple

Not all runners want to wear a tech-y running watch that screams sports, nor do they want to have to switch between watches for workouts and the rest of their day. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is one of the best smartwatches first, but also provides a satisfying set of fitness features via a larger, brighter screen.

Runners can customize workout views on their screen to prioritize whatever nerdy metrics they like most. You can fit six on a single screen, and you can scroll through five customizable screens using the oversized dial on the side. For example, I set my first screen to show my elapsed time, heart rate, split pace, average pace, distance and power (the essentials), and used the other screens for data I prefer to look at post-run, like vertical oscillation, stride length, ground contact time, cadence and elevation.

The release of watchOS 9.2 in December brought two new running features to the Ultra. With Automatic Track Detection, the Watch will automatically detect when you arrive at a running track and ask to confirm the lane that you are in so it can provide accurate pace and distance info using Apple Maps and GPS data. (Almost as soon as I jogged onto the oval at my local high school, this feature activated, which was weird and cool.) Apple users can finally import workouts from coaching platforms like Training Peaks — which, as a coach to many Apple Watch owners, makes my life much easier — but you can also build custom workouts (like 4 x 400s at race pace) right on the watch.

And with Race Route, the Watch can determine when you’re running a similar route to one you’ve done at least twice before and will give you the option to race against your last or best performance on that route. During the run, you’ll get alerts telling you if you’ve moved ahead or behind of your previous performance, how far is left to go and if you’ve moved off the designated route. Another training experience includes Pacer, which allows you to choose a distance and desired pace and then tells you if you’re ahead of or behind (and by how much) your goal. So when I set a 9:00-mile pace, the Watch will buzz if I go too fast or too slow.

The OG Ultra had a new and improved dual-frequency GPS system that combined Apple algorithms with on-board sensors, like an accelerometer that learns your specific stride length, and Apple Maps data (including road, bike and trail routes) to lock in your location, even in crowded urban environments.

One of the major issues people had with past versions of the Apple Watch for running was a short battery life. This device still doesn’t compare to the others on the list when it comes to juice, but the Ultra 2 gets up to 12 hours of battery life of normal use in an outdoor workout without any power-saving features enabled and with full heart rate and GPS readings; it can last up to up to 35 hours in Low Power Mode with reduced heart rate and GPS readings. Apple claims that enables most athletes to complete a 100-mile ultramarathon in it, but I wasn’t up for testing that claim.

What to consider when shopping for running watches

GPS accuracy

Most running watches use GPS to determine your pace, speed and distance. The watch pings your location to a satellite at different intervals, then measures the distance between each ping. Newer watches are adding dual-​frequency navigation, which means they receive signals from two frequency bands instead of one. That cuts down on errors caused by tall buildings, trees or other interference that might block a signal and throw off your location data.

There are also five major satellite systems; the more your watch can access, the better your GPS coverage will be. Pinging all of them simultaneously will drain a device’s battery life faster, though, so most watches allow you to choose your GPS settings. And most people will likely be fine with just three, but if you’re someone who runs in more challenging environments (like downtown Manhattan or the middle of the woods) you might prefer advanced GPS settings in order to get better tracking data.

Sensors

It used to be that all a running watch needed was an accelerometer, to count steps and measure orientation, and a gyroscope, which also measures and maintains orientation and angular velocity to track steps, calories burned and distance covered. Now, that’s the bare minimum. Most modern running watches are equipped with an electrical or optical heart rate sensor, which detects heart rate by measuring electrical signals in your blood or your pulse rate (the former is considered more accurate); altimeter for detecting changes in height or elevation; barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure to determine altitude; and pulse oximeter to measure blood oxygen levels. Some of the newest watches even have skin temperature sensors. You do not need all of these — the most important are the accelerometer, gyroscope and heart rate sensor.

Battery life

How much juice a running watch holds is hugely dependent on how you use it. Some watches boast about lasting nearly a month, but when you read the fine print, that’s only when it’s in battery saver mode. Keeping all systems on will significantly shorten the battery life you get out of each charge, as will using full GPS or features like music or stress tracking. But most watches allow you to modify the settings so you can get the most out of it depending on the scenario you’ll be using it in. For example, you may want to tap into all available satellite systems for the duration of a marathon, but in your day-to-day life, you’re fine with smartwatch mode.

How we tested

We tested 10 different running watches over the course of several months. To determine which watches we’d test, we polled runners to see which devices were the most popular, reviewed other sites to see which ones were highly recommended and spoke directly with several wearable brands to see which watches had the newest, most innovative technology. Then we wore each watch for at least a week during multiple runs so we could assess the on-screen data as well as the post-run insights. We also wore multiple watches at the same time to compare the metrics and features in real-time. Check out the full breakdown of how we tested:

Functionality

Tracking

Other features

Other running watches we tested

Coros Vertix 2S

$700 at Amazon, REI and Best Buy

The Vertix 2S is Coros’ beefiest wrist-bound supercomputer, designed for your most demanding adventures, running or otherwise. With a 1.4-inch LCD display housed in a 50-millimeter case that weighs in at 70 grams with a nylon band, it mostly uses that extra bulk to enhance two crucial features over the Apex models: GPS and battery life. The OG Vertix was the first smartwatch to support dual-frequency satellite communication and access all five major satellite systems simultaneously, and it still does so — the latest model stays juiced for 118 hours of continuous GPS with 40 days of daily use. It’s also been upgraded with the company’s most accurate wrist-based heart rate sensor.

That said, it is cumbersome, measuring 50.3 by 50.3 millimeters (8 and 7 millimeters larger than the Pace 3 and Apex models), to the point that some wearers may find it too big for their wrists. But it matches the Apex 2 Pro with 32 GB of onboard storage, which allows you to access the routes you need via the brand’s global offline mapping models (you can zoom in and out with the digital dial, or drag the map around with the touchscreen). And like with the Apex, you can also record checkpoints during your adventures in order to navigate back to them; use breadcrumb navigation to retrace your exact route; and set up alerts in case you go off-route.

Coros Apex 2 Pro

$449 at Amazon, REI and Best Buy

The Apex model is a step up from the Pace 3, and will better suit runners who more often find themselves venturing from the beaten path. We tested the higher-end Apex 2 Pro, which lasts 75 hours in GPS mode and for 30 days of daily use compared to the Apex 2’s 45 hours and 17 days, and is slightly larger, weighing 13 grams more. Both watches use the same sensors as the Pace to track activity, with the addition of an electrocardiogram sensor, and they’re built tougher overall — sapphire glass, a titanium alloy cover and a bezel made from grade 5 titanium alloy with a PVD coating — for rougher conditions.

The biggest difference from the Pace is the navigation tools, including multiple route-planning options and free global offline Landscape and Topographical maps. (They’re pre-loaded on the Pro 2, but you have to download them on the Apex 2, because the Pro 2 has 32 GB of storage compared to 8 GB on the Apex 2). And while the Apex 2 connects to all five major satellite systems, the Apex 2 Pro uses the latest dual-frequency technology to track you in more remote locations.

Garmin Forerunner 165

$250 at Garmin, Amazon and REI

The Forerunner line is one of the most ubiquitous among runners, and the Forerunner 165 is the latest addition. This watch isn’t the first of its line to use a bright AMOLED screen, but it is the most affordable — it rings up at $250 (or $300 for the Forerunner 165 Music, which has built-in storage so you can download songs and playlists from Spotify, Deezer or Amazon Music right to the watch). I’d say this is a solid competitor to the Coros Pace 3 (it weighs just 39 grams), but the AMOLED screen does sap some of the battery life. It lasts up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode.

Runners who have been dedicated to Garmin will appreciate a more affordable but still tech-packed option, while newer runners (perhaps transitioning from an Apple Watch) will appreciate the smartwatch feel of this device. The Forerunner 165 still has all of Garmin’s signature health, fitness and connected features, including race adaptive training plans, wrist-based running power and dynamics and more, but you won’t get some of the bells and whistles more expensive models offer (Training Readiness score, Hill and Endurance scores). Frankly, most runners don’t need all that data. I found this watch to be easy to use, sync fast on the run and comfortable to wear 24/7 — all at a great value.

Amazfit Cheetah Pro

$300 at Amazfit, Amazon and Best Buy

Amazfit devices are newer to the US (current world marathon record holder, the late Kelvin Kiptum, had signed with them earlier this year), but the Chinese brand has been making wearables since 2015 and this model could be considered a potential competitor to some of the top picks on this lis. The Cheetah Pro weighs 43 grams, rings up at $300 and has and oversized color touchscreen, 14-day battery life for standard usage and wealth of fitness tracking capabilities — thanks to all the expected sensors. But I’m calling it a potential competitor because the user experience isn’t quite as seamless as that of well-established brands like Garmin or Coros.

Amazfit says the device can automatically pick up running (along with seven other sports movements), but I had some trouble with that. Once I manually started a workout, though, I really liked how easily it was to see up to six metrics displayed on the AMOLED screen. My total distance, heart rate and pace all showed very minor differences between the Coros and Fitbit watches I wore simultaneously, and I didn’t have any issues with GPS — the Amazfit uses a dual band antenna, which picks up signals from six different satellite positions — even while running in a canyon. For training purposes, you can use tools like the Virtual Pacer, which lets you set a pace target to follow throughout your workout, or use the personalized training plans based on your data in the app.

Polar Vantage V3

$600 at Polar and Walmart

Polar Electro pioneered the wireless heart rate monitor in 1977, and has been making serious wearables ever since. I would still recommend Garmin or Coros over Polar specifically for runners, but the Vantage V3 is a great multisport device (it tracks 150 different sports). This is the company’s first endurance watch that features dual-frequency/multiband GPS and on-wrist mapping, and you can see all your data clearly on the crisp, 1.39-inch AMOLED touchscreen. At 57 grams, it’s much lighter than some of the other premium options we tested and has a less rugged, sleeker look that uses aerospace aluminum and Gorilla Glass for durability.

Like any high-end running watch, the Vantage V3 provides plenty of battery life: up to 43 hours in training mode, 140 hours in power saving mode and up to 10 full days in smartwatch mode. All that juice powers the most advanced and precise optical heart rate tracker on a Polar watch yet, a new built-in wrist ECG sensor, automatic skin temperature measurements and more. I’ve had issues with syncing Polar watches to my phone in the past, and this was the first I was able to pair without any trouble. I did find the stats to vary slightly from the Coros I wear every day — for example, the Polar said my average heart rate was 157 beats per minute, while Coros said it was 127 bpm on a 5-mile trail run — but satellite lockup was faster and I liked how easy the map guidance was to see on the oversized screen.

Suunto Race

$449 at Suunto, Amazon and REI

Suunto, another venerable fitness tech brand that began as a compass manufacturer in the 1930s, recently introduced what they’re calling the “ultimate performance watch for racing and training.” Like a number of the newer watches we tested, it incorporates an oversized AMOLED touchscreen (and, for the first time from Suunto, a digital crown alongside two buttons) that makes navigating all the metrics and maps available onboard a little easier. I found this design to be lighter, slimmer and more minimal overall than the brand’s more rugged offerings I’ve tried in the past.

The watch itself is pretty on par with the tracking other devices on this list offer: I found the dual-frequency GPS to be comparable to that of the Garmins and Coros I wore simultaneously when I ran in the city and on trails (although it was slightly slower to connect), and my heart rate was also within several beats per minute. This is a watch I’d recommend for people who prefer trails, though, mostly due to the plethora of mapping features: offline maps, real-time breadcrumb trails, point of interest navigation and so on. In the app, you can even see animated tracking of your routes on a beautifully rendered topographical map. It’s also a watch meant for runners who are seriously training. You can download up to 15 apps to the watch from the SuuntoPlus app store, which is filled with options built around fitness testing to help you establish your training limits. For more casual runners, though, there are more affordable options on this list.