- Full-featured running watches offer users advanced tracking metrics not found on other trackers.
- Though many watches tout their GPS capability, few offer reliable enough connections that can benefit dedicated runners.
- Our top pick, the Suunto 7, is a feature-rich smartwatch that tracks over 70 activities and a highly accurate GPS function.
The latest GPS running watches are like having a personal trainer on your wrist. They tell you how fast you're going and how far you've run, as well as a detailed map of your route. Some also show your heart rate, how long your stride is, and how many steps you take in a minute, effectively providing you with enough detailed information to improve, tweak, or alter your run style.
But the challenge of finding the right GPS running watch is also somewhat similar to picking out a personal trainer. It's important to choose one that specifically suits your needs and that comes pre-programmed with the features that'll benefit you and your training most.
When shopping, keep these key questions in mind: Does it meet your budget? Does it have the workout modes you're looking for? Is it the right size and weight for your wrist? Are you also looking for something with enough style to wear to a meeting or a night on the town? There's plenty to consider.
What makes this process even more difficult is the sheer number of fitness wearable companies who make their own version of a GPS running watch — and the lineup is a who's who including Garmin, Apple, Suunto, Fitbit, and Polar. Since everyone's fitness needs are a bit different, I tested options for each of these brands, plus a few others, to find the best worth owning.
To do so, I ran a countless number of miles over the last few months, strapping a new watch to my wrist every few weeks. Below you'll find the six best GPS running watches that made the cut, as well as a bonus seventh watch that was also in the running but came up just short.
At the end of this guide, I've also included some tips on how to shop for a GPS watch and what else I considered, as well as the testing methodology I used while reviewing each watch.
Here are the best running watches:
- Best overall: Suunto 7
- Best on a budget: Garmin Forerunner 35
- Best multisport: Coros Apex
- Best for all-around fitness: Apple Watch
- Best for training feedback: Polar Vantage
- Best for battery life: Fitbit Versa 3
Best overall
The Suunto 7 is a feature-rich and highly accurate smartwatch that offers tracking for more than 70 different activities, is comfortable to wear, and offers useful training feedback anyone can benefit from.
Pros: Tons of fitness and outdoors features, accurate GPS tracking, comfortable watchband, intuitive navigation, has a unique Heatmaps feature that shows where other Suunto users are active, highly durable, battery lasts a full day even when tracking multiple activities
Cons: Sometimes has trouble connecting to the Suunto and WearOS apps, expensive
Suunto's first crack at a smartwatch was a clear winner the moment it released, and it continues to be my go-to GPS watch when I want accurate tracking while running (and biking, snowboarding, or hiking, for that matter). Though its "smartwatch" moniker may dilute how well it does as a fitness tracker, rest assured, it holds up as well as any of them.
The watch features Google's WearOS as its operating system and has a deep offering of trackable activities and feedback, all of which are accessible via the Suunto and WearOS companion apps. It is worth pointing out, however, that its reliance on two apps does create a bit of a clunky smartphone experience, but it's a small nitpick for a watch that's as dynamic as it is.
But where the 7 truly shines is as a GPS running watch. I found it to only require a few moments before establishing a GPS connection, meaning I wasn't standing around wasting much time before a run, and that it was the closest in routine accuracy to what my typical distance and time are. A light vibration notifies you of each mile completed which is always a nice nudge but not too much to disrupt any focus or momentum.
I also enjoy running the with the 7 because of its comfortable watch band. At no time do I ever feel as though the fit is too annoying or bothersome during a run (or any workout) and it's light enough that I hardly notice it's there. The weighs in at around 2.5-ounces, most of which is in the watch face which also does well to avoid being cumbersome. The face itself isn't exactly small, so while it was fine on my wrist, anyone with smaller wrists could easily feel like it's too much.
The lone nitpick I have is that the app experience leaves a little to be desired Using the watch requires both the Wear OS and the Suunto app, and it's easy for the watch to disconnect from your phone if you close them. It's not a deal-breaker, certainly, but something to keep in mind for anyone who enjoys having Bluetooth notifications show up on their watch.
The Suunto 7 hardly feels like a brand's first attempt at a new watch category, and while it does lean heavily on Suunto's years of fitness-tracking experience, it still feels like something entirely fresh and innovative. You don't just have to be a runner to appreciate the 7's quality but if you are looking for one of the best GPS running watches, it doesn't get better. -- Rick Stella, health & fitness editor for Insider Reviews
Read our full review of the Suunto 7 here.
Best on a budget
If you're looking for an affordable GPS watch that doesn't compromise on quality, you really can't go wrong with the Garmin Forerunner 35.
Pros: Lots of functionality for a low-priced watch, lightweight waterproof design that stays out of the way during workouts, surprisingly good battery life
Cons: Somewhat dated look, no swimming mode, slow to lock in on GPS signal
This watch offers most of the key fitness features you're probably looking for — including an optical heart rate monitor and an accelerometer — in a lightweight, waterproof design you'll be comfortable using on a run, bike ride, or swim. Perhaps best of all, we've seen it selling for as low as $99, which is a steal considering what you're getting.
But before you get too excited, there are a few things you should know about the Forerunner 35. First off, it's been in Garmin's lineup for over four years, which is more than a lifetime for fitness tech. Secondly, in terms of style, it's a bit dated with a simple monochrome screen and a square-shaped design. If those things bother you about the 35, Garmin's newer Forerunner 45 has a round design, a color display with better resolution, and some additional features. The upgrade, however, costs an additional $100.
Budget-conscious runners will be more than happy with the dependable Forerunner 35. The watch's wrist-based heart rate monitor tracks your pulse 24/7, not just during exercise, so you'll get fairly accurate readings of what your resting heart rate is. GPS tracking was also quite reliable for distance, pace, and mapping my runs.
The Forerunner 35, however, took the longest of all the watches to lock in on a GPS signal likely because its small size means it has a tiny internal antenna. The Forerunner 35 only has a GPS sensor, while most watches these days also include GLONASS, Galileo, and/or BDS. So, if you want faster and more accurate tracking, you'll need to spend a few extra bucks for those options (the Forerunner 45 comes with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.)
As far as trade-offs go, that's pretty much it. In addition to GPS and heart rate, the Forerunner 35 measures your running cadence, which I've found to be an essential feature for any runner trying to improve their biomechanics. I also liked that there's an option for interval training if you're looking to increase your speed. The Forerunner 35 also has a step counter; an auto lap function with easy-to-read mile splits; auto-pause, which is great if you're running in the city and hit a lot of stoplights; and the ability to add additional wireless sensors such as a chest strap heart rate monitor or a foot pod.
I've found Garmin's Connect app to be one of the best in the business, and I appreciated returning from a run and seeing all my data being quickly and clearly displayed on my iPhone. In addition to basic data such as running pace, mile splits and heart rate, the Forerunner 35 offers more advanced metrics including VO2 Max, which serious athletes use to determine their aerobic capacity. Though the ability of any watch to precisely evaluate VO2 Max is debatable, it was nice to have this data from the Forerunner 35, particularly because it said I had the lungs of a 20-year-old after I ran a grueling 10-mile virtual race.
I found the Forerunner 35 to be the easiest watch of the bunch to use. Four small but responsive buttons handle the watch's functionality and menus aren't particularly deep, so you're in and out of the settings quickly. The black-and-white, 128x128-pixel always-on display isn't fancy but it's easy to read both in bright and dim conditions. Battery life was surprisingly good for such as small watch; I could do a week or two of daily training runs before I needed to recharge it.
In the end, this "no-frills" budget watch surprised me with how much it could do and how little I missed the premium features in the more expensive watches I tested.
Best multisport
The Coros Apex is an impressive jack-of-all-trades watch that should appeal to a variety of athletes while offering a refreshing touch of style. This is a watch you won't want to take off.
Pros: Incredible battery life, a wide array of training modes, one of the best designed watches we tested with an excellent smartphone app
Cons: Dim screen, digital dial got caught on coat sleeves causing accidental mode changes
If you're looking for a GPS watch that does it all, the Coros Apex fits the bill. Initially designed with three main focuses – running, biking, and swimming – that aimed it squarely at triathletes, Coros has since added a variety of new modes to the Apex since launch that makes it suited for a wider range of sports.
In particular, the watch is a great tool for winter sports, offering alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, and ski touring modes that track a wealth of data for those who like to stay active during the colder months. In total, the Apex offers nearly two dozen training modes including gym cardio, mountain climbing, hiking, and customizable strength and training modes that let you build your own workouts.
Where the Apex really shines though is for ultrarunning thanks, in part, to the watch's excellent battery life and its dedicated trail run mode. I also found it to be one of the best-designed GPS watches I've tried and it's surprisingly stylish, too.
The Apex comes in two options: a 46mm version and a 42mm version. The 46mm is $50 more than the smaller watch, but the added price is worth it since it gives you better battery life, a larger 1.2-inch color LCD screen, and comes with a snazzy titanium alloy bezel versus the stainless-steel bezel native to the 42mm watch. Overall, I liked the classic round design of the watch and the sapphire glass surface, which prevented scratching.
The watch's black silicone band is basic but fits snugly and comfortably around my wrist thanks to stretchy elastic. Those with small wrists, however, will need to choke up considerably on the band. For my average-sized wrists, I had to use the fourth from the tightest notch to get the right fit, leaving some excess slack that needed to be tucked in.
The Apex has a simple operational set-up not unlike the Apple Watch, with just a clickable digital dial and one button to make adjustments. (Unlike the Apple Watch, there is no touchscreen.) It took a bit of trial and error since the included Quick Start Guide is nominal, but once I got the hang of the watch's Spartan controls, changing settings and viewing the extensive data pages was a breeze.
The dial occasionally got caught on coat sleeves, causing accidental mode changes though there is an auto-lock setting that helps prevent this. I also felt the screen was dim and hard to read indoors, so you'll want to turn on gesture control, which illuminates the display when you turn your wrist.
Setting the Apex up and pairing it via Bluetooth with my iPhone was also a snap thanks to Coros' well-designed app, which presents the voluminous data the Apex records in a clear manner. My only gripe is that you can only delete activities of more than a minute via the phone app, not directly from the watch, which is strange.
The Apex offers GPS, GLONASS, or BDS to lock in your location and track distance. I achieved an initial location lock in about a minute from my backyard with a few overhanging trees. The following days from the same spot, however, it took less than 15 seconds. During test runs on the same four-mile course, the Apex said I ran around 10 seconds per mile slower than the other watches I tested, though the measured distance was fairly accurate even during runs on a track. Coros' Track Run mode, which uses a proprietary algorithm designed to produce more precise results on a track, seemed to help.
The watch has a wrist-based heart rate monitor along with an accelerometer, barometer, altimeter, and compass. My heart rate readings were fairly consistent when tested against a finger-based pulse monitor, which I've found to be more precise than wrist sensors. The Apex is water-resistant to 100 meters/328 feet and offers both Pool Swim and Open Water mode making it suited to swimmers, though I found the 46mm size to be a bit large for long swims.
I didn't mind it for long runs, however, and the impressive battery life means it's safe to use on ultra runs (i.e. anything longer than 26.2 miles). Battery life for the 46mm version is up to 100 hours in UltraMax GPS mode, up to 35 hours in full GPS mode, and up to 30 days for regular use. The longest run I used it on was ten miles, which barely dented the battery life, reducing it by just 3%. During a week of daily 4-5 mile runs and some shorter track work, the battery dropped by only 25%.
The Coros Apex comes packed with so many additional features, I could write separate reviews on those alone. As a running watch, it shines; and as a multisport watch, it's hard to do much better.
Best for all-around fitness
The Apple Watch is the best all-around smartwatch for fitness and it's not even close.
Pros: The best all-around fitness smartwatch on the market, intuitive interface, clear and easy-to-read always-on touchscreen display, best music integration
Cons: Many of the top-line features drain the battery significantly, GPS sometimes missed beginnings of runs, need to press two buttons to pause a workout
While it may not excel in one particular area compared to the others in this guide, the Apple Watch excels so much as a tool for improving your overall health and fitness. You'll find yourself turning to it again and again for both your workouts and everyday tasks.
I tested the Nike edition of the Apple Watch and it's the version I'd recommend as a GPS running watch for a couple of reasons. For one, Apple Watch Nike comes with Nike Run Club app pre-installed (and the app is excellent). Yes, you can still download the NRC app for free with other versions of the Apple Watch but it's more seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch Nike.
This is especially true with the exclusive Nike watch faces for the Apple Watch, which are customizable to suit your training needs. The latest version of NRC for the Apple Watch 6 also includes a new Twilight Mode that lights up to make you more visible when running in the dark, as well as a feature called Streaks, which awards motivational badges when you run at least once a week. I also liked its lightweight and breathable Nike Sport Bands and Nike Sport Loops.
The Apple Watch itself just continues to get better for workouts. Series 5 brought an always-on Retina display, making it easier to see all your fitness data either on a run or in the gym. Meanwhile, the recently released Apple Watch Series 6 adds a blood oxygen sensor and an always-on altimeter.
And, as with many of Apple's products, the Watch's interface, watchOS 7, was the most user-friendly of those we tested. Apple watchOS 7 has also added several new health and fitness features to the device including sleep tracking, handwash tracking, and new workout options including Dance, Functional Strength Training, Core Training, and Cooldown.
Because the Apple Watch is a smartwatch and not just a dedicated GPS watch, it can't be overstated how much it offers for your health, fitness, and general lifestyle goals. Thanks to its large and easy-to-read 1.73-inch touchscreen, intuitive interface, and simple controls (just a digital crown and a single button), accessing its myriad smart options, whether answering a text message, checking your heart rate, or getting an ECG, is fast and easy.
If you're someone who likes to listen to music while exercising, it's hard to beat the Apple Watch paired with a set of wireless AirPods. Connecting Apple's Bluetooth earbuds to the watch is a snap and adding music to the watch via the music app on your phone is relatively painless. However, if you stream most of your music, you'll want to get the cellular version which costs more both for the device and on your monthly cell bill.
The other trade-off is how quickly the battery life drains. This happens not just for the music streaming and the Bluetooth connection, but for the always-on touchscreen display, the various smart fitness features, and, of course, its GPS tracking. The 18 hours of battery life Apple touts doesn't account for all this usage, so you'll probably have to shut most of these features off if you're using it during a marathon or an exceptionally long workout.
I also found the way the Apple Watch initiated workouts to be a bit odd. Some of the other watches I tested notify you on the screen or via an audible or haptic alert when they achieve GPS location acquisition. Typically, this takes a few seconds or minutes depending on whether there are trees and/or buildings blocking the GPS signal. With the Apple Watch, it immediately counts down from three and then starts recording your workout data, forcing you to trust that it locked in your location. According to Apple, its watch uses assistive GPS via a connection to your iPhone/WiFi signal, so a GPS lock notification isn't necessary.
While the Apple Watch largely seemed to produce accurate GPS results based on the data I reviewed afterward, occasionally it left off the very beginning of a run, particularly the first time I used the watch in a new area. One other quibble: To pause a run, you need to press both the digital crown and the side button at the same time on the Apple Watch, which was harder than I expected, particularly when my hands were sweaty from a run.
Otherwise, the Apple Watch surprised me with how versatile it was and how it quickly it melded seamlessly into my life, not just for my workouts but also for listening to podcasts while doing dishes, texting my wife at the grocery store and, yes, even answering the occasional phone call like Dick Tracy. This was definitely the smartest accessory of the bunch.
Best for training feedback
The Polar Vantage is like having a running coach on your wrist at all times that provides insightful feedback on your progress and cardio levels, as well as how much rest you need between workouts.
Pros: Offers in-depth feedback for tracking progress and improvements, companion app provides expert training analysis, lightweight and comfortable, incorporates rest and recovery into training input, highly accurate GPS
Cons: Expensive, a lot of information for the casual runner
Having access to a dedicated personal trainer isn't cheap — but the benefit of their feedback is invaluable, especially for anyone looking to improve their fitness. With the Polar Vantage, that kind of in-depth analysis is available right on your wrist, with everything from adaptive performance charts and weekly productivity to how you're progressing and where you can get better.
The execution of this is where Polar's Vantage really shines. It's highly motivating to have easy access to data that not only shows your weekly metrics like miles ran, calories burned, or your typical power zones but also your cardio load status and what your week-over-week improvement looks like.
Even having something like the Vantage's Recovery Pro which gives you feedback on how well you're resting and how hard you should push it is a worthwhile feature. Rest and recovery don't get near the attention they should, yet it's such a huge part of one's weekly fitness. The Vantage leans on that in a way that's highly beneficial (and informative, too). There's even a Leg Recovery Test built into the watch that can inform you of how ready your legs are for rigorous exercise — for runners, this is incredibly useful.
The Vantage doesn't just deeply track running but offers similar advanced insight into cycling, as well, displaying a dynamic performance test based on each ride. Both its cycling and running features greatly benefit from an accurate GPS (it also features support for GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS) that displays a detailed map of your route when you finish.
Even for as detailed as this watch gets into training feedback and rest and recovery, it really only scratches the surface in terms of what else it offers. There's live Strava support, individual sport profiles, personalized training guides with FitSpark, swimming metrics, breathing exercises, and in-depth running programs, to name only a few. Though its price tag is spendy at $500, it's one of the best investments you can make on a GPS running watch. -- Rick Stella, health & fitness editor for Insider Reviews
Best for battery life
Fitbit's Versa 3 is a full-featured GPS smartwatch with a battery that lasts upwards of five or six days, constant heart-rate monitoring, and fast charge capability to get it up and running again in no time.
Pros: Long battery life, automatic activity tracking, water-resistant to 50 meters, accurate GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, fast charge capability, Cardio Fitness Score gives useful training feedback
Cons: Not the most comfortable, requires manual syncing sometimes
If you're in the market for a GPS running watch with excellent battery life, look no further than the Fitbit Versa 3. Like others on this list, the Versa 3 is technically a smartwatch, though anything with the Fitbit name is going to have an impressive (and useful) amount of fitness-centric capability.
The Versa 3 comes packed with features right out of the box, allowing users to upload music to the watch, take phone calls, receive smartphone notifications, and go through guided breathing sessions, among much more. It even has its own Fitbit Pay system that allows you to use it as a payment method anywhere that accepts contactless payment (which is a huge plus during the pandemic).
While many of its features are quite handy to anyone looking to up their fitness, where it separates itself most from the competition is with its battery life. Rated to last up to around six days, the Versa 3 isn't your typical charge-every-single-night smartwatch. Rather, it's something you can keep on you for nearly a week at a time, all while still logging any activity, tracking your sleep, and so on.
If you use the GPS function a lot throughout the day, expect that six-day battery life range to be slightly shorter, though. I'd often get around five days, recharging the night of the fifth day, and my routine week would be at least one run per day, in addition to a strength workout, a short bike ride, or a HIIT workout. I didn't always wear it at night, though the sleep tracking won't be anything that significantly impacts the battery life should you use it.
The companion Fitbit app centralizes all of your tracked workouts and any activity stats you amass throughout the day, and it provides a great snapshot of progress. For runners, information like this is important, especially if you're training or trying to reach a certain mile time or distance.
It's also only $200 via the Fitbit website which firmly puts it in "affordable" territory compared to others featured in this guide. It's certainly not cheap but for everything the Versa 3 offers, the price tag is more than worth the investment, especially for anyone looking for a GPS running watch they don't have to worry about charging every single day. -- Rick Stella, health & fitness editor for Insider Reviews
Check out our guide to the best Fitbits here.
What else I considered
Garmin Forerunner 645 Music
We also tested and generally liked the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music but found the music player feature to be underwhelming. Offering a trio of GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo sensors, the Forerunner 645 Music was consistently the fastest watch at acquiring a satellite signal and the most accurate at recording pace and mapping runs.
It also features a clear and easy-to-read color display that made viewing its fitness data a pleasure. Loading music onto the watch, however, was a frustratingly complex process and the sound quality was only so-so. The audio frequently cut-out when using the watch with a pair of wireless Apple AirPods, which was disappointing.
I recommend going with the non-music version of the Forerunner 645, which is $50 cheaper.
How to shop for a running watch
If you're in the market for a new running watch, it's likely you already know there's an endless amount of makes, models, and specs. One of the leading manufacturers of GPS watches, Garmin, has over a dozen GPS watches for running alone. Add in multi-sport watches that give you additional data for swimming, skiing, biking, hiking, and many other activities, and the search for the right GPS watch can feel overwhelming.
To help you make the right choice, we've highlighted four key things to look for when shopping for a watch:
Price
You're liable to get a bit of sticker shock when looking at GPS watches. Don't let that phase you. The higher-end models will probably have more features than you're ever going to need. Meanwhile, some fashion-forward GPS watches cost more simply because they have added bling. Set your budget, stick to it, and don't be distracted by shiny things.
Build
While most GPS watches offer some level of weather resistance, it varies depending on model and make. If you plan on using your watch for swimming, check that it's fully waterproof. At the same time, the size and weight of a watch can affect your comfort and your training.
So, while that military-grade tactical watch you've been eyeing may look impressively tough, it could also weigh a ton and slow you down.
Battery
Good battery life is important for all your gadgets but it's crucial for GPS watches. If you're running a marathon or in the midst of a long training session, the last thing you want to worry about is your watch dying on you.
The GPS tracking function alone is a serious drain on a rechargeable battery but add in things like high-resolution color touchscreens, music streaming, and other battery-sucking features, and it can't be overstated that you'll want a watch with enough juice for the long haul.
Smart features
The line between traditional GPS watches and multi-functional smartwatches is getting more and more blurry. The question is, do you really need all the features in a smartwatch, which is basically a wearable computer, if you're just using it for workouts?
On the other hand, if you're going to be wearing something on your wrist all day, why not let it help you answer emails and texts or surf the web and visit social media? The choice is yours but remember that all those smart features hike up the cost and drain the battery like crazy.
How we test running watches
Each of the running watches featured in this guide went through a series of tests to determine how well they fared across these four categories: GPS capability, comfort, features, and value. Here's how we judged each category specifically:
GPS capability: This guide hinges entirely on whether the watches featured deliver on not only offering GPS capability but how well that GPS actually works, so this was the most heavily weighted category of the bunch. To test this, we looked at how quickly the GPS connection was established when we wanted to use, its accuracy based against the field of watches tested, and whether the function included extras like a map of your running route.
Comfort: If a running watch isn't comfortable, no matter how full-featured it is, you may have a hard time being overly motivated to put it on each time you hit the pavement. This doesn't just mean comfort when you immediately put it on, either, as we also judged how well they felt during and after we ran.
Features: Though GPS functionality is the star of the show here, a good running watch should also offer a suite of additional features designed to further assist the user. This could include in-depth training analysis, customized workout plans, rest schedules, etc. What we looked for was how beneficial the watch could be for runners of various skill levels and whether it truly helped improve or maintain their desired level of fitness.
Value: While it's easy to think that spending more on a running watch means you're getting a better product, that's not always the case. Value among GPS running watches is more about the quality of what's offered, how intuitive it is to use, and how effective it is at allowing you to reach your fitness goals. Make no mistake, though, some of the best GPS running watches can and do cost several hundred dollars. Our goal was to sift through those and find the ones truly worth the sticker price — and each recommended watch featured fits that bill perfectly.