Whether you're here because your looking to buy your first ever running watch or you're a seasoned marathoner, our guide will help you find the perfect running watch to meet your needs.
The best overall. The Garmin Forerunner 265 is the best overall Garmin for most people. It has a bright AMOLED screen, comes in two different screen sizes, has accurate GPS and advanced training metrics.
Forerunner® 265
Best for beginners. The Garmin Forerunner 55 is an entry-level running watch for those looking to track their training, without all the extras. It still looks and feels like a Garmin, without the price tag.
Forerunner® 55
Best for triathletes. The Garmin Forerunner 965 is the best Forerunner we’ve ever tested. It’s got a bright AMOLED screen, a 23-day battery life, and some of Garmin’s most advanced training features.
Forerunner® 965
Best for first-time marathoners. The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a lightweight, easy-wearing GPS running watch, perfect for first-time marathoners, featuring onboard maps, fall detection, live route tracking, and extended battery life.
Forerunner® 165
Best value. The Coros Pace 3 offers reliable tracking, long battery life and useful training analysis in a lightweight design, and all at a price that undercuts most rivals. It’s excellent value and a great option for runners at any level.
COROS PACE 3 GPS Sport Watch - White
Best Coros. This is a monster running watch made by Coros, designed to rival the likes of the Garmin Fenix 7. The high-spec watch is designed for multi-day adventures.
GPS Vertix 2 Adventure Watch Coros
Best Fitbit. The Fitbit Sense 2 is a smartwatch jam-packed with health and fitness tracking features including an EDA sensor, stress tracking and on-board GPS. Plus, it looks beautiful.
Fitbit Sense 2 Smartwatch, Shadow Grey
Best Polar. Overtraining is a common cause of running injuries. Through a number of unique features, the Polar Vantage V3 is designed to help serious runners train, recover and rest well.
Polar Vantage V3 GPS Sport Watch, Black
Best Apple. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best Apple Watch to buy if you're doing any serious running. It has a third button — the Action Button, which makes pausing the watch easier.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 GPS + Cellular 49mm
Best for adventurers. The Garmin Fenix 7 is built for adventures — whether that’s 26.2 miles, or further. Some watches in the range have solar charging for an impressive battery life, and all have advanced training features.
Garmin fenix 7 GPS Multisport Smartwatch
Best Garmin smartwatch. The Venu 2 Plus is a stylish smartwatch on par with the Apple Watch and Fitbit Versa 3 — and it’s rugged enough for bike rides, strength workouts and half marathon training.