15 Best Running Watches To Buy In 2023
What Is A Running Watch?
The best running watches are designed to be worn when running both indoors and outdoors, allowing it to track important metrics such as time, distance traveled, and heart rate. You can use this data to improve your running performance, monitor your health, or reach your fitness goals.
Many best running watches have built-in GPS for added assistance when walking on trails or running in circles. There are several running watches on the market with additional tracking features such as sleep tracking or calorie counting. Many running watches are also compatible with smartphones, allowing you to receive calls, text messages, or streaming music while you run.
15 Best Running Watches
1. Garmin Forerunner 945
Garmin Forerunner 945 is one of the best running watches of 2021 and has everything a runner could want. Location tracking and biometrics are particularly accurate and provide some useful training tools to help you get the most out of your run.
One of our favorite features is the training load monitor, which measures your workouts over the past 7 days and tells you if you need to cut back on your workouts to avoid overtraining or if you need to work harder to improve your fitness. Combined with the Body Battery feature, which measures how well you recovered from the previous day’s workout, it helps to maximize every workout.
We were also impressed by the sheer customization provided and the full-color screen maps that make navigation easy on such displays. For example, it’s surprisingly easy to build your own interval workouts based on time or distance. The Garmin Fenix 6 is a cool-looking running watch, but the Forerunner 945 balances its slightly lower price tag and makes it an excellent training companion for the serious athlete, making it amongst the best running watches overall. It is one of the best athletic watches.
2. Coros Pace 2
The Coros Pace 2 is an outstanding mid-range running watch that is super lightweight but packed with features. Weighing in at just 29 grams, it’s barely visible on the wrist, but it does include some features you’d expect to find in more expensive running watches, including an “AI trainer” that helps you manage your training load for race preparation.
Interval, triathlon, and multisport modes; Compatibility with third-party sensors such as chest strap heart rate monitors and leg rests. . If you accidentally get out of sight of the radar (eg in a tunnel), your watch can automatically calculate your cadence and stride to track your progress.
Our only complaints with the test were that the screen was a bit dark and hard to read without pressing the backlight button during the day, and it did leave a few dents to the impressive battery life, but that’s a minor issue. This is one of the best running watches and a great watch for athletes.
3. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
This lightweight device gives you everything you want from a running watch, from precise tracking to control your music, and even the ability to create your workouts for the price of the Apple Watch. These unique features make it one of the best running watches.
The device also gives you access to a wide range of Garmin workout metrics to help you plan your workouts as well as your recovery time. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music’s transflective display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight. You can also pause and resume your run with the press of a button, so you can follow the road or trail instead of looking at your watch.
The battery can sustain multiple workouts even when music is playing. The downside is that it lacks a robust ecosystem of third-party apps. However, this is not uncommon for Garmin devices and most running watches.
4. Fitbit Sense
Not all smartwatch is the best running watch. The touchscreen can be difficult to use with sweaty fingers or gloved hands. Batteries typically run out in a few days or more. Without a permanent display, you have to shake your wrist or press a button to view the screen. The
Fitbit Sense is the ultimate smartwatch for runners. With Fitbit Sense, you can’t make wireless calls like the Apple Watch Series 6 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, but it offers better health and fitness features.
The Fitbit Sense provides EDA and skin temperature readings not found in other smartwatches and also features an FDA-approved ECG sensor. You can also watch cross-training videos exclusively for Fitbit users. The battery life also exceeds the latest Apple and Samsung watches, which most users need to charge every day.
5. The Garmin Fenix 6 Pro
Fenix has always been a rugged, unbreakable off-road watch that we use for trail running and daily running. The main reason is that the battery life of the watch is infinite. It works for 15 hours with GPS and music, or you can adjust the settings to extend the run tracking time to 120 hours.
We’ve found that with regular use, you’ll need to charge it about once a week. It also has one of the largest screens you’ll find on a running watch, which can show up to seven different metrics on one display. A cool new feature for the 6 is PacePro, which replaces traditional face tape printed on race day.
As a digital tool, the watch counts the hills for each split, so you can better manage your energy and adjust your strategy on a continuous course. We love shooting negative splits and running uphill is a bit more difficult. But above all, we use clock navigation. A map with street names is included. Zooming and panning are possible but inconvenient, but it helps you avoid getting lost when traveling in unfamiliar cities.
I also use it to plan my route ahead of time, and the watch tells me what I’m running so I can get to where I’m going without unnecessary detours. The Garmin Fenix 6 Pro special features make it one of the best running watches in 2021.
6. Coros Vertix 2
Not all running watch is the best running watch but Coros Vertix 2 is one of them. The Coros sets itself apart from other watchmakers with near-infinite battery life. Each model seems to outlast the competition. The Vertix 2 is no exception and has a battery life of 140 hours (in the first version of this watch, it increased to 60 hours).
By checking your location less often, you can extend your lifespan and get up to 240 hours of usage time. This is only feasible for hikers and high-speed runners who spend multiple days. Coros make an excellent choice in GPS watch for hiking. However, the best feature of the Vertix 2 is its ability to use “two frequencies” and ping five satellite systems. Modern smartwatches with GPS are surprisingly accurate with very few wrong track points.
However, Koros was the first company to use dual frequencies in a running watch. It works by looking at two different radio signals sent by satellites and then filtering out signals that may have been reflected off trees or tall buildings (which results in an error in their position on Earth). The expected result is a track that follows the actual path much more accurately than a watch without this feature.
In testing, we found that our path was still a bit wobbly and cut corners, and the final distance was no more than a hundredth of a mile from a Garmin Fenix homelessly] However, in really difficult situations, such as dense forest or a city with skyscrapers, it can help provide more accurate data.
7. Polar Grit X
Polar Grit X offers extensive tracking and support for those who like to go offline. It is the best track watch. Built-in GPS and optical heart rate sensors always keep you informed of your location and level of exercise. It can also track up to 130 different sports, making it a legitimate option for runners who love cross-training. Accurate biometric data tracks your heart rate and distance no matter what sport you play.
This watch works with the Komoot app to give you training tips and advice as well as route guidance while on the trail. He will also analyze your products and give you refueling tips. The sturdy structure is popular with adventure seekers because it’s more of an excursion than a conference room.
There are some advanced features like split hill height tracking that should recognize uphill or downhill and display the time for each, but they are not as reliable as possible. The watch takes a long time to turn on automatically and sometimes misses short climbs.
8. Garmin Forerunner 45 / 45S
The introduction of the Forerunner 55 means that the Forerunner 45 is technically outdated. However, if you do a quick search on the shopping site, you can easily get it for around $149.99, which is about 25% cheaper than its successor. Also, Garmin’s decision to make the Forerunner 55 one size means that the Forerunner 45S is thinner, cheaper, and fits thinner wrists.
And still a fantastic all-rounder. This is a build we really like. It’s very thin and light, and it’s unisex at 39mm (for the cheaper Forerunner 45S) and 42mm. This is the entry-level level of the wide range of Garmin devices on offer, but far from basic. You get basic running metrics as well as advanced analytics with the VO2 Max metric to help you monitor your fitness progress. Your VO2 Max will be displayed at the end of your run and tracked in the Garmin Connect app.
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9. Polar Vantage M2
Polar’s mid-range sports watch for men is the closest to the most exciting and superior Garmin Forerunner 245 in data, price, and performance. First of all, he’s handsome. Polar has an engraved bezel and metallic color to shape the smartwatch, making it far more unisex and stylish than the competition. Available in black, gold, and brown case colors to match with silicone, textile, or leather straps. It is one of the best sport watches.
The case size is 46mm, which is a bit large for women, but it only weighs 45g. In addition to GPS tracking and 100+ sports profiles, Training Load Pro and Cardio Load excel at identifying training effectiveness, exercise fatigue, and all these data points. GPS watches like Polar vantage M2 provide additional benefits for different terrain running. Polar Vantage M2 is the best GPS running watch.
10. The Amazfit Bip S
The Bip S is priced very low as compared to other best running watches in the market. This is quite surprising considering the range of features it offers. It has a built-in GPS and heart rate monitor, a transflective screen that is easy to see even on sunny days, and a long GPS battery life of 22 hours.
The is also waterproof (rated to 5 ATM) and works with Apple and Android phones to display notifications and control music playback. The Bip S is always handy for runners, as it can track activity and sleep and even display weather forecasts. Its price range and set of amazing features make it eligible for the best running watch in 2021.
11. Fitbit Charge 5
One of the most important features of this device for runners is the built-in GPS, which allows you to track distance and pace more accurately on the street. This feature makes it the best running GPS watch. Fitbit added GPS to the Charge lineup with the Charge 4. This means even runners who choose not to wear a watch can use the popular device while maintaining accuracy.
The design has been greatly improved with a color screen and a softer body, and the Charge 5 also features some of the best health tracking features of a Fitbit smartwatch, such as electrocardiogram and electro-skin activity measurement.
A striking new feature is the Daily Readiness Assessment, which suggests how active you should be, taking into account factors like recent activity and sleep. For runners, this provides valuable insight into whether they need to run hard for the day or just wait until their body is ready for a strenuous workout.
12. Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch
The Fitbit is renowned as the best-in-class fitness tracker and the Versa 3 smartwatch doesn’t disappoint. This watch makes it easy to track several key indicators such as heart rate, exercise intensity, and sleep quality. The sleep quality tracker is especially reliable. It tracks light, deep sleep, and REM sleep, providing more specific feedback than other fitness trackers.
Like many high-tech sports watches, the Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch boasts some unusual features.
Compatibility with popular music services such as Spotify, Deezer, and Pandora makes it easy to listen to music while exercising. The advanced GPS system makes it the best GPS watch for hiking. The built-in Alexa lets you check the weather, set notifications, and even control smart appliances. When fully charged, your Fitbit Versa smartwatch can be used for up to 6 days (12 hours in GPS mode). And if you’re in a hurry, rest assured, a 12-minute charge will give you all-day battery life.
13. LETSCOM Fitness Smartwatch
The LETSCOM Fitness Smartwatch is a great sports watch at a surprisingly affordable price. The watch offers a variety of health monitoring features, allowing you to conveniently track your heart rate, sleep quality, activity cycle, and more. The watch also lets you see all your data at once, making it easy to track your progress over time.
This top smartwatch offers many useful features in addition to built-in status tracking. You can use it to play music, receive calls, set alarms, and more. The watch display is customizable. You can control whether you want to see the time, day, date, steps taken, calories burned, or recently received messages. This convenient setup makes the LETSCOM Fitness Smartwatch an especially good choice for beginners who are distracted or intimidated by advanced features.
14. COROS Apex 42mm / 46mm
The COROS Apex continues to amaze runners of all levels by providing state-of-the-art training solutions in a luxurious design. This running watch is available in two sizes: 46mm and 42mm. The main differences are that the 46mm option offers a larger screen size, extra battery life, and a titanium body instead of ceramic. Thanks to its extensive battery life the COROS Apex can get 80100 hours in UltraMax mode or 2535 hours in standard GPS mode, making it a must-have for your next ultramarathon or a long week of training.
One of the most unique features of this watch is the COROS Trainer, which acts as an intelligent coach, helping you to train and recover at your absolute best. The Trainer will guide you through a warmup, training, and cooldown, taking into account your current fitness level and stamina, and then recommend a recovery time based on your efforts.
Additionally, this watch is quick to connect for your outdoor runs thanks to GPS, GLONASS, and BDS satellites, while its internal movement sensors accurately monitor your indoor training. If you want to run long in the mountains, barometric altimeters and motion sensors track your altitude and location data.
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15. Garmin Venu 2
With many features and user interface improvements over its predecessor, the Garmin Venu 2 stands out as a fitness and lifestyle tracker. This watch continues to use the amazing AMOLED color touchscreen, making it ideal for everyday use. Track vital health data such as fitness age, sleep score, estimated recovery time, blood oxygen levels, and more. Other small improvements include longer battery life, larger display, better heart rate, and pulse ox sensors.
Record your day runs or combine it with yoga, Pilates, or HIIT instructor workout with digital animation of your wrist. Other useful lifestyle features include stress, breathing, hydration, menstrual cycle, and sleep tracking to give you a better idea and improvement know-how for your overall well-being.
Music lovers can store up to 650 songs on their watch and sync them with their favorite Bluetooth headphones for free phone calls. The built-in wrist-based heart rate monitor measures output relative intensity and calories burned to help provide a more accurate reading of your personal fitness.
No More Waiting, Grab The Best Running Watch Today!
Whether you are a seasoned runner or a beginner, one of the best running watch tasks is a valuable investment. With high-performance watches that provide accurate and useful data like calories counts, steps, detailed pace charts, and heart rate monitoring, many really good watches track cadence, store music separate from your phone, and offer GPS compatibility. You shouldn’t miss out on sport watches.
