Buying a running watch can help you shave minutes off your PB, and it's an essential tool for runners of all abilities.
Top running watches are more than just about tracking pace and distance; they’re now designed to tell you how to train and when to rest, as well.
We’ve tested and reviewed all of the best running watches on the market – from cheap options to feature-packed alternatives for athletes – and compiled a roundup of our favorite picks.
Below, you’ll find both our quick recommendations, advice on how to buy the right running watch, and more in-depth details about the latest and greatest releases from the likes of Garmin, Polar, and Coros.
Quick picks
Best for absolute beginners: Garmin Forerunner 55
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is slim, lightweight, and simple to use, and it doesn’t complicate things with too many bells and whistles. It hooks up to Strava, has a strong suite of sleep and wellness tracking, and comes highly recommended for those just starting.
Best value running watch: Coros Pace 3
With excellent heart rate, tracking accuracy, advanced metrics, and top battery life, the Coros Pace 3 still delivers unbeatable value. The price is now just slightly north of $200/£200 – bumped up from its predecessor – but, for runners who are starting to train for longer events and building speed, it’s a savvy purchase.
Best for budding athletes: Garmin Forerunner 265
For those who want a powerful running watch to power their training and recovery – and one that also branches out to other disciplines – the 265 is the best choice. It may be a mid-range device in the grand scheme of Garmin’s offerings, but it has more than enough features to warrant the loftier price tag – and it looks superb, too.
Best premium pick: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
If money is no object and you want plenty of extras alongside the top-tier run tracking experience, the Epix Pro (Gen 2) is the perfect pick to consider. Aside from stellar HR and GPS accuracy, it has detailed mapping (presented beautifully on the AMOLED display), it can provide more reliable and relevant insights than rivals, and the battery life – around 4-6 days, depending on your use – is as good as it gets.
Garmin Forerunner 265
Check price: Buy Garmin Forerunner 265
Key considerations:
- Available in 42mm or 46mm
- 4 days of typical, always-on battery life / 20-25 hours of GPS tracking
- In-depth sports profiles for running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon
- Dual-frequency / Multi-Band GPS tracking
- Running features: Training Status, Running Dynamics, Garmin Coach, Suggested Workouts
The Forerunner 265 is one of the best running watches we’ve tested in years, combining accurate tracking, superb insights, and a very neat design.
Its predecessor, the Forerunner 255 – only released in 2022 – offers essentially all the same features, but the big upgrade offered through the 265 is the AMOLED display.
Once reserved for Garmin’s mega-expensive models, the technology has now trickled down to the company’s mid-range Forerunner, and it’s a real difference maker.
Battery life has taken a bit of a hit compared to the 255 because of it, but you’ll still be able to receive around four days of heavy use with the always-on display turned on. We think the trade-off is absolutely worth it – especially since you can always tweak settings and extend the battery life to closer to a week.
The rest of the experience, as we say, is similar to the last generation. There are still two case sizes to choose between, Garmin’s excellent Multi-Band GPS is again on board, and music streaming from the likes of Spotify is still an option.
On the run tracking front, Garmin’s Race Day mode is also carried over – something that helps you count down to your next big race, with Suggested Workouts, Garmin Coach plans also there to help you make it to the starting line in prime condition. Even wrist-based Running Dynamics – which delivers metrics like vertical oscillation and ground contact time – is on board.
If you want a running watch where you want more data, useful training, and analysis features wrapped up in a light design, the 265 ticks the key boxes and more. And if you want to save a little bit of cash, the 255 is still a great alternative.
- Read our full Garmin Forerunner 265 review
Pros
- Display and UI are hugely improved
- Battery life remains very good
- Great accuracy across the board
Cons
- AMOLED won't be for everyone
- Same tracking experience as FR255
- Misses out on ECG hardware
Coros Pace 3
Key considerations:
- 24 days in smartwatch mode
- 38 hours in GPS tracking / 15 hours of dual-frequency GNSS tracking
- Run, swim, bike, and gym workout modes
- AI Trainer and Evolab stamina and recovery metrics
Coros is a relative newcomer to the GPS running watch world, but it’s quickly made a name for itself – and that’s best represented by the Pace 3.
Building on the success of the Pace 2, the latest iteration has all the tools to make it a formidable running watch – and, though the price has increased slightly, you still won’t have to pay a premium.
The screen isn’t world-beating, but the 1.2-inch, 240 x 240, 64-color LCD puts it in line with other non-AMOLED devices. All the key sensors and running profiles are on board, too, with the optical heart rate sensor upgraded in the Pace 3 and delivering much more accurate monitoring during workouts.
This also feeds into the AI Trainer, which is carried over from the Pace 2. This shows you a Stamina percentage and aerobic/anaerobic training effect to show how recovered you are. Coros EvoLab also offers the kind of training insights and a race predictor for runners that you’d expect to find on pricier watches.
The heart rate sensor isn’t the only major upgrade, either, with Coros also including a dual-frequency GNSS chip for the Pace 3. As we’ve seen in other running watches, this yields improved positioning accuracy and distance estimates, and it’s a superb feature to have at this price range.
Elsewhere, the Pace 3 still works with third-party apps including Strava, and also retains the mega battery life of its predecessor. It pretty much wipes the floor with equivalently priced Garmin and Polar watches for GPS battery life numbers.
- Read our full Coros Pace 3 review
Pros
- Great overall sports tracking
- Still great battery life
- Great value for money
Cons
- More expensive than Pace 2
- Looks dated next to newest Garmins
- Smartwatch features not on par with competition
Garmin Forerunner 165
- Affordability: Priced lower than the Forerunner 265, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Battery Life: Longer battery life in smartwatch mode compared to the Forerunner 265.
- Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED screen, providing clear and vibrant visuals.
- Basic Fitness Features: Offers essential fitness tracking, such as VO2 Max, Garmin Coach, and Race Predictor, but lacks advanced training metrics found in higher-end models.
Garmin has an insane amount of Garmin Forerunner watches, and the problem is that they’re all good. It’s just a question of which features you don’t want to pay for.
The Forerunner 165 offers the AMOLED display and a manageable 43mm case size – with all Garmin’s core tracking features.
But it omits advanced analytics, including Training Status, Daily Readiness, and dual-frequency GNSS for better GPS accuracy.
That puts it way above the Forerunner 55 in terms of design and features, but you’ll need to spend around $100 more to get the Forerunner 265 (above) to get the really juicy data.
- Read our full Forerunner 165 review.
Pros
- Light and bright design
- Accurate HR and GPS
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- Pricier than rivals at this range
- A separate edition for music – why?
- Pretty slow GPS lock-on
Garmin Forerunner 965
- Check price: Buy Garmin Forerunner 965
Key considerations:
- 1.4-inch AMOLED display
- Full-color touchscreen mapping
- Dual-frequency/Multi-Band GPS tracking
- 7 days of typical, always-on battery life / 25-30 hours of GPS battery life
If you want a running watch that goes big on tracking, training, and analysis features – and wraps that all up in a compact and premium design – then cast your eyes on the 965.
We still believe the 2022 Forerunner 955 is an excellent running watch, and those looking to save a bit of cash should absolutely consider it, but the improvement to the display means the newer 965 is our clear favorite.
The new UI it enables is modern and sharp, and the extra detail available when using offline mapping is invaluable. Though it offers pretty much all the same features as last year’s model, the AMOLED screen means this feels like a totally new way to track your training efforts.
There’s really no better watch to track them from, either. Features that debuted through the 955 are all still here – such as Training Readiness, HRV Status, and Morning Report – and are now bolstered by native Running Dynamics and Running Power.
All the usual training-specific features, such as Training Status, Race Predictor, and Garmin Coach plans, are backed up by much-improved sleep tracking and smart features like offline music streaming, as well.
Considering the move to AMOLED screen tech, the battery life also remains exceptional. It’s not quite as long-lasting as its predecessor, but, from our testing, we’ve found it can consistently track a full week of outdoor workouts with the always-on display turned on. And if you want it to last longer, there are plenty of settings you can tweak, too.
Our only real issue with the 965 is the durability. The design is premium and lightweight, which is ideal for training, but it’s not especially durable.
We’ve experienced several scratches on the titanium bezel and display without really partaking in any rigorous outdoor exercise, so those requiring something rugged and hard-wearing are still better off with the Fenix/Epix watches.
We should also note that Garmin’s Elevate 4 HR sensor that features on the 965, while still very accurate, has now also been superseded by the Elevate 5 that features on the Epix Pro and Fenix 7 Pro (below).
This isn’t a huge deal, but our testing shows the latest tech is slightly more accurate, so keep it in mind if you’re picking between them.
- Read our full Garmin Forerunner 965 review
Pros
- Display and UI are much improved
- Battery life remains outstanding
- Tracking accuracy is hard to beat
Cons
- Prone to bumps and scratches
- Not hugely different to the FR265
- Smart features are extremely basic
Garmin Forerunner 55
Key considerations:
- 2 weeks smartwatch/20 hours of GPS tracking
- Run, swim, bike, gym
- Adaptive training plans
- VO2 Max
The problem with Garmin running watches is that they are really expensive. Take the new Forerunner 165 – it costs over $250/£249. Hardly the ‘entry level’ it’s pitched as. So the older Forerunner 55 does represent the true budget choice, for those wanting a Garmin running watch without bells and whistles.
The Forerunner 55 boasts a low-profile and minimal design, and it’s brought on board some of the more insightful training and analysis features usually reserved for pricier Garmin watches.
The watch case itself measures just 42mm, which creeps up slightly in thickness coming in at 11.6mm thick compared to the 11.4mm sized body on the 42mm Forerunner 45.
Front and center is a 1.04-inch, 208 x 208 transflective, always-on display, which offers strong visibility in all conditions, and is a lot kinder on battery life. It doesn’t look anywhere as good as the newer AMOLED screens, but it keeps cost down.
The Forerunner 55 promises up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours of GPS battery life and that’s what we experienced in our testing. That’s more than good enough for those embarking on half and full-marathon training programs.
When it comes to racing, a key addition is PacePro, which helps you target race pace with gradients taken into account, VO2 Max estimation, and race predictor data on finishing times based on your fitness.
It now supports Garmin Coach and suggested workouts, so it can be more of an active participant in your training.
There’s Garmin’s Elevate optical heart rate monitor to track heart rate continuously, during exercise and unlock features like Garmin’s Body Battery Energy monitor and the improved recovery advisor.
You also have the option to pair up external heart rate monitors to improve accuracy in measuring effort levels during runs.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is an improved running companion thanks to new software features that seek to help you run your best. It balances a fantastic set of features that offers way more than the basics, in a sleek and light package. We love it.
- Read our full Garmin Forerunner 55 review
Pros
- Small, light design
- PacePro and suggested workouts
- Full Connect IQ support
Cons
- Best HR accuracy with chest strap
- Low res screen
Polar Vantage V3
Key considerations:
- 5-7 days of battery life (or 47 hours of dual-frequency GPS)
- FuelWise fuelling recommendations, HillSplitter analytics
- Breadcrumb navigation and upload routes via Komoot
- FitSpark workouts/Performance & recovery tests
- Running power, sleep, and recovery insights
Replacing the Vantage V2 that had got a little mixed up alongside Polar’s newest offerings, the Vantage V3 arrived in late 2023 and takes aim at Garmin with a punchy new display.
We don’t think it’s as good as Garmin’s premium Forerunner, the 965, but the Vantage V3 is a very solid running watch for those who want an alternative.
The price is relatively lofty, but Polar has added plenty here to help justify it. Aside from that display upgrade – which sees the Vantage V2’s 1.2-inch, 240 x 240 MIP display dropped for a new 1.39-inch, 454 x 454 AMOLED panel – the company has added offline mapping features and dual-band GPS.
Polar has also upgraded the heart rate sensor here to one it calls Elixr. It’s a great name, but it’s not one we had a great time with during testing, so watch out for that if you’re not going to be pairing a chest strap. In contrast, the GPS performance was excellent.
As ever, and as you would expect from the top-tier Polar watch, the workout tracking experience here is very comprehensive. Features like FuelWise and Hill Splitter remain, and are joined by the likes of running power estimations, training load info, HRV insights, and more.
- Read our full Polar Vantage V3 review
Pros
- Lovely AMOLED screen
- Performance boost means smoother software
- Same great core multisports tracking
Cons
- Optical heart tracking accuracy still not fantastic
- Doesn't match Garmin for smartwatch features
- Pricier than 965 and Suunto Race (in US)
Suunto Race S
Key considerations:
- 6-7 days of battery life (or 40 hours of dual-frequency GPS)
- 1.43-inch AMOLED display; 466 x 466 resolution
- 49mm case; 13.3mm thick
- Dual-frequency GPS
- Offline mapping
Suunto is becoming a running watch powerhouse again, and the Race S earned a strong review in our testing. It promises the same solid multisport tracking experience as the Suunto Race but with a smaller case and a smaller price tag.
The AMOLED screen makes for a modern-looking watch, offering around a week of battery life.
We found excellent performance from the multi-band GNSS even in challenging environments. However, the same can’t be said for the on-board PPG heart rate sensor, which served up some questionable accuracy in our test period.
If you can look beyond that, the Suunto Race S is a solid-performing AMOLED multisports watch that essentially gives you everything you get from the Suunto Race at a price that will definitely ruffle the feathers at Polar, Coros, and Garmin.
While heart rate accuracy disappoints, good GPS and a decent price point still make the Race S a strong option – just use a chest strap when you need that HR performance.
- Read our full Suunto Race review
Pros
- Affordable pricing – compared to rivals
- Mapping features
- Good display quality
- Strong GPS accuracy
Cons
- Reduced durability
- Laggy touchscreen
- Questionable heart rate tracking
Apple Watch Series 9
Key considerations:
- Two case sizes – 41mm and 45mm
- 18-hour battery life
- Apps for Strava, Nike Run Club and more
- Only works with iPhone
Back when the Apple Watch first arrived, we’d have struggled to recommend it as a running watch. Fast forward to today, and, for casual runners, the Apple Watch Series 9 (and Apple Watch SE) are two of the best options out there.
With GPS on board, it’s well set up for the tracking of outdoor runs, and there are treadmill workout options for those who enjoy the gym.
The onboard heart rate sensor is up there with the best we’ve used on any device, and Apple is adept at harnessing it to produce meaningful data. You’ll see data like VO2 Max and Cardio Fitness levels within the Fitness and Apple Health iPhone apps.
The large, AMOLED screen is well-suited for showing off mid-run metrics, and the Workout app is well-designed and easy to use.
But what really sets it apart is the App Store. We prefer to use the Strava app for Apple Watch as it’s our preferred service, but if you like Nike Run Club or MapMyRun, all these are available too.
And then there’s the music aspect. With Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music apps, it’s one of the slickest devices for taking your tunes on the go.
There are downsides. Battery life with GPS tracking is around 7 hours – and, in reality, can be less if music or LTE are involved. If you’re planning on doing a marathon, we’d probably look for something more specialized.
And the reason we use Strava is that we don’t feel that the Fitness app provides the detail, analysis, and motivation we crave as runners. There aren’t monthly progression targets, PB tracking, workout suggestions, or details on readiness. And this is where Garmin and other brands still hold plenty of cards.
- Read our full Apple Watch Series 9 review
Pros
- Gesture is cool
- Carbon neutral
- Top sports watch
- Could save your life
Cons
- Battery life is poor
- Not a proactive wellness device
- Incremental changes over Series 8
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Key considerations:
- 1.92-inch AMOLED display
- 36-hour battery life / 12 hours in dual-frequency mode
- Dual-frequency GNSS positioning
- Only works with iPhone
The idea of the Apple Watch is to be a better companion to those who love outdoor adventures – and the Ultra 2 (as well as the original Ultra) solves many of the pain points of the Series 9/SE.
It’s a huge design shift from the Series models, with a bigger, brighter display and toughened 49mm case. It’s kind of garish, but it does look like a proper adventure watch that packs bags of personality.
For road runners, the key improvements are boosted battery life and dual-frequency GPS, which has enabled the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to compete with dedicated running watches.
Battery life is upped to 12 hours of dual-frequency tracking. That’s significantly less than the 40+ hours touted by most flagship GPS watches but good for most normal people’s running efforts.
We put the original Apple Watch Ultra up against the Garmin Epix at the Chicago Marathon and found its accuracy was superior around the challenging course of skyscrapers that can destroy most running watches. So, if you can live with the battery life, there is a good payoff.
For off-road runners, there are some modest navigation features on board, and you can program waypoints in the compass app, and use trackback to find your way home.
As ever, there are third-party apps that can do this better – and like the Series 9 – this is the Ultra’s strength. The native analysis of runs is still lacking, but, with battery life and accuracy boosted, there’s a lot to like.
The other downside, of course, is that you do pay a premium for the extras. With a price tag that eclipses the Garmin Fenix 7, what makes the Apple Watch Ultra 2 worth the money is the fact it’s a desirable watch and the smartwatch features it delivers daily.
Pros
- Great screen
- Supreme GPS accuracy
- Gestures are cool AF
- Carbon neutral
Cons
- Wellness feels a tad stale
- Short on prosumer metrics
- New carbon neutral bands slightly dull
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
Key considerations:
- 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen display
- Full-color mapping
- Endurance Score, Hill Score, Training Readiness and more
- Garmin Elevate 5 optical heart rate sensor
- 6 days of always-on battery life / 16 days of battery in smartwatch mode
- Up to 42 hours of GPS battery life / 20 hours of Multi-Band battery life
The Garmin Epix is what you get when you take the AMOLED screen from Garmin’s Venu series and match it up with the features of a Fenix 7 / 7 Pro. If that sounds like the recipe for a great running watch, then you’d be right.
If you want to save a bit of money, the Fenix 7 Pro offers the same experience – but with a downgraded screen.
With the release of the newer Pro range, the Epix (Gen 2) is now finally available in three cases case sizes – 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm. There’s no solar charging here, which we don’t consider a great miss, but the flashlight is now standard across the board, which we love.
It’s not only a superb safety feature for winter or nighttime runs, but we’ve also been surprised at how handy it proves in daily use.
Other than this, the main upgrade comes in the form of the Elevate 5 optical heart rate sensor, something we found during testing delivered some marginal improvements over the previous Elevate 4 tech (featured on the standard Epix).
The rest is pretty much the same, with features that debuted on the Epix Pro (Gen 2) like Endurance Score and Hill Score now trickling down to less premium devices.
That means there’s still a touchscreen, which is smooth and responsive and brings a whole other dimension to viewing the full mapping it supports. It also makes scrolling through menu screens and using music controls a much slicker experience.
Based on extensive use, we can’t recommend the run tracking highly enough. The Multi-Band Mode delivers unrivaled positional accuracy, despite the knock-on effect it has on battery life, and the wrist-based Running Dynamics are insightful for data nerds who love to analyze post-run.
Then there are older features, like the scarily accurate Race Predictor, useful Training Readiness score, Garmin Coach plans, and the Race Widget that unlocks daily workout suggestions.
With that AMOLED screen in place, that does mean battery life isn’t quite on par with the Fenix 7, but it’s still good enough to get you through around a week of tracking with the always-on display enabled.
It’s the kind of compromise you can make based on the difference that color screen makes living with the Epix Pro day-to-day compared to the Fenix. It’s a great running watch, and, if you’ve wanted a great running watch with a color screen, this is easily the best one out there.
- Read our full Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) review
Key considerations
Battery life
The first consideration when buying a running watch should be battery life. How far do you run – and what kind of distances would you like to run in the future?
Some smartwatches with running watch features will struggle to last more than a few hours while tracking GPS, thus might not last a full marathon.
Likewise, many of the most premium running watches offer 100 hours of continuous tracking, which is overkill for people who just do a weekend 5K. Consider what you need.
More than just running
So, you like running – but do you want your watch to track other workouts? Most running watches will track swimming and cycling – but what about things like golf or HIIT?
For swimming, check the waterproof rating (5ATM should be the minimum) and ensure that pool metrics are up to scratch.
Training plans
Many running watches will have guided training plans built in, which is useful if you’re looking to structure your session or have a specific goal in mind.
Deep insights
More advanced running watches can tap into your body to reveal things like VO2 Max (the purest score of your fitness), recovery advice, readiness, fuelling, and even nutrition.
Music storage
There are plenty of running watches that can store music, so you can run to the beat and leave your smartphone at home. Check out our special guide to sports watches with music playback.
