Tracking steps and your heart rate is just the beginning.
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Ready to ditch the “just tracking steps” vibe? Modern running watches do much more than measure run distance and heart rate: They can help you dial in your training, map out epic runs, and even whisper (virtually, of course) when it’s time to push it or chill out.
A running watch isn’t just a gadget; it’s a tool that can significantly impact your training and overall experience, like having a tiny, genius coach strapped to your wrist. Also, these watches aren’t exclusive—they work for the pros and beginning runners. Our recommendations are grounded in real-world testing to help you find the best gear for your needs.
There’s been quite the shake-up at Garmin over the past few months, the biggest of which is that it is discontinuing several models, including the Forerunner 265. Also, there’s a new watch on this list that I’m a big fan of, and believe could be a market disruptor; the Amazfit Cheetah Pro. It’s about half the price of the 970, with all the same features, plus a better battery life. The GPS isn’t quite there yet, and neither is the music storage or on watch UX, though. But it’s incredible.
The Forerunner 170 isn’t truly positioned as a replacement for the 265. It lands somewhere between the Forerunner 165 and 55 in terms of GPS and features. It’s a great watch, undoubtedly, but it’s definitely a running watch and not a true multisport, backwoods baddie. It lacks the multiband GPS and tri mode that the 265 offers, and has no offline mapping. It does have music storage and Garmin Pay, as well as the running and health metrics runners are looking for.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is the best running watch currently available. It perfectly balances fancy tech, durability, and a metric ton of training features. It has a vibrant 1.4-inch AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens housed in a pretty titanium bezel. The watch introduced Garmin’s latest Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor, including medically certified ECG and skin temperature monitoring, offering detailed biometrics for recovery and performance. And yes, it can basically guilt you in 15 languages at this point, and it frequently does. GPS tracking is exceptional with multiband SatIQ technology delivering precise location data, even in dense urban areas or heavy tree cover. Testing against chest straps and a Holter monitor, I have found that the HRM in this device is more accurate than others I have tested.
The Forerunner 970 makes an impact with its advanced training analytics, including new running economy and impact load metrics, although some of the advanced stats require purchasing Garmin’s HRM 600 chest strap, which thankfully isn’t uncomfortable or overly pricey. Offline color topo maps and dynamic routing tools like ClimbPro and Up Ahead help the navigation for trail runners and adventure athletes. It also supports music storage, Bluetooth calls, and Garmin Pay for contactless payments, integrating lifestyle convenience with serious training tools. I am a huge fan of the daily wrap-ups that you get at night and of the morning reports. I have a tendency to overdo it when it comes to training, and Garmin likes to let me know. When it tells me to “slow it down a bit or you’re going to burn out” (paraphrasing here), I tend to do so.
Battery life for intensive GPS activities has improved slightly from previous models, providing up to 23 hours in SatIQ mode, though smartwatch mode endurance is shorter than some rivals. The watch weighs 56 grams and remains comfortable for 24/7 wear, essential for continuous health monitoring and training insights. Its water resistance rating is 50 meters, suitable for swimming and triathlons.
When it comes to multisport, it is connecting to more and more third-party apps every day, and even if your app isn’t there yet, putting yourself in "free lifting" mode seems to track your effort pretty well. It’s incredibly accurate finding your distance when swimming, but like most treadmill tracking, it’s kind of best to match your distance from what the treadmill says or sync the ’mill to your watch first.
The app is still clunky, which I pray they fix soon. However, I wear this watch almost every day, and I adore it. It’s basically an extension of me at this point (when I’m not testing other watches).
Jeff Dengate says that the Coros Pace 4 redefines what runners should expect from an entry-level GPS watch. Noting, if you want the basics and solid operation, it’s a great pick for under $250. The watch’s GPS accuracy is on point, making it a budget-friendly pick that still looks good thanks to the AMOLED display. Battery life has improved, and he says: “The Pace 4 battery life has gone up compared to the 3, even with the addition of the brighter display,” boasting 31 hours of battery life in max GPS mode.
Lightweight design is a highlight, says Dengate: “Coros claims 32 grams, but that’s with the nylon strap with the silicone strap, the weight bumps up by a whopping 8 grams.” New features like voice logging elevate the experience: “Voice is a new feature you’d be hard pressed to not find this insanely useful,” allowing users to record post-run comments that are automatically transcribed in the Coros app. Downsides include the “digital dial” that “stinks when you’re running—especially when you’re wearing gloves” and “notification text is too small.” Ultimately, though, for runners on a budget, you can’t beat it.
I’ve tested a lot of watches, and the Amazfit Cheetah Pro is one of the best you can get for the money. The value here is almost hard to believe. It delivers features I’d expect from watches costing two or three times as much, and it does it really well. This watch is the first running watch that is a real threat to Garmin and Coros when it comes to GPS, battery life, and features.
Let’s look at the multiband GPS: it locks on fast and stays accurate even under tree cover and in Manhattan. There’s a flashlight with both red and white options, plus a boost in SOS mode, which is great for dark runs and finding your keys in your purse. The battery is tremendous, better than any in this category I’ve tested. Add 170 sport modes and the ability to make and receive Bluetooth calls, and you’ve got a contender for much pricier watches like the 970. It also offers structured training that doesn’t just tell you what to do but explains why. Finally, it has free, full-color, downloadable offline mapping that shows up beautifully on the AMOLED display.
My gripes: The charger is easier than Garmin’s magnetic prong style, but the strap suffers the same irritations as a pin-style. You are getting top-of-the-line sapphire glass and titanium fittings, but the strap itself feels like the plasticky material that it is.
While the app experience is beautifully thought out and designed, the actual experience on the watch needs work. The buttons are overly sensitive—I’ve accidentally started a workout, and worse, paused one midrun more times than I’d like. Also, the music integration is a pain, and not third-party ready just yet. Fix those things, and this watch is nearly flawless.
The Forerunner 170 Music hits that sweet spot for runners who want access to serious training metrics, phone-free music, and a good-looking light watch that comes in a bunch of fun colors—without paying flagship prices for it.
Garmin’s full training stack is here: Training Readiness, HRV Status, Training Load, VO2 max, and the adaptive Garmin Running Coach, all geared toward helping you chase your next PR. The 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is bright and responsive, battery life runs up to 10 days, and Garmin Pay means you can stop for a mid-run Italian ice (or hop on a bus because you’re exhausted) without carrying your wallet.
Phone-free streaming works seamlessly with Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer (Apple Music users, you’re SOL). The Strava sync is instant, the GPS lock is speedy as heck, and the five-button-plus-touchscreen setup navigates intuitively once you’ve had a few runs to settle in.
The one real competitor to consider is the older Forerunner 265, which occasionally hits this same price point on sale and adds multiband GPS—but the 265 is running older software and older hardware. For most runners, the 170 Music is the smarter buy. Two weeks in, it’s hard not to be impressed.
The Garmin Venu X1 is like that perfect running buddy who also happens to look good. It also looks a bit more like the most popular smartwatch on the market. It’s sleek, stylish, and ready to crush workouts without weighing you down. Its massive 2-inch AMOLED screen is bright and vibrant enough to make sunrise runs feel cinematic. And yes, it’s super slim and comfy, so wearing it all day (and night) is no big deal. I’ve run in a ton of watches, and this one is the slimmest I’ve tried. It sits only 8 mm top-to-bottom, and it’s downright featherlight compared with the Ultra or 970. You get all the power of other watches without the bulky weight and height.
I’m obsessed with the 100-plus sport modes, meaning no matter what weird workout I dream up or when I hit the Hyrox gym, this watch is ready and ready fast. It doesn’t have all the buttons of other Garmins, but if you’ve worn an Apple Watch, you’ll be good. I’m a big fan of the phone convenience features and Do Not Disturb setting. And don’t sleep on the offline maps and navigation—they’re clutch when I’m trail exploring without a clue where I am. I also love how you can easily change backgrounds, straps, and fonts to better show off your personal style.
Sure, the battery isn’t going to last a week on GPS, but honestly, the Venu X1 balances power and portability better than most. It’s packed with smart recovery tools like Body Battery and Training Readiness, so I actually know when to push or chill. A few minor glitches pop up here and there, but Garmin’s updates usually put those to rest quickly.
If you want a watch that’s equal parts smartwatch chic and serious sportster, the Venu X1 nails it with personality, precision, and panache.
Garmin Venu X1 Review
Jeff Dengate has long been a fan of Garmin’s rugged multisport watches, and the Fenix 8 Pro continues that streak—while pushing the line even further. “I love the Fenix series of watches because they have huge screens that I can read with my failing eyesight and huge batteries that rarely need charging,” he says. Just as important to him are “the actual maps and turn-by-turn directions,” which he relies on both when traveling and when plotting new long runs at home.
But the Fenix 8 Pro, Dengate says, “is a game changer.” Garmin essentially “packed an InReach satellite device and cellular connectivity into the watch.” The execution of cellular isn’t flawless, though. “It works. But it requires your contacts to use the Garmin Messenger app to get in touch with you—unlike the Apple Watch which really mirrors your actual phone.”
Out in the mountains, the satellite communicator stands out. “I regularly run in upstate New York where cell signal is crap,” Dengate notes. Even with a phone, connection is unreliable—but now, “I can ping my wife to let her know that I made it to the summit okay, or give an ETA when I want to stay out longer.”
All that power comes at a cost. “Those functions ding the battery pretty good,” he admits, recalling that he’s had to charge the Fenix 8 Pro more frequently than its predecessor.
I’ve logged more miles in trail shoes than I care to think about. Finding a watch that can keep up at ultradistances isn’t the easiest. And finding a watch that does that while also having all the bells, whistles, and metrics of a truly superb running watch felt impossible, but the Garmin Enduro 3 managed quite well.
For those of us already living in Garmin’s ecosystem, this watch, in spite of its rugged durability and advanced form factor, feels like coming home. The layout is slightly different from their Forerunner line, but not so much that you can’t quickly figure it out.
Let’s talk about that battery. This is where the Enduro 3 becomes a dream for ultrarunners. I’m not kidding when I tell you that you can get up to 90 (!!!) hours in GPS mode, and with the solar charging and Power Glass lens, you’re extending that time even further. I’ve gone into multiday running events without worry that my watch would crap out. (The same cannot be said for my headphones. Pro tip: Have a new pair in every drop bag.)
Beyond just that long-lasting battery life, other features like the surprisingly bright flashlight give you added safety. The phone connectivity is seamless, syncing your music and making things simple. In short, it’s a beast of a watch.
Apple fans are finally getting a serious piece of running equipment from the Ultra 3, and it’s my favorite sport watch it’s ever put out. Here’s why: The Ultra 3 nails the essentials for serious runners with a bright 1.93-inch OLED display that’s easy to read midrun and a rugged titanium case that can take a beating. The customizable Action button is perfect for quickly starting workouts or marking laps without fumbling through menus. While the watch offers detailed running metrics—like vertical oscillation and cadence—what sets it apart from previous Apple Watches is how smoothly it integrates satellite calling. This feature allows you to send emergency SOS messages even when you’re miles from cell coverage, adding peace of mind on remote trail runs or ultramarathons.
That said, if you’re a GPS perfectionist, the Ultra 3 isn’t quite flawless. While its GPS is solid and reliable for most runs, it still falls just short of the precision Garmin’s flagship models deliver. Garmin’s specialized multi-GNSS tech and processing give it a slight edge in tricky urban canyons and dense forested routes. So if absolute GPS accuracy is your top priority, Garmin still leads. But for runners who want an all-around smartwatch blending solid GPS, strong safety features, seamless Apple ecosystem compatibility, and sleek styling, the Ultra 3 is a jaw-dropping upgrade.
Battery life supports long training sessions, offering up to 20 hours of GPS-tracked activity and fast charging that gets you back out quickly. Overall, the Ultra 3 raises the bar impressively—it’s a watch that finally delivers for Apple-loving runners, even if Garmin still has the edge in GPS precision.
Our resident extreme runner, Pat Heine-Holmberg, and I have been testing this watch for several weeks, and he’s gotten a lot more time with it than I have. But as we are both pretty much always training for marathons and ultramarathons, his notes and mine have pretty much lined up, which, my friends, is very rare.
The Suunto Race 2 feels like a true return to form for the brand—the kind of performance focus Suunto had with the old Ambit series and early Suunto 9 models. Everything about this watch reminds me of when Suunto was at the top of endurance wearables. It’s clear to us they’ve brought development back to Finland because this watch finally feels engineered with precision again. Setup was frustrating—pairing issues and a required firmware update that forced me to re-pair multiple times—but once I got through that, phone connectivity has been totally stable.
The new AMOLED screen is bright, crisp, and legible in all lighting conditions, even in harsh mountain sun. Navigating sport mode takes a little focus since Suunto relies on icons instead of short text for metrics—not my favorite choice. The GPS, though, is excellent. It locks faster than the last few generations of Suunto devices, and accuracy is almost dead even with my Garmin, off by just 0.02 miles over a 5-mile loop. Interval mode has improved too: I can set time- or distance-based intervals with rest segments, though I wish it had distinct beeps for interval vs. auto-laps.
Battery life claims up to 55 hours with dual-frequency GPS, and that seems realistic. Heine-Holmberg charges about once a week with daily wear and 5 to 7 hours of running—far better than older models, though his Garmin Enduro 2 still lasts longer. I charge mine about every five days because I find that when I am using it for both weight training and running that the battery wanes a lot faster. The charger finally works as it should, with strong magnets that actually stay put as opposed to the old “I hope this stays charged if my cat taps it” charger it used to have. The biggest annoyance is Suunto’s inconsistent touchscreen logic—Heine-Holmberg can’t disable it outside sport mode, but it’s automatically off during workouts. And I have issues moving the maps and going from set to set. Could there be a watch update fix for this eventually?
Despite these quirks, the Race 2 feels like Suunto’s comeback as a serious contender for runners and multisport athletes. The hardware is fast, the app is more data-rich, and the fit and finish make it one of the most refined Suunto watches yet.
In 2025, I’ve personally already tested more than a dozen watches. Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate and Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer have both put several of them through the wringer as well. For our “best for teens” pick, we enlisted the help of three actual teenagers who run regularly to get very honest feedback on everything from utility to aesthetics.
We put these devices through every imaginable test, running everywhere from the wilds of Pennsylvania to the streets of New York City and the hills of the Scottish Highlands. We downloaded routes and maps through their apps to see if they lived up to their descriptions, exploring the variety each offered. On tracks, treadmills, and trails, we logged pre-measured routes and laps to check distance and pacing accuracy, while pushing their GPS systems to the limit—taking them deep into forests, off-trail on high peaks, and through places known to disrupt even the best signals.
Our team evaluated each watch’s integration with Strava, the ubiquitous running and training app. Additionally, I personally tested the watches with Runna, Peloton, Joggo, and Nike Run Club. During these tests, we zeroed in on measuring how quickly and reliably each watch interacted with the app, checked how often and effectively the app sent alerts to the watch, and assessed the overall usability of the app on each watch. Anyone who’s been prompted to take a wrong turn knows how annoying a lag can be. (It once caused me to run onto private property, and the wedding party on that pier was very confused.)
Our testing went far beyond just logging miles. We put these watches through the paces of daily life, exploring everything from strength training integrations and app compatibility with services like Spotify and MyFitnessPal, to fun and practical features like contactless payments, music playback, and even phone calls. We wanted to get a feel for how these devices truly fit into our whole day, whether we’re running or not.
Athletes are hard on their things; it’s just a fact, so we were not precious with these watches. We wore them in the rain, the snow, freezing cold climates, hot weather, and in and out of the shower. Since I am the klutziest person known to man, the watches were banged on corners and dropped multiple times from waist height. My husband even stepped on my watch after I’d left it on the living room floor where I decided to collapse after a grueling long run. The Suunto survived with nary a scratch.
Navigating the world of running watches can feel overwhelming, but it boils down to two key questions: How do you run, and how do you live? If your watch is purely a training tool, performance metrics are paramount. But if it’s an everyday companion, fit, style, and seamless integration become essential. For dedicated athletes, a 24/7 running watch unlocks valuable insights into recovery, sleep, and overall fitness, paving the way for peak performance.
It’s important that your running watch has a sharp, bright display, which will allow you to see the watch face in bright, sunny conditions, or when you check it quickly at a glance midrun. Right now, the gold standard for watch screens is the active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display, or AMOLED for short. Similar to the technology used in OLED TVs, smartphones, and other tech, these screens are capable of adjusting color and brightness pixel by pixel, ensuring that your stats are easy to read, and the color-coding of your maps pops. You’ll find AMOLED displays on many of my recommendations, including the Garmin Forerunner 265 and the Suunto Race.
While it’s an easy green flag, not every great running watch has an AMOLED display. Especially on budget-friendly options like the Coros Pace 4, which features a transflective surface display, make sure to take a closer look at the pixel density (the number of pixels used to generate the image) and the maximum brightness of the screen, measured in nits.
For new runners, a simple watch or fitness tracker is your perfect companion, keeping tabs on your pace, distance covered, your heart’s rhythm, and those satisfying split times. But for the serious runner craving deeper insights, advanced watches unlock a treasure trove of data. They meticulously track a multitude of metrics, painting a more balanced picture of your performance and how your body responds to training over time. This detailed intel empowers you to spot patterns, fine-tune your training regimen, and truly understand your body’s capabilities.
The amount of data these tiny machines can process is wild. A popular metric measured by modern running watches is the capacity to measure VO2 max. VO2 max often tops the list of demands for dedicated runners. Think of it as a window into your blood-oxygen levels during exercise. A higher VO2 max generally points to better overall aerobic fitness and your body’s ability to efficiently use oxygen for fuel. Following your VO2 max trends can reveal just how effective your training is and highlight improvements in your cardiovascular health—a.k.a. motivation you can measure.
Most fitness watches also offer some kind of sleep tracking, which records your blood oxygen level, movement, and heart rate at rest to assess the quality of your sleep. As a dedicated insomniac, I value this type of tracking almost as much as the timing of my splits and my recovery, even if the data arches toward the depressing.
Most fitness watches offer some kind of sleep tracking, which records your blood oxygen level, movement, and heart rate at rest to assess the quality of your sleep.
With the success of the Whoop fitness tracker, more and more watches offer some sort of recovery analysis. Similar to sleep tracking, your watch analyzes biodata to help you identify overtraining, undertraining, and even potential underlying illnesses.
If you menstruate, many running watches also offer period tracking that you can set up to alert you to your next oncoming flow.
Most running watch brands make a companion app that allows you to visualize your run data on your phone. They also make it easier to adjust settings, download maps, and connect with other runners (if you’re into that). If you have an iPhone, then you’re already familiar with Apple Fitness. Garmin, Coros, and Suunto all have companion apps with similar functionality, though they’re not all created equally.
Beyond data tracking, running watches offer a host of apps and features that are useful, but may not be that important for training.
First, pretty much every fitness watch is able to track a wide variety of workouts, not just running. Most can also control a host of apps and features on your phone, including contactless payment systems (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and music streaming apps (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.), so you don’t need to look at your screen.
If you don’t even want to bring your phone on your runs, some watches can connect to mobile internet independently (if you add them to your phone data plan).
Battery life on running watches has improved dramatically over the past several years. Most brands measure it in terms of days (or weeks!) rather than hours.
Ultrarunners taking part in multiday races need watches with a ton of life in them, but a few days is more than enough for most runners who just need it to last through their run and their sleep cycle.
A bulky running watch can be a major distraction. Pay attention to the watch size, how it feels on your wrist, and the availability of third-party straps that may create a more comfortable fit. Some of our picks come in multiple sizes, and we’ve found that to be a real boon for both petite and larger wrists.
While there have been significant issues with third-party services like Strava leaking data and allowing strangers to track users based on publicly accessible run data, the GPS data on your watch is fairly secure when it’s only stored on your watch and phone. Privacy is always going to be a concern—watch brands like Garmin have been breached at scale in the past—but mobile devices and wearables are fairly secure at the individual level.
Perhaps the most disappointing fact of life right now is that, while smartwatches are designed to last for years, new hardware improvements and firmware updates give them a fairly short lifespan. Personally, I ran with my original Garmin for over four years before I upgraded.
What’s better at tracking my heart rate: a running watch or a heart rate monitor?
The heart rate monitors in watches have improved dramatically over the past several years, essentially negating the need for a chest strap, unless you’re specifically heart-rate training, or have some underlying health concern that requires the most stringent monitoring. And, not for anything, as someone who has worn them a lot over the years, they’re really uncomfortable and can lead to blisters, rashes, and irritation.
Cat Bowen, senior editor of commerce; reviews, is a seasoned runner with more than 20 years of distance running experience, including dozens of marathons, half marathons, and even a few ultra marathons. For over a decade, she has tested parenting, fitness, home, and running gear and written in-depth guides to help readers with their next purchase. Holding multiple advanced degrees and currently studying kinesiology, Cat Bowen brings research-backed insight to all of her guides. Passionate about women’s health and neurodivergent inclusion, she advocates for closing research gaps and helping others—especially AudHD people—find joy in running and fitness.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
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