Best GPS running watches for performance tracking in 2025

Running watches have come a long way since they first came to market. They’ve evolved to become even more intuitive, closely monitoring your activity to create a digital profile of your fitness.

The best running watches can sync seamlessly to your phone, giving you access to calls, notifications and music on your wrist. Like triathlon watches, most models are designed to be worn all-day, with long battery lives and screens that are visible in direct sunlight.

So, for casual runners and serious athletes alike, read on for our picks of the watches for running in 2025.

Best running watches to buy in 2025

1. Garmin Fenix 7S

Price:	$650 / £579.99
Display size:	1.2″/42mm, 1.9″/47mm, or 2″/51mm diameter
Weight:	2.2oz/63g
Battery life:	Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, up to 37 hours in GPS mode
Display type:	touchscreen with buttons

The Fenix 7S is a smaller-sized, touchscreen fitness watch in Garmin’s popular range of wearable sports tech. The watch has 24/7 health monitoring, covering all bases from heart rate to blood oxygen saturation and sleep.

There’s an impressive amount of tech in the Fenix 7S. The multisport watch, with a battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 37 hours in GPS mode, has GPS tracking, training features and sports apps.

There are preloaded activities for a number of different sports, and runners will love the advanced performance and training metrics that can track even your trail running adjustment and exertion levels.

Read our full review of the Garmin Fenix 7 Solar to discover more about its features and performance.

2. Suunto Race

Price:	$449/£389 (stainless steel version), $549/£479 (titanium version)
Weight:	2.9oz/83g (stainless steel), 2.4oz/69g (titanium)
Battery life:	Up to 16 days smartwatch mode, up to 50 hours with multi-band GPS
GPS:	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU
Maps:	Full mapping, plus 16GB (stainless steel) or 32GB storage (titanium)

The Suunto Race brings plenty to the table when it comes to running features, and is the brand’s top offering for athletes to date.

Its usability shines with a combination of a touchscreen and three physical buttons, paired with a robust set of features.

One key highlight is heart rate variability, a valuable metric that drives several other training tools found on sport watches, including sleep tracking, training stress scores, and monitoring of overall training load.

The watch also includes mapping capabilities, with 16GB of storage on the steel model and 32GB on the titanium version, both easily managed through the intuitive Suunto app.

As expected, it offers an extensive selection of sport profiles to monitor and supports power meters.

Battery performance is remarkable, providing up to 40 hours in GPS mode—more than enough for multiple long workouts, a marathon, or even a full Ironman race.

Read our full Suunto Race review for more.

3. Garmin Enduro 3

Price:	$899.99 / £769.99
Weight:	2.2oz/63g
Screen:	1.4in/35.5mm, 280 x 280 pixels
Features:	Route suggestions, HRV tracking, flashlight, solar charging, Garmin Pay, multi-band GPS, music storage, Training Readiness metric
Battery life:	320 hours (claimed)

The Garmin Enduro 3 stands out by costing less than the model it replaces.

Priced at $900 (£770), it’s still a high-end investment, but its solar-boosted battery life (rated up to 320 hours in GPS mode) is unparalleled.

Maximum juice is only achievable under strong sunlight, though.

A larger solar ring has been added without compromising screen brightness. The display is easier to read than on the Enduro 2, though it still lags behind AMOLED competitors in sharpness.

The Enduro 3 comes fully loaded with performance upgrades, including a more accurate heart-rate monitor, advanced strength training support, an improved interface, a built-in flashlight, and intelligent navigation features like ClimbPro.

Tailored for endurance-focused athletes, particularly cyclists and long-distance runners, the Enduro 3 also includes extras like music playback, Garmin Pay, and stock market updates.

It’s an excellent all-around performer, just don’t count on peak battery life in overcast conditions.

Read our full review for the Garmin Enduro 3 here.

4. Coros Pace Pro

Price:	$349 / £349
Weight:	1.3oz/37g
Screen:	1.3inch AMOLED
Features:	Offline colours maps, HRV measurement, training effect and load tracking, race-time predictor and virtual pacer, triathlon mode, sleep tracking
Battery life:	Up to 31 days

Coros has finally joined the AMOLED game with the Pace Pro, and it’s a welcome leap. The vibrant 1.3in display is a joy on dark runs, and triathlon features are well covered with modes for swim, bike, run, and strength.

Upgrades include a faster processor, improved GPS and heart-rate accuracy, and full-colour offline maps – though you’ll have to self-reroute if you stray off-course.

Storage jumps from 4GB to 32GB, and battery life holds up well despite the bright screen.

Downsides? The silicone strap feels a bit basic, and music is MP3-only.

Still, it’s a solid all-rounder for runners and multisport athletes.

Read our full Coros Pace Pro review for more.

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5. Polar Vantage M3

Price:	$399 / £349
Weight:	1.9oz/53g
Screen:	1.28inch AMOLED
Features:	Dual-frequency GPS, offline maps, wrist-ECG readings
Battery life:	30 hours of training time (claimed)

The Polar Vantage M3 delivers high-end triathlon watch features without the premium price tag.

It shares the same software as the pricier Vantage V3 and Grit X2 Pro, offering dual-band GPS, an AMOLED screen, offline maps, HRV tracking, and wrist-based running power.

At just 1.9oz/53g, it’s noticeably lighter, though its plastic build and smaller 1.28in display reflect the cost-saving design.

Battery life tops out at 30 hours (or 15 with always-on display), which is decent but less than its siblings.

While the Polar Flow app feels dated, the M3’s performance-focused features make it a smart pick for serious triathletes on a budget.

Read our full Polar Vantage M3 review for more.

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6. Polar Grit x2 Pro

Price:	$749.95 / £649
Weight:	2.8oz/79g (including wristband)
Display size:	35.3mm (1.39in) diameter
Battery life:	Up to 10 days smartwatch mode, up to 43 hours in performance training mode
Display type:	AMOLED

The Polar Grit X2 Pro is a rugged, feature-packed watch built for serious runners, triathletes, and outdoor athletes.

It shares much with the Vantage V3 but adds a tougher stainless-steel shell and crystal-clear AMOLED display.

GPS tracking is excellent on land, though open-water performance and calibration quirks leave room for improvement.

With 150+ sport modes, offline maps, cycling metrics like VAM, and useful features like FuelWise, it’s a solid training tool.

However, the steep $750/£650 price tag may raise eyebrows, especially with rival watches offering similar features for less.

A strong performer, but not without flaws.

Check out our full Polar Grit X2 Pro review for more.

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7. Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar

Price:	$599.99 / £519.99
Weight:	1.8oz/52g
Screen:	1.4in/35.5mm, 280 x 280 pixels
Battery life:	Up to 20 days smartwatch mode, up to 80 hours with GPS only

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar uses solar charging to deliver a massive battery life of up to 20 days in smartwatch mode.

The watch has a well-lit touchscreen that promises to be highly responsive, as well as traditional on-the-side buttons for those who prefer them.

The multisport watch includes advanced health monitoring (including VO2 max, heart rate variability, sleep, recovery), smart features and activity tracking.

Additional features that are perfect for runners include running power (when using a compatible device), Training Readiness, suggested workouts, PacePro (which helps you stay at your desired pace) and full-colour built-in mapping.

Up to 2,000 songs can also be downloaded onto the watch, which can be connected to your headphones for phone-free listening.

Read our full review of the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar.

8. Coros Pace 3

Price	$229 / £219
Weight	1.05oz / 30g
Battery life	15 days everyday use / 38 hours GPS mode
Display	1.2in / 4.19cm

The third version of the Coros Pace lineup is another notable release and great news for athletes seeking budget-friendly gear.

This edition keeps the familiar single button and rotating dial, but introduces a touchscreen, which is a welcome addition.

With its lightweight design at just 1.05oz / 30g (only 1g more than its predecessor) and compact 1.2-inch display, it feels barely noticeable on your wrist.

The LCD screen is reasonably good, and the battery performance is impressive, offering 38 hours in GPS mode or up to 30 days in standard use.

Although it lacks full maps, it provides turn-by-turn directions and a breadcrumb trail for navigation. However, we found creating routes in the Coros app to be a bit challenging.

You can select from 20 activity profiles, including triathlon and various swim, bike, and run combinations. It also offers 4GB of internal storage for music.

Read our full Coros Pace 3 review here.

9. Garmin Epix Gen 2

Price	$799.99 / £899.99
Weight	2.7oz / 76g
Battery life	Up to 16 days everyday use / 28 hours GPS mode
Display	1.9in/47mm (also 42mm and 51mm), AMOLED, 454×454 pixels

A powerhouse watch with a price tag to match, the Epix Gen 2 delivers premium performance for runners, with all of Garmin’s top-tier features.

It boasts a wide range of sport profiles (including triathlon), along with tools like Training Status, Training Load, and Real-Time Stamina tracking.

Housed in a rugged and sizable design (there is a choice of case size though), it doesn’t skimp on style, thanks to its stunning AMOLED display.

The screen offers exceptional clarity, vibrant colors, impressive brightness, and a spacious viewing area.

However, the inclusion of this high-quality display does impact battery life, which, while still solid, isn’t as long-lasting as some of Garmin’s other flagship models. It provides up to 42 hours in GPS mode and a maximum of 16 days in standard use.

See our full Garmin Epix Gen 2 review for more.

10. Garmin Forerunner 945

Price:	$599.99 / £499.99
Weight:	1.8oz/50g
Screen:	1.2in/30.4mm, 240×240 pixels
Battery life:	Up to 14 days smartwatch mode, up to 36 hours in GPS mode

The Garmin Forerunner 945 can closely track your activity and performance, being able to detect when you’re training productively, peaking or overtraining.

The smartwatch’s navigation is tailored for runners.

It’s designed to be seen at a glance, and the map can provide navigation when you’re road running and when you go off path.

Despite being a sophisticated running watch, the Forerunner 945 remains intuitive to use. Plus, having been on the market for while, it’s often on offer.

See our full review of the Garmin Forerunner 945 here.

11. Polar Grit X Pro

Price:	$559.95 / £484
Weight:	2.8oz/79g (including wristband)
Display size:	1.2in/47mm diameter
Battery life:	Up to 7 days smartwatch mode, up to 40 hours in performance training mode
Display type:	AMOLED, 240×240 pixels

The Grit X Pro is a great choice if you’re looking for durability, as Polar promises that the fitness watch is built for adventurers.

Precise heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, 100m water resistance and a training guide make this a stand-out watch for runners.

Battery life is around 40 hours in GPS-mode and there are a range of physical fitness tests. These include a VO2 max test, a leg-recovery test and an orthostatic test based on heart rate and heart rate variability data.

There’s also turn-by-turn directions with a basic breadcrumb-style map.

Read our full Polar Grit X Pro review here.

12. Garmin Forerunner 55

Price:	$199.99 / £179.99
Weight:	1.3oz/37g (including wristband)
Display size:	1.04in/26.3mm diameter
Battery life:	Up to 14 days smartwatch mode, up to 20 hours in performance training mode
Display type:	MIP

If you’re in the market for an easy-to-use running watch that won’t break the bank, the Forerunner 55 is worth considering.

Unlike some higher-end Garmin models featured in this lineup, it doesn’t include a touchscreen, built-in music storage, or contactless payment options.

It’s also only 1.3oz/ 37g, though, bringing on similar ground to the Coros Pace 3 when it comes to weight.

However, the Forerunner 55 compensates for its lack of advanced features with a 14-day battery life, a waterproof design, and a variety of health monitoring tools.

It supports tracking for multiple sports, including running, and provides insights on calories burned, breathing, hydration, sleep patterns, and menstrual cycle tracking. It also offers recovery tips and pregnancy monitoring.

For those who need workout tunes, you can play music via your phone and control playback directly from the watch.

How we tested

The smartwatches reviewed here have been carefully tested with a focus on running capabilities by 220 Triathlon’s experienced gear testers, who collectively have over 50 years of expertise evaluating sports and outdoor equipment.

Each watch underwent at least a month of rigorous testing, with many being used extensively for even longer periods.

During testing, we took the watches on numerous runs of varying intensity, including intervals, long-distance runs, and recovery sessions, to assess their ability to handle changes in pace and heart rate tracking.

The tests spanned diverse environments—urban areas, open countryside, and forest trails—to evaluate GPS performance and accuracy. Recorded routes were compared against other devices and meticulously analyzed on a map to ensure reliability.

Heart rate accuracy was benchmarked against our standard chest-based heart rate monitor, providing a reliable baseline for comparison.

In addition to run-specific metrics, we assessed battery life during extended use, the watch’s ease of operation, the quality of its companion app, and how seamlessly it integrates into daily life.

Features to look for in a running watch

GPS accuracy

Reliable GPS signal is essential for tracking distance, pace, and route. Look for running watches that capture signal and perform well in various environments, including urban areas and trails.

Heart rate and biometrics

Opt for a watch with accurate wrist-based heart rate tracking, or the ability to pair with chest HR straps for more precise data. All of our recommended watches on test provide accurate heart rate monitoring.

Battery life

Consider the battery’s longevity, especially for longer runs. GPS mode and biometrics tracking drain more power, so ensure it meets your training and racing needs.

Comfort and fit

Comfort comes down to personal preference. Look out for watch face sizes and strap lengths, matching with your wrist size. Lightweight watches tend to be more comfortable, especially if you’re using sleep tracking.

Training-specific features

Run training features could include interval timers, training load score, VO2 max analysis, and recovery suggestions. All of these aim to give you the tools to optimise your run performance.

Connectivity and synching

A good companion app makes it easier to analyze your runs, set goals, and track progress over time. Ensure compatibility with your preferred platform, most watch brands these days will have a free companion app that also syncs to apps like Strava.

Durability

Choose a running smartwatch that can withstand sweat, rain, and the occasional scratch and drop onto the floor, with a water-resistant rating suitable for outdoor use. Some watches will have additional durability features, like the indestructible, sapphire-cased watches.

What is the best watch for runners?

The Garmin Fenix 7S is best of the bunch in our running watch testing.

Despite being a bit smaller than some Garmin sports watches, it incorporates all the tech you’ll want from 24/7 health tracking to long battery life and training analytics.

The high asking price is a negative, but you can find it at a modest discount online.

What is the best cheap running watch?

In our eyes, the Coros Pace 3 takes the accolades in the budget running watch category. 

Its quality-to-price ratio is outstanding at $229 / £219. 

You get a pretty clear LCD touchscreen along with a sole button and dial in a lightweight package with 20 sport profiles to pick from. 

Run time is lengthy but you only get turn-by-turn navigation and a breadcrumb trail in lieu of proper maps. 

What is the best entry-level running watch?

The Polar Vantage M3 is one of the Finnish brand’s cheaper running watches, which harnesses essentially identical software to its more premium stablemates.

At a competitive price, it combines features like wrist-based running power, multi-band GPS for navigation accuracy and a highly readable AMOLED screen.

Polar has cut costs through a plastic construction and battery life isn’t huge. But these slight issues are easy to overlook when you’re shopping for an entry-level running watch.

Which Garmin watch for runners?

Competition is close between the best Garmin watches for running. 

We’d pick the Garmin Enduro 3 for ultra events thanks to colossal, solar-enhanced battery life.

The best Garmin watch for everyday running though is the lighter and simpler Forerunner 265, which still tracks all the fitness and health metrics you’d want.

Is Apple or Garmin better for running?

Garmin dominates this list of the best running watches for good reason. Its devices offer loads of activity modes, maps, training and health data. Plus, they accurately track your position, connect to all your sensors, have great battery life and look the part in a functional way.

Pricier models also perform many of the lifestyle and convenience tasks, such as contactless payments and call answering, that Apple’s watches are better known for.

So when it comes to running, there’s little contest between Garmin and Apple while there’s minimal difference in their everyday capabilities.

Apple could be a better choice though if you want a timepiece that doesn’t scream ‘sports watch’.

Not all running watches are waterproof, so read our guide to the best swimming watches if you want a submergible chronometer.

Which watch do marathon runners use?

Most marathon runners will set off wearing their regular running watch and your everyday training watch will be fine too. Just make sure it’s charged beforehand.

Comfort and low weight should take priority over tech and screen size because you probably won’t need features like mapping and music playing due to the route being signposted and headphones being banned.

All you’ll want is a timer for pacing and possibly GPS tracking, if you want to record the race to upload to Strava.