Overview
- Jump To Details
Polar Pacer Pro
Best for Advanced Runners - Jump To Details
Apple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS Smart Watch
Best iPhone-Compatible Smartwatch - Jump To Details
Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit's Most Advanced Tracker - Jump To Details
Garmin Vivoactive 4
Best for Stress Relief - Jump To Details
Polar Grit X
Best for Mountain training - Jump To Details
Coros Apex
Best for Outdoor Athletes - Jump To Details
Fitbit Versa 3
Best for Android-Compatible Smartwatches - Jump To Details
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Best Apple Watch Alternative for Android Users - Jump To Details
Apple Watch SE (2022)
Best Affordable Apple Watch - Jump To Details
Garmin Venu 2
A Fitness-Focused Smartwatch - Jump To Details
Polar Ignite 2
An Attractive Fitness Watch
If you're a serious runner, you need a fitness tracker that can do more than count steps, measure sleep, and vibrate when a push notification appears on your phone. The good news is that many fitness trackers and smartwatches can now track your pace, route, distance, and other stats that were once strictly the domain of special, running-focused wearables.
We've rounded up the very best run-friendly wearables across a wide range of prices so you can find something that meets your needs and budget, matches your style, and motivates you through all those miles. We also considered some of the essential features any runner would want from a tracker, like a built-in GPS and heart rate monitor. Keep scrolling for our favorites and be sure to read our buying guide at the end of this article for some pertinent advice.
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Polar Pacer Pro
Best for Advanced RunnersBottom Line:
The Polar Pacer Pro helps you plan, track, and analyze your training sessions as you safely work toward your goals, making it one of the best GPS watches for dedicated runners.Pros
- Wrist-based running power measurements
- Ascent and descent tracking
- Excellent GPS performance in testing
- Useful running test
- Tracks sleep and recovery
- Personalized workout recommendations
- Weeklong battery life
- Lightweight design
- Displays music controls, smartphone notifications, and weather reports
Cons
- Dull, non-touch screen
- Could better explain some metrics
Learn MorePolar Pacer Pro ReviewApple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS Smart Watch
Best iPhone-Compatible SmartwatchBottom Line:
With new features such as body temperature sensing and car crash detection, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the right choice for most smartwatch buyers.Pros
- Overnight temperature sensing
- Car crash detection
- Improved battery life
- More accurate period predictions
Cons
- Same design as previous model
- Limited usefulness for retrospective ovulation estimates
Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit's Most Advanced TrackerBottom Line:
With an always-on color touch screen, a sleeker design, and new health tracking features, the Charge 5 is a significant upgrade over the previous model and Fitbit's best fitness tracker yet.Pros
- Color touch screen with always-on display option
- Attractive design with metal case
- Automatically tracks certain activities
- Excellent companion mobile app
- Robust stress management and sleep tracking features
- Tracks overnight HRV, breathing rate, SpO2 and skin temperature variations
- Supports mobile payments
Cons
- No Spotify support
- Limited exercise shortcut list
- Clock faces aren't customizable
Learn MoreFitbit Charge 5 ReviewGarmin Vivoactive 4
Best for Stress ReliefBottom Line:
Garmin's excellent Vivoactive 4 fitness tracker offers insights about your breathing, sleep, and stress, motivating training plans, and smartwatch features like contactless payments, downloadable apps, and onboard music storage.Pros
- Respiration tracking
- Pulse oximeter readings
- On-screen workout animations
- Onboard music storage and support for Bluetooth headphones
- Underwater optical heart rate monitoring
- Pilates support
Cons
- Uses multiple smartphone apps
- Excessive badges
Learn MoreGarmin Vivoactive 4 ReviewPolar Grit X
Best for Mountain trainingBottom Line:
The Polar Grit X is a best-in-class multisport GPS watch with a rugged yet attractive design, good battery life, and a wealth of useful outdoor-specific features.Pros
- Tracks hill ascent and descent
- Features Komoot route planning
- Fueling reminders for long events and training sessions
- Offers training advice
- Data-rich companion app
- Tracks sleep
- Long battery life
- Always-on display with a dedicated button to light up the screen
Cons
- Expensive
- No smartwatch features aside from phone notifications
Learn MorePolar Grit X ReviewCoros Apex
Best for Outdoor AthletesBottom Line:
The Coros Apex is a multisport GPS watch with excellent battery life and a data-rich companion app that offers a wealth of insights about your performance biking, running, swimming, and more.Pros
- Long battery life
- Good outdoor screen visibility
- Informative widgets
- Advanced fitness metrics including VO2 max, lactate threshold, and threshold pace
- Tracks sleep
- Excellent companion app helps you interpret data and offers training advice
Cons
- No touch screen
- Can���t change display brightness
- Screen looks dull indoors
- Bulky for smaller wrists
Learn MoreCoros Apex ReviewFitbit Versa 3
Best for Android-Compatible SmartwatchesBottom Line:
In addition to ample health and fitness features, the Fitbit Versa 3 smartwatch improves on its predecessor with a larger screen, integrated GPS for pace and distance tracking, a blood oxygen sensor, and fast charging.Pros
- Attractive design with large, always-on color display
- Integrated GPS
- Battery charges quickly and lasts for days
- Measures blood oxygen level while sleeping
- Supports Amazon Alexa, Fitbit Pay, and Spotify
Cons
- Laggy touch screen
- No stress tracking, skin temperature, or ECG sensors
- Doesn't provide high and low heart rate notifications
Learn MoreFitbit Versa 3 ReviewSamsung Galaxy Watch 5
Best Apple Watch Alternative for Android UsersBottom Line:
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 improves on a winning formula with a more durable design and longer battery life than its predecessors, making it the best Android-compatible smartwatch on the market.Pros
- Competitive price
- Sleek design
- Bright, durable display
- Good app selection
- Slight battery life improvement over previous generation
- Digital bezel for quick scrolling
Cons
- Temperature data unavailable at launch
- Lacks outdoor-specific features of Pro model
- Questionable SpO2 measurements
- No heart rate variability or respiration data
Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy Watch 5 ReviewApple Watch SE (2022)
Best Affordable Apple WatchBottom Line:
With a faster processor, better battery life, and a lower price than the previous model, the second-generation Apple Watch SE is an excellent budget-minded alternative to the Series 8.Pros
- Upgraded processor from previous model
- New motion sensor with support for Crash Detection
- Improved real-world battery life
- Lightweight
- Excellent app selection and safety features
- Lower price than first-generation model
Cons
- No always-on display
- Lacks sensors for ECG, SpO2, or body temperature
- No rating for dust resistance
Learn MoreApple Watch SE (2022) ReviewGarmin Venu 2
A Fitness-Focused SmartwatchBottom Line:
The attractive Garmin Venu 2 smartwatch offers a large collection of advanced health and fitness features, plus useful lifestyle tools including mobile payments, onboard music storage, and Bluetooth headphone support.Pros
- Attractive classic watch design in two sizes and multiple colors
- Bright, responsive AMOLED touch screen
- Measures blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiration, stress, and energy levels
- New HIIT and updated strength training apps
- Preloaded workouts with animations
- Onboard music storage
- Supports Bluetooth accessories and contactless payments
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited third-party app selection
- No voice assistant support
Learn MoreGarmin Venu 2 ReviewPolar Ignite 2
An Attractive Fitness WatchBottom Line:
The stylish Polar Ignite 2 fitness watch tracks your activities, heart rate, sleep, recovery, and offers personalized daily workout guidance to help you train smarter.Pros
- Stylish design with engraved metal bezel
- Large color touch screen
- New weekly summary dashboard
- Connects with Bluetooth gym equipment and cycling computers
- Features music controls and weather reports
Cons
- Lacks an always-on display
- Occasional phone syncing issues
- No downloadable apps, mobile payments support, or onboard music storage
Learn MorePolar Ignite 2 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Fitness Trackers for Running in 2023
If you're a serious runner, you need a fitness tracker that can do more than count steps, measure sleep, and vibrate when a push notification appears on your phone. The good news is that many fitness trackers and smartwatches can now track your pace, route, distance, and other stats that were once strictly the domain of special, running-focused wearables.
We've rounded up the very best run-friendly wearables across a wide range of prices so you can find something that meets your needs and budget, matches your style, and motivates you through all those miles. We also considered some of the essential features any runner would want from a tracker, like a built-in GPS and heart rate monitor. Keep scrolling for our favorites and be sure to read our buying guide at the end of this article for some pertinent advice.
What Do Running Watches Look Like?
Runners' watches usually have a sporty look, which isn't ideal for something you want to wear 24/7. They often have a chunky face and a silicone wristband that can withstand sweat. That's not what you want as eye candy on your arm when you're out networking over cocktails.
However, a few hybrid fitness tracker-running watches have a more sophisticated look. The Coros Apex and Garmin Venu 2 come to mind. They have sleeker bodies and nice design detail, such as stainless steel clasps, that elevate the look. With most models, you can swap the bands for something classier when the occasion calls for it.
Essential Features for Running Watches
A few essential features runners look for include the ability to accurately track total running time, distance, pace, and lap time. It certainly helps if the watch comes with GPS, as stats for outdoor runs are much more accurate when a GPS is in use. Having a GPS also means you can usually see the route of your run after the fact. GPS can drain the battery quickly, but some watches, like the Coros Apex and Polar Grit X, offer battery-saving features that can be helpful during long runs.
Some of the trackers here offer advanced metrics including ground contact time, stride length, and an estimate of how much recovery time you need after a workout. Many also estimate your VO2 Max, the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise; this is a measure of cardiovascular fitness. The Apple Watch offers a Low Cardio Fitness feature that notifies you if your VO2 Max falls into a low range.
When you're not running, you expect a tracker to keep an eye on your steps and sleep. Most of the devices on this list have no trouble with either task.
How to Track Your Heart Rate With a Running Watch
Most trackers have an optical heart rate monitor (HRM) that reads your heart rate through your wrist. With an optical HRM, you never have to put on a chest strap if you don't want to, although many wrist-based trackers still support them. A chest strap HRM wirelessly (via Bluetooth or ANT+) connects with a compatible running watch so that you have real-time heart rate data while you're in motion. Many athletes still prefer chest straps because they are more accurate.
Another thing to keep in mind is whether the optical HRM offers continuous heart rate monitoring or only during activity. Continuous monitoring lets you see your heart rate at any moment, making it easy to look up your resting heart rate every day. Continuous HRMs can eat up battery life, however.
The point of having heart rate information on a runner's watch is to use it for training, but this information can also help signal potential health issues. Apple Watches can send you high or low heart rate and irregular rhythm notifications, while some models even offer an FDA-approved electrocardiogram (ECG) function that generates a PDF of your heart rhythm that you can share with your doctor.
For more, see the best heart rate monitors we've tested.
Push Notifications and Apps on Running Watches
Push notification support is abundant among hybrid devices. Typically, a tracker vibrates when a notification appears on your phone and displays the first few lines of the message. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a favorite for push notifications because you can read more than just the first few lines if you scroll through the alert.
The Vivoactive 4 also has the benefit of tapping into Garmin's app store, Connect IQ. Compared with the Apple App Store, Garmin's store is tiny. But having an app store at all means you can add custom widgets and screens to your device. You have the option, for example, to show multiple time zones of your choice around the world.
How Long Do Running Watches Last on Battery?
Battery life is a big deal among fitness trackers. You want a device to last more than a day or two, and if you're preparing for a long race, you need to feel confident that your tracking won't poop out at mile 25.
The battery life estimates in the spec chart below are for general step-counting mode. Once GPS is active, battery life changes dramatically. All the devices here have a long enough battery life to last a long race...though maybe not an ultramarathon. The Coros Apex is an exception. It can last up to 24 days with normal use, 24 hours in full GPS mode, and 80 hours in UltraMax GPS mode, in which the GPS switches on for 30 seconds every two minutes (the rest of the time, it uses motion sensors and machine learning algorithms to track you).
Are Any Smartwatch Extras Worth the Money?
You also need to consider whether a smartwatch is waterproof or simply splash resistant, if it offers onboard music storage or at least remote music controls, and what other activities it can track. You can find all of those details in our reviews, as well as our hands-on assessment of how well the devices fare in real-world conditions.
Swimming more your thing? See our favorite waterproof fitness trackers. And if you want to keep track of your weight, check out the best smart bathroom scales.
