Overview
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![Polar Pacer Pro]()
Best for Advanced RunnersPolar Pacer Pro
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![Apple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS Smart Watch]()
Best iPhone-Compatible SmartwatchApple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS Smart Watch
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![Fitbit Charge 5]()
Fitbit's Most Advanced TrackerFitbit Charge 5
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![Garmin Vivoactive 4]()
Best for Stress ReliefGarmin Vivoactive 4
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![Polar Grit X]()
Best for Mountain trainingPolar Grit X
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![Coros Apex]()
Best for Outdoor AthletesCoros Apex
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![Fitbit Versa 3]()
Best for Android-Compatible SmartwatchesFitbit Versa 3
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![Samsung Galaxy Watch 5]()
Best Apple Watch Alternative for Android UsersSamsung Galaxy Watch 5
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![Apple Watch SE (2022)]()
Best Affordable Apple WatchApple Watch SE (2022)
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![Garmin Venu 2]()
A Fitness-Focused SmartwatchGarmin Venu 2
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![Polar Ignite 2]()
An Attractive Fitness WatchPolar Ignite 2
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![Polar Pacer Pro]()
Best for Advanced RunnersPolar Pacer Pro
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 1 week Compatibility Android Compatibility iOS Compatibility Web Display Type Color LCD Heart Rate Monitor Sleep Tracker Learn More Polar Pacer Pro Review -
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![Apple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS Smart Watch]()
Best iPhone-Compatible SmartwatchApple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS Smart Watch
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 30.5 hours (tested) Compatibility iOS Display Size 1.6 inches/1.8 inches Display Type OLED Fitness Features Accelerometer Fitness Features Barometer Fitness Features Blood Oxygen Monitor Fitness Features ECG Fitness Features GPS Fitness Features Gyroscope Fitness Features Heart Rate Monitor Fitness Features Light Sensor Fitness Features Pedometer Fitness Features Temperature Sensor Heart Rate Monitor Phone Call Capacity Phone OS Compatibility iOS Processor Apple S8 Separate App Store Sleep Tracker Watch OS watchOS Learn More Apple Watch Series 8 Review -
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![Fitbit Charge 5]()
Fitbit's Most Advanced TrackerFitbit Charge 5
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 1 week Compatibility Android Compatibility iOS Display Type AMOLED Heart Rate Monitor Sleep Tracker Learn More Fitbit Charge 5 Review -
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![Garmin Vivoactive 4]()
Best for Stress ReliefGarmin Vivoactive 4
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 8 days; 6 hours with GPS Compatibility Android Compatibility iOS Display Size 1.3 inches Display Type Color Touch Screen Estimated Battery Life 8 days; 6 hours with GPS Fitness Features Accelerometer Fitness Features GPS Fitness Features Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor Phone OS Compatibility Android Phone OS Compatibility iOS Processor N/A Separate App Store Sleep Tracker Watch OS Proprietary Learn More Garmin Vivoactive 4 Review -
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![Polar Grit X]()
Best for Mountain trainingPolar Grit X
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 4 days; 40 hours with GPS Compatibility Android Compatibility iOS Display Type Color Touch Screen Heart Rate Monitor Sleep Tracker Learn More Polar Grit X Review -
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![Coros Apex]()
Best for Outdoor AthletesCoros Apex
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 24 days; 24 hours with GPS Compatibility Android Compatibility iOS Display Type Color LCD Heart Rate Monitor Sleep Tracker Learn More Coros Apex Review -
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![Fitbit Versa 3]()
Best for Android-Compatible SmartwatchesFitbit Versa 3
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 6 days Compatibility Android Compatibility iOS Display Size 1.59 inches Display Type AMOLED Fitness Features Accelerometer Fitness Features GPS Fitness Features Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor Phone OS Compatibility Android Phone OS Compatibility iOS Processor N/A Separate App Store Sleep Tracker Watch OS Fitbit OS Learn More Fitbit Versa 3 Review -
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![Samsung Galaxy Watch 5]()
Best Apple Watch Alternative for Android UsersSamsung Galaxy Watch 5
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 50 hours Compatibility Android Display Size 1.2 inches Display Type AMOLED Fitness Features Accelerometer Fitness Features Blood Oxygen Monitor Fitness Features GPS Fitness Features Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor Phone Call Capacity Phone OS Compatibility Android Processor Exynos W920 Dual-Core 1.18GHz Separate App Store Sleep Tracker Watch OS Wear OS Learn More Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Review -
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![Apple Watch SE (2022)]()
Best Affordable Apple WatchApple Watch SE (2022)
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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 10.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 18 hours Compatibility iOS Display Size 1.5 inches/1.7 inches Display Type OLED Fitness Features Accelerometer Fitness Features GPS Fitness Features Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor Phone Call Capacity Phone OS Compatibility iOS Processor Apple S8 Separate App Store Sleep Tracker Watch OS watchOS Learn More Apple Watch SE Review -
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![Garmin Venu 2]()
A Fitness-Focused SmartwatchGarmin Venu 2
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 6 days Compatibility Android Compatibility iOS Display Size 1.3 inches Display Type AMOLED Estimated Battery Life 6 days Fitness Features Accelerometer Fitness Features GPS Fitness Features Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor Phone OS Compatibility Android Phone OS Compatibility iOS Processor N/A Separate App Store Sleep Tracker Watch OS Proprietary Learn More Garmin Venu 2 Review -
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![Polar Ignite 2]()
An Attractive Fitness WatchPolar Ignite 2
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line:
Bottom 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.Specs & Configurations
Battery Life 3 days Compatibility Android Compatibility iOS Compatibility Web Display Size 1.2 inches Display Type Color Touch Screen Fitness Features Accelerometer Fitness Features GPS Fitness Features Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor Phone OS Compatibility Android, iOS Processor N/A Sleep Tracker Watch OS Proprietary Learn More Polar Ignite 2 Review -
Compare Specs
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4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
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4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
Best For | Best for Advanced Runners | Best iPhone-Compatible Smartwatch | Fitbit's Most Advanced Tracker | Best for Stress Relief | Best for Mountain training | Best for Outdoor Athletes | Best for Android-Compatible Smartwatches | Best Apple Watch Alternative for Android Users | Best Affordable Apple Watch | A Fitness-Focused Smartwatch | Best for Advanced Runners | Best iPhone-Compatible Smartwatch | Fitbit's Most Advanced Tracker |
Watch OS | watchOS | Proprietary | Fitbit OS | Wear OS | watchOS | Proprietary | watchOS | ||||||
Sleep Tracker | |||||||||||||
Separate App Store | |||||||||||||
Processor | Apple S8 | N/A | N/A | Exynos W920 Dual-Core 1.18GHz | Apple S8 | N/A | Apple S8 | ||||||
Phone OS Compatibility | iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android | iOS | Android, iOS | iOS | ||||||
Phone Call Capacity | |||||||||||||
Heart Rate Monitor | |||||||||||||
Fitness Features | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Monitor, Temperature Sensor, Pedometer, Gyroscope, ECG, Barometer, Light Sensor | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Monitor | GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Accelerometer | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Monitor, Temperature Sensor, Pedometer, Gyroscope, ECG, Barometer, Light Sensor | ||||||
Estimated Battery Life | 8 days; 6 hours with GPS | 6 days | |||||||||||
Display Type | Color LCD | OLED | AMOLED | Color Touch Screen | Color Touch Screen | Color LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED | OLED | AMOLED | Color LCD | OLED | AMOLED |
Display Size | 1.6 inches/1.8 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.59 inches | 1.2 inches | 1.5 inches/1.7 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.6 inches/1.8 inches | ||||||
Compatibility | Android, iOS, Web | iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android | iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS, Web | iOS | Android, iOS |
Battery Life | 1 week | 30.5 hours (tested) | 1 week | 8 days; 6 hours with GPS | 4 days; 40 hours with GPS | 24 days; 24 hours with GPS | 6 days | 50 hours | 18 hours | 6 days | 1 week | 30.5 hours (tested) | 1 week |
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.