Advanced GPS running watches come equipped with sport-specific features to track every stride you take and sensors and technology to keep you connected throughout the day. 

They offer features like cadence and recovery information. This level of functionality places these watches in a higher price bracket, making them more of an investment than an impulse buy.

The variety of features can be overwhelming for runners, especially those who are beginners. What is multi-band GPS? How does heart rate differ from heart rate variability?

We are here to help you answer these questions, assessing how they track routes, calories burned, pace, cadence, speed, and more. This information enables you to pace for longer runs or speed up to beat personal records

Best GPS Watches for Running

Overview

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is an excellent choice if you enjoy running marathons or triathlon training. Comparable to the Forerunner 955, it offers many of the same features but at a more reasonable price. 

Its accurate location tracking and biometrics are powered by the latest Garmin software and multi-band GPS. Packed with useful training tools, it enhances your runs, bike rides, and swims.

The watch includes a Training Readiness score and Heart Rate Variability functions, helping you gauge recovery and tailor your training. It measures your recovery from previous exertions, ensuring each training session is effective.

Notable features include full-color on-screen maps for easy navigation and extensive customization options, especially with the new AMOLED screen. Creating interval sessions based on time or distance is straightforward.

While there are more powerful running watches with broader sports modes and longer battery lives, the Forerunner 265 is a superb, affordable training option for beginners and serious athletes.

Overview

The Garmin Fenix 8 packs all the latest features in top-tier running watches. A standout is the new GPS software with “dynamic routing,” which creates directions during workouts. This is perfect for runners or cyclists who like to change their routes on the go.

The watch also features an impressive AMOLED display with a 454 x 454 px resolution. It’s bright, clear, and perfect for runners. You can choose from three sizes: a solar-powered memory-in-pixel display or a brighter AMOLED option.

Waterproofing is upgraded from the Fenix 7, allowing dives up to 40 meters. It even includes a dive computer for scuba activities, making it suitable for more than surface-level swimming.
For safety, especially at night, the watch includes an LED torch that helps attract attention and makes running in the dark safer. With its thoughtful design and robust features, the Fenix 8 truly stands out.

Overview

The Polar Pacer Pro has a lot in common with the Polar Vantage V2 and other Polar watches. It’s a lightweight, no-frills running watch made for runners who don’t care about smartwatch extras. It’s a great watch at a reasonable price, though it lacks some features found in higher-end models.

One of its best features is Polar’s advanced running metrics and suggested workouts. The watch offers excellent training recommendations, a fitness test, and detailed data about your runs, including heart rate zones, calories burned, route maps, hills climbed, and power exerted. The fitness test measures your VO2 max, maximal aerobic power, and speed, helping you track your progress over time.

At just 41 grams, the Pacer Pro is lighter than the Grit X and one of the lightest watches available. Despite its weight, it feels solid and not cheap. However, it doesn’t have music storage or full map displays on the watch face, relying instead on simple directional arrows for navigation, which can be tricky to use. Even with these limitations, it’s a fantastic watch for its price.

Overview

If you’re looking for the ultimate Apple Watch that can handle wilderness adventures and underwater excursions, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is your perfect choice. 

While it doesn’t differ dramatically from its predecessor, it boasts Apple’s brightest screen, ideal for clear visibility even in bright sunlight or high-altitude conditions.

With an exceptional refresh rate and the new S9 SiP chip, the Ultra 2 offers advanced features like hands-free Double Tap control. This allows you to start workouts, dismiss timers, and answer calls without touching the screen. 

These enhancements have refined an already excellent watch into one of the best on the market, earning it a spot in our best smartwatch guide.

Overview

Garmin Instinct 2 is a running watch engineered for endurance and adventure. If you’ve ever worried about your watch dying mid-run, the Instinct 2 puts those concerns to rest with its remarkable battery life, measured not in days or hours but in weeks.

Solar variants are capable of indefinite operation under optimal conditions and are built to keep pace with your active lifestyle. Crafted with a fiber-reinforced resin case and bezel, the Instinct 2 prioritizes durability over flashy aesthetics. 

It is exceptionally lightweight and resilient against impacts—perfect for rugged trail runs. Vibrant new color options ensure visibility in any outdoor setting, enhancing safety during woodland explorations.

While its monochrome display limits detailed map viewing directly on the watch, the Instinct 2 compensates with robust tracking capabilities through the Garmin Connect app. For those seeking extensive route exploration, alternatives like the Fenix 7 or Epix may offer more comprehensive mapping features.

Overview

Coros Apex 2 is a powerhouse multisport watch that blends precise GPS tracking with impressive battery longevity. It is suitable for beginners and elite athletes alike.

Building on the foundation of Coros’ acclaimed Pace 3, the Apex 2 retains its extensive metric combinations while introducing compelling new features tailored for runners.

Notably, it boasts up to 45 hours of battery life in standard GPS mode, ensuring extended performance during endurance activities.

The Apex 2 provides comprehensive data across five customizable screens during workouts, including vital metrics like heart rate, body temperature, and pulse.

This feature-rich watch exemplifies Coros’ commitment to enhancing performance and tracking capabilities, making it a standout choice in the multisport watch market.

Overview

The Coros Pace 3, building on the success of the Pace 2, is an exceptional running watch. Weighing just 32g, it’s incredibly lightweight but packed with features typically found in pricier models.

It offers excellent accuracy, specialized workout modes for runners and triathletes (including precise stroke count in the pool), and compatibility with third-party sensors like chest-strap heart rate monitors.

The new “Running Fitness” metric consolidates key data into a single number, making it easy to gauge your performance.

Wrapping Up

A reliable GPS running watch is more than just a timepiece – it’s your ultimate training partner, offering the insights and data you need to track progress and optimize performance. The right GPS watch can transform how you train.

Top models from brands like Garmin, COROS, Polar, and Suunto lead the pack, providing advanced features like heart rate monitoring, VO2 max estimates, route navigation, and music storage. Watches like the Garmin Forerunner 965 or COROS Pace 3 balance accuracy with lightweight designs, ensuring comfort on both long and short runs.

When choosing the best GPS watch, consider your goals – do you need multi-day battery life for ultramarathons or simple tracking for casual runs? Prioritizing features like water resistance, customizable data screens, and connectivity with running apps can further enhance your experience.

The right GPS watch helps you stay on pace and keeps you motivated by showing just how far you’ve come. Investing in one of these top picks means gaining a tool that supports your growth as a runner.