The Best Smart Watches for Running, Whether You’re an Experienced Runner or Just Getting Started

If you’re looking for ways to become a better runner, you may have tried form tweaks to improve your speed—which is where smart watches for runners come in. If you haven’t hopped on the smart watch bandwagon yet, it might be time to try one. Or maybe you already have one, but are in the market for an upgrade. Once you learn how to use them, they can offer data and insights that can help you become a better runner, track your running route, and even remind you when it’s time to refuel.

Whether you’re just getting started and are looking for something user-friendly, or are more advanced and want to take your training to the next level, there’s a smart watch to help you meet your goals. So lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the pavement armed with one of these best smart watches for running.

What to look for in a smart running watch

The watch you choose will depend on your lifestyle needs. Some watches measure different health and fitness metrics like heart rate and provide real-time updates to exercises you’re doing. Other watches like Apple’s Watch Series 8 tracks the various stages of sleep to help you adopt healthier sleeping habits. If you’re doing physical activity or water-based sports, we’d recommend a water- and sweat-resistant watches. For example, watches with silicone bands are water-resistant and will be easier to clean than cloth bands.

Shop the best smart watches for running

Apple, Watch Series 8 — $489.00

Apple has taken the world by innovation, and all of that is transparent in its watches. The newest iteration of the Apple Watch line, the Series 8 monitors health metrics, is compatible with your cellular device, and delivers feedback on your health in present time. Using temperature sensors, the watch keeps an eye on your blood oxygen levels (it’s also one of the best heart rate monitor watches), sleep stages, and so much more. That’s not all, it’s crack-resistant, has a touch screen for easy use, and can stream music with just a tap.

“As a loyal Nike Run Club user, I love the Apple Watch for its seamless integration with the guided running app. I can keep an eye on my pace, intervals, and mileage without the extra bells and whistles that sometimes just feel like distractions on the road,” says W+G contributor Kells McPhillips. The Apple Watch is also recommended by Nike Trainer Traci Copeland because it’s “user-friendly for every type of runner.” However, she does note that the GPS isn’t as accurate as some other smart watches on the market.

If you’re already the owner of an Apple Watch (or just have Apple products in general) and are wondering if you should get this new one, Well+Good deputy editor of brand initiatives Ali Finney breaks down why it’s worth upgrading to an Apple Watch.

Battery life: 18 hours

Material: aluminum

Band types: sport, braided, leather, milanese

Water-resistant: 50 meters

Pros 

• Integrates with other health/running apps
  
• Touch-screen display
  
• Can sync with your phone for music, podcasts, and other features
  
• Water-resistant up to 50m
• Available in a variety of bands
• Crack-resistant

Cons 

• GPS isn’t as accurate as other watches
  
• Expensive
  
• Have to charge daily (18 hours of battery life)

Garmin, Forerunner 245 — $350.00

This watch is also recommended by Copeland, who calls it the “most accurate watch on the market.” She says it tracks pace, and the GPS is spot on, making it great for advanced runners. It also tracks your running dynamics to help you improve your form. The battery lasts for a whopping seven days—another major plus (so you don’t have to constantly be recharging); however, count six hours if you’re in GPS mode. Although the watch is attached to a silicone band, it’s resistant to sweat and water up to 50 meters, making it easy to clean. What’s neat about this watch is its safety and tracking features. If you’re involved in an incident, the watch sends your real-time location to your emergency contacts. Runs, walks, or swims, the Garmin Forerunner 245 has got you covered.

Battery life: 7 days in smartwatch mode, 6 hours in GPS mode

Material:fiber-reinforced polymer

Band types: silicone

Water-resistant: 50 meters

Pros 

• GPS is very accurate
  
• Tracks running dynamics including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio, and more
  
• Can sync music from streaming apps
  
• Adaptive training plans or create your own custom workouts
  
• Long battery life (up to seven days)

Cons 

• Not as user-friendly of an interface
  
• Screen is dark

Garmin, Forerunner 945 — $500.00

Another Copeland pick, the Garmin Forerunner 945 is designed for runners and triathlon athletes. It features monitoring features that adjust for heat, altitude training, recovery time, and various aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Like the 245, it’s “not as pretty as Apple but all the technology is there,” she says. This model has a few extra bells and whistles, like tracking your performance condition and Garmin Pay to make contactless payments. It also boasts two weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode and 10 hours of battery while using both GPS and music, so you can jam out while you hit the pavement.

Battery life: 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, 10 hours in GPS mode

Material: fiber-reinforced polymer

Band types: silicone

Water-resistant: 50 meters

Pros 

• Uses multiple global navigation systems
  
  
• Tracks running dynamics, VO2 max, performance condition, training status, training effect, recovery time, and more
  
• Can sync music from streaming apps
  
• Sleep monitoring and women’s health tracking
  
• Contactless payment built in

Cons

• Buttons may not be very responsive
  
• Expensive
  
• Shorter battery life (up to 10 hours)

Polar, Grit X — $430.00

If you’re looking for a hardcore smart watch, please direct your attention to Polar’s Grit X. It has GPS, a compass, and military-level durability against extreme temperatures and humidity. Two of the coolest features: FuelWise, which reminds you when it’s time to eat to keep your energy going for your entire journey (and helps you figure out how many carbs to bring along), and Hill Splitter, which can tell if you’re going uphill or downhill and gives you stats on your performance during each. What’s more, it’s water-resistant up to 100 meters and tracks your quality, duration, and time spent sleeping. It’s the ideal watch for multiple sports and activities. Enjoy it in green or black. It’s functional as it is stylish!

Battery life: 40 hours

Material: stainless steel

Band types: silicone

Water-resistant: 100 meters

Pros 

• Lightweight
  
• Durable, tested for extreme weather, humidity, and drop
  
• Up to 40 hours of battery life (and up to 100 hours with power save)
  
• Adaptive workouts and automatic recovery measurement
  
• Real-time navigation and uphill/downhill stats
  
• Water-resistant up to 100m

Cons

• Display is dark and hard to read
  
• Expensive
  
• Touchscreen is unnecessary because buttons work well

Polar, Ignite 3 — $230.00

If you’re looking for a stylish fitness watch, look no further than Polar’s Ignite 3. Using 10 LED lights, the Ignite 3 uses light detectors to track various health metrics, including your activity, heart rate, sleep, and GPS feature. For the fitness enthusiasts, this watch tracks over 150 different exercises while delivering exercise suggestions in real time, offering motivational sayings like “keep up your endurance” and “build some muscle.” It also has a round touch-screen display that’s easy to use. The minimalistic design mimics the style of a regular watch, doubling as a time keeper and health metric tracker.

Battery life: 30 hours in training mode, five days in watch mode

Material: stainless steel

Band types: silicone

Water-resistant: 30 meters

Pros 

• Stylish
  
• Tracks sleep stages and measures recovery
  
• Integrated GPS
  
• Up to 30 hours of battery life in training mode, up to five days in watch mode
  
• One button interface
  
• Water-resistant up to 30m

Cons 

• Display is dark and hard to read
  
• Backlight comes on with movement—not ideal to wear while sleeping

Samsung, Galaxy Watch 4 — $250.00

You’ll find a health and sleep coach in this Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. Using a body analyzer, this watch tracks your BMI, sleep habits, and training metrics. It also offers performance-enhancing features, like VO2 max readings to track your heart and lung endurance. Beyond these specs, enjoy Google Assistant with just a tap. You can pay for coffee, get directions, or take a walk with your favorite tunes.

Battery life: 24 hours

Material: aluminum

Band types: silicone

Water-resistant: 50 meters

Pros 

• Lightweight
  
• Automatic workout tracking
  
• Tracks sleep, SPO2, heart rate, VO2 max, and more
  
• Syncs with phone (Android), LTE connectivity
  
• Water-resistant up to 50m

Cons

• Have to download Samsung Health app
  
• Selection of other compatible apps is limited
  
• Battery drains quickly

Garmin, Venu 2 — $400.00

This watch has the stellar GPS capabilities Garmin is known for, just in a prettier package than the Frontrunner styles. It’s available on granite blue silicone strap with a grey watch. While it doesn’t have all of the same bells and whistles as the Frontrunner, it does monitor your energy to help you figure out the best times of day to be active. It also tracks your hydration, stress levels, how well your body absorbs oxygen, and your heart rate. For music lovers, you’ll especially adore this watch as it can store up to 650 songs, so you can jam out to your favorite songs.

Battery life: five days

Material: silver bezel

Band types: silicone

Water-resistant: 50 meters

Pros 

• Bright display
  
• Can sync with streaming music apps
  
• All-day health monitoring
  
• 25 pre-loaded GPS and indoor sports apps
  
• Contactless payment built in

Cons

• Can view but not respond to notifications
  
• Menus and Garmin app aren’t user-friendly

Fitbit, Charge 5 — $150.00

The Fitbit Charge 5 fitness tracker stands out in that it offers a Daily Readiness Score (which comes with the Fitbit Premium membership), which gives you stats that show how intense of a workout your body is ready for (or if you should take a recovery day). The Health Metrics dashboard tracks your SpO2, heart rate, skin temp, and more. And in terms of monitoring your running, the Fitbit gives you real-time pace and distance, and has a built-in GPS system. The cons that come with the Fitbit is that it’s not automatically connected with your phone. For the price, though, it’s a great all-around health tracking device for those curious about your fitness metrics.

Battery life: seven days

Material: aluminum and stainless steel

Band types: silicone

Water-resistant: 50 meters

Pros

• Touchscreen
  
• Built-in GPS
  
• Tracks daily readiness, activity, SpO2, heart rate variability, skin temperature variation, and more
  
• Up to seven-day battery life
  
• Water-resistant up to 50m

Cons

• Requires premium Fitbit membership for advanced data and personalized insights
  
• Can’t turn down the brightness of the screen
  
• No altimeter like in previous versions of the Fitbit
  
• No home button

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