There are many different wearables for all types of users. Just need to keep track of your daily activities? Perhaps the Fitbit Versa 2 or Xiaomi Mi Band 4 will suit your requirements. But if you are a serious athlete who needs something stronger - something that can track your long runs and doesn't skimp on the practical clock functions - what options do you have? Today we're walking you through our list of the best GPS running watches on the market.
If you're a runner and need something that accurately tracks your routes, has an easy-to-read screen, built-in heart rate monitor, and GPS, this list is for you. Some of the options here are expensive, but that goes without saying in this segment of wearables.
Buy the right GPS running watch for your needs
Everyone needs something different than their GPS running watches. That's why we've listed each model in a different category so you can choose the right device for your needs. Here are some quick links if you're in a hurry:
- The Garmin Forerunner 945 is the best fully functional GPS running watch You can buy. When money isn't an option, buy the 945.
- The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is the best mid-range GPS running watch Thanks to the built-in music memory, precise fitness tracking and slim design.
- The Garmin Forerunner 45 is the best cheap GPS running watch, come in at around $ 200. It's slim, has most of the features you need, and is on sale regularly.
- The Polar Ignite is another good GPS running watch that won't break the bank.
- The Fitbit Charge 4 is the best fitness tracker with GPS. It's accurate, slim, customizable, and has an accurate GPS.
- The Apple Watch Series 5 is the best GPS smartwatch You can buy. It has a fantastic display, support for many third-party apps, and tight integration with the Apple ecosystem.
The best GPS running watches
Garmin Forerunner 945
If money is not an option and you're looking for the best GPS running watch you can buy, we recommend the Garmin Forerunner 945. The 945 has all of the new features that Garmin has touted with its recent watches, including pulse oximeters, music storage, Garmin Pay- Support, incident detection, VO2 maximum heat and altitude settings, and two weeks of battery life. It also supports colored maps on board.
Also read: What music services work with Garmin smartwatches?
This is the watch to buy if you're training for a triathlon, or at least need most of the data that you can get out of a running watch. With the Forerunner 945 you have access to the training load focus - a function with which you can divide your last training history into different categories depending on the intensity and structure. You also get access to skiing, hiking, golf tracking, and more.
Are you looking for something cheaper? The Garmin Forerunner 935 is still a great option.
Want something that excels in running and more general outdoor functions? Check out the Garmin Fenix 6 range.
Read more about the Forerunner 945 on our list of the Best Garmin Watches to Buy.
Garmin Forerunner 945 specifications
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
Garmin Forerunner 245 music heart rate monitor
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is our favorite GPS running watch right now and definitely the best option for the price. The Forerunner 245 Music has an accurate heart rate sensor and GPS tracking as well as fantastic insights into sleep, music storage, Garmin Coach training plans, a pulse oximeter and a week's battery life.
If you're looking for a GPS running watch that won't cost you an arm or a leg, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is probably your best option.
Any downsides? A few. There's no Garmin Pay and for some reason there isn't a barometric altimeter on board.
Learn more about the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music in our full review.
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music Specifications
Garmin Forerunner 45
The Garmin Forerunner 45 is the watch you buy when you want to save money but still want a high performing GPS running watch.
The Forerunner 45 has built-in GPS and heart rate sensors and can track your biking, elliptical training, cardio training, and more. The battery life should be up to seven days in smartwatch mode and around 13 hours in GPS mode.
These are the successors to the very popular Forerunner 35 from a few years ago. The new Forerunner 45 and 45S offer Garmin's incident detection feature, as well as support for various watch faces and Garmin Coach workouts for running and cycling.
The 45 series does not have a music memory (we recommend the 245 Music for this) and does not support quick release straps. The color you buy is the color you stick with.
For more information on what Garmin has to offer, see our Fitbit vs. Garmin Comparison.
Garmin Forerunner 45 specifications
Polar Ignite
The Polar Ignite dial doesn't look awkwardly bulky on dainty wrists.
The Polar Ignite strikes a good balance between high-end features and value. It's a great alternative to the Forerunner 245 Music if you want to try something that wasn't made by Garmin.
It can track more than 100 activities and has a built-in GPS, a heart rate sensor and a water resistance of 3ATM. It offers breathing exercises on the device, support for smartphone notifications (unfortunately no music storage) and 17 hours of battery in GPS mode. The standout feature here is FitSpark, a training feature that adapts to your exercises. If you ran particularly hard on a particular day, FitSpark will give you recovery tips and recommended exercises.
Read more in our best polar watch buying guide.
Polar Ignite specifications
Fitbit Charge 4
The Fitbit Charge 4 is the best fitness tracker you can buy. Fitbit didn't have to do much to get that title back, but it managed to fix all of our problems with the Charge 3 and keep it at the same price. The built-in GPS is a welcome addition, as is Fitbit Pay, which is standard on all models.
It's impressive how many sensors Fitbit was able to add to the Charge 4 given its small size. If you want a GPS-enabled fitness tracker, then you should only consider the Fitbit Charge 4.
You can find out more about the Fitbit Charge 4 in our full review.
Fitbit Charge 4 specifications
Apple Watch Series 5
The Apple Watch Series 5 is a fantastic smartwatch (the best in fact). It's also great wearable fitness thanks to its abundance of sport modes and GPS.
The Apple Watch Series 5 is available in aluminum, stainless steel, titanium and ceramic and is the first Apple Smartwatch with a constantly active display. When you combine the small display bezels, fitness-friendly features like the EKG, and great performance, you have a fantastic choice for iPhone owners.
Also read: The best Apple Watch bands
Unfortunately, the Series 5 only works with iPhones. This is great for those in Apple's ecosystem, but that leaves everyone else hanging out to dry.
Check out our full review to learn more about the Apple Watch Series 5.
Apple Watch Series 5 specifications
Why should you trust the editor?
Jimmy Westenberg not only loves wearables, he also loves helping people find the right devices for their needs. He was our resident fitness reviewer at Android Authority since 2016 and has reviewed dozens of fitness products and other wearables during that time.
With his rigorous testing of fitness products and his in-depth knowledge of health devices and services, you can be sure that Jimmy will give you honest recommendations.
Recognitions
There are hundreds of GPS running watches out there today. Those on this list our Favorites, but we'll also list a handful of options below so you can find what you're looking for.
Next: AA Essentials: The best running gear, running watches and more
