Best Smart Watch for Running at Any Level [with Buyers Guide]

When you pound the pavement, navigate the trails, or lumber on the treadmill, a solid running watch is your reliable buddy.

Still, owning one of the best smart watch for running may significantly impact your running performance, fitness objectives, and speed. 

These watches let you get the most out of your runs with comprehensive monitoring, real-time data on oxygen levels, heart rate, stamina, and more.

At the same time, they may assist you in being more knowledgeable, healthy, and fit.

Continue reading to see our recommendations for the best items.

Best running smart watch

What to Consider when Buying a Smart Watch for Runners?

When selecting the ideal smart watch running for you, there are a few crucial factors to consider. 

Let's take a closer look at each of these:

Your goals

For first-time runners, a watch that can assist you in making a simple training schedule and varying your runs is beneficial.

You should consider how often you run and how dedicated you are to monitoring your improvement.

Consider your current goals

For novice runners, basic features like heart rate tracking and GPS may be all they need. 

However, additional features, like as stride length or water resistance, can be more significant to you if you're training for an ultramarathon or triathlon.

Features

Determine your needs and preferences for a runner smart watch while keeping an eye on your budget to make it easier to decide.

Hikers and trail runners who wish to monitor air pressure and altitude while discovering new paths can use GPS watches equipped with barometers, gyroscopes, and altimeters. 

What features should runners smart watch have?

To aid in navigating new neighborhoods when jogging on roads, seek watches that include built-in visual maps.

Additionally useful are those that can keep track of your specific running stats and design personalized workouts for you.

Battery life

Some best rated smart watches typically have a five-day battery life, but other models—like some Garmin watches—are made to last much longer.

Check the battery life of the device

It is crucial to remember that the frequency of use and the functions that you utilize most often with your smart watch runner will directly affect how long its battery lasts.

The battery will run out more quickly if you run large distances often or if you want to get frequent GPS tracking and data like VO2 max values.

GPS capability

It's important to think about whether the watches not only have GPS functionality but also how effectively that GPS functions.

How quickly the GPS connection was formed when you needed it, how accurate it was based on the field of watches examined, etc are some questions you should ask yourself.

Comfort

You should feel comfortable while wearing smart watches for running

No matter how many features a running smart watch has, if it is uncomfortable, you can find it difficult to be really motivated to put it on every time you hit the pavement. 

This refers to how comfortable it is right away, as well as how they feel both during and after a run. 

Price

Many people assume that if you spend more money on the best smart watch for runners, you'll receive a superior item.

But that isn't always the case.

When choosing running smart watches, you had better evaluate the features it offers, how easy it is to use, and how well it helps you achieve your fitness objectives. 

Besides, avoid buying a thing only because it is expensive.

Factors to consider when buying a smart watch GPS running

Best Smart Watches for Running

We've put together a list of the best smart watches for runners that are the most functional fitness trackers available, based on the previously listed criteria.

As you read, we'll break everything down for you by the main categories.

However, if you would want to delve into further details or find devices meeting other needs (such as the best military smart watches), we have done the research for you in a variety of articles.

Best-selling smart watches for running

First off, here are the best-selling smart watches for runners that you should have a look at as well as the best deals:

Trending smart watches for running

Not surprisingly, a lot of people associate smart watch running trackers with Garmin.

Since this brand has been in the running watch industry for a long time—far before smartwatches—they are aware that no two runners are alike.

Thus, it provides smart running watches for everyone, ranging from powerhouses fit for triathlons to simple-to-use GPS watches.

Here are two trending items from this brand that you should think about purchasing:

Garmin Forerunner 265

Released in March 2023, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is the leading edge of a new generation of runner's world smart watch.

Garmin Forerunner 265

This smart watch run is capable of tracking whatever activity you engage in. 

It can track your steps taken, altitude, speed, distance traveled, calories burnt, etc and V02 max as you run.

It should be able to determine exactly where you are and where you're heading no matter where you run in the world because it supports GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS tracking technologies. 

Plus, it has five atmospheres of water resistance, so you could theoretically dive down to 150 feet with this watch before having any problems.

Thus, it's also one of the best smart watches for swimming.

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs 265s

In addition to the Forerunner 265, Garmin also released the 265s model in this series.

To put it simply, the Forerunner 265s measures 42mm across the diagonal, whereas the Forerunner 265 measures 46mm. 

These timepieces are nearly identical except for that.

Watch the following video to have a better grasp of these two editions:

Garmin Forerunner 965

The Forerunner 965, which made its debut in March 2023, preserved many of the features that fans cherished from the earlier Forerunner models while combining them with sleek AMOLED displays.

Thanks to this, it has a much longer battery life even in comparison to the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar.

Garmin Forerunner 965

With all the smart, fitness, and health features you could want, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is the best dog forerunner available. 

It offers various features, including: 

• Dual-band multi-GNSS system access

• Offline maps

• Heart rate variability 

• VO2 max estimations

• Stress, steps, respiration tracking

• Heart rate variability throughout the day, etc

Other smartwatches for running

Here are a few more of the best running smart watch available right now that you don't want to miss out on!