The best GPS running watches (August 2020) - Android
There are lots of different wearables for all types of users. Just need to keep an eye on your daily activity levels? Maybe the Fitbit Versa 2 or Xiaomi Mi Band 4 will suit your needs. But if you’re a serious athlete that needs something more powerful — something that can track your long runs and not skimp on the handy watch features — what are your options? Today, we’re going to walk you through our list of the best GPS running watches on the market.
If you’re a runner and need something that will accurately track your routes, has an easy-to-read screen, a built-in heart rate monitor, and a GPS, this list is for you. Some of the options on here are pricey, but that’s par for the course in this segment of wearables.
Everybody needs something different out of their GPS running watches, so we listed each model in a different category to help you choose the right device for your needs. Here are some quick links if you’re in a hurry:
If money is of no option and you want the best GPS running watch you can buy, we recommend the Garmin Forerunner 945. The 945 offers all of the new features Garmin has been promoting with its recent watches, including a pulse oximeter, music storage, Garmin Pay support, incident detection, VO2 max heat and altitude adjustment, and two-week battery life. It also has full-color, on-board maps support.
Also read: Which music services work with Garmin smartwatches?
This is the watch you buy if you’re training for a triathlon, or at least want the most data you can get out of a running watch. With the Forerunner 945, you’ll have access to training load focus — a feature that sorts your recent training history into different categories based on intensity and structure. You also get access to ski, hike, golf tracking, and more.
Looking for something a little cheaper? The Garmin Forerunner 935 is still a great option.
Want something that excels at running and more general outdoor features? Check out the Garmin Fenix 6 lineup.
Read more about the Forerunner 945 in our list of the best Garmin watches you can buy.
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is our favorite GPS running watch right now, and it’s definitely the best option for the price. The Forerunner 245 Music comes with an accurate heart rate sensor and GPS tracking, as well as fantastic sleep insights, music storage, Garmin Coach training plans, a pulse oximeter, and week-long battery life.
If you’re looking for a GPS running watch that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is probably your best option.
Any downsides? A few. It doesn’t have Garmin Pay, and there’s no barometric altimeter on board, for some reason.
Check out our full review to learn more about the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music.
The Garmin Forerunner 45 is the watch you buy if you’re looking to save some cash but still want a powerful GPS running watch.
The Forerunner 45 features built-in GPS and heart rate sensors, and can track your cycling, elliptical, cardio workouts, and more. Battery life should last up to seven days in smartwatch mode and roughly 13 hours in GPS mode.
These are the successors to the super popular Forerunner 35 from a few years back. The new Forerunner 45 and 45S add Garmin’s incident detection feature, as well as support for different watch faces and Garmin Coach workouts for running and cycling.
The 45 series doesn’t have music storage (we’d recommend the 245 Music for that), and it doesn’t support quick release straps. The color you buy is the color you stick with.
Read more about Garmin’s offerings in our Fitbit vs Garmin comparison.
The Polar Ignite strikes a good balance between high-end features and value. It’s a good alternative to the Forerunner 245 Music if you’re interested in trying something not made by Garmin.
It can track more than 100 activities and has built-in GPS, a heart rate sensor, and a 3ATM water resistance rating. It offers on-device breathing exercises, smartphone notification support (no music storage sadly), and 17 hours of battery in GPS mode. The real standout feature here is FitSpark, which is a training feature that adapts to your exercises. If you went particularly hard on a run on a certain day, FitSpark will give you tips on how to recover as well as recommended exercises.
Read more in our best Polar watches buyer’s guide.
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