Whether you ’re drive for your first 5 kibibyte or looking to take on an ultramarathon , having a great running watch to hand can make all the difference and we bang which unity are best .
Running is one of the most approachable manikin of exercise out there – with no Mary Leontyne Price of debut to deal with , and the fact that it ’s one of the best workouts for strengthening your cardiovascular ability , it ’s no wonder why it ’s so popular .
With that said , it can help to know a bit more about how your body is perform during a run and when you ’re at your best to aim for a new personal record . These features , and plenty more , are precisely what you may find on a consecrated run watch .
We ’ve put uncounted run watches to the test to feel out which 1 are deserving your hard earned cash , using those expertness to put together this purchasing guide . If you want an overview of the current wearable market then you may be better suit with ourbest smartwatchguide , while those on a budget should check out our round - up for thebest cheap smartwatches . For a full glance at the wearable market place then do take a look at our guides for thebest Wear OS lookout man , good seaworthiness tracker , best Fitbit , good Samsung Galaxy watchand thebest Garmin watch .
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Find out more about how we test running watches
Every running watch we test is used by the commentator for at least a week – or longer , if the bombardment living last beyond that point or we need more time to trial its feature . During examination , we pass judgment key metrics including app support , usability , battery living , and the truth of fittingness and distance trailing .
For aloofness tracking , we evaluate how accurately the machine records run on raceway we know the duration of . We also measure the level of battery life lost per hour using features such as work up - in or connected GPS . To check essence rate truth , we compare the results from the wearable to a dedicated HRM strap .
Next , we immix the data point recorded with our cosmopolitan experience of using the wearable mean solar day - to - day , revealing whether the gadget turn up comfortable to wear , alongside any issues we may have encountered with unexpected hemipteron over the review period .
Garmin Fenix 8
Pros
Cons
Garmin Enduro 3
Fitbit Charge 6
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Suunto Race
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Coros Apex 2
Garmin Forerunner 265s
Garmin Instinct 3
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro
Trusted Score
For the long meter it was the outstandingGarmin Epix Pro ( Gen 2)that hold this spot but that ’s changed since the Garmin Fenix 8 hit the scene , bringing much of what made the former so great , but into the Fenix range .
The biggest update is the comprehension of an AMOLED display . While there is a more traditional memory - in - pixel choice that offers better battery aliveness , the AMOLED display is easily the more preferable of the two as it makes the vigil far easy to learn when execute in the darkness . Speaking of which , the inclusion of a torch on the front of the Fenix 8 do it unbelievably helpful when running in areas that do n’t see a spate of raw or contrived light , helping you to forefend hazard .
Before you point out on the trail , you’re able to now put down the accurate distance that you would care to address and if anything contract in your way , such as a route closure , then the Fenix 8 will reroute you on the go to ensure that you strain your desired distance . This is a huge boon for anyone training for a marathon , as it stay fresh you locked in with your goals .
Much like any Garmin lookout , the Fenix 8 also boasts prima heart rate trailing and passel of metrics to dive into after a exercise . The only major set back is that with a start cost of £ 869.99/$999.99 , the Garmin Fenix 8 will be out of the Mary Leontyne Price range for many consumer but if you’re able to swing it then you ’ll receive one of the downright best track watches in return .
Reviewer : Michael SawhFull revue : Garmin Fenix 8 reappraisal
As much as we love theGarmin Fenix 8 , if you ’re an ultramarathon moon-curser who call for a long - lasting spotter that can actually go the distance then the Garmin Enduro 3 really is your best wager .
This chunky sentinel utilise traditional wired charging alongside a build - in solar panel to keep the battery top up , allowing it to run for up to 90 day in smartwatch mood , or 320 hours when GPS trailing is toggled . Whether you ’ve got a foresighted hike planned or a airstream in the bang-up out-of-doors , the Enduro 3 wo n’t let you do n’t where assault and battery is concerned .
In fact , the solar charging has now been made more effective over theGarmin Enduro 2 , with the use of Power Sapphire glass lens applied science , making better use of those cheery days . When the sun goes down however , the build up - in flashlight ( which can also be establish on the Fenix 8 and theGarmin Epix Pro Gen 2 ) can top the direction .
The trade - off for the Enduro 3 ’s owing battery life is the lack of an AMOLED display , which is where Garmin presents the Fenix 8 as an choice for those who want the flashier screen tech . If you ’re not bothered by all that however and you just need a watch that can keep up , you wo n’t feel a beneficial option than the Enduro 3 .
commentator : Michael SawhFull critical review : Garmin Enduro 3 critique
Fitbit has long been adding useful feature with each iteration of its popular Charge serial but it ’s in the Fitbit Charge 6 that the company claim a major saltation . With Fitbit now under the ownership of Google , the Charge 6 has made full function of the skill with several helpful feature .
The two with child melioration arrive in the form of sustenance for Google Wallet and Google Maps . This means that if you desire to snaffle a quick post - run umber but you ’ve leave your phone at base , you may complete that transaction entirely on the Charge 6 .
The same ca n’t be read for Google Maps , but it is ready to hand to have as a means of quickly navigate where you need to go next if you ’re run on a road that ’s unfamiliar to you . There ’s also sustenance for YouTube Music control on the gimmick itself .
make all of these additions onto the already fantastic Fitbit ecosystem and GPS route trailing , and you ’re looking at one of the most fleshed out wearables within the sub-£200 end of the market .
Reviewer : Conor AllisonFull brushup : Fitbit Charge 6 review
take mountain of cues from its closest competitor , the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra finally offers up a flagship wear out oxygen experience in the way that theApple Watch Ultradid for watchOS .
With a titanium figure that has military grade durability and is also rainproof up to 10ATM ( 100 metres ) , this is a watch that is n’t playing around , and it ’ll be more than quick to plow whatever component you ’re up against when out running .
The battery can also last for about two days on a single tutelage , which gives it quite the advantage over standard Galaxy Watches . With that said , battery liveliness was n’t always consistent in our testing , and if you ’re appear for a watch that can get over an entire battle of Marathon whilst play music offline , you ’re probably better suited with something like theGarmin Enduro 3 .
Outside of those instances however , the Galaxy Watch Ultra still ping it out of the park on the central bits that all runners manage about . Dual - band GNSS control a stiff connexion and accurate outside tracking , while the substance rate sensor did a capital job when paired up with a dedicated HRM monitor .
One caveat to bear in head though is that results for line of descent oxygen and blood line insistence trailing are only uncommitted if you have a Samsung speech sound to pair the watch with , which feels a bit unfair if you ’re using a full equal to smartphone from the like of Google or OnePlus .
Still , the software experience elsewhere is solid . The Galaxy Watch Ultra is among the first wearables out there to embark with Wear OS 5 out of the loge , so you get to apply the in vogue version of Google ’s operating organization with all of its bells and whistles . That means fundamental apps like Google Maps , WhatsApp and Google Wallet on your wrist , which is something that Garmin ca n’t offer .
referee : Conor AllisonFull review : Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review
Suunto ’s had plenty misses in the past times , never quite keeping up with the story of quality offered by the rivalry , but that changes with the Suunto Race . Here is a watch that not only get head to guide with the the like of theGarmin Forerunner 965and theApple Watch Ultra 2 , it also manages to massively undercut its competitor on price .
With an RRP of £ 389 ( and a pricier atomic number 22 interpretation usable for £ 479 ) , the Suunto Race sit well in the mid - range sphere of the running sentinel market , but you ’re getting plenty of bang for your buck .
For starters , it ’s the first Suunto observe to boast an AMOLED display , which is bright and well-situated to read outdoors – perfect for the free , colourful map that can be downloaded to the watch and used when out on a run .
Heart rate monitoring is enough enough and there ’s no deficit of physical exercise that can be go after beyond running , but it ’s the ability to get a hebdomad ’s Charles Frederick Worth of enjoyment with the screen always - on that really set the Suunto Race several laps in advance of the contender .
Reviewer : Michael SawhFull Review : Suunto Race
It almost decease without say but no other vigil on this tilt can contend with the Apple Watch Ultra 2 where software program is come to . Apple ’s watchOS persist the golden standard for wearable software thanks to its visceral UI and the presence of innumerous third political party apps in its dedicated app storage .
It ’s also a no - brainer for anyone with an iPhone as you ’ll espy plentifulness of seamless integrating between the two devices , and that ’s before mentioning additional benefits like onboard Siri and tight mate with other Apple products like theAirPods Pro 2 .
With all of that order however , there is n’t much period in pick this equipment up if you already own the first - genApple Watch Ultra . standardized to Apple ’s coming with the Apple Watch 9 which was released at the same time , this lookout man is incredibly iterative with only three major upgrade to speak of : a bright display , a fast chipset and the new Double Tap fundamental interaction .
Those features are n’t quite enough to justify an rising slope from the Apple Watch Ultra , but if this is your raid into the Ultra series , or even your first - ever Apple Watch , then the Ultra 2 is promiscuous to recommend .
That bright display ( now 3000 nit rather of 1000 nits ) is incredibly easy to register outdoors and it makes the torch subroutine even handier when you ’re run on darker track . The Modern S9 chip , aside from allowing the Watch to feel faster during everyday usance , now pave the way for specific on - gadget Siri responses , avoiding the time lag that come with pinging your asking over to your phone first .
The forked pat feature film look Apple expand upon one of its accessibility concepts by allowing you to interact with certain apps only by double tapping your thumb and forefinger together . This means that you may answer calls or halt timers , all without needing to touch the display which , during heavier workouts , is handy for keeping sweat away from the display .
Bear in mind that , just like its forerunner , the Apple Watch Ultra 2 does n’t on the nose topple the competition where battery life is concerned but for everything else it ’s mighty at the top of the pack .
commentator : James StablesFull reassessment : Apple Watch Ultra 2 review
Garmin and Fitbit may be the go - to acknowledgment level in the public discourse surrounding fitness tracker and running spotter but Coros has been gradually make a case for its own line of wearables and the Coros Apex 2 demonstrate exactly why the company is a force to be suppose with .
For newbie , the Apex 2 features a part - titanium chassis with a robust sapphire display , both of which are rare for habiliment around the same toll distributor point . What this means is that if you ’re the type of somebody who worries about develop incision on their smartwatch or accidentally knocking the twist during a workout , then the Apex 2 can give you peace treaty of mind with the ability to withstand a fair amount .
As great as the watch ’s durability is , it ’s not the only reason why you should consider it over a Garmin . In accordance of rights with the Coros app , the Apex 2 can proffer up a near dizzying amount of system of measurement and you could also programme a workout act on your phone which is then ready to be viewed whenever you need on your wrist .
All of these metric do n’t come at the cost of shelling spirit either , as the Apex 2 can still manage to crack up on for up to 17 - day on a single charge , making it idealistic for anyone calculate to head off on a long rise .
Part of that undischarged battery life history is owed to the transflective LCD CRT screen which , even though it is n’t quite as snazzy as an AMOLED show , is by its very nature well-fixed to take outdoors which is exactly what you need when out on a run .
The primal issue holding the Apex 2 back from greatness is the on - the - watch single-valued function system which just is n’t as visceral or easy to populate as it is on Garmin devices . If you already know the routes that you plan on run however then this wo n’t be much of an issue .
Reviewer : Andrew WilliamsFull critical review : Coros Apex 2 critique
If you ’re looking for a running watch that is well suitable to small wrists , theGarmin Forerunner 265sis a fantastic choice . The smartwatch sits below the top - endForerunner 965but provide more advanced training metrics and features than the budget - oriented Forerunner 55 .
The Forerunner 265s sport a 41.7 mm case , keeping it small and illumination on the wrist joint . The ticker has five strong-arm buttons and is paired with an 18 mm prompt - release silicone band available in three colours .
Unlike our good mid - level running watch , theGarmin Forerunner 255 , the 256s gas a small 1.1 - inch AMOLED display with a 360 x 360 resolution , analways - on modeand rise - to - waken gesture financial support . The screen is built from tough Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and is incredibly vivacious with deep blacks and rich , precise colours
While the Forerunner 265s is mainly designed to plunk for contrabandist , the wearable also offers some swimming , cycling and indoor workout trailing potentiality . There are even profiles for skiing and snowboarding , as well as a consecrate triathlon mode .
For running , the Forerunner 265s is excellent . The wearable is small and lightweight to run with and the silver screen makes it well-off to view and customise your stats in real - time . Many of the run feature are the same as those found on the 255 , including the Sat IQ and multiband GPS engineering science which ascertain you ’re using the good GPS trailing option for any environment . We found this feature performed well against interchangeable feature on theApple Watch Ultraand Garmin ’s own Forerunner 965 .
Treadmill running game do likewise well and there ’s the pick to fine-tune the watch to ensure it offers accurate trailing on future runs .
The Garmin Coach feature reserve you to sync run - focussed workouts on the picket and there ’s the option to upload routes for breadcrumb - style navigation ( for more stark mapping , opt for a pricier Garmin watch ) . Other feature include the subspecies predictor and PacePro pace strategy , while Training Readiness offers perceptivity base on heart rate variance , sleep caliber , recovery and training load to permit you jazz whether you should be civilize that day or taking a Clarence Day off to rest .
Despite the Modern AMOLED filmdom , the battery life is still very good , offering up to 15 - twenty-four hours of function in smartwatch mode with the always - on screen deactivated and up to 24 - hour when using the optimal GPS tracking mode .
That Garmin Forerunner 265s may be a fleck pricey than the Forerunner 255 with its coloured AMOLED exhibit , but it ’s nevertheless a gravid track ticker and perfectly - sized for little wrist .
commentator : Michael SawhFull Review : Garmin Forerunner 265s review
Ask anyone , even runners who are just start out , and they ’ll concord that not all type of running require the same kit . For illustration , running on a tread-wheel is unlike to endure at your local green , which in turn is a world by from trail running . On the latter , you ’ll need a wearable that ’s not only durable and long - lasting , but also needs a hard GPS connexion as well as safety features in case of any trouble . Packing all of those factors and then some is the excellentGarmin Instinct 3 .
The heavy upgrade over its predecessor is the improver of an AMOLED exhibit . This accommodate in phone line with Garmin ’s current scheme to move on from the gloomy major power memory - in - pixel elan showing of old ( aside from on bombardment behemoth like theGarmin Enduro 3 ) . Having AMOLED on board makes it easier to interpret what ’s on screen door , particularly after the sun goes down , and it ’s not a massive knock to battery life either as you’re able to still get up to 18 - daytime of role in smartwatch mode .
When you ’re out on the trail , the Instinct 3 benefit from Garmin ’s new multi - band GPS engineering which let for a stronger connection and more precise tracking . At the disbursal of some accuracy , you may also use the Expedition GPS mode which can broaden the duration of tracking by up to several days or even a week .
There ’s a built - in LED torch on the Garmin Instinct 3 which , while handy for find things without needing to switch on a light , can also prove all important if you take a amiss turn and need to indicate for help .
It is deserving mention that there is no touchscreen financial support whatsoever on the Garmin Instinct 3 , banish control exclusively to the physical buttons surrounding the display . During workouts this is less of an issue as you ’d want to avoid blur the sieve anyway , but it definitely takes some getting used to when away from the running .
Reviewer : Michael SawhFull Review : Garmin Instinct 3 review
If your budget does n’t stretch beyond £ 100/$100 then there is n’t too much alternative at this end of the grocery , particularly with wearables that include untethered GPS tracking . fortuitously , it ’s not a complete destruction as theXiaomi Smart Band 8 Pronot only mob this feature , it actually does a decent job of quickly demonstrate a connection and appease exact in its outcome .
In our review , we found that the Band 8 Pro was corresponding to the much pricierGarmin Epix Pro ( Gen 2)in this area , create it a dandy shout for anyone who wants to keep tabs on their itinerary performance without paying agiotage prices .
philia rate monitoring is n’t quite as accurate as the GPS performance , but the gadget is pad by a long assault and battery life of up to 14 - days , not to remark its fairly fashionable design and gorgeous 1.74 - inch AMOLED display . For a price that does n’t break the bank , the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro holds up incredibly well .
reader : Conor AllisonFull Review : Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro critique
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