For you to choose the greatest training aid, we’ve put the best GPS Watches from Garmin, Apple, Polar, Coros, and more to the test. This guide will assist you in choosing the ideal wearable regardless of what activities you enjoy, including jogging, hiking, cycling, skiing, or anything else. A GPS watch can be a crucial training tool or a means to record your outdoor experiences, whether it’s tracking your pace, determining your elevation, or leading you through a workout.
The best GPS watches typically have the ability to sync with apps like komoot or Strava, which store data about running, biking, hiking, and other adventures. The Garmin Forerunner 955 is now our top pick for runners due to its cutting-edge training capabilities and incredibly precise dual-band GPS. Our preferred GPS watch for trekking is the Apple Watch Ultra, especially when AllTrails and Komoot are installed. For climbing, we like the incredibly durable Coros Vertix 2. Below we have mentioned some of the best GPS watches.
10 Best GPS Watches
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
For mountaineering adventurers, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar offers fantastic battery life and great functionality. The Instinct can endure long outdoor treks and multi-day races thanks to its novel solar charging features. The watch face can be altered to display information for a wide range of activities, and the companion app arranges everything into an understandable format for tracking your exercise progress, hiking routes, and other activities.
Although its on-screen maps aren’t as advanced as those of the Garmin Fenix 7 and Garmin Forerunner 955, we think the huge cost reductions make the lack of topo data on the watch itself worth it for the majority of applications. So, if you want one of the best GPS watches, we highly recommend this product.
Garmin Fenix 7
The best GPS watches we’ve ever tested is the Garmin Fenix 7. With a battery life that will endure through the majority of ultra-distance events, this model is user-friendly and precise. We prefer the Garmin user interface because it has a large feature set that enhances our time outdoors without being annoying or challenging to use.
We value the sturdy construction, sophisticated appearance, and added features like huge audio storage, Garmin Pay, in-car navigation, and connectivity with Garmin’s wide internet environment. Despite the fact that this watch is excellent, many people will find alternative watches with fewer features at a lower price to be a better bargain. A time investment is also required to fully understand the feature options and how to configure them.
Garmin Forerunner 955
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is now the best GPS watches available, despite its unattractive appearance. The extremely precise multi-band GPS, which can be configured to switch to single-band mode in places with high reception to preserve battery life, is for us the device’s biggest selling point. Despite the route bringing me through two lengthy tunnels, it was accurate to within a few metres on a pre-measured 10-kilometer run.
All of Garmin’s newest technologies, such as heart rate variability, training readiness, real-time stamina, and many other features, come standard with the Forerunner 955. It provides you with an incredibly thorough picture of your present level of fitness, the effects of your workouts, and how you can modify your training program to meet your objectives. The Forerunner 955 has a touchscreen and buttons, unlike its predecessor, but it’s still incredibly durable and light that you won’t even notice you’re wearing it.
Garmin Forerunner 45
For runners who prefer a less complicated watch to track workouts and daily activities, consider the Garmin Forerunner 45. On average, it is priced about $100 cheaper than the Forerunner 245 and about the same as the Coros Pace 2. The Forerunner 45 offers activity monitoring, however it lacks swim tracking and has fewer activity options than the Forerunner 245 does. For now, this is one of the best GPS watches you can consider.
The median GPS acquisition time for the Forerunner 45 was faster than the 245 and slower than the Pace 2, but it was still in the lower half of the range for other models. During steady-state efforts, its heart-rate monitoring performed admirably, but during run/walk intervals, it hopped around a lot. The majority of the run/activity tracking and smartwatch capabilities included in the Forerunner 245’s more costly brother are also present in the Forerunner 45.
Garmin fēnix 6 Pro Solar
Given that Garmin is a pioneer in wearable technology and GPS navigation, it should come as no surprise that the fenix 6 Pro Solar is our best GPS watches. When you engage in sports and outdoor activities, this tough and waterproof watch can access the GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems to better track your movements. Once you learn how to utilise the side buttons of the watch to navigate the TopoActive maps, it’s a terrific tool to have when performing activities like skiing or trekking in the outdoors.
You’re also less likely to get lost thanks to features like turn-by-turn navigation and a round-trip route. 48 sports and workout activities, including extreme sports like skiing, mountain biking, surfing, and more, are available on the fenix 6 Pro Solar. The animated training sessions that are downloadable with the watch are fun to utilize if you like to exercise with the fenix 6 Pro Solar.
Coros Pace 2
For the price, the Coros Pace 2 has amazing functionality. It costs approximately half as much as comparable GPS watches while offering premium features like triathlon training, a longer battery life, and a special “muscle heat map” that reveals which sections of your body have been working out the most recently. Considering how simple and straightforward the Coros companion app is to use, it is also one of our favorites.
Even though this watch isn’t the most “techie” one available, individuals who aren’t interested in all the newest smartwatch features will find it to be a welcome simplification. Overall, the Coros Pace 2 has really impressed us, and it’s a fantastic deal for runners seeking for a simple yet effective watch. Thus, this product is one of the best GPS watches available right now.
Coros Vertix 2
The Coros Vertix 2 is the best option if battery longevity is your top priority. The tools you need to prepare for your next expedition are all included in this big, tough watch, including a pulse oximeter, touch screen, breadcrumb trail, several workout profiles, workout creation, route navigation, and more. With the best battery life of any watch in our collection, it is a favorite among extreme adventurers who need their power to last all day and all night. For now, this is one of the best GPS watches you can consider.
Although we adore this watch, some people might not appreciate its 51mm size. It is notably weighty due to the size of the case and the endless battery life, so it might not be the greatest choice for persons who run or engage in other sports that need a lot of arm movement. The price is also much greater than the Coros Pace 2, a high-quality alternative, as well as the Garmin Forerunner 955. Even so, we don’t think you’ll be dissatisfied if you want this model’s dominating appearance; it’s wonderful for trekking and we can see it functioning well in expedition scenarios.
Garmin Forerunner 55
Despite best GPS watches, the Garmin Forerunner 55 offers a lot of value. Along with offering Garmin’s renowned location tracking, this watch also offers a number of training tools you might anticipate finding in a much more costly timepiece, including predicted recuperation periods, workout recommendations, and training load advice. The Forerunner 55’s biometrics are remarkable as well, and during our tests we were pleasantly delighted to see that the heart rate readings from the device matched those from the chest strap heart rate monitor we used as our benchmark almost exactly.
It’s a genuine winner if interval training is something you’re interested in. The Forerunner 55 is a fantastic tiny GPS watch, but it lacks Garmin Pay, so you can’t use it to pay for a post-hike slice of cake, and its monochrome display isn’t excellent for charting and navigating new routes. It was only introduced last year, but its price has already decreased dramatically. If you shop around, you might be amazed at how inexpensively you can find it as well.
Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5 is ideal for people who only need a GPS watch to monitor their personal health parameters, such as stress, heart health, sleep quality, and oxygen saturation. Only 20 training options and a 50-meter water resistance depth are reflected in the price. While you workout, the built-in GPS will monitor your pace and distance. Leave your phone at home, and when you come back, your metrics will sync to the Fitbit app.
Even if you forget to start your workout on the Fitbit Charger 5, the watch will still recognise and record it. Users of Android devices can benefit from simple pairing, rapid setup, and pre-set text message responses. Fitbit claims that the battery life can last up to seven days, but with notifications and regular exercise, you’ll probably only need a charge for four days. Currently, this is one of the best GPS watches that you can buy right now.
Polar Pacer Pro
If you’re searching for a lightweight, stylish GPS watch that will help you take your running to the next level, the Polar Pacer Pro is one of the best options available. Although it has monitoring options for many different activities, its primary use is as a running watch, and it will collect a wealth of data on every training session. Overall, this is one of the best GPS watches that you can buy right now.
Its biometrics are equally outstanding, and its GPS is among the most precise we’ve tested. The watch’s heart rate monitor performed well in our tests, and the simplicity with which training heart rate zones may be programmed is a big plus. We especially valued the Polar Pacer Pro’s ability to detect running power at the wrist, which facilitates quick energy expenditure comparisons between training sessions.
Conclusion
A best GPS watches purchase involves a considerable financial commitment. For a more thorough look at the various models we reviewed, read through our reviews. Before you locate the ideal product at the ideal price, you might have to conduct weeks or even months worth of research. We hope that our analysis and in-depth research have given you the confidence you need to make this investment. Consider our ideas and application cases, then decide what matters to you the most. We hope this helps you make a decision since there is a GPS watch available for everyone.
