These are the 5 best watches for runners

Running has become a very popular way to exercise and achieve fitness goals for people of all ages. Although I’m not a runner myself, preferring to do strength training, cardio circuits, and leisurely walks, I have several friends and family members who not only run, but do it seriously. Unsurprisingly, they all wear a smartwatch to track their runs, progress, time, distance and more. This is both for daily runs and for achieving personal goals when training for races. Indeed, there are many levels of runners, from those who do it to get their minutes of exercise each day to those who train intensively.

You can use any smartwatch to track a running workout, let alone a fitness tracker, smart bracelet, or even a smart ring. But there are specific smartwatches that particularly excel for runners from brands like Amazfit, Apple, Garmin, Google, and Samsung. Whether you’re a beginner runner or someone preparing for the next local marathon, these watches track not only the usual stats, but also race-specific data like cadence, pace, stride, intervals, and more. They are worth investing in if you choose to run as part of your daily or weekly routine, whether casually or seriously.

Unsurprisingly, those who own an iPhone tend to gravitate toward Apple Watch models. My friend and cousin, both serious runners, rely on Apple Watches to track daily 5-10k runs. Both like being able to sync with a third-party app like Strava to save relevant data in one place. Although they have older Apple Watch models, the Apple Watch Series 11 and its latest watchOS 27 firmware offer additional benefits. At the most basic level, you can track your running workouts and use GPS, but there are many other Apple Watch features that runners will use every day.

You can follow a Pacer to track improvements and a running course to compare your last time on that same course. While running, you can adjust the view to show the measurements most important to you, such as segment, elevation, and splits. The data captured includes not only usual heart rate and gait, but also vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length, running power, and more.

With the upcoming watchOS 27, you get improved Workout Buddy insights to help you get motivated, as well as more accurate mileage tracking for indoor runs. With Apple Watch Ultra models, you can press the Action button to immediately start a running workout or mark a running segment. But for most runners, the Apple Watch Series 11, or even the Series 9 or Series 10 models (the only others alongside the Ultra and SE models that work with watchOS 27), will suffice and offer plenty of benefits for tracking your runs.

Widely considered by many experts to be the best running watch for those who run but also engage in other physical activities, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is one of the best options in the brand’s line of smartwatches designed specifically for runners. It’s an expensive smartwatch, but it has useful features like a built-in LED flashlight for added visibility for those running at night. You get up to 15 days of battery life and can view color maps directly on the watch screen. The built-in speaker and mic let you answer calls from a connected smartphone (including Android and iOS) right from your wrist so you don’t interrupt your rhythm.

In terms of tracking, it captures the usual stats like heart rate, distance, and time, as well as enhanced stats like running economy, which measures how efficiently your body converts energy into running performance, when you use the watch with the Garmin HRM 600 monitor. It also captures running tolerance, helping to ensure you’re not overtraining to achieve your goals more effectively. Garmin Coach training plans, meanwhile, are available for running, tailoring to your goals and individual health and fitness level. This is a useful option that you can adjust as your stamina and fitness levels increase. You can even use the course planner to set checkpoints and rest times throughout a longer run.

A newer addition to Amazfit’s growing lineup of affordable yet well-reviewed smartwatches, the Cheetah 2 Ultra trail running watch is receiving rave reviews. It’s specifically designed for trail runners who often run on complex terrain, with features that allow it to keep up with their pace. In Trail Running mode, you get up to an impressive 33 hours of battery life, which can reach an even more impressive 30 days with daily use. It displays full-color maps with step-by-step instructions so you can follow them on the 1.5-inch AMOLED display that has 3,000 nits of brightness so you can see it clearly even on the sunniest days. Maps can also be used offline, whether you leave your phone (Android or iOS) at home or don’t have cellular connectivity.

In addition to precise GPS, dual-band positioning and six satellite systems, it can track your location even in an area with dense trees. If you leave your route, automatic rerouting will find a new path. Look for points of interest if you need to stop to use the bathroom or refill water. It is also designed to be durable, so it can withstand outdoor weather. When it comes to tracking, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra can provide data such as endurance, vertical effort, threshold runs, and muscular endurance. You can also import training plans from third-party apps, like Runna. For better visibility, use dual-mode LED lighting and take advantage of SOS mode if you get into trouble.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is the most rugged option in the lineup and the best Galaxy Watch for runners. The new 2025 edition of the watch can handle everything from extreme cold and heat to high altitudes and deep water. You can get turn-by-turn route guidance while you run, with step-by-step directions and altitude information if you run on hills. A Track Back feature lets you return to the start of the run without getting lost, especially useful if you’re running on an unfamiliar trail or in another city or region. There’s a security siren that can sound if you’re in trouble, as well as fall detection, emergency SOS, and night vision that automatically lights up the screen in the dark. Dual frequency GPS helps track your location more accurately.

Track your pace from previous runs to motivate yourself to speed up or slow down. There are dedicated modes for triathlons and duathlons if you participate in these multi-sport races. With built-in Galaxy AI, you can also get real-time support throughout your runs, as well as advice and analysis afterwards. Running Coach, on the other hand, provides real-time pace details and other personalized feedback. It analyzes your abilities and can even generate a multi-week training program, ideal for those just starting out. The Galaxy Watch Ultra works with virtually any Android device, although it’s best paired with a Samsung Galaxy phone.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is loved for its sleek design and the fact that it works seamlessly with any Android device. With the new Google Health app (which replaces the Fitbit app) and a Premium subscription, you get integrated insights, analytics, and guidance powered by Gemini and AI while you run and do other workouts. Additionally, the smartwatch comes with a three-month trial, but after that you’ll have to pay monthly to access some features. As for runners in particular, the dual-frequency GPS ensures precise route tracking, even in dense areas. Auto Tracking, meanwhile, captures a run even if you forget to start the workout before heading out.

There are advanced metrics for runners, including step cadence, ground contact time, vertical oscillation and ratio, stride length, elevation gain, pace (including splits and segments), and much more. In addition to seeing a summary of your stats, you can also compare them to previous races to see how your performance, speed, endurance and pace improve over time. Or use the Ask Coach feature with Google Health Premium to answer all your questions. There’s also standalone satellite emergency communications with the LTE model, which allows emergency services to find you in the event of an unfortunate event, even if you’re off-grid. All of these smartwatches are a solid option for runners, helping you track your metrics, compare data, and ensure security and location tracking while you take part in that important cardio workout.

These smartwatches were chosen based on several factors. The first was my direct experience with some of these specific models, as well as others from the same brands. Second, I evaluated expert picks on the best running sites as well as overall customer sentiment. I’ve also spoken with friends and family who are avid runners, including both casual and serious runners who participate in annual marathons. These models were also selected based on the brand’s overall reputation, diversity of phone compatibility, and the fact that they each capture measurements and have features that are particularly useful for runners.