The best GPS running watches in the UK 2023

There are a number of GPS running watches on the market. However, finding a quality model for women is not an easy task. It must be said that some models are rather imposing (thickness, dimensions, weight) not to mention the design. To combine elegance and sportiness during your running sessions, read our guide to the best GPS running watches for women.

Garmin Forerunner 35 1
9/10

Best value for money

Garmin Forerunner 35

The best women's GPS running watch in 2021

With the Forerunner 35, Garmin has succeeded in integrating comprehensive activity tracking features into a standard-sized watch. And the look is clearly suggestive to the female gender.

102 £ on Amazon

The Garmin Forerunner 35 has some interesting features. Not only does it have a GPS module, an optical heart rate monitor and an accelerometer, but it can also sync with a chest strap heart rate monitor, a pedometer, and even a speed and cadence sensor for running or cycling.

In addition, it has the essentials, namely GPS tracking, speed, distance, interval training, auto and manual cycling, heart rate, heart rate zones, pace and cadence. Outside of sports activities, Garmin has added calorie burn, step tracking, sleep monitoring and what they call "Move IQ" functions.

Umidigi Uwatch 2S 2
8/10

Best value for money

Umidigi Uwatch 2S

The best entry-level women's GPS running watch

The Umidigi Uwatch 2S is for fitness and health tracking enthusiasts. This women's GPS watch has a special mode dedicated to swimming. A credible alternative to the Willful WL352-BK-FR.

23,99 £ on Amazon

In terms of design, the Umidigi Uwatch 2S comes in an elegant, classic and simple circular shape, with no buttons or other additions to the external appearance. Its lightness makes it comfortable on a woman's wrist, even after prolonged use. On the back panel, there is nothing important except for the heart rate sensor and the pins for magnetic charging.

Besides, this women's GPS running watch is waterproof according to 5 ATM standards. So wearing it in the shower, rain or pool will not cause any problems. However, using it in the sauna or in a hot water pool will be a bad idea.

Garmin Venu 3
9/10

Best value for money

Garmin Venu

The best high-end women's GPS running watch

Compared to its competitors mentioned here, the Garmin Venu has a head start when it comes to activity and fitness tracking. Definitely one of the best GPS running watches for women on the market.

280 £ on Boulanger

The Garmin Venu is mainly made of plastic and silicone. A Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covers the screen. The bezel around the screen is made of stainless steel and has a nice engraved pattern. Garmin offers here a 2-button design. The top physical button takes you to the activity screen with one click and displays the shortcut menu with a long press. The bottom button acts as a back button when pressed and displays your settings menu with a long press.

The 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is the Garmin Venu's charm. Unlike the usual transflective MIP panels, the American brand prioritizes outdoor visibility and battery life here, with saturated colors and higher resolutions.

Amazfit GTS - GPS running watch for women 4
8/10

Smart choice

Amazfit GTS - GPS running watch for women

A great mid-range find

The Amazfit GTS, light and durable, is often presented as an economical version of the Apple Watch. It is undeniable that the manufacturer was inspired by the Apple smartwatch, adding undeniable assets.

88 £ on Amazon

Given its performance focus, the Amazfit GTS stands up to everyday activities, including fitness and running. Moreover, it remains light and thin on the wrist. Corning Gorilla 3 tempered glass protects its 1.65-inch square AMOLED display. The 348 x 442 pixel resolution offers a crisp view. The NTSC color spectrum completes the vibrant color experience.

Right away, it should be noted that there are 2 battery modes: daily use mode and basic watch mode. The manufacturer has added some very desirable features in this watch to compete with the biggest brands. Despite this, it remains a copy of the Apple Watch.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best GPS running watch

Any specific needs?

The best women's GPS running watch in 2021

The best entry-level women's GPS running watch

The best high-end women's GPS running watch

A great mid-range find

Your guide : Samuel

Rate this buying guide :
4.7/59 votes

By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!

Comparison table of the best GPS running watches

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Garmin Forerunner 35 5
9/10
Umidigi Uwatch 2S 6
8/10
Garmin Venu 7
9/10
Amazfit GTS - GPS running watch for women 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Garmin Forerunner 35
Umidigi Uwatch 2S
Garmin Venu
Amazfit GTS - GPS running watch for women
With the Forerunner 35, Garmin has succeeded in integrating comprehensive activity tracking features into a standard-sized watch. And the look is clearly suggestive to the female gender.
The Umidigi Uwatch 2S is for fitness and health tracking enthusiasts. This women's GPS watch has a special mode dedicated to swimming. A credible alternative to the Willful WL352-BK-FR.
Compared to its competitors mentioned here, the Garmin Venu has a head start when it comes to activity and fitness tracking. Definitely one of the best GPS running watches for women on the market.
The Amazfit GTS, light and durable, is often presented as an economical version of the Apple Watch. It is undeniable that the manufacturer was inspired by the Apple smartwatch, adding undeniable assets.
Screen
1-inch TFT, 120 x 120 pixels
1.3-inch TFT, 240 x 240 pixels
AMOLED 1.2 inch, 390 x 390 pixels
AMOLED 1.65 inch, 348 x 442 pixels
Waterproof index
5ATM
5 ATM
5 ATM
5 ATM
Battery
180 mAh
280 mAh
300 mAh
220 mAh
Weight
37.3 g
25 g
46.3 g
24.8 g
Smartphone compatibility
Android 4.4 minimum / iOS 9.0 minimum
Android 4.4 minimum / iOS 8 minimum
Android 4.3 minimum / iOS 9 minimum
Android 4.4 minimum / iOS 8 minimum

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - GPS running watch

Primary Item (H2)Sub Item 1 (H3)

Why can you trust us?

Why you can trust us
Our mission
How to support us
We do NOT accept any sponsored posts or advertising.

We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.

Our mission is to simplify your purchasing decisions.

We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.

We are a small team of geeks and enthusiasts.

To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!

How to choose your GPS running watch

Running is becoming increasingly popular, especially among women. In addition to the right outfit and shoes, the GPS running watch has quickly become indispensable. But how to choose? Don't panic, we'll explain everything!

#1 - Autonomy

Most watches have a li-ion battery and have a battery life of 10 to 12 hours in GPS mode. Although the actual battery life varies from model to model, there are common factors that influence the battery life of a GPS running watch, such as backlighting, temperature and humidity, storage in an enclosed area, or overall battery age. Note that some watches have a battery life of 20 h or more with GPS enabled.

#2 - Waterproofing

Nowadays, most running watches come with one or two forms of water resistance. This feature matters because the weather can be unpredictable. Water resistance protects it from rain or water immersion. It also protects it from dust, perspiration and even sudden temperature changes. Check the waterproof certificate before ordering.

#3 - Real-time GPS tracking

One of the most relevant features on a GPS running watch is the quality of the geolocation system. Not all GPS watches are running watches. But all running watches are GPS watches! This feature makes it easy to track your performance and map the runner's route and location for obvious reasons.

#4 - Connectivity

It'

s an absolute must-have feature, as you would want to be able to connect your running watch to multiple devices to store data and let apps and websites do the analysis for you. Most women's GPS running watches come with a USB connector or charger, while others additionally have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity for wireless connection.

#5 - The design

Yes, we preferred this criterion over versatility. After all, we're talking about a women's GPS running watch. And for the female gender, style matters! You shouldn't necessarily expect candy pink watches, far from it. But a design that is too masculine may not fit in with the style of clothing you wear for your running session.

How does a GPS running watch for women work?

Practicing sports has many benefits for each of us, especially for our health. It can be hiking, fast walking, fitness or other marathon races, etc. In general, these are all cardio sports, that's why we need to use a GPS running watch.

In fact, it is very useful for us when we move from point A to point B, that is to say, it offers the opportunity to predict in advance the route and orientate us during the trip. Also to determine the speed. This watch also has the role of calculating the distance we have covered, to find out about the routes, we can monitor the heart rate.

In addition, we can have an estimate of the number of calories burned during the event. With this tool, we can monitor the recovery time. Thus, it allows us to measure the performance of our training. The watch works through a communication between the device and the satellites every half second, which means that the calculations are made continuously and the results are sent back when we are in full movement. A connected tool, it measures the distance to the satellite by triangulation.

When you are outside an area without reception and you start the GPS running watch, you have to wait several calculations and a few seconds to get a correct value. And in case you have lost the connection with the satellite, the GPS receiver just calculates the distance covered during this disconnection. It is an essential tool for the expert or beginner sportsman
.

GPS running watch for women or running bracelet?

GPS running watch for women

In addition to offering you the same features as a fitness band, women's GPS running watches use the global positioning system to accurately record your route. And that's so you can later analyze your pace, cadence and altitude to optimize your training.

Running wristband

Running wristbands give you the most basic running data: steps, calories and distance traveled. The more feature-rich running bands can monitor your sleep and record your heart rate. Generally speaking, they have excellent autonomy, are light and easy to handle.

Verdict

If you're a beginner runner, a fitness band might be just right for you. However, if you want a device for more professional use, opt for a women's GPS running watch. It gives you access to more data and is much more accurate than a running wristband.

Why buy a GPS running watch for women?

So you don't have to carry your smartphone around

Buying a women's GPS running watch is the solution if you don't want to hold your smartphone in your hands when you run. Like any watch, it rolls up and attaches to your wrist to measure your vitals during exercise. In addition, most models will allow you to listen to music, replacing the smartphone or walkman.

To record data related to running sessions

The main advantage of a GPS running watch is that it is specially designed to record data from running sessions. Most of these watches store heart rate, speed, number of steps, distance traveled, etc.. A dedicated app then tracks your progress on your smartphone or tablet.

To have style

More than just a piece of sports equipment, the GPS running watch for women is also a fashion accessory. Manufacturers have been quick to understand this, offering unisex watches and watches dedicated to women to attract customers not necessarily excited by the men's models. As a result, women's GPS running watches often have a sporty, glamorous look while remaining functional.

To share your training data on social networks

This type of watch offers live tracking and a connection to social networks. This makes it easier to share your running sessions. Plus, your achievements are always better when shared with friends and family; the people who make our lives more special. Sharing your successes can be motivating and encouraging, especially when you receive praise from friends and family.

The best brands of GPS running watches

In our opinion, the best brands of GPS running watches in 2022 are :

Garmin
Polar
Fitbit
Apple
Xiaomi

Number one when it comes to GPS, the Garmin brand is distinguished by the quality of its products. The connected watch remains one of the products that have made the reputation of this brand.

Polar's products are primarily dedicated to the professional sportsman and then only to individuals, the Polar brand remains however accessible and reliable. The Polar watches are quite massive, but opted with a design quite consistent with the performance of the device.

Since 2007, the Fitbit brand has been designing, developing and distributing wearable products such as a connected watch. Its clientele consists of people living in a world of fitness and fitness.

Popular with consumers, Apple's products are designed with highly rated technological innovation. Its designs are not always within the reach of everyone.

The Chinese brand that is conquering the market with its gadgets at prices suitable for all. Xiaomi not only shines for its smartphones, but also on other products such as connected watches.

What is the price for a GPS running watch

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
100 £ to 200 £
Mid-range
200 £ to 300 £
High-end
more than 300 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Look for a model that offers heart rate zone training

Most high-end GPS running watches now have a heart rate zone training feature. It helps you train more efficiently. Whether you want to burn fat, build a better aerobic base, or work on your anaerobic threshold, sticking religiously to your heart rate zones will help you fine-tune your workout like a pro.

Find your maximum heart rate

Before you

can engage in heart rate zone training, you need to know your maximum heart rate. Once you've timed your maximum heart rate (MHR), your women's GPS running watch will set your five heart rate segments based on the type of workout results you get.

Opt for slow combustion

The

importance of monitoring your heart rate for basic endurance training is huge. Rather than running flat on every run, be sure to do at least one of your longest weekly runs while keeping your heart rate down. This type of workout encourages the body to burn fat. This is a must-do technique for any long-distance runner. In addition, it will help you lose weight. As a result, you will be lighter and run faster.

Create a training log

Although

most GPS running watches come with their own apps and web analytics tools to keep track of your performance over time, it's important to put your stats in context. To do this, use Google Calendar to create a simple training calendar and note the following important information: resting heart rate, today's planned workout, what you actually did, and how you felt.

Race with yourself

Benchmarking is great for seeing how much you've progressed and building your confidence. Find a familiar route, preferably one with consistent conditions each time you run. Run the route, record the time, and then come back to it every month to see how you've improved or not.

FAQ

What is the best GPS running watch for women?

The best GPS running watch for women depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.

What is the main advantage of a GPS on a connected watch?

With the GPS, you can see the differences in performance for each running session. This allows you to find areas for improvement. If you see that you only made it to a certain point or location on the map during one run, you can be motivated to run an even greater distance on the next.

How to optimize battery life?

On any GPS running watch, notifications alert you to your watch with a vibration and/or movement of the hands. Frequent alerts can cause your battery to drain faster. To maximize battery life, you can reduce the number of applications that can display notifications.

Can smartwatches work independently of a smartphone?

Yes. There are a few connected watches that can work without the need for a smartphone. The Apple Watch series and the Samsung Galaxy Watch, are among those. That's because they have their own cellular connection. This is a premium feature, and you will pay more money to take advantage of it. This will allow you to make calls and respond to texts.

Are women's GPS running watches waterproof?

Yes, the latest connected watches are almost all waterproof, especially GPS running watches.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , sportsexperts.ca
  2. , decathlon.fr
  3. , superprof.fr
  4. , quechoisir.org
  5. , suunto.com
  6. , samsung.com
  7. , chapura.com
  8. , smartwatchseries.com
  9. , cellularnews.com
  10. , lesnumeriques.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Garmin Forerunner 35 9
Garmin Forerunner 35
Umidigi Uwatch 2S 10
Umidigi Uwatch 2S
Garmin Venu 11
Garmin Venu
Amazfit GTS - GPS running watch for women 12
Amazfit GTS - GPS running watch for women

Lecteurs

Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.

Copyright © 2022 - Made with by buyingbetter.co.uk

Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!