The GPS running watch allows you to run while guiding you and facilitating your location. Unlike accelerometer-based activity trackers, this watch communicates with the GPS system to keep track of your location and route while you're out and about. To find the right model, read our guide to the best GPS running watches.
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Our selection
"If you're looking for a simple, easy-to-use running watch, the Garmin Forerunner 45 is for you. It stays true to the basics, but with added…"
"Garmin's Forerunner 220 is a watch for beginners as well as the more experienced runner. Despite its simplicity, it has all the features and scalability…"
"The Polar Vantage V2 is the watch that brings together all the know-how of the Finnish brand. Lighter and more compact, it has the best…"
"Garmin's Forerunner 35 is a GPS running watch that exemplifies entry-level value for money. It is one of the favorite and most popular brands among…"
If you're looking for a simple, easy-to-use running watch, the Garmin Forerunner 45 is for you. It stays true to the basics, but with added smartwatch features.
124 £ on AmazonThe Garmin Forerunner 45 has a case of 42 mm in diameter for a weight of 36 g and 11.4 mm thick. It comes with an interchangeable silicone strap. The brand offers here a round screen with a reinforced glass for a greater solidity of the device. This watch is perfect for wrists with a circumference between 129 and 197 mm.
The Garmin Forerunner 45 is equipped with an anti-reflective color screen of 208 x 208 px and 26.3 mm in diameter. This is thanks to the MIP transflective technology. The dial can be customized. On the Garmin site you will find models that you can download. On the side of autonomy, this model is equipped with a non-removable battery rechargeable with a USB cable. This one offers an autonomy of one week in watch mode and 13 hours in GPS mode. This watch offers more than a dozen sports profiles such as running, cycling or cardio. The programs can be adapted to your goals and your physical condition. It can even estimate your running time.
Garmin's Forerunner 220 is a watch for beginners as well as the more experienced runner. Despite its simplicity, it has all the features and scalability to delight athletes looking for performance.
59,08 £ on AmazonThe Garmin Forerunner 220 is a very lightweight connected GPS running watch that weighs only 41 grams. Its dial of 4.5 cm in diameter incorporates a non-touch screen of 2.5 cm in color for a resolution of 180 x 180. A screen that you can configure in 2 data. Each of them with up to 3 data, plus 1 screen displaying the heart rate and another giving the time.
The Garmin Forerunner 220 incorporates a GPS sensor that records the position of satellites in cache. Moreover, to connect more quickly, it automatically downloads the location of GPS satellites for the next 7 days. When your pace slows down, an auto-pause system automatically stops tracking. Of course, this is a fully customizable setting. It also has a built-in accelerometer that self-calibrates during your outdoor runs. The battery life of this connected watch can reach up to 6 hours in sports use with GPS activated and more than 2 weeks in normal use. Thanks to the Garmin Connect platform, you can program your workouts for free.
The Polar Vantage V2 is the watch that brings together all the know-how of the Finnish brand. Lighter and more compact, it has the best tools to go in search of performance for runners and triathletes.
382 £ on AmazonThe Polar Vantage V2 features a 47mm case with a proprietary strap. Made of an aluminum alloy and fiberglass, this connected watch weighs only 52 grams with the strap. With its measurements, it perfectly meets the U.S. military's MIL-STD-810G ruggedness standard. The 1.2-inch transreflective touchscreen has a resolution of 240 x 240 px. Coupled with an ambient light sensor, it can automatically activate the backlight.
The Polar Vantage V2 includes an optical cardio sensor, combining a green LED, orange and red LEDs and 4 electrodes. These are also used for charging. Its integrated GPS chip is perfectly tuned to GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS. This Vantage V2 is capable of measuring the power in running alone. On Polar Flow, you have the possibility to integrate 20 sports profiles to choose from 130 available. Thus, you can analyze your workouts or project your goals on the platform. As for the autonomy, it can last up to 7 days in normal use, 40 hours in GPS recording and optical cardio. In addition to that, the transflective technology allows a permanent lighting without consuming too much battery. Note that this connected watch is waterproof to 100m.
Garmin's Forerunner 35 is a GPS running watch that exemplifies entry-level value for money. It is one of the favorite and most popular brands among running enthusiasts. Its simplicity will even suit beginners.
87,99 £ on AmazonThe Forerunner 35 has a square design with rounded edges. It weighs 37 grams and is 13 mm thick. This watch from Garmin is equipped with a monochrome non-touch screen measuring 23.5 x 23.4 mm with a definition of 128 x 128 pixels. The device comes with a very flexible silicone strap, which can be adjusted according to the size.
The Garmin Forerunner 35 is ideal for your runs and workouts. It has a built-in heart rate monitor on the wrist. All this without wearing a heart rate monitor belt. In addition to these features, a GPS records your distances to help you improve your running performance. It also includes features like Auto Pause and Run/Walk mode. You can automatically upload your data to Garmin Connect, but also participate in challenges and share your progress as you reach your goals.
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The best GPS running watch in 2021
The best entry-level GPS running watch
The best high-end GPS running watch
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | ALTERNATIVE | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Garmin Forerunner 45 GPS running watch
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Garmin Forerunner 220 GPS running watch
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GPS running watch Polar Vantage V2
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Garmin Forerunner 35 GPS running watch
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If you're looking for a simple, easy-to-use running watch, the Garmin Forerunner 45 is for you. It stays true to the basics, but with added smartwatch features.
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Garmin's Forerunner 220 is a watch for beginners as well as the more experienced runner. Despite its simplicity, it has all the features and scalability to delight athletes looking for performance.
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The Polar Vantage V2 is the watch that brings together all the know-how of the Finnish brand. Lighter and more compact, it has the best tools to go in search of performance for runners and triathletes.
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Garmin's Forerunner 35 is a GPS running watch that exemplifies entry-level value for money. It is one of the favorite and most popular brands among running enthusiasts. Its simplicity will even suit beginners.
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Screen size
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1.04 Inch
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2.5 Inches
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1.5 inch
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1 Inch
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Display type
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Digital
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LCD
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LCD
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LCD
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Human interface input
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Buttons
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Buttons
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Buttons
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Buttons
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Connectivity technology
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USB
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Bluetooth
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USB
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Bluetooth
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Autonomy
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up to 7 days
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up to 2 weeks
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up to 5 days
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up to 9 days
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Some GPS watches have built-in optical heart rate monitors, others do not. This monitor gives you more data and more convenience, but it will cost you more. A good heart rate monitor will also give a fairly good indication of the maximum VO2 level, maximum oxygen consumption and recovery rate. Watches with these features will be more expensive, but if you're a serious runner who wants a detailed analysis of your performance; you should consider putting your hand in your pocket.
Cadence is an important measurement for runners. It's the number of steps you take in a minute. A GPS running watch should be able to measure this accurately, as it helps it display various different data from your run. The corresponding sensor helps you determine your pace and, with the help of GPS, tracks your running data, from calories burned to the fastest or slowest mile. Some GPS running watches may bring up specific notifications that are added to the pace function. For example, Apple has the "Rolling Mile Pace" which allows you to customize your notifications when you reach a mile or whatever distance you want. This will allow you to check cadence and make adjustments as you run.
To reach new heights, a built-in barometric altimeter will offer more accuracy. It's a sensor that measures elevation changes by measuring barometric pressure, working in conjunction with GPS elevation tracking. This feature is for those who like to climb mountains and hike in canyons. Altimeters are becoming more common in running watches because, without elevation data, some of the distance traveled will not be counted.
While
battery life may seem like an afterthought, the last thing you want is for your GPS running watch to suddenly shut off after 4 hours
of running.
When the watch is using various activity functions, the battery drains faster. You will find smartwatches that start running out of battery after 5 hours of intense activity and others that last longer. Depending on your daily activity, you can decide approximately how long the watch battery will last.
A running watch will use GPS to indicate an accurate position by triangulation. The GPS function of your running watch will be able to give you information about your speed, distance and pace; useful information for those who like to run outdoors. A running watch with accurate GPS allows you to record a route and go back and analyze your data later. If you're a trail runner, you'll be able to see elevation differences based on terrain.
A GPS watch should be designed to withstand the elements. Most, if not all, are at least splashproof, but even some of the cheaper devices offer better protection. But water resistance isn't just about protection. GPS watches designed specifically for triathletes can withstand total immersion in water and track swimming measurements, including time, distance, pace and stroke rate. The reality is that a watch is never 100% waterproof. There will always be a limit to the amount of water pressure a device can withstand. So it's important to check the water resistance level of the model you're interested in.
Whether you're dieting, working out, or doing extreme running in the great outdoors, you'll need to meet goals. And to know if you've reached those goals, you need to track your progress. This is where GPS running watches and fitness trackers have made a significant contribution to modern training methods.
Not only are these devices nicely compact and lightweight, but even the most basic watches open the door to a world of data visualization and analysis that was once the preserve of Formula 1 teams. With a GPS running watch, you can dive into the data, track your progress, make adjustments and see which methods are working and where you're wasting your time.
Plus, you can broadcast your achievements all over the Internet, which is a bonus. That said, it's not as trivial as it sounds. Having access to data means you can accurately compare with your peers or on social groups, and participate in online challenges and more. A fitness tracker, whether it's a GPS running watch or a fitness tracker, is a gateway to a huge online community, and that can be beneficial for motivation.
As well as offering everything a fitness tracker has to offer, GPS running watches use the global positioning system to accurately record your route. This is so that you can later analyse your pace, cadence and altitude to optimise your training.
Multisport watches are specifically designed to be used in more than one sport. They offer the user accurate analytical data for sports such as running, swimming, cycling (and many others). They usually have a GPS system to tell you your distance, speed, pace and of course map your activity to a specific location.
There is now very little difference between GPS running watches and multisport watches. Most models are simply referred to as GPS watches, as they can track a wide variety of sports and outdoor activities. However, if you are buying a watch for a niche sport, make sure it is fully supported. Some watches have triathlon-specific features, such as tracking open water swimming, and continuous tracking between swimming, biking and running, while others support cross-country skiing and mountaineering. Of course, these watches can be interchangeable. The tracking features will simply be more limited with one watch and not with another.
Look for a GPS running watch 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 training like a pro.
Find your maximum heart rate
Before you
can commit to heart rate zone training, you need to know your maximum heart rate. Once you've timed your maximum heart rate (MHR), your GPS running watch will set your five heart rate segments based on the type of training results you'll 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 for any long distance runner. In addition, it will help you lose weight. So you will be lighter and you will 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.
The best GPS running watch depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.
With GPS, runners can see the diversity of each running session and improve along the way. If you find that you've 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.
On any GPS running watch, notifications alert you on 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.
Yes. There are a few connected watches that can work independently of 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.
Yes, recent connected watches are almost all waterproof; GPS running watches in particular.
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