satisfying split times

The Garmin Forerunner 970 is the best running watch currently available (we’ll see if that holds when the new Fēnix arrives for testing). It perfectly balances fancy tech, durability, and a metric ton of training features. It has a vibrant 1.4-inch AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens housed in a pretty titanium bezel. The watch introduced Garmin’s latest Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor, including medically certified ECG and skin temperature monitoring, offering detailed biometrics for recovery and performance. And yes, it can basically guilt you in 15 languages at this point, and it frequently does. GPS tracking is exceptional with multi-band SatIQ technology delivering precise location data even in dense urban areas or heavy tree cover. Testing against chest straps and a Holter monitor, I have found that the HRM in this device is more accurate than others I have tested.

The Forerunner 970 makes an impact with its advanced training analytics, including new running economy and impact load metrics, although some of the advanced stats require purchasing Garmin’s HRM 600 chest strap, which thankfully isn’t uncomfortable or overly pricey. Offline color topo maps and dynamic routing tools like ClimbPro and Up Ahead help the navigation for trail runners and adventure athletes. It also supports music storage, Bluetooth calls, and Garmin Pay for contactless payments, integrating lifestyle convenience with serious training tools. I am a huge fan of the daily wrap ups that you get at night and of the morning reports. I have a tendency to overdo it when it comes to training, and Garmin likes to let me know. When it tells me to “slow it down a bit or you’re going to burn out” (paraphrasing here), I tend to do so.

Battery life for intensive GPS activities has improved slightly from previous models, providing up to 23 hours in SatIQ mode, though smartwatch mode endurance is shorter than some rivals. The watch weighs 56 grams and remains comfortable for 24/7 wear, essential for continuous health monitoring and training insights. Its water resistance rating is 50 meters, suitable for swimming and triathlons.

When it comes to multisport, I wish that it connected to more apps like Ladder or Centr, but putting yourself in "free lifting" mode seems to track your effort pretty well. It’s incredibly accurate finding your distance when swimming, but like most treadmill tracking, it’s kind of best to match your distance from what the treadmill says or sync the ’mill to your watch first.

The app is still clunky, which I pray they fix soon. However, I wear this watch almost every day, and I adore it. It’s basically an extension of me at this point (when I’m not testing other watches).

Full Garmin Forerunner 970 Review

The Coros Pace 3 gives you almost all of the advanced metrics and capabilities that define the elite sport watches we’ve tested, but costs hundreds of dollars less than the crème de la crème. It’s light and thin—only 11.7mm thick—making it one of the slimmest on this list. The display has an easy-to-read face that is coated with a transflective surface, making it easy to read in high-contrast lighting. Unlike Garmin watches, it relies more on the touch screen, which could be challenging for precise tracking without looking at the watch.

This truly multi-sport watch really does the work, easily tracking all the major metrics with precision. Its multi-band GPS had no problem tracking me through Manhattan among the skyscrapers, or through the densely-forested trail I hit in the Catskills.

Specifically, I really like having an at-a-glance altimeter, which allowed me to test my endurance on our (arguably low) peaks getting a solid shot at how my body handled it. Most watches hide the altimeter deep in their menus, so this more intuitive approach was nice.

Use it for long enough, though, and you’ll see why it’s less expensive than the rest: The watch’s hardware is a little underpowered, leading to slow transitions between screens and laggy haptic notifications. If you’re a pace chaser like myself, and you can sense your speed pretty decently, the lagging notifications may make you feel like you’re slowing down or that your run is a hair off. There’s also no low-power mode, which is odd, and I wonder if that is shifting that timing and accuracy in favor of keeping a bright screen and all systems going.

Post-run, I adore using Coros’s Cross Training Hub app, both on my phone and via the web. It also gives you the option of working with coaches who can view your data and help you design a solid routine.

There is something to be said for the app’s simple organization, which revolves around a well-planned dashboard that ties all of the watch’s features together. I appreciate having a web portal in addition to the phone app, because it lays out everything in an easy database for cross referencing and planning.

If you want to spend a little more money for a more rugged and durable watch with better battery life in GPS mode, more detailed mapping, and an electrocardiogram, the The Best and Most Comfortable Running Socks Tested Best Running Watches.

The Up to 11 days is like that perfect running buddy who also happens to look good and a bit more like the most popular smart watch on the market. It’s sleek, stylish, and ready to crush workouts without weighing you down. Its massive 2-inch AMOLED screen is bright and vibrant enough to make sunrise runs feel cinematic. And yes, it’s super slim and comfy, so wearing it all day (and night) is no big deal. I’ve run in a ton of watches, and this one is the slimmest I’ve tried. It sits only 8mm top-to-bottom, and it’s downright featherlight comparatively to the Ultra or 970. You get all the power of other watches without the bulky weight and height.

I’m obsessed with the 100+ sport modes, meaning no matter what weird workout I dream up or when I hit the Hyrox gym, this watch is ready and ready fast. It doesn’t have all the buttons of other Garmins, but if you’ve worn an Apple Watch, you’ll be good. I’m a big fan of the phone convenience features and Do Not Disturb setting. And don’t sleep on the offline maps and navigation—they’re clutch when I’m trail exploring without a clue where I am. I also love how you can easily change backgrounds, straps, and fonts to better show off your personal style.

Sure, the battery isn’t going to last a week on GPS, but honestly, the Venu X1 balances power and portability better than most. It’s packed with smart recovery tools like Body Battery and Training Readiness, so I actually know when to push or chill. A few minor glitches pop up here and there, but Garmin’s updates usually put those to rest quickly.

If you want a watch that’s equal parts smartwatch chic and serious sportster, the Venu X1 nails it with personality, precision, and panache.

Full Up to 11 days Review

The Our resident extreme runner solidifies the brand’s strong reputation by offering a comprehensive suite of features tailored to runners. An extensive library of over 30 activity profiles extends its utility beyond running, accommodating a wide range of sports and cross-training activities.

All of the Forerunner’s core hardware functions work well. The multi-band GPS functionality ensures accuracy in tracking distance, pace, and route, even in dense tree cover and challenging urban environments with tall buildings.

Its vibrant AMOLED display gives you clear visibility in direct sunlight and low-light conditions. All the while, you get impressive battery life–up to 13 days–so it’s always ready for an extended training session, even if, like me, you forget to charge it on occasion.

And there’s good news for those with smaller wrists: The Forerunner 265 isn‘t a one-size-fits-all situation. It comes in two sizes, the standard FR 265, and the 265S, which is a smaller version with a smaller face and band and a lower profile.

Furrer has been testing this watch, and said she loved having a proper running watch that fits her petite frame. As a result, she preferred it over the more fully featured Forerunner 965 because that watch’s large face and band didn’t fit right on her wrist.

That’s not to say this is a perfect watch and system. The one area Garmin has consistently struggled with is its app. Garmin Connect has more maps, user connection, insights, and options than any other running watch app, but is poorly organized and lacks a clear, intuitive interface. Setting up your watch is a cinch, but controlling things like app notifications and volume is a pain.

Personally, I’m also not a huge fan of many of its routes. They don’t give you enough of an idea of where you’ll be running, or the conditions you’ll encounter, and they can make your app drag a bit. I tend to use the app strictly for my metrics and training.

Even with some serious drawbacks in the app and UI, though, this is easily the most well-rounded running watch I tested. It’s effective, has lots of useful features, and it’s easy to use day-to-day.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 delivers a refined mix of convenience and power, with faster performance, upgraded dual-frequency GPS, and extended battery life that raise its game for serious athletes. Its running metrics still fall short of Garmin and other specialized running brands, but it shines as a premium hybrid watch for both training and everyday use. Users can stream audiobooks, track their Strava routes, reply to messages, and manage workouts all at once. Deep customization and seamless Apple ecosystem integration remain major advantages for Apple fans.

Like the earlier Ultra models, the Ultra 3 provides superior GPS tracking compared to the standard Apple Watch Series 11, correcting nearly all pacing and distance errors found in past generations. Its improved location accuracy benefits climbers, hikers, and trail runners, doubling as a true adventure companion. The watch is also Apple’s most water-resistant model yet, ideal for triathletes and multi-sport athletes. Its battery now pushes past 3.5 days—better than the Series 11 but still under heavyweights like the Garmin Fēnix 8. It has a satellite connection that I think outpaces other watches because you don’t need a third-party app to speak with your emergency contact. It shows up right on their phone or it calls them directly. Yes, you do need to move your arm to a clear signal. But if you’re out in the sticks with no cell coverage, this could mean getting help or not getting it when you need it most.

The fitness and health tools remain intuitive, supported by new AI-powered coaching and an enhanced Fitness app dashboard. Phone-free running works flawlessly with call, text, and Apple Pay functionality. Dengate praises the TrainingPeaks and Strava sync recent models have, reinforcing its appeal to serious athletes seeking balance between sport and lifestyle features.

With sharper haptics, redesigned action and back buttons, and deeper integration with running platforms, the Ultra 3 is also top-tier for treadmill users thanks to its precision indoors. While its $799 starting price may deter those focused purely on running analytics, it stands out as a versatile choice for cross-trainers, adventure seekers, and anyone who wants cutting-edge smartwatch features with uncompromising durability.

It doesn’t make sense to buy a spendy watch with tons of features for a teen runner, especially if they’re new to either running and/or smartwatches. Garmin’s most basic running watch, the Forerunner 165, keeps it simple so they can learn the ropes and easily work it into their routine.

This watch mirrors many features of the top-tier Forerunner 265, but in a more streamlined experience. While it covers the basics, a few bells and whistles are noticeably absent. The biggest difference is that it doesn’t use your metrics to generate a training readiness score, a key training tool for serious athletes, and lacks a dedicated triathlon mode. Offline music storage is also a no-go, limiting your soundtrack options to your connected device. And battery life, though solid at 11 days, falls short of its higher-end compatriots.

One of our teen run-testers, my 14-year-old daughter, just began her first year of track and field this year and tested out this watch. She loves the simplicity of the design and how easy it is to use. She’s tried my other Garmin models for fun, and didn’t love their size or how much is presented on-screen. In her words, “I’m not running to the moon, Mama.”

And just because we recommend it for a teen doesn’t mean it isn’t great for adults as well. Like the Coros Pace 3, this really is an essentialist running watch: That makes it great for beginners and great for anyone who doesn’t want to tinker with their tools.

“If I had to buy one watch right now with my own money, it would be the 165,” said Dengate. “It’s a lot like what the 200s used to be. It has everything the majority of runners will ever need, just fewer sport modes.”

Our resident extreme runner, Pat Heine-Holmberg, and I have been testing this watch for several weeks, and he’s gotten a lot more time with it than I have. But as we are both pretty much always training for marathons and ultramarathons, his notes and mine have pretty much lined up, which, my friends, is very rare.

The Suunto Race 2 feels like a true return to form for the brand—the kind of performance focus Suunto had with the old Ambit series and early Suunto 9 models. Everything about this watch reminds me of when Suunto was at the top of endurance wearables. It’s clear to us they’ve brought development back to Finland because this watch finally feels engineered with precision again. Setup was frustrating—pairing issues and a required firmware update that forced me to re-pair multiple times—but once I got through that, phone connectivity has been totally stable.

The new AMOLED screen is bright, crisp, and legible in all lighting conditions, even in harsh mountain sun. Navigating sport mode takes a little focus since Suunto relies on icons instead of short text for metrics—not my favorite choice. The GPS, though, is excellent. It locks faster than the last few generations of Suunto devices, and accuracy is almost dead even with my Garmin, off by just 0.02 miles over a 5-mile loop. Interval mode has improved too: I can set time or distance-based intervals with rest segments, though I wish it had distinct beeps for interval vs. auto-laps.

Battery life claims up to 55 hours with dual-frequency GPS, and that seems realistic. Heine-Holmberg charges about once a week with daily wear and 5 to 7 hours of running—far better than older models, though his Garmin Enduro 2 still lasts longer. I charge mine about every five days because I find that when I am using it for both weight training and running that the battery wanes a lot faster. The charger finally works as it should, with strong magnets that actually stay put as opposed to the old “I hope this stays charged if my cat taps it” charger it used to have. The biggest annoyance is Suunto’s inconsistent touchscreen logic—Heine-Holmberg can’t disable it outside sport mode but it’s automatically off during workouts. And I have issues moving the maps and going from set to set. Could there be a watch update fix for this eventually?

Despite these quirks, the Race 2 feels like Suunto’s comeback as a serious contender for runners and multi-sport athletes. The hardware is fast, the app is more data-rich, and the fit and finish make it one of the most refined Suunto watches yet.