Even though sports watches are small, they have a lot of power. With the help of these contemporary wristwatches, you may track your actions, follow a preloaded itinerary, or even cross challenging terrain without using your hands. They may gather an apparently limitless quantity of data, such as your mileage, elevation, pace, cadence, heart rate, recuperation time, and sleep quality, to mention a few. This is significant for many users. The top sports watches of 2024 are outlined here, including robust and feature-rich versions for backcountry travelers, reasonably priced entry-level watches, and stylish choices designed specifically for endurance athletes. Check out our comparison table and the buying tips below the selections for more background details.
Editor’s note:
On March 21, 2024, we updated our round-up of sports watches to include the most recent iterations of a number of designs, such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Garmin vívoactive 5, the Coros Pace 3, and all three Garmin Forerunner models. We also included the Suunto Race, an ultrarunner and other endurance athlete’s durable and streamlined design.
Our Team’s Sports Watch Picks
Best All-Around Sports Watch: Garmin Forerunner 265
Best Backcountry-Ready Sports Watch: Garmin Fenix 7
Best Feature-Rich Multisport Watch: Garmin Forerunner 965
Best Budget Sports Watch: Coros Pace 3
Best Sports Watch With Everyday Appeal: Garmin vívoactive 5
Best Solar-Powered Sports Watch: Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Best All-Around Sports Watch
1. Garmin Forerunner 265 ($450)
Weight: 1.7 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion (20 hrs in GPS mode)
Diameters: 42, 46mm
What we like: It has a bright screen, a stylish appearance, a great user interface, and exceptional accuracy and versatility.
What we don’t:
Does not have the toughness required for serious backcountry use; its battery life is not as long as that of certain rivals (such as the previous generation 255).
We are frequently asked, “Which sports watch should I buy?” The most feature-rich, pricey, or even the watch worn by your favorite professional player isn’t, in our opinion, the greatest sports watch for most people. Not too few, not too many functions, an easy-to-use UI, a long battery life, and precise tracking are all characteristics of the greatest sports watch. In light of this, our top pick is the Garmin Forerunner 265, whose Goldilocks design strikes a balance for most cyclists, runners, swimmers, hikers, Nordic skiers, and other sports enthusiasts. As promised, the 265 is available in two sizes (42 and 46mm) and a range of colors.
Compared to the 255, the bright and fashionable new display does give up a substantial 10 hours of battery life when in GPS mode. That being said, you probably don’t need more than 20 continuous hours of GPS unless you’re planning very lengthy ultras or extended days on the trail. The Coros Apex 2, a well-liked all-purpose sports watch, is superior to the Forerunner because it can display topographic maps, lasts longer on a single charge, and is built slightly more robustly. These factors make the Apex a better option for athletes who want to go backcountry. However, the feature-rich Forerunner wins out for those seeking an all-around performance that is suitable for outdoor use. In addition to contactless payment and Spotify compatibility, it has a slightly better heart rate monitor and GPS system.
Best Backcountry-Ready Sports Watch
2. Garmin Fenix 7 ($650)
Weight: 2.8 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion (57 hrs in GPS mode)
Diameters: 42, 47, 51mm
What we like:
robust design and top-notch navigation and mapping capabilities.
What we don’t:
Overkill, bulky, and costly for occasional users.
Though pricey, Garmin’s Fenix 7 is unquestionably the greatest collection of sports watches suitable for wilderness hiking available. The powerful line, which comes in several variants (three sizes, Solar, and Sapphire models),
has excellent build quality and durability, a clear, easy-to-read screen, precise tracking for a broad range of activities, and enough sophisticated metrics to satisfy even the pickiest athletes. Crucially, the Fenix 7 provides the greatest watch-based mapping out there as well:
Preloaded maps with comprehensive navigation tools for anything from hiking and mountaineering to trail running and skiing are included, along with detailed contour lines, trails, and geographic place names. Additionally, the 7 has a touchscreen (one of our few complaints about the 6 Pro was its lack of one).
The Fenix 7’s greatest drawbacks are its price, complexity, and weight. For many, the $650 MSRP of the base 7 makes it unaffordable (the Pro Solar version, which has even more features, costs $800, while the Pro Sapphire Solar, the highest-end model, costs an astounding $900). Furthermore, the technology is excessive for someone seeking only the essentials, such as heart rate, elevation gain, and distance traveled.
Lastly, the Fenix is hefty and bulky, even in its smallest “S” form. You will notice this extra weight when jogging, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Although it has less capabilities, the Coros Apex 2 is still a great performer for backcountry use thanks to its amazing battery life.
Best Feature-Rich Multisport Watch
3. Garmin Forerunner 965 ($600)
Weight: 1.9 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion (31 hrs in GPS mode)
Diameter: 47.2mm
What we like:
Superior sensors and a brilliant screen housed in a lightweight, athletic design.
What we don’t:
less robust than the Fenix; only available in one size.
For wilderness exploration, Garmin’s Fenix 7 is unrivaled, but for dedicated, data-hungry athletes who like to stay a little closer to home, the Forerunner 965 is an excellent sports watch. The feature set is fairly similar and includes outstanding navigation with preloaded topographic, road, and trail maps, an optical heart rate monitor and pulse oximeter, a barometric altimeter and compass, music storage, and multi-band GNSS support. But the Forerunner’s immensity is what really makes it stand out: For exercises like swimming and running, the 2.8-ounce Fenix may feel unduly large, whereas the svelte 965 weighs just 1.9 ounces. All of it comes together to create a high-end watch designed specifically for bikers, runners, triathletes, and other individuals that prioritize light and quick travel.
We heartily suggest the Forerunner 965 for frontcountry use, although it’s definitely not as adaptable as the Fenix. We’ve used our previous-generation Forerunner 955 in the mountains a lot, and it’s covered in scratches. Durability suffers from less robust materials (Garmin employs a lightweight polymer bezel instead of the Fenix’s steel or titanium) and a lesser water rating (5 ATM vs. 10). Another drawback concerns battery life: although the large and brilliant AMOLED screen is a welcome improvement, there is a noticeable 11-hour reduction in battery life in GPS mode when compared to the predecessor (which had a little smaller and lower-resolution screen). Still, most people find that 31 hours in GPS mode is sufficient, and the Forerunner is among the most feature-rich
Best Budget Sports Watch
4. Coros Pace 3 ($229)
Weight: 1.1 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion (38 hrs in GPS mode)
Diameter: 41.9mm
What we like:
Just over $200 gets you a stylish multisport watch with excellent battery life.
What we don’t:
Simple feature set; not meant for use in the bush.
Even with its small size, it’s difficult to ignore the reasonably priced Coros Pace 3. For the price, this watch has a lot to offer: With its low profile and weight of just 1.1 ounces (with the nylon strap), it’s a welcome departure from the big and bulky Fenix model mentioned above. We frequently forget we’re wearing it. Not only does the watch have an amazing battery life (38 hours in GPS mode and 17 days with regular use), but it’s difficult to find a more reasonably priced watch with multi-GNSS capability and an integrated barometric altimeter. The ability to upload tracks to the Pace and follow them via breadcrumb navigation is now available, which is a capability that is unheard of at this price range. Overall, for thrifty consumers or
Nevertheless, it’s critical to understand the Pace 3’s limits. Most importantly, Coros purposefully created this model to be used for frontcountry sports like road jogging, biking, and swimming pools; however, the most recent three versions now include dual-frequency GPS for improved tracking, music functionality, and the ability to track skiing and snowboarding. And so does its construction: The little digital dial is challenging to operate while wearing gloves, and the plastic construction won’t withstand heavy hits. It’s also not a particularly fashionable choice for daily usage. At only 5 ATM, water resistance is likewise mediocre. However, considering the price, we’ve found that the Pace’s GPS tracking, mileage, and elevation are all on par with more expensive Garmin watches. If you’re okay with simplicity