The Best GPS Running Watches of 2021

Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned veteran, GPS watches are a valuable part of any runner's toolbox. While most running watches can track your basic stats like distance, pace, and heart rate, others provide more advanced features such as a barometric altimeter or seamless triathlon activity transitions. These wearables display convenient running data in real-time right on your wrist, so you can get a quick glance at your current performance and compare it to your recent fitness or past training. Regardless of your skill level, there is a GPS watch that can add value to your running arsenal.

As one of the best bang-for-your-buck picks on the market, the COROS Pace 2 is a feature-rich watch for the runner or triathlete who wants to record their workouts. This second edition now comes with a ton of exciting new features, including built-in running power to keep track of your efforts. Compared to the first version, the Pace 2 is 40% lighter, with a 20% boost in battery life, 4x the storage, and easier navigation thanks to the refined external buttons.

Previously only available with additional accessories or on high-end GPS watches, the built-in power metrics provide a better way to train that monitors your overall effort output during and after each workout. Offering one of the best battery lives in its class, the Pace 2 provides 30 hours in GPS mode, making it ideal for ultra racing, track athletes, and triathlon training. This watch is quick to connect for your outdoor runs thanks to GPS, GLONASS, and BDS satellites, while movement sensors in the watch can also accurately monitor your indoor training.

Bringing loads of new features to the Forerunner, the Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Watch offers an easy-to-use training tool for the straightforward runner. Highly accurate GPS tracks your location, pace, and distance, while built-in sensors record steps, heart rate, sleep, and more. Some of the most notable updates include an increased battery life from 13 to 20 hours, PacePro for staying on pace during a race, track mode for accurate pacing and distance around the track, suggested daily workouts, and predictive race times based on your recent training and recovery.

As with the previous version, the Forerunner 55 includes a full-color display, Garmin Coach with free training plans and adaptive guidance for the 5K, 10K, and half-marathon events, as well as wellness features like Body Battery that provide personal training advice based on your daily energy levels. As an added benefit, the Garmin Forerunner 55 also includes a safety feature called Incident Detection, which can notify and send your location to emergency contacts in case of an accident. Overall, this watch is a must-have for the no-frills runner, track athlete, and developing racer who wants to accurately track their running stats and daily energy levels.

Improving upon the Forerunner 235, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is an invaluable training tool for the devoted runner. With live tracking and personal stats throughout your workout and sleep monitoring at night, learning to train and recover at your peak has never been easier. This watch is also available in a music version that provides storage for up to 500 songs from your favorite Spotify playlist, Amazon Music, or personal music library.

Some of the most notable updates include 24-hour battery life, Pulse Ox for monitoring your adjustment to high altitude, VO2 Max fitness level, and wellness features like menstrual tracking and Body Battery that provide personal training advice based on your cycle and daily energy levels. As an added benefit, the Garmin Forerunner 245 includes a new safety feature called Incident Detection, which can notify and send your location to emergency contacts in case of an accident. This watch is a perfect pick for the dedicated runner, track athlete, or racer looking to track and improve their training.

The COROS Apex continues to impress all levels of runners by providing an advanced training solution with a luxurious design. This running watch comes in two sizes: 46mm and 42mm. The main differences are that the 46mm option offers a larger screen size, extra battery life, and a titanium body instead of ceramic. Thanks to its extensive battery life the COROS Apex can get 80-100 hours in UltraMax mode or 25-35 hours in standard GPS mode, making it a must-have for your next ultramarathon or a long week of training.

One of the most unique features of this watch is the COROS Trainer, which acts as an intelligent coach, helping you to train and recover at your absolute best. The Trainer will guide you through a warm-up, training, and cool-down, taking into account your current fitness level and stamina, and then recommend a recovery time based on your efforts. Additionally, this watch is quick to connect for your outdoor runs thanks to GPS, GLONASS, and BDS satellites, while its internal movement sensors accurately monitor your indoor training. If you want to head out into the mountains for your long run, then its barometric altimeter and movement sensors will track your elevation and location data.

The fenix series has always represented Garmin's top-of-the-line models, and although it comes in a number of variations, the main differences will be in screen size, materials, and whether it has solar-powered glass. These multisport watches have advanced features and in-depth running data that set the standard for all other GPS watches. The fenix is used by ultramarathoners and triathletes alike because of its long battery life, endless wealth of training analysis, ability to track multiple sports, and rugged durability.

The Garmin fenix 6 provides all of your favorite features, such as a multisport mode for seamless triathlon transitions, preloaded TOPO mapping, an ultra-long battery life, downloadable music, and much more. Other notable additions include PacePro, which offers real-time pacing guidance that takes into account the ascents and descents of your projected route, as well as Pulse Ox and VO2 Max for monitoring your acclimation to high altitude and heat.

The Garmin Forerunner 945 is a feature-rich training tool for the devoted endurance runner and triathlete alike. This watch is also available in an LTE model (*requires subscription), which allows for LiveTracking, Spectator Text and Voice Messaging, and access to emergency response services. One of the biggest updates to the Forerunner 945, is the addition of music storage for up to 1,000 songs from your favorite Spotify playlist, Amazon Music, or music library. Other major additions include an extensive 36-hour battery life, Pulse Ox and VO2 Max for monitoring your acclimation to high altitude and heat, pre-loaded high resolution onboard maps, and wellness features like menstrual tracking and Body Battery that provide personal training advice based on your cycle and daily energy levels. Overall, this watch will prove irreplaceable to the full-time, data-hungry runner looking to optimize their daily life and training.

The COROS VERTIX 2 GPS Adventure Watch offers you a watch that can handle anything you can throw at. You will never run out of battery life either, with 240 hours in UltraMax mode or 140 hours in standard GPS mode, making it a must-have for your next ultra-ultra marathon or your logenst week of training. With a 20% faster chipset and processor than the original version and a larger 1.4-inch screen with 16% high resolution to present you with more information and keep you updated with metrics during your adventures, anytime and anywhere.

A first in GPS watches you the ability to access all five major satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and Beidou) using dual frequency satellite communitcation, providing a huge improvement to GPS plotting between tall buildings or deep within forests. Also offering global offline mapping including Landscape, Topo, and Hybrid maps. With 32GB of onboard storage, the VERTIX 2 can hold more data, more workouts, more routes and for the first time in a COROS GPS Watch - music.