For automated workout tracking, GPS running watches represent a step up from fitness trackers: In addition to step counts and distance measurements, GPS watches offer a slew of advanced training metrics.
Since 2014, we’ve put 34 watches through the paces, taking hundreds of heart-rate readings, interviewing running experts about models and features, and wearing the watches for long and short runs, on trails and on tracks. The reliable Coros Pace 3—with its speedy GPS acquisition and excellent battery life—is the best choice for most runners.
For Garmin devotees or folks who want more smartwatch features than the Pace 3 provides, the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 255S offer the best overall value in the company’s lineup. Meanwhile, the Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 265 are trusty budget and upgrade picks, respectively.
Our pick
The newest version of a long-standing favorite gets a better battery life and better GPS, but it lacks an advanced screen.
Coros Pace watches have been lauded for their long-lasting battery, quick GPS acquisition time, and accurate tracking capabilities. The newest version, the Coros Pace 3, improves on those attributes, and it adds some long-desired features like dual-frequency GPS tracking and music storage—all without a steep price hike.
Compared with previous watches in the series, the Pace 3’s most notable upgrade is arguably the improved GPS. The dual-frequency GPS tracking allows this watch to connect to up to five satellites, theoretically creating better signals in remote areas or when the user is surrounded by tall buildings (the Pace 2 connected to only two satellites). In regular tests near skyscrapers in Manhattan, the Pace 3 had the quickest GPS signal acquisition time of our picks.
The Pace 3 also has the longest battery life of any watch we tested. It has a color touchscreen, but it lacks an AMOLED screen, which creates the vibrant colors you see on many smartphones and higher-end running watches, including our upgrade pick.
Runner-up
This watch packs running-watch technology in a smartwatch package, but it has a shorter battery life than the Coros Pace 3.
This upgraded version includes music streaming and storage capabilities.
The watches in the Garmin Forerunner 255 series remain some of the best GPS running watches, with accurate distance and route tracking, as well as solid heart-rate monitoring. There are plenty of features for runners and triathletes—including sport modes like trail running and triathlon training—as well as multi-band GPS and a decent battery life (14 days, compared with the Coros Pace 3’s 24 days). The 255S has a 41-mm case, and the Forerunner 255 has a 46-mm case. If you’re seeking extensive music storage and streaming, Garmin offers the Forerunner 255S Music version (for an additional $50). However, the Forerunner 255 (without music streaming) is still about $130 more than the Coros Pace 3. Given the Pace 3’s new updates, the Forerunner 255S falls just a notch below our top pick in value.
Budget pick
This pared-down watch has fewer features than all of our other picks, but it still offers more than a fitness tracker.
The Garmin Forerunner 45 doesn’t have as many activity modes as our other Garmin picks, but it has reliable GPS and performs almost as well at accurately measuring distance. We found that the heart-rate monitoring showed bigger discrepancies during intense workouts (we tested all of our watches with a trusted heart-rate-monitor chest strap). And it lacks swim tracking, music, a colorful screen, and other features found in the higher-end Garmins we recommend in this guide.
Upgrade pick
This pricey watch has a beautiful screen, and it offers many features for athletes whose interests go beyond running.
With its vibrant screen and user-friendly interface, the Garmin Forerunner 265 stands out. The colors on the display really pop, and there’s no major glare in direct sunlight, so scrolling through the various screens is a cinch. And on the right side, there’s a handy Run button, which allows you to go directly into tracking a run. The Forerunner 265 is just as accurate at measuring distance, routes, and heart rate as the Forerunner 255S. The Forerunner 265 also includes storage for music, as well as a comprehensive training readiness feature, which helpfully guides you with prompts of when and how hard you should train (something the 255S and 255S Music lack).
