As 2024 kicks off, RUNNEA takes a look at the best GPS heart rate monitors & sports watches for running in 2024, including the latest innovations that have appeared on the market. It is more than likely that any self-respecting runner will have one of these devices on his or her wrist, since nowadays it is difficult to understand your training without receiving information about the sessions and data on training metrics in return.
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Go to the Shoe FinderIf until recently the only thing that was taken into account was heart rate, rhythm and time, nowadays watches are able to offer us an endless number of training and performance datapoints.
When choosing the right GPS sports watch we must pay attention to certain key aspects, such as the size of the device, the weight, the display, the battery life and, of course, the functions it offers. Sports modes, GPS accuracy and metrics on performance, recovery and running technique are key elements to which we have to pay attention. Therefore, when choosing one model or another, it is important to be aware of all the technologies and applications available on the market.
The best GPS running watches of 2024
RUNNEA comes to the rescue of all those who have doubts about which brand and model to choose with the best running watches of 2024. Established brands such as Garmin, Polar and Suunto, as well as Apple, Samsung and Huawei have their place, as well as other emerging brands such as Amazfit or TicWatch. Don't miss out!
Garmin Forerunner 265
Designed by and for runners, the Garmin Forerunner 265 will help you set a plan and prepare to overcome all your limits, aas well as keep you connected at any time of the day. Its most important new features are: new AMOLED screen; more battery life, up to 13 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 20 hours in active GPS mode; two different sizes—42 mm (Garmin Forerunner 265s) and 46 mm (Garmin Forerunner 265, the standard version).
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Pulse on wrist, Chest strap, Offline Music
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 13-24h
Garmin Tactix 7 Pro
The Garmin Tactix 7 Pro is a tactical GPS watch for lovers of the great outdoors, as well as the most demanding athletes. An option that stands out for its great features, as well as for its great versatility. It includes a transflective display with highly resistant sapphire crystal and around 28-37 days of battery life (in smartwatch mode) and up to 90 days in battery saving mode.
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Maps, Pulse on wrist, Chest strap, Offline Music, Spotify, Strava
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 48-mas
Garmin Forerunner 165
The latest member of the Forerunner family to hit the market, the new Garmin Forerunner 165 comes with an AMOLED display to monitor pace, distance and heart rate to track your progress in detail. Remember that this model is also available in a "music" version: the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music.
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Pulse on wrist, Chest strap, Offline Music
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 25-36h
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro
Since the first version of the Garmin Fenix series in 2012, there are now 7 editions of this multisport GPS watch to achieve maximum performance in every training session and in every race. Now, the American brand goes one step further in its premium proposals for the most demanding athletes, and presents the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro version with solar charging. This new sports watch is also accompanied by another top-of-the-range device, the Garmin Epix Pro.
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Maps, Pulse on wrist, Chest strap
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 48-mas
Polar Grit X2 Pro
The new Polar Grit X2 Pro is a new leap in quality for the Finnish brand with the inclusion of its cutting edge Polar Elixir technology, as well as redefining expectations with a long battery life, more advanced navigation tools with dual frequency GPS and an integrated antenna; as well as exceptional durability- exceeding MIL-STD 810H military standards .
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Maps, Pulse on wrist, Strava
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 37-48h
Polar Pacer Pro
One of the most outstanding Polar releases is the Polar Pacer Pro. It has been designed for runners and seeks to compete with the successful Garmin Forerunner series. This Pacer Pro is a latest generation device from the Finnish brand, and stands out as one of the lightest options on the market (41 grams). It also comes with a built-in barometer, making it the ideal companion for improving performance and running efficiency, thanks to its advanced training functions. The Running Test -which lets you customise your power, heart rate and speed zones- and the running power on the wrist are some of the clearest examples of its functions.
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Maps, Pulse on wrist
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 37-48h
Suunto Race
The Suunto Race is a GPS multisport watch that offers you the latest technological innovations of the Finnish brand, with a high degree of durability and reliability to overcome any goal whether training or competing. This high-performance option includes more than 95 sport modes.
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Maps, Pulse on wrist
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 37-48h
Huawei Watch 4 Pro
The new Huawei Watch 4 Pro is the most advanced and complete watch by the Japanese company so far. The Pro version has materials and finishes of the latest generation, so that design, elegance and technical quality are present in this new device.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 smartwatch is considered the American brand's premium GPS sports watch. Not surprisingly, we are talking about the most resistant and powerful watch designed and manufactured by Apple to date. In this second version, this renewed Watch Ultra offers better performance, thanks to significant innovations such as a new chip, a brighter screen and a modular dial. But Apple designers have managed to make it the most sustainable GPS sports watch of the company.
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Maps, Pulse on wrist, Offline Music
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 48-mas
Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is a smart watches that has as its main argument in favor that it has the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 processor, a standard chipset in high-end smartwatches. It also integrates the WearOS operating system, which means you can interact with the Google ecosystem. We also have an AMOLED screen and a high resolution of 1.43 inches and up to 600 nits. Its battery life can reach 65 hours of battery life.
Coros Pace 3
The Coros Pace 3 is a GPS multisport watch that stands out for power, lightness and comfort. Thanks to its new satellite chip with dual-frequency GPS, it is able to offer great accuracy in different conditions. In addition to being a tactile and ergonomic watch, it is an option that stands out for its battery life: up to 24 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 38 hours with active GPS.
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Maps, Pulse on wrist, Chest strap, Offline Music, Spotify, Strava
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 48-mas
Amazfit Cheetah Pro
The Amazfit Cheetah Pro is a high-end sports watch that features a sleek and durable design, with titanium as one of its main materials, which gives it a premium look. Its lightness makes it one of the watches of choice for women.
- Options: GPS, Touch screen, Colour screen, Maps, Pulse on wrist, Spotify, Strava
- Battery life (GPS Mode): 13-24h
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