Importantly, they’re also capable of compiling a seemingly endless amount of data, including your distance, elevation, pace, cadence, heart rate, recovery time, and sleep quality (to name a few). We’ve put dozens of sports watches to the test over the years, from a 50-mile backpacking trip in Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness to countless trail runs near and far. Below we break down our 14 favorites of 2025, including rugged offerings for backcountry explorers, affordable entry-level models, and sleek options purpose-built for endurance athletes. For more background information, see our comparison table, buying advice, and testing process details below the picks. And if you’re looking for something robust to bring into the backcountry, we’ve also compiled a list of the best GPS watches.
Which is the best fitness tracker under $100 with GPS?
I also clocked highly reliable stats throughout my review period, including heart rate data, sleep tracking, and, of course, GPS tracking. The price of the Forerunner 265 did jump considerably compared to its predecessor, inching the device out of “affordable” territory, however, $449 is reasonable considering the features you’ll find on board. It’s also got a daily readiness score and detailed sleep tracking if you’re into recovery metrics.
Which is the best overall outdoor watch?
Ideal for the adventurer or fitness devotee who wants it all without carrying a calculator on their wrist, the Apex 2 Pro lands as just about the perfect balance in our books.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Whether you’re looking for something rugged enough for outdoor adventures or a sleek companion for business meetings, I’ve found options that actually deliver on their promises without breaking the bank. Though many factors can affect your heart rate, your resting heart rate can indicate your overall health and physical fitness level. Meanwhile, the 10 ATM water resistance rating allows for swimming and other water activities. These capabilities are enhanced by AI-powered insights through Galaxy AI, providing users with personalized health data and recommendations. The health data tracker rose to fame on social media and maintains a loyal following among professional athletes and highly active lay people. The Forerunner 265 connects to your phone, allowing you to receive notifications and control your music.
#3 – The Best GPS Watch for Hiking
This includes some of the best Garmin sports watches, like the Forerunner 265 and Venu 4. Whichever full-featured smartwatch model you choose, springing for the latest version will likely mean you’re getting the brightest display, fastest processor, and newest health tech. Google’s latest is also one of only a small handful of smartwatches with an www.reddit.com/r/homefitness/comments/1lbv7k8/mad_muscles_support_progress_cancellation_my/ emergency SOS feature that can connect you to help via satellite when off the grid. However, only the pricier LTE-capable models support it (though no data plan is actually needed to use it). For Android owners, the best smartwatch is the Google Pixel Watch 4, one of the longest-lasting, most feature-packed smartwatches available today. For a cheaper Android-friendly alternative, consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.
Activity Tracking
From the home screen, I swiped left and was presented with recommended strength, cardio and stretching workouts with step-by-step instructions. The inability to link Spotify, or any other third party music app, is disappointing, even if you can download a hefty amount of music onto the timepiece. Stumbling around my usual running route, the Pace Pro’s superb screen gave me all the vital statistics I needed with a simple swipe to let me know I was on the right track. However, it was the brightness of the screen that truly impressed me – it has 3,000 nits of brightness on a 1.82-inch, 480 x 408 resolution, which is another feature it shares with the Apple Watch Ultra 2. I tested the pastel blue model, which I preferred to the darker colours offered by Apple. I’m not the only one to think this either, as the questions and compliments about my wristwear started almost as soon as I put it on – it was certainly attention-grabbing for such an affordable device.
Best fitness watch for casual users
The better choice depends on your health goals, budget, and personal preferences. Smiley also says that if you have a history of heart issues such as AFib (atrial fibrillation), checking your heart madmuscles customer service rate can help identify an arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. Still, you may want to consider other factors, such as cost, customer reviews, and features.
Do all Garmin watches have GPS?
With a design that’s more smartwatch-like, Garmin also makes some of the best fitness trackers in 2025, including the Vivoactive 6. For the cost-conscious, the Amazfit Active 2 and Amazfit Band 7 each punch well above their respective price classes. Another useful feature includes the watch’s Track Back functionality, which uses the built-in GPS to direct you back to the start of your trail run, hike, or ride. We also loved that the watch synced seamlessly with our earbuds and smartphone, delivering messages accurately and in real-time. Plus, we didn’t have to charge it every day or worry about running out of juice mid-workout, thanks to its 60-hour battery life. For a versatile, straightforward device that you can use to track a variety of activities, we love Garmin’s Vivosmart 5 Fitness Tracker.
FAQ about the Best Outdoor Watches
The balance of features and battery life really stood out—I got nearly two weeks of use between charges while still enjoying all the smart features. The 1.85-inch display is bright and responsive, making navigation smooth and effortless. I appreciated how reliable the connectivity was, with notifications coming through instantly and call quality remaining clear. While the core heart rate monitoring technology remains similar to Series 8, the Series 10 adds more detailed heart health features, such as enhanced atrial fibrillation detection and recovery heart rate trends. It claims to have the most accurate heart rate monitor yet, which you can connect to treadmills, rowers and bikes via Bluetooth for extra visibility. Sleep tracking is having a moment and the Suunto Race S can track your sleep duration, timing, deep sleep, light sleep, heart rate, REM and HRV from sleep.
- The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is one of the most elegant-looking smartwatches you can buy, with its polished stainless steel frame, rotating bezel and analog-inspired watch faces that blend timeless style with modern smarts.
- If you’re on a budget, then older watches with maps like the Garmin Epix 2 and Garmin Forerunner 955 are often in sales.
- As summer approaches, the importance of having a reliable fitness watch with impressive battery life becomes especially clear.
- Coros even added a touchscreen, which is especially helpful when using mapping and navigation features.
- There are many more additional features in some watch models that expand the functionality of wrist gadgets.
- I put each tracker through a series of workouts consisting of strength training with light cardio and compared the tracker’s heart rate reading to the companion app and to the Polar H10.
Garmin Approach S62
This automatic detection feature also lends to workout monitoring for over 40 activities (a new capability compared to the past, solely cardio-focused tracking https://www.reddit.com/r/CleanLivingKings/comments/1kwjuob/any_mad_muscles_reviews_honest_user_experience/ that Oura offered). “The device isn’t tremendously accurate in terms of tracking heart rate, which is important to note,” he says. However, if you just want something basic to wear on your wrist, count your steps, and give you a general look into your health and workouts, Whoop 4.0 will do just that.