Elevate Your Training And Navigate The Trails With The Best GPS Watch

Weight: 2.78 ounces | Battery life: 18 days in smartwatch mode, 57 hours in GPS mode

Best for:

• Those who want advanced features and an easy-to-use interface
• Runners and athletes who require exceptional battery life
• Dual-frequency GPS and precise location accuracy

Skip if:

• You can get by with less features; this watch comes packed to the gills with tech, most of which you won’t use

The Garmin Fenix 7 was released in early 2022, but it still offers the broadest set of features along with great battery life, location accuracy and heart rate monitoring. Investing in a watch that’s so feature rich is expensive, but it’s worth the cost and a little cheaper than similarly spec’d watches from Garmin altneratives. We tested the Fenix 7 while running and the larger Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar while skiing and backpacking, and our findings suggest Garmin’s top-tier GPS watch line provides reliable location accuracy across activities.

With that said, the Fenix 7 is expensive. If you can get by with fewer features, lower-priced watches with GPS tracking and internal storage offer a better value. And the Fenix 7’s many features, while helpful, take more time to understand. Still, if you can afford it and want a watch with a plethora of features, this is a great option.

What our testers say: “I used this watch several times for tracking runs, which drains a bit more battery, but it still maintained power for a long time,” says Forbes Vetted audience development director Spencer Dukoff. “Each full charge displays approximately 17 days of battery life—that’s truth in advertising. I really enjoyed having this watch on my wrist during a half marathon. It gave me updates on my fitness as I progressed through the race, in addition to notifications about pacing and each completed mile. One gripe, which applies to my experience with Garmin at large, is that the hands-free credit card feature is exceedingly difficult to set up.”

Long-term testing notes: “The watch still offers really great battery life,” says Dukoff. “I’m still so impressed that I rarely have to charge it more than once a week. And the striking GPS accuracy feels like the most true to reality against my phone and other watches. With that said, it’s still weirdly frustrating to get my credit card loaded into this watch—I’ve been unable to add a card despite lots of troubleshooting.”

Weight: 1.05 ounces | Battery life: 17 days in smartwatch mode, 38 hours in GPS mode

Best for:

• Those in need of a GPS watch that masters the basics
• A simple, lightweight design
• Athletes seeking a comprehensive training platform at no extra cost

Skip if:

• You prefer a watch that’s more durable
• You want a more well-rounded assortment of workout profiles

The Coros Pace 3 holds its own in a sea of budget-priced watches from brands you know and others you’ve never heard of, offering best-in-class basic features that satisfy most users. Its 17-day battery life nearly matches the Garmin Fenix 7, and with over 30 hours of battery life in GPS mode, it lasts long enough to track even the gnarliest of ultramarathons. Whether you’re shopping for a GPS watch on a budget or prefer a simple, streamlined model that’s free from distractions, the Pace 3 is attractive on paper.

In person, we couldn’t help but notice that the polymer bezel and cover don’t quite compare to stainless steel or titanium builds that cost a bit more. And while we liked the touchscreen display, Coros’ spinning crown is easier to navigate with. Regardless, if you’re looking for a GPS watch that truly masters the basics without breaking the bank, like great battery life and dual-frequency GPS, the Pace 3 tops the list.

What our testers say: “The Coros Pace 3 is as advertised—lightweight, comfortable and I barely notice it’s there,” says Forbes Vetted account manager Richard Molinaro. “I’ve worn the watch for over a week and participated in my normal physical activities, including daily walks, stretches, Peloton bike rides and strength classes. It provides great information, both through the device and on the app. The battery life has been fantastic—I have yet to charge it since opening the box. And with an almost 2-year-old, I’m sometimes concerned that I’m not getting enough sleep, but my recovery numbers have been very positive and reassuring.”

Weight: 3.14 ounces | Battery life: 43 days in smartwatch mode, 127 hours in GPS mode

Best for:

• Industry-leading battery life in smartwatch and GPS modes
• An easy-to-navigate interface
• A large, bright touchscreen that’s easy to read

Skip if:

• You want a GPS watch that offers a better value

The Coros Vertix 2 is a large, rugged, feature-rich GPS watch that offers an astounding 43 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and over 5 days of battery life in GPS mode. Other noteworthy features include a touchscreen display, pulse oximeter, route navigation, workout profiles, easy menu navigation and more. The Vertix 2 is a fully-fledged GPS watch on par with the Garmin Fenix, Suunto Vertical and Apple Watch Ultra lines, but its battery life is on par with solar charging watches. This makes it the preferred watch for ultra runners and travelers with limited access to reliable power.

We love how much attention Coros paid to the Vertix 2, but it’s very large and heavy at 51 millimeters and 3.14 ounces. In fact, its size made it easy to accidentally trigger the rotating crown button when our wrist was bent at 90 degrees. It also costs a lot more than the Coros Pace 3, which represents a better value. Nevertheless, if the tough look catches your eye and battery life is a top priority, we think you’ll fall in love with this watch.

What our testers say: “It’s hard to overstate just how much I appreciate the Vertix 2’s battery life,” says Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta. “I pulled it from the box with 74% battery and after two weeks of testing, including a 10-hour ski tour in GPS mode, the battery still reads 41%. With that said, it’s hard to look beyond this watch’s sheer size on a skinny wrist like mine—it’s just plain big. Still, as the first Coros watch I’ve worn after daily driving models from Garmin and Suunto, I’m incredibly impressed and look forward to the Vertix 3; rumors suggest it might be unveiled later this year.”

Weight: 1.87 ounces | Battery life: Endless battery in smartwatch mode with sun, 48 hours in GPS mode with sun

Best for:

• Effective solar charging that boosts battery life
• A ruggedized construction that’s tested to military standards
• Built-in features that don’t require app connectivity

Skip if:

• You’d prefer a color LED or AMOLED display
• UI is important; some obscure functions can be hard to find

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar has such an effective solar charging feature that, when paired with its fiber-reinforced polymer case that’s tested to military standards, the watch becomes an obvious choice for hikers, backpackers and those who spend ample time outdoors. Bumps, bangs, scrapes, drops—there’s very little this watch can’t withstand. Marry that durability with such features as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, smart notifications and dozens of workout profiles, and it’s hard to find fault in this GPS watch.

Perhaps the Instinct 2 Solar’s most divisive quality is its appearance—it looks a bit tactical. It’s also bulky and the fit isn’t always consistent from one wrist to the next. Unfortunately, it’s also not possible to charge the watch via the sun while actively using GPS, but Garmin’s “resume later” feature allows you to pause your activity and return to it after you’ve topped off the battery.

What our testers say: “There are many reasons to love the Instinct 2 Solar,” says Sam Spangler, a hydrologist with the United States Forest Service. “It’s comfortable on the wrist and easy to adjust, and there are lots of great watch faces to choose from—I personally like the face that displays heart rate, elevation and sunset/sunrise while I’m working in the field. I would appreciate the ability to initiate phone calls or perform talk-to-text through the watch, but after wearing the original Instinct Solar for years, I like this model’s extended battery life and useful features such as the digital wallet, various battery saver modes, a find my phone function and more.”

Weight: 2.17 ounces | Battery life: 36 hours in smartwatch mode, 12 hours in GPS mode

Best for:

• Seamless connectivity across Apple’s ecosystem
• A beautiful display and premium build
• Phone and SMS support

Skip if:

• You’re not tied into Apple’s ecosystem
• You need a GPS watch with better battery life

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 serves as the final puzzle piece in Apple’s “big three” ecosystem; pair it with your iPhone and MacBook to track your movements, receive and respond to notifications, and enjoy other phone-like features from your wrist, all while synchronizing these features across devices. If you’re familiar with iOS, watchOS will come naturally. What’s more, Apple’s ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner is one of the Ultra 2’s unique advantages. The software, when paired with the watch’s elegant design and bright OLED display, makes for a seamless experience.

With that said, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a smartwatch before a GPS watch. It’s battery life in both smartwatch and GPS modes doesn’t support long periods away from power, and its rugged construction is overshadowed by its phone-like features. Still, if you’re tied into the Apple ecosystem or prefer a smartwatch that prioritizes tech, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes highly recommended.

What our testers say: “Many people choose the Apple Watch Ultra because Apple has pitched it as a great accessory for athletes and technical outdoorsmen, but that’s not why I got—and love—mine,” explains Forbes Vetted deputy editor Dave Johnson. “For me, the Apple Watch Ultra’s best features include the two-day battery life (roughly twice what you get with any other Apple watch model) and the oversized 49mm display. Sure, it also has features designed expressly for outdoor activities, like the rugged design, digital crown with deeply knurled grooves and a depth gauge that makes the watch suitable as a dive computer. But I’ll simply never use all the features for backcountry hikers and mountain climbers. Instead, I love the size, the aesthetic and the freedom that comes with the longer battery life. And that’s enough for me.”

Weight: 1.72 ounces | Battery life: 14 days in smartwatch mode, 30 hours in GPS mode

Best for:

• A comprehensive set of basic features
• Multi-band GPS for improved tracking accuracy
• An easy-to-use interface

Skip if:

• You want a premium GPS watch with premium features

While the Coros Pace 3 puts up a strong fight for the best GPS running watch, Garmin’s reputation and robust features ultimately win out. The Forerunner 255, a runner’s best friend whether you prefer tunes or not (don’t forget about the Forerunner 255 Music), offers deep dives into training, recovery and even sleep monitoring. Admittedly, all these bells and whistles might overwhelm some users, but they’re comprehensive enough to warrant the price tag. The Forerunner 255 has your back with grade-adjusted pacing to tackle hills and PacePro to guide your race-day game plan. Dual-frequency GPS offers great accuracy and live tracking to let others know your whereabouts.

Really, finding fault with the Forerunner 255 isn’t easy. It’s not a true multi-sport watch like the