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This article is a concise guide to the best running watches available today at differing prices and functionality. As well as recommendations for the best watchof Jan 2018, I also have 'm no longer actively reviewing watches, but this page will remain accessible as a few that are worth considering point in spite of their flaws, and some to avoidtime reference. * The [[Garmin Epix]] has "what to look for in a running watch" remains valid and I'd recommend understanding the most features, though its limitations of GPS accuracy lets it down a littlefor running. It has full color maps for navigation, something thatI's great when running in a strange town or d recommend checking out in the wilderness. It supports the [[Connect IQ]] downloadable apps to make it extensiblehttps://thewirecutter. * The [[Garmin 920XTcom/reviews/best-running-watch]] can be thought of as for a cut down version of the Epixfairly unbiased opinion, with slightly better but you should read [[GPS AccuracyStryd| my review of Stryd footpod]], but lacking some as that remains one of the other features. * The [[Garmin 310XT]] is the best value most useful devices for money measuring pace and has all the features you're likely to needdistance. (The [[Garmin 910XT]] has more features, but tends I would suggest avoiding "pseudo-marketing" sites that proport to be a little more pricybeing detailed reviews without providing any critical thinking.)* If the 310XT A good litmus test is too big and you want something more watch like, then the to check what they say about [[Garmin 610GPS Accuracy]] is great, and – if they say "it's all good" then you'll know it's often available refurbished at a great pricejust marketing. * The [[Suunto Ambit2]] and [[Suunto Ambit3]] are both great watches, with excellent [[GPS Accuracy]]File:Best Watch. For most runners png|center|thumb|400px|This flowchart is a simple guide to finding the cheapest of the range (Ambit 2 R/Ambit 3 Run) are the best choice, but right watch for ultrarunners the extra battery life of the (Ambit 2/Ambit 3 Peak) may be worthwhileyou. * The [[Garmin 620]] has Use it as a lovely usabilitystarting point, but it's more expensive than the 610 and you can't get your current [[Pace From A Footpod]]. * For [[GPS Accuracy]], read the [[Polar V800]] detailed reviews to understand if a watch is the best, but it falls short in many other areasreally right for you. * Consider using (Click for a [[Running With A Smartphone| Smartphonelarger version.)]]; if you already have one they are a cheap option and can have outstanding [[GPS Accuracy]]. =Comparison=Here's a table of these features for each of the watches I recommend (all have GPS). For details of the meaning of each column see the reviews referenced in the table.{{:Best Running Watch-table}}

* '''How far did I run?''' This is probably the key feature that most runners are looking for, and it requires good [[GPS accuracyAccuracy]]. How much the accuracy of a watch will impact your running will depend on the course. Overall, most watches do pretty well in straight lines, but suffer when things get twisty. My testing is a tough challenge for GPS, so it highlights the differences between the great and the appalling. With the advent of the [[Stryd]] footpod that's far more accurate than GPS and doesn't require any calibration, Stryd support is now more important than GPS accuracy. * '''How fast am I running?''' While you can work out your average pace from your distance and time, you'll often want to know how fast you're currently running. Unfortunately, GPS is rather poor at answering this question, so you need a [[Stryd]] footpod, or use [[Pace From A Footpod]] and a first-generation [[Footpod]]. An accurate indication of your current pace is important for any training program that requires running at a specific pace, and for success in racing at many distances. * '''Where am I?''' It's not unreasonable to expect a GPS enabled watch to tell you where you are or how to get back to the start. Navigation varies from a simple compass needle showing the direction to return to the start to a display of the route you've just run or a preloaded course. The Motoactv and Fenix 2 can display preloaded maps showing roads and names, and the Epix shows full color maps. * '''What's my cadence? '''A display of [[Cadence]] is a critical training tool and newer watches are able to use an internal accelerometer to provide Cadence without any accessories. Other watches may need a Foodpod [[Footpod]] or the newer Garmin watches can use the running dynamics heart rate strap. A Cadence alert will help you stay in the right cadence range, and is a useful feature.

** [[Optical heart rate monitoring Heart Rate Monitoring]] is more convenient, but does not work very well.

* '''Battery Life.''' How much battery life you need depends on how long you run for. It's best to have a watch that will last quite a bit longer than your longest run. I list the claimed battery life in my table, along with the results of my testing. For my tests, I do everything to maximize battery life without compromising GPS accuracy. That means normal GPS sampling frequency, but no backlight, no map display, and no button presses. I also ensure Bluetooth, WAAS and GLONAS are disabled. I don't test devices that I've had for a while, as the battery tends to degrade over time. * '''Charges On The Run'''. For ultrarunners, one option to use a watch for longer than the built in battery lasts is to charge the watch while running. This involves connecting the cable and carrying a USB battery pack. It's cumbersome, but it can work. A value of "Yes" means that the watch will accept charge while recording and displaying as usual. Some watches have a "yes" with a caveat, such as the display not functioning or difficulty in connecting the cable while wearing the watch. An asterisk after the yes indicates a Garmin device that needs to be set with the USB mode to "Garmin" not "Mass Storage". A value of "no" means that charging is impossible.

[[File:GPS Accuracy.jpgpng|none|thumb|600px|An infographic of [[GPS Accuracy]] of running watches. The top right corner represents the most accurate watches. (This graphic uses ISO 5725 terminology.)]]

[[File:ChargingOnTheRun.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Charging a watch on the run can work, but it's awkward at best.]]Choosing a watch for an ultramarathon requires some tradeoffs and there's no simple answer. The main factor is battery life, as few watches can be relied on to lost more than 20 hours with GPS active. I think there are three main approaches to this problem:# [[Charge On The Run]]. This is a little cumbersome as you typically have to carry a battery pack and an adapter, or at least have them in your drop bag. Not all watches support [[Charge On The Run]], and only a subset of them do so with reasonable convenience.# Use two watches. This is also rather inconvenient and expensive, though you may be able to use to cheaper watches rather than one more expensive watch. For the second part of your run, the second watch won't have your full time and distance, so you'll need to make a note from the first watch and do some math. (Doing math late in an ultra is as difficult as it sounds.)# Extended battery life. A number of watches allow you to reduce the GPS accuracy to gain greater battery life. This lack of accuracy can be offset by using the Stryd Footpod for the first part of the race (they claim that Stryd lasts 20 hours.) Another approach is to turn the GPS off entirely and rely on a first generation [[Footpod]], in which case many watches will last several days. While the accuracy of a first gen [[Footpod]] can be better than GPS, the Footpod does not do so well if you're taking [[Walking Breaks]] or running on twisty single track.And some runners will want navigation. I see three main approaches to I wish I could provide, simple, clear cut advice, but unfortunately things are not so easy. You'll need to think about how long you'll be running for, the features that are important to you, and how much compromise you can live with. [[File:Charge On The Run - Fenix3 (2).jpg|center|thumb|200px|[[Charge On The Run]] is an option for ultras.]]

* The longest claimed battery life thatlives don's available with good GPS is 24 hours with t hold up in the [[Garmin 920XT]]real world, or 20 hours for the [[Suunto Ambit3| Suunto Ambit3 Peak]], [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]]. If you need with some watches going longer than 24 hours, which is common in 100 mile races, you end up with some compromisesothers much shorter. * Some watches can extend If you want the maximum battery life by only taking a GPS fix less frequently. This can be acceptable on a straight , you have to avoid the backlight, the use of map/course like displays, and don't press the Keys 100 or Badwater, but it can be appalling on twisty trailsbuttons unless you have to. ** The [[Garmin Epix]] gives 50 hours in extended mode (UltraTrac)In my testing, but its GPS accuracy is lacking and the map display tends to eat the longest battery life. (UltraTrac appears to use a variable recording frequency.) ** The [[Suunto Ambit3| Suunto Ambit3 Peak]] has 20 hours that's available with normal GPS recording, and on is 30 hours at 5 second sampling, which is great. It will go as high as 200 hours with 60 second sampling. There is some course display capability, but it's not as good others. There's also the cheaper [[Suunto Ambit3| Suunto Ambit3 RunEpson SF-510]] that gives 15 hours at 5 second sampling, or 100 24 hours at 60 second sampling. ** The [[Garmin 920XT]] gives 40 hours in extended mode using UltraTrac and variable recording frequency.** The [[Suunto Ambit2| Suunto Ambit2 R]] gives 20 hours in extended mode (60 second GPS sampling) and with the more expensive Ambit2 gives 50 hours. There is some course display capability, but it's not as good others. ** The [[Polar V800]] has a stated battery life of 13 hours, but without Bluetooth I found it lasted for nearly 24 22 hours! The extended mode increases with the rated life to 50 hour, but I've not tested that. The V800 has no map display. ** The [[Garmin Fenix 23]] will give 50 hours in extended mode, but it has mediocre [[GPS Accuracy]] even in normal mode and it has 19 with the occasional "lost satellite reception" problem. * You can turn off GPS and use a [[FootpodGarmin 920XT]], which boost the battery life of most Garmin watches to several days. Obviously you lose navigation and while 17 with the accuracy of a [[Footpod]] can be better than GPS, the Footpod does not do so well if you're taking [[Walking BreaksGarmin Epix]] or running on twisty single track. * You can extend the battery life a little by avoiding using the backlight or changing the display. Showing the course outline or the map seems to drain the battery quite fast. I've had 37+ For ultras lasting less than 20 hours out of the [[Suunto Ambit2| Suunto Ambit2 R]] in extended mode with these tricks. * You can charge some watches on the run (see table above). This is awkward at best, such as 50 miles or 100 Km, you need the cable attached have plenty of choice and to carry a USB battery pack, but some runners find this acceptablelife should not constrain you too much. * Another option, depending on the race, is to have two watches and swap part way through. Some runners will recharge their watch during a race, but that seems to be more hassle than it's worth as For 24 hour races or 100 mile races where you have to carry expect a battery pack and finish in the cable. (You can't charge 24-30 hour range the [[Garmin 920XTEpson SF-510]] while it's in use, but you can charge is worth considering though the [[Garmin 310XT]] and [[Garmin 910XT]]battery life is one of its few good points.)

For some ultras (and shorter trail runs), navigation is a problem. I've been lost on the occasional race and it's a horrible experience. Even when I've been on course, the doubts and stress of worrying can be an enormous drain. My first GPS watch was purchased so that I'd have an outline of the course I was running and there were many races where I was glad of its comforting conformation. Remember that using the navigation features of these watches will dramatically reduce their battery life. * The [[Garmin Fenix 5X]] and the [[Garmin Epix]] has have a display that shows full color maps, so for navigation, nothing else comes close. (Well, the [[Leikr]] is even better, but it has a short battery life.) * The [[Garmin 310XT]], [[Garmin 910XT]], and [[Garmin 920XT]], [[Garmin Fenix 23]], [[Suunto Spartan Ultra]] will show an outline of your run (breadcrumbs) and allow you to load a course outline to follow. The [[Garmin 920XT]] will also display an outline of your run, but Garmin has crippled the 920XT by removing the ability to zoom the display. ** The [[Garmin 920XT]] has some mapping capabilities, but the lack of zoom cripples this functionality. *