The Best GPS Watches of 2024

Whether you’re a backcountry skier venturing off-grid or an ultra-marathoner looking for above-average endurance tracking, the best GPS watches cater to diverse needs and activities. This wrist-mounted tech comes in various forms, from solar-powered behemoths lasting days without charging to everyday wearables with on-demand GPS and health tracking. 

Beyond tracking and screen clarity, these watches offer comprehensive health and fitness features. They monitor heart rate, analyze sleep metrics, assess daily recovery levels, and even provide personalized training guidance. But their true strength lies in accurate GPS tracking, with some models like the Garmin Fenix 8 offering advanced navigation features like watch-based route planning, turn-by-turn directions, and detailed maps paired with a dynamic touchscreen interface that doesn’t necessarily require a phone to maximize potential.

With prices ranging from $1,100 for feature-rich models to $300-$400 for user-friendly everyday options, the key differences lie in battery life, features, and durability, all of which we tested to see whether each watch was worth the price of admission. If you’re not sure which GPS watch is right for you, check out our Buyer’s Guide, Comparison Chart, and Price & Value sections.

The Best GPS Watches of 2024

GPS Watches Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best GPS Watches

Our Testing Process

We got our hands on the best GPS watches in the category, putting them to the test in any and all situations. Our lead tester took his watches from his home in the Boise foothills for mid-summer ultra marathon training to mountain bike rides and rounds of golf at Sun Valley Resort, to high alpine climbing and hiking in and around Wyoming’s Teton range. He also got some activities in while traveling, running laps around the Silver Lake Reservoir and riding his bike all over Montreal.

Needless to say, these watches have been put through the wringer all over North America (and we’re sure he would have taken them to Europe if he had the opportunity). In addition to just using the watches as much as possible, we looked closely at battery life, user interface, ease of use, activity tracking, sleep tracking, and advanced heart rate metrics to narrow down our top picks and decide which stood out above the pack. 

Our Expert Testers

Our lead tester and writer for this guide, Will Porter, is a runner who likes to get out and run for as long as possible. He relishes the Sunday long run (but loves a hard-hitting track workout) and will spend hours in the local Boise foothills a few times a week for a trail run. He has run multiple marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and has spent time biking, hiking, and running in NYC, San Francisco, Austin, and the mountains of Colorado. GPS watches have been his obsession for years. 

We even solicited the advice and experience of one of our close friends, an NYC-based NICU nurse who also happens to be a runner. She is a huge fan of the Garmin vivoactive 5, specifically because it’s easy to wear while she’s on the job, while she’s sleeping, and while she tracks her runs around Prospect Park.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best GPS Watch 

Buying a GPS watch is a big decision. Even the most affordable ones cost a substantial chunk of change, though there is a good range of price options available. GPS tracking is the throughline here, but different watches are better for different things: some will provide turn-by-turn directions on detailed maps, and others track while you’re out and about so that you can check your stats later on.

Some are great for wearing 24/7 and tracking a multitude of health metrics, while others are probably better for navigating a multi-day backcountry adventure. To help you make your decision, we went over some of the most important factors to understand when selecting the best GPS watch for you. 

GPS Tracking

Ensure the watch uses accelerometers for precise data capture during runs, both in the backcountry and in the city. All GPS data will vary slightly depending on where you are and the strength of your watch’s satellite connection — you’ll get more accurate GPS readings on a running track than in a dense forest or among skyscrapers. However, to get the most from a GPS watch and minimize GPS errors, you’ll want to choose one that connects to multiple GPS satellite systems. For example, the Suunto Vertical utilizes GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, and BEIDOU to aggregate the most accurate positioning possible. 

Battery life

Battery life is a key specification to look for when buying a GPS watch, especially if you plan to use it on long backcountry trips or endurance races. All of the watches had better-than-average battery life in smartwatch mode, but the specification you’ll want to keep a close eye on is the battery life while using all of its features at once, i.e. training mode, multi-band GPS, and always-on heart rate monitoring.

Some watches will boast a long battery life while in daily smartwatch mode, but you want to focus on the minimum battery life, not the maximum battery life. If you’re looking for a watch with a battery that will really last, we recommend a solar charging option, like the Garmin fenix 8, which can last up to 29 days in smartwatch mode or ~50 hours with all of its features going at once. 

Heart Rate Monitoring

This is crucial for gauging your effort level and optimizing your training intensity. One thing we’ve noticed about wrist-based heart rate, though, is that it tends to fall short of our desired accuracy levels. If you’re a heavy sweater, have tattoos on the top of your wrist, or work out in a way that makes your heart rate go up and down frequently (like a HIIT workout or running intervals), you’ll have trouble getting an accurate reading. Our tester only relies on heart rate if he wears a chest strap monitor. Luckily, you can connect these to almost every watch we tested via Bluetooth — but it does add an additional cost and another accessory to worry about. 

Training Tools

Look for features like programmable workouts, training schedules, and virtual coaching to enhance your fitness and adventure experience. These watches all come with some type of coaching feature, which can do everything from sleep monitoring and workout recommendations to helping you train to run a sub 3:00 marathon or conquer that week-long backpacking trip you’ve been prepping for. 

Price & Value

As we mentioned earlier, GPS watches come in a huge range of prices. Our list covers watches that cost anywhere from $280 to a whopping $1,200. This alone probably doesn’t help you make a decision. When buying something this expensive, not to mention something that may potentially have lifesaving features, it’s essential to know what you’ll get at each price point. 

Budget

In the budget range, you can expect to spend somewhere between $200 and $500. In this price range, you can expect to get activity tracking, smartphone connectivity, and, of course, GPS tracking. However, the watches in this range don’t generally allow for turn-by-turn directions or some of the more powerful GPS features like route building. All of the watches we tested within this price range, however, do record just about any fitness activity you can think of, will track your sleep, and can give you a look into your overall health. 

You won’t find many premium materials at this price range; if you want titanium you’ll have to spend a bit more. The same goes for battery life. Most watches in this range will have decent battery life, but you may find them lacking when it comes to multi-day adventures or long days off the grid. You may find that you get a good screen, good battery, or rock-solid GPS, but you’ll always have to give one (or two) of these features up to stay under the $500 mark.

The G-Shock Rangeman ($500) we tested, for example, is a super cool looking watch, isn’t too pricey, and carries the G-Shock pedigree, but is lacking in user interface, phone connectivity, and ease of use. We were so underwhelmed by it in almost all of the most important categories that we didn’t feel comfortable including it here. The Garmin vivoactive 5 ($300), though, was quickly one of the best watches in the eyes of our testers, low price notwithstanding. 

Mid-Tier

Mid-tier GPS watches cost between $500 and $800. They offer better battery life than budget watches, more durable displays and casing, and simple user interfaces that are easy to understand and learn. In this range, you’ll start to see some stellar battery power, advanced navigation features, and more comprehensive fitness and health tracking. 

For example, the Polar Grit X2 Pro, which costs $750, has one of our favorite AMOLED displays, an intuitive user interface, and better-than-average battery life. It easily outworks our budget picks, but at this price level you’re going to have to give a few things up — the Grit X2 Pro has a big case compared to others with equivalent battery life and has a charger that doesn’t always stay on unless you set it down exactly right. This is the price range where the little details really start to matter.

Premium

Premium GPS watches are going to run you $800 or more. This is the category where you’re really going to start seeing some impressive features, like 40-day battery life, AI coaching that actually works, and GPS that gets you from point A to point B with minimal confusion and maximal accuracy. 

At this price, the faults in a watch aren’t glaring and become more of a personal preference — they can all do some pretty incredible things. To give an example, the Suunto Vertical ($839), which we named the best watch for the backcountry, has outrageous battery life, keeping you on the map longer and further than any other watch in the category.

Conversely, our top pick, the Garmin Fenix 8 ($1,100), doesn’t quite have the same battery life as the Suunto, but it’s more comfortable on the wrist, which makes it easier to wear all day, every day, allowing you to take advantage of its advanced heart rate and sleep metrics. This price range offers everything you could ever want, so picking the best option for you comes down to just being really nitpicky. And that’s fair — for $800+, you better get what you want. 

Frequently Asked Questions