5 Best Running Watches - Sept. 2026

The Galaxy Watch7 40mm offers full-featured health tracking and optional LTE connectivity in a compact size that's great for smaller wrists.

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PROS

Compatible with Galaxy Watch for Kids, which puts parents in control but keeps kids independent, even without a connected smartphone.
Durable build with sapphire crystal glass and aluminum case.
One of the only small smartwatches with an ECG and body composition scan.
Excellent screen visibility in sunlight.

CONS

Doesn't support Qi wireless charging.
Given its small size, its battery typically depletes after one day of use.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK

Amazfit

Band 7 Fitness & Activity Tracker

Easy to Use

You can track steps and all sorts of sports, including swimming, with this smartwatch.

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PROS

You'll love the large, 1.47-inch, always-on display that's offered by this fitness tracker.
Pair it with your phone and you'll get app integration that includes phone answering and notifications.
It includes GPS (via smartphone only) and Alexa integration.
You'll get up to 18 days of usage on one charge.

CONS

The blood pressure and heartrate tracking can be finicky.

Fitbit

Charge 6 Fitness Tracker

Feature-Packed

You'll get tons of features like sleep score, smart wake, and Google Maps integration.

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PROS

Whether you want to track your heart rate throughout the day or map out runs using the integrated GPS, this fitness tracker from Fitbit does the job.
Pair it with your phone and you can answer calls and see texts while on the go.
It is water-resistant and holds up to seven days of charge.

CONS

Some issues with prior Fitbit owners setting up their Charge 6 in the app.

Garmin

Venu 3

Sleek & Practical

This Android watch impressed our tester with its many features and functions, which make it ideal for runners.

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PROS

Powered by Android, this watch pairs easily with almost any Android smartphone.
Tracks sleep patterns, activities, heart rate, and more.
Offers a sporty design and is lightweight with a comfortable fit.
More than 30 preloaded apps help you achieve fitness goals.

CONS

Comes with a learning curve to set it up and learn its many functions.
Not ideal for those who prefer iOS devices.

Apple

Apple Watch Series 9 GPS

Ideal for iOS Fans

The Series 9 is a streamlined watch with functions runners and Apple enthusiasts love.

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PROS

Feature-packed Apple Watch that comes at an appealing price.
Tracks many activities and can take EKGs.
Has a trim design and crisp Retina display.
Double-tap function provides an easy way to control the watch.
Gets a long battery life with each charge.

CONS

You'll need to keep your iPhone close by for optimal connectivity.
Those who prefer Android should check out other watches on our list.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews

How We Tested

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested the Garmin Venu 3 to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

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First Reviewed

October 15, 2021

Models
considered

Hours
researched