The Best Running GPS Units under $220
Garmin Forerunner 35
★ Top Choice
BUY NOW
From $99
Features
- All-day activity tracking estimates steps, calories and intensity minutes and reminds you when to move.
- Estimates heart rate at the wrist, all day and night, using Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate technology.
- Connected features: smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, live tracking and music controls (when paired with a compatible smartphone).
- Easy-to use GPS running watch tracks how far, how fast and where you run.
- Automatically uploads your data to Garmin Connect, our free online fitness community where you can join challenges, receive insights and share your progress as you meet your goals.
Pros
- ⊕ Feels comfortable on the wrist.
Budget pick
The Best GPS Running Watch - thewirecutter.com
Best Overall
The 5 Best GPS Watches of 2020 - lifewire.com
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Garmin Watches - bestreviews.com
POLAR M430
♥ Runner Up
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From $138.72
Features
- Rechargeable Battery - three different GPS recording options to choose from allow for 8 hours to nearly 30 hours of training time.
- Vibration alerts - be alerted with Vibrating Smart notifications of incoming calls, messages or during training and periods of inactivity.
- Combining best-in-class GPS with advanced running metrics, but now with the freedom of optical heart rate technology, the Polar M430 stands as our flagship running watch product.
- Includes personalized running PROGRAM to support your goals for the season and enhanced activity analysis to keep track of your day, the Polar M430 is with you every step of the way. Resolution: 128 X 128; Water Resistance: WR30.
- GPS watch integrates Smart features like speed, distance, pace and route tracking.
- Polar m430 contains 24/7 smart activity tracking - Track your daily activity, including steps, calories and sleep with the guidance to help you reach your activity Goal.
- Optical Heart Rate Monitor - continuous, accurate heart RATE without a chest strap via a 6 LED optical sensor.
Pros
- ⊕ Easy to use.
- ⊕ Good battery life.
- ⊕ Superb battery life.
- ⊕ Accurate heart rate data.
- ⊕ Great for goal-based runners.
Cons
- ⊖ Hardly a looker.
- ⊖ Not the best looking.
- ⊖ Annoying charging lead.
- ⊖ Some smartphone syncing issues.
Specs
- GPS: Yes.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth.
- Battery: 8 hours with GPS.
- Waterproof: Yes, to 30 meters.
Garmin Forerunner 45
Best GPS Tracking
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From $197.39
Features
- Gps running Watch with Garmin Coach training plan support.
- Safety and tracking Features include incident detection (during select activities) which sends your real time location to emergency contacts through your paired compatible smartphone.
- Works with free Garmin Coach Adaptive training plans that bring expert, personalized coaching right to your wrist.
- Easy to use running watch estimates heart rate at the wrist and Features GPS to Track your pace, distance, intervals and more.
- Battery life: up to 7 days in smartwatch mode; 14 hours in GPS mode.
- Connected features include smart notifications for incoming texts and calls, automatic uploads to our Garmin connect online community, live tracking and controls for the music playing on your paired compatible smartphone.
- Sports apps for running, cycling, indoor track, treadmill, elliptical, cardio, yoga and more.
Pros
- ⊕ Comfortable.
- ⊕ GPS capability.
- ⊕ Long battery life.
- ⊕ On-screen adaptive workouts.
Cons
- ⊖ Small display.
- ⊖ No music storage.
- ⊖ Few smartwatch features.
- ⊖ Display is a little small.
- ⊖ No third-party app support.
Specs
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes.
- Weight: 1.28 oz.
- Display Resolution: 208 x 208.
- Ports: USB charging.
- Compatibility: iPhone, Android.
- Product Dimensions: 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.5 in.
- Display: 1.04-inch color MIP.
- Waterproof: Yes, up to 50 meters.
- Memory: 200 hours of activity data.
- Battery Life: Up to 7 days (smartwatch mode).
- Battery: 1 x rechargeable lithium polymer battery (included).
Best GPS Tracking
The 10 Best Fitness Trackers of 2020 - lifewire.com
Most Popular
The 5 Best GPS Watches of 2020 - lifewire.com
Garmin Forerunner 735XT Tracker
Best for Serious Athletes
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From $219.99
Features
- GPS running watch with multisport features.
- Connected features4: smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, live tracking and more.
- Provides advanced dynamics for running, cycling and swimming7, including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio and more (when paired with a Running Dynamics Pod, HRM Run or HRM Tri Monitor, sold separately).
- Customize with free watch faces, apps and more from our Connect IQ store.
- Offers VO2 max estimate, lactate threshold (when used with a chest strap heart rate monitor), race predictor and recovery advisor.
- Estimates heart rate at the wrist so you can run freer on race day.Shock resistant. Battery life : Smartwatch Mode Up to 11 days. GPS mode Up to 14 hours. UltraTrac mode Up to 24 hours without wrist heart rate.
Pros
- ⊕ GPS.
- ⊕ Waterproof.
- ⊕ Lightweight.
- ⊕ Top-notch battery life.
- ⊕ Excellent for triathletes.
Cons
- ⊖ Expensive.
- ⊖ More sporty than elegant.
Best for Triathletes
The Best Fitness Trackers for Running - pcmag.com
Best for Serious Athletes
The 8 Best Wearable Tech of 2020 - lifewire.com