Finding a good fitness smartwatch means balancing battery life, tracking accuracy, and price. After testing dozens of wearables over the past year, here are my top picks for different needs and budgets.
How We Tested These Smartwatches
Every smartwatch here was tested in the real world for at least three weeks. I checked battery life by using each device normally—notifications, occasional glances, sleep tracking—and then running dedicated GPS workout sessions to see how quickly the battery drained during actual exercise.
Fitness tracking accuracy was evaluated across running, cycling, swimming, and strength training. I compared heart rate readings against chest strap monitors and analyzed GPS route accuracy against known distances. Each watch got scored on battery life, fitness tracking accuracy, comfort, features, and value.
Quick Picks
Best Overall: Garmin Forerunner 965 — excellent battery (12 days typical use, 18+ hours GPS), dual-band GPS, comprehensive fitness metrics, around $600.
Best Budget: Amazfit GTR 4 — solid 14-day battery, built-in GPS, accurate tracking at roughly $200, about one-third the price of premium options.
Best Premium: Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar — the longest battery in testing (28 days with solar), titanium build, topo maps, around $1,000.
Best Overall: Garmin Forerunner 965
The Forerunner 965 hits the sweet spot between features and everyday usability. It lasted 12 days with always-on display and 45-minute daily workouts before needing a charge. With GPS running, I got over 18 hours of continuous use—more than enough for ultramarathon training.
The optical heart rate sensor stayed within 3-5 beats per minute of my chest strap during most runs. The multi-band GPS locked on within seconds and held accuracy through urban routes with tall buildings.
What makes this stand out is the training readiness score, which looks at your sleep, recovery, and training history to recommend whether you should push hard or take it easy on any given day. The color AMOLED display is easy to read in sunlight, though it does pull more power than the Fenix’s more basic screens.
Pros: Great battery, solid training metrics, lightweight, clear display
Cons: Expensive, screen smaller than Fenix
Price: Around $600
Best Budget Option: Amazfit GTR 4
The Amazfit GTR 4 shows you don’t need to spend a fortune for decent fitness tracking. The battery lasted 14 days in my standard test—matching watches that cost three times as much. During GPS workouts, I logged over 30 hours before it died, which is roughly double what you get from an Apple Watch.
The dual-band GPS performed well for a budget option, accurate within 1-2% of actual distance on my test routes. The Zepp app gives decent fitness insights, though it doesn’t have the advanced training analytics of Garmin’s ecosystem. Heart rate tracking worked fine for steady-state activities but occasionally lagged during rapid intensity changes.
The 1.43-inch AMOLED screen has plenty of room for workout metrics, and 10 ATM water resistance means you can swim without worry. At around $200, it’s a solid value for fitness-focused users who don’t need every feature.
Pros: Great battery, cheap, accurate GPS, nice display
Cons: App less polished than competitors, fewer advanced training features
Price: Around $200
Best Premium Option: Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar
For serious athletes and outdoor adventurers who want the best, the Fenix 7X Pro Solar delivers. The solar-charging sapphire crystal added about 15% extra charge during sunny outdoor activities, extending an already excellent battery.
In testing, the Fenix 7X Pro lasted 28 days with solar during typical use, and 150 hours with GPS on. That’s nearly a week of continuous GPS tracking—enough for multi-day backcountry adventures or ultra endurance events.
Build quality is outstanding: titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case, sapphire glass that didn’t scratch during my testing. The topo maps and ABC sensors (altimeter, barometer, compass) make this ideal for hikers and trail runners. Multi-band GPS keeps tracking accurate in dense forest or urban areas.
Pros: Best battery, rugged build, topo maps, precise GPS, solar charging
Cons: Very expensive, large case, complicated interface
Price: Around $1,000
Best for iOS Users: Apple Watch Ultra 2
iOS users can get solid fitness tracking without leaving the Apple ecosystem. The Ultra 2 improved significantly over previous Apple Watches—36 hours with typical use, up to 72 hours in low-power mode. You’ll still need to charge most days with heavy use, but it’s better than older models.
The dual-speaker GPS tracks runs and cycles accurately, and the depth gauge works for scuba diving. The 49mm case is big, but it houses a bright 2000-nit display readable in direct sunlight.
Integration with iOS means smooth notifications, Apple Music control, and the best third-party app selection in wearables. If you’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem, this is the most convenient option despite shorter battery life than dedicated fitness watches.
Pros: Best iOS integration, great display, lots of apps, rugged
Cons: Needs daily charging with heavy use, expensive
Price: Around $800
Best for Android Users: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Android users get good fitness tracking with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The rotating bezel makes navigation intuitive, and the Super AMOLED display looks great. The 44mm version lasted 48 hours with always-on display.
Fitness tracking includes automatic workout detection, over 100 exercise modes, and body composition analysis via bioelectrical impedance. Samsung Health provides solid health insights, though it doesn’t quite match Garmin’s training readiness and recovery analytics.
Works well with Samsung phones and decent with other Android devices, though some features only work with Samsung handsets.
Pros: Nice display, easy navigation, good health metrics
Cons: Battery shorter than dedicated fitness watches, Bixby not as capable
Price: Around $400
Best for Multisport Athletes: COROS Apex 2 Pro
Triathletes and multisport athletes should look at the COROS Apex 2 Pro. It handles transitions between swimming, cycling, and running well while keeping battery life strong. I recorded 75 hours of continuous GPS—nearly double most competitors.
The optical heart rate sensor works during swimming, which is tough for wrist-based monitors. The digital dial and touchscreen combo makes adjusting settings mid-workout easy. COROS’s training analysis, including load and recovery recommendations, rivals more expensive Garmin models.
At 42 grams, this is one of the lighter premium fitness watches, comfortable for all-day wear and activities where weight matters.
Pros: Great GPS battery life, excellent for multisport, light, accurate heart rate
Cons: Smaller app ecosystem than Garmin, app not as polished
Price: Around $500
Comparison Table
| Model | Battery (Smartwatch) | Battery (GPS) | Water Resistance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 965 | 12 days | 18 hours | 5 ATM | $600 |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | 14 days | 30 hours | 10 ATM | $200 |
| Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar | 28 days | 150 hours | 10 ATM | $1,000 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | 36 hours | 12 hours | 10 ATM | $800 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic | 48 hours | 20 hours | 5 ATM | $400 |
| COROS Apex 2 Pro | 17 days | 75 hours | 10 ATM | $500 |
Key Features to Consider
Battery life is the big one—there’s nothing worse than your watch dying mid-run. Think about how you’ll use it: casual users might tolerate daily charging, but endurance athletes need multiple days between charges.
GPS accuracy has improved across all price points, but multi-band GPS (in premium models) works best in tough environments. Heart rate sensors vary significantly—optical sensors work fine for most activities but can struggle during high-intensity intervals or activities with lots of arm movement.
Water resistance matters if you swim—5 ATM handles splashes and brief submersion, 10 ATM allows continuous swimming. Decide whether you want a pure fitness tracker or a smartwatch with apps, music storage, and contactless payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a fitness smartwatch battery last?
For daily workouts, sleep tracking, and notifications, aim for at least 7 days. Serious athletes should look for 14+ days or 40+ hours of GPS tracking.
Does GPS drain battery quickly?
Yes, GPS is the biggest battery drain during workouts. If you do long workouts often, get watches with efficient GPS chips or solar charging.
Are cheaper fitness watches accurate?
Modern budget options like Amazfit are within 2-3% of premium models for basic metrics. Advanced features like training load analysis are mostly premium territory.
Should I choose smartwatch or fitness tracker?
If battery life and fitness tracking matter most, dedicated fitness watches (Garmin, COROS, Amazfit) beat general smartwatches. If you need full app support and ecosystem integration, accept shorter battery life.
Conclusion
The right fitness smartwatch depends on your priorities and budget. For most people, the Garmin Forerunner 965 balances features, battery, and price well. Budget buyers get good value from the Amazfit GTR 4. Serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts should look at the Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar or COROS Apex 2 Pro for their exceptional endurance.
Whatever you pick, focus on battery life that matches your activities, accurate GPS tracking, and comfortable fit for all-day wear. The right watch will help you train smarter without worrying about a dead battery. Start with your budget, figure out what features you actually need, and pick from the options above—you can’t go wrong with any of them.
