How To Choose A Running Watch: Real Advice From Everyday Runners
There are WAY too many running watches. Some are cheap and some cost upwards of $1,000. But when you boil it down, they all pretty much do the same thing. BUT WHICH WATCH SHOULD YOU GET?!?!
Buying a running watch is overwhelming and complicated AF. I remember how overwhelmed I felt when I bought my first running watch. I was trying to decide between a Tom Tom and a Garmin to wear during the NYC Marathon which was 3 weeks away. I couldn’t figure out which watch was better. Then, an article on Runner’s World that lead me to the Tom Tom. I ended up losing it two weeks in when it fell out of my bag after running practice in Central Park (It found it’s way back to me the week after the marathon) and decided to get the cheapest Garmin Forerunner to wear during the race to help me pace myself. I couldn’t figure out how to work it and one of our charity coaches literally ran with me during the New York City marathon programming my watch in Brooklyn.
PLOT TWIST. I ended up hating both watches.
It took me YEARS to not only figure out how to use my GPS watch but to figure out what I like in a running watch.
When looking for a running watch, here’s what I recommend:
Heart rate data
Wireless sync to an app
Battery Life
Screens that display different functionality
Lapping function (this is what you’ll use during speed work so you can see your heart rate data/pace during hill repeats and speed work)
Sleep data
Ability to program workouts (This is important for speedwork if you can’t count reps like me)
Waterproof
And a good app.
If I had to choose one more thing, I wish my watch had music on it. Not necessary because I always have my phone, but I do wish I had the option.
WHAT I WEAR
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Easily my favorite watch I’ve ever worn, I didn’t think I’d ever want an Apple watch. I LOVE IT. From being able to find my phone with a button to having my running workouts synced with Final Surge (the platform BALG running plans live), the Apple Watch is supreme. I love that it does more than just support my running, cycling, swimming, strength sessions, and fitness. Some people have given feedback that it’s too big but I don’t think it’s any bigger than a Garmin Forerunner. You get used to it.
Polar Vantage V
I loved this watch. It’s got a touch screen which makes for versatility and it’s so complex, I don’t know how to use half of the functions. Before this watch, I wore a Garmin Forerunner 735XT and feels less like a spaceship, and is significantly cheaper ($350 so still expensive) but does the same things. I love this watch too.
I asked the Badass Lady Gang to submit their favorite watches so we could give real reviews from real everyday runners with feedback about why they like their running watch. SO ENJOY!
GARMIN FORERUNNER 45
Megan W.
Why you love it…I love it because it was affordable, not too bulky, can do interval timers, and is easy to use.
Who is it good for? I’d say it’s good for everyday runners
FORERUNNER 45S
Madison G.
Why you love it… This watch is the perfect intro running watch!! I wasn’t sure I wanted to commit to all the fancy features of the more expensive watches but this has everything I needed - GPS, heart rate, tracking all kinds of other exercises! There are some features I don’t use that often such as controlling your music from the watch and there’s a meditation/breathing thing too. It’s easy to use and the “s” version of the watch is smaller and less bulky than a lot of the other running watches I’ve seen. It can go underwater and the band doesn’t irritate my skin as long as I keep it clean! To keep it clean I just take it off when I’m in the shower and wash it with whatever soap is there lol. I’ve had it for a year so far with no issues and the battery life is still incredible! Plus it came in blue which is my favorite color so that didn’t hurt lol
Who is it good for? New runner/any runner who doesn’t need to have routes mapped out on their watch before their runs 4.
GARMIN Forerunner 265
Karen S.
Why you love it… I love it because it’s old school buttons - not complicated to use. Basic essential needs, with the option to place your actual speed workouts on. Also, I find the accuracy of a Garmin more accurate than the apple and definitely over the Fitbit. Example: Fitbit you can easily sit in place and move your arm and it will count as a step. Apple vs Garmin - the location, and distance I find to be much more accurate on a Garmin vs an apple. I ran the Chicago Marathon with both - and Apple Watch lost the GPS within the first 2 miles.
Who is it good for? Fit for all runners
Ashly HV
Why you love it… Love it, all the functions and it has a large screen.
Who is it good for? It’s customizable, good for a beginner who doesn’t want to get anything too expensive to start out.
Alli K.
Why you love it… I’m a fairly easy runner tech-wise. I don’t need anything super fancy. This watch is super easy to use but you can send your workouts to it when doing intervals which is nice cause I hate running with a phone. I’m not a person who listens to music when running usually though so if you like music when you run you’d want a different model.
GARMIN 245 WITH MUSIC
Beth B.
Why you love it… The 245 tracks more activities than the 230 and has a built-in heart rate monitor. I used to wear a forerunner 230. The 230 was a great "entry-level" watch (it's not as cheap as other gear) that worked with a separate HR monitor and helped me train for races. Easy to use for a beginner, but I never took full advantage of it. It couldn't register HR underwater but I used it to track the bike/run portions of my triathlon, in addition to numerous running and cycling events. I upgraded to the 245 Music when my iPod nano (6th gen) finally died because it can store music, but I've just been using music from my phone so I don't have to switch the pairing of my wireless headphones constantly. (It does work as a music device, though.)
The 245 has a smaller screen but more colors and more options, including training status/load/effect and pulse oxygen. I was worried the wrist-based HR might not be as accurate as the chest band but so far it's seemed on-point.
Who is it good for? Great for all kinds of runners.
Sarah B.
Why you love it… I love the training features on it! You can add running routes on it through the Garmin app and based on your workload and VO2 max, it’ll help you see how you’re doing with your training which is great leading up to race day! Lastly - there is a safety feature that is amazing. It’s called “Incident Detection”. It’s on all of the Forerunner models. If anything should happen when you’re on the go, activating the assistance feature will discreetly send a message with your real-time location to your preloaded chosen contacts2, making it easier for help to find you. With incident detection, your device will automatically send a message with your real-time location to your chosen contacts when an incident is detected during an outdoor walk, run, hike or bike activity. Wi-Fi is not required, but your smartphone will have to be with you and Garmin Connect will have to be running for these smartwatch safety features to work. The entire Forerunner series is fantastic and just updated in the last year. The Forerunner 45 is fantastic as well! I work at a Fleet Feet so I know about most Garmins if anyone has further questions!
Who is it good for? It’s great for someone who likes being able to track more than just running! You can track swims, bike rides, HIIT training, etc on here. I love it because you can add music to it and hypothetically run without your phone (though I never do because #safety) but it makes it easier to control during your runs if you want to change music or podcasts.
GARMIN FORERUNNER 945 with Music
Jaime M.
Why you love it… I love this watch. I just upgraded from a vivoactive 3 that didn’t have music and needed a charge every day, and the beep and vibrate never worked on the watch I had. This FR 945 isn’t the most beautiful watch but I’m more of a function over fashion person... this was an investment. I waited for a super sale. Also! I appreciate that this watch doesn’t have a touchscreen. I know some people like a touch screen but I don’t, especially in winter and rain. Actual buttons make it really easy to manual lap.
Who is it good for? Great for a runner who needs beeping and vibrating to tell you when your interval is over. For people who don’t want to look at the watch, but who do want to look at stats later, after the run. Also good for people who want to leave their phone at home (Spotify downloads straight to the watch)
GARMIN VIVOACTIVE 4
Amanda A
Why you love it… I really love programming workouts in the phone app for runs to align with the BALG training plans. I think it does a great job prompting me for the different steps of my running workouts.
Pre-pandemic, it was a great tool for tracking my swimming as well because it has a great waterproof rating. 4. I love it because of the reasons above and because it’s comfortable and looks pretty slick!
Who is it good for? It’s great for runners who want data on their cross-training activities as well.
Erica P.
Why you love it… It’s all-around better than my old Fitbits and smaller than the clunky ancient Forerunner it replaced, and WAY cheaper than an Apple Watch with many of the same features (it displays my texts and buzzes at me to move when I’ve been too sedentary - the face is super customizable too). My favorite feature for running is that I can mix time intervals, distance intervals, repeats, and intensity targets all within one programmed workout. And I can program it all from my phone and don’t need my computer, which is delightful.
Who is it good for? I love it for new runners or marathon runners - it does whatever you need it to do, from heart rate to complex intervals.
Q. C.
Why you love it… It is a great watch overall. I love that I can program in training programs And that I can follow my pace as I am running.
GARMIN FENIX 7S
Tracie F.
Why you love it… I have had garmins for years and loved each one. Switched from the 645 to the Fenix and love it more.
I can track all of the activities I do from kayaking to cycling to strength training and yes, running! Find it to be way more accurate than any phone app and the iPhone. Yes, if I want music I have to use my phone but I am good with that.
GARMIN VENU
Amanda B.
Why you love it… I just got the Garmin Venu about 2 months ago after being an avid Fitbit user. I love it because it's not intimidating, it's easy to use, and the size is perfect for wearing it all day.
Who is it good for? I'd say it's perfect for all levels of athletes. It has so many exercise choices that it tracks from indoor/outdoor run or walk, to cycling, to swimming, and so many others. I'm so glad I switched!!
