Whether youre 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 youre not sure which GPS watch is right for you, check out our Buyers Guide, Comparison Chart, and Price Value sections.

　　The Best GPS Watches of 2024 Best Overall GPS Watch: Garmin Fenix 8 Best Budget GPS Watch: Amazfit T Rex 3 Best Backcountry GPS Watch: Suunto Vertical Best GPS Watch for Athletes: Polar Grit X2 Pro Best GPS Watch for 24/7 Wear: Garmin vivoactive 5  Garmin fenix 8 $1,000 at REI

　　

　　

　　

　　Specs Battery life: Up to 28 days (47mm with solar) Weight: 57g (80g with band) Case size: 43mm, 47mm, or 51mm Display size: 1.3” Bezel material: stainless steel or titanium Water resistance rating: 10 ATM (100 meters) Pros Charging cord provides a sturdy connection to watch AMOLED display is the best we’ve ever used Multiple size options add versatility unmatched in the category Cons Have to choose between AMOLED and solar Smaller display than other outdoor-focused watches Will Porter The Garmin Fenix 8 ($1,100) takes everything we loved from the previous iteration and ups the ante, resulting in a robust, do-it-all GPS watch that is ideal for any outdoor athlete, from marathon runners to competitive kayakers and everything in between. We tested the 47mm AMOLED version, but you can choose between 51mm, 47mm, and 43mm AMOLED or solar screen editions, plus the more budget-friendly fenix E AMOLED ($800). There’s no getting around it, this watch is damn expensive. However, from a performance standpoint, there’s absolutely no other GPS watch we’d rather wear.

　　The AMOLED touchscreen display is crisp, bright, and thrives in all light conditions, which is a distinct upgrade from previous Garmin watches. The fenix feels like a true smartwatch, rather than an uber-powerful fitness watch — a distinction that makes this the most wearable Garmin yet. 24/7 wear can be frustrating (and near impossible) with a watch of this size. Still, we found ourselves willing to leave the watch on for nights on end, allowing us to take advantage of the advanced sleep and recovery metrics that are a hallmark of modern fitness wearables. However, in the long run, wearing a watch this big day in and day out will not be for everyone. 

　　The watch comes pre-loaded with dozens upon dozens of activity profiles, each already finely tuned to the type of data you want to see while working out. If the watch doesn’t already have what you want, you can customize any profile to your exact preferences. We spent plenty of time actually using the watch for running, biking, hiking, and climbing, but found that we could probably spend multiple days just finely tuning all of the data screens and watch face options. 

　　The watch comes with or without solar charging, which is nice in theory, but the problem is that you have to choose between the beautiful AMOLED screen and solar power. The screen on the solar version is still crisp, but you definitely lose a bit of readability in order to gain some more power. That said, the battery on the AMOLED version was plenty for us when we took this watch on multiple-day trips to Jackson Hole and Sun Valley without a charger, doing multiple activities each day with no battery issues. Garmin says the watch will last 16 days in smartwatch mode and seven days in “Always-On” mode — plenty of power for just about anyone, save perhaps ultra-bikepackers or serious backcountry athletes. We did run an 8-hour ultramarathon, though, and the battery only lost ~10% of battery life. 

　　The watch has a new microphone and speaker that lets you take calls or listen to Spotify. It also has a built-in flashlight with multiple brightness levels and a red light that is superb when camping or running in the dark. The GPS maps are easy to read, have turn-by-turn notifications, and can build a route on the fly, even without a cell phone. We were especially impressed when visiting Los Angeles — the watch’s route-making and accurate multi-band GPS took him throughout Silver Lake on foot without a false turn or dead end.

　　Read More Best Budget GPS Watch Amazfit T Rex Ultra $235 at Amazon

　　

　　Specs Battery life: up to 20 days Weight: 68.3g Case size: 48mm Display size: 1.5” Bezel material: stainless steel Water resistance rating: 10 ATM (100 meters) Pros Hard-wearing materials can stand up to the elements Provides ample data Comes in at a very palatable price of just $300 Cons Isn’t the most comfortable, even among similarly-sized watches Controls are a bit complicated Will Porter If you haven’t heard of Amazfit before, you need to get acquainted. The T-Rex Ultra ($300) is a shockingly good GPS watch, and one that we think can definitely hold its own with the bigger, more expensive options in the space. It comes with a huge AMOLED 1.5” display wedged into a competitively-sized 48mm case, which is made from stainless steel and resistant to temperatures from -40°C-70°C. 

　　In the hand the watch feels a lot like a G-Shock: well-equipped, built to stand up to the elements, but ultimately not as powerful as other similar options. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for most people, though — an “overbuilt” watch isn’t always the best pick; sometimes, you just need something that gets the job done in various situations. If the Garmins and Suuntos of the world go a mile wide and a mile deep, the T-Rex still goes a mile wide without the depth. But if you don’t need the extra depth, you’ll save yourself a couple hundred bucks.

　　We thought the watch was comfortable on the wrist, easy to get the hang of, and, most of all, found the battery exceptional for a watch of its size and price. In smartwatch mode, the T-Rex will last for weeks. The display is also a huge boon for the T-Rex. It has a bevy of pre-built watch faces to choose from, each of which shows a set of data that is immensely useable on a day-to-day basis, even if you don’t spend hours upon hours out on a backcountry trail.

　　However, the watch is heavy and not very comfortable for all-day wear, which can make it difficult to make the most of its impressive battery life. It has over 150 sport profiles, which is cool, but it seems a bit overkill for the average user, especially a user who prefers to buy a cheaper watch. 

　　Read More Best Backcountry GPS Watch Suunto Vertical $629 at REI

　　

　　Specs Battery life: Up to 60 days (with solar) Weight: 74g Case size: 49mm Display size: 1.4” Bezel material: stainless steel or titanium Water resistance rating: 10 ATM (100 meters) Pros Battery life is unmatched Comfortable strap is good for all wrist sizes Advanced backcountry capabilities Cons Screen isn’t as crisp or bright as others Bigger case size isn’t conducive to 24/7 wear Will Porter The Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar ($839) is our pick for the best GPS watch for backcountry adventures, thanks to its best-in-class battery life. It’ll last a whopping 60 days in smartwatch mode. That’s TWO MONTHS without a charge. Some may call it overkill, but we call it an endurance athlete’s dream. We had to actually put in the effort to run the battery down, which, given the proprietary charger’s tendency to fall off the watch, was positive in more ways than one.

　　The screen is sizeable and easy to read, but the graphics aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as the other watches we tried. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though — outdoors enthusiasts who want to get straight to the point without any unnecessary flourishes will be big fans of the interface and display. The combination of touchscreen and buttons is nice but isn’t as intuitive as other options we tried. You can, however, still customize the profiles and options, so if you’re willing to put in a bit of time to learn how the watch works, you can really squeeze a lot out of it.

　　The case is large, and we found it cumbersome to wear constantly, but that’s a small sacrifice for the other-worldly battery life. It’s also a little heavier than other options on the list, but it is still comfortable to wear and the silicone strap has a ton of holes, allowing the user to dial in the perfect fit.

　　The maps benefit from the large 1.4” display, providing route and point of interest navigation, plus the ability to navigate in offline mode, which will come in handy on those multi-day trips you take to utilize the wildly long battery life. A storm alarm and weather forecasting come in handy off the beaten path, and Suunto’s multi-band GPS is one of the more accurate systems we have encountered.

　　Read More Best GPS Watch For Athletes Polar Grit X2 Pro $712 at Amazon

　　

　　Specs Battery life: Up to 10 days Weight: 57g (79g with band) Case size: 48.6mm Display size: 1.39” Bezel material: stainless steel or titanium Water resistance rating: 10 ATM (100 meters) Pros Crisp, colorful AMOLED display Advanced coaching and recovery options Highly rated durability and materials Cons User interface can feel complicated Less battery power than comparable units Will Porter It’s hard to fault the Polar Grit X2 Pro ($750) in any way: its screen is colorful and easy to read, its five buttons and touchscreen make it easy to navigate, and its more-than-comprehensive data recording make it an option for the casual outdoorsman and the die-hard endurance athlete alike. The screen display is larger than the Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED, and the case size is smaller than the Suunto Vertical. 

　　But its our job, so we found some dings that made it fall short of some of its contemporaries. The screen is great, and the battery power is more than adequate, but neither is quite as good as its competitors. At $750, though, the Grit X2 Pro has all the capabilities and data you’d need from a top-notch GPS watch, especially for athletes. 

　　It goes beyond basic tracking to offer in-depth training analysis and personalized recovery, like Polar’s Training Load Pro, which measures the strain of your workouts on different body systems, helping you optimize your training and avoid overtraining. This feature tracks both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal load, giving you a holistic view of your training stress. Like the other watches on this list, though, fully taking advantage of the Grit X2 Pro requires 24/7 wear, which might not be suitable for most people — especially if wearing a watch annoys you when you sleep. 

　　Thanks to a partnership with the popular routing app Komoot, the watch can provide turn-by-turn instruction. We found the built-in guided breathing exercises to be a massive benefit on busy days at the office (or during particularly challenging outdoor endeavors). If you’re a training fanatic on the hunt for a smart watch with all the bells and whistles but don’t think a top-tier price point makes sense, this is the way to go.

　　Read More Best GPS Watch for 24/7 Wear Garmin vivoactive 5 $300 at REI

　　

　　Specs Battery life: up to 11 days Weight: 23g (36g with band) Case size: 42mm Display size: 1.2” Bezel material: aluminum Water resistance rating: 5 ATM (50 meters) Pros Lightweight for daily wear Best GPS watch for taking advantage of robust health metrics Packs a punch data-wise and pairs seamlessly with Strava Cons The aluminum bezel isn’t as durable as steel or titanium No turn-by-turn or active GPS mapping Will Porter The Garmin vivoactive 5 ($300) may not be the most feature-packed, rugged, or outdoorsy GPS watch available, but it excels in everyday wearability. Its comfortable design and accurate tracking of heart rate, sleep, and daily activity make it ideal for 24/7 use. The 1.2-inch display is surprisingly large for its small case, and the Gorilla Glass lens combined with reinforced casing offers ample protection for daily life.

　　Though it’s not designed for extreme adventures or Ironman triathlons, the vivoactive 5 still provides GPS tracking with a respectable 21-hour battery life in GPS mode and an impressive 11 days of battery in smartwatch mode. This watch prioritizes comfort and convenience, offering a user-friendly experience within the Garmin ecosystem. 

　　Its lightweight design, crisp display, and seamless integration with fitness apps like Strava make it a top choice for daily use and casual workouts. We appreciate that its comfortable enough to wear every single day. We found the display crisp and bright, easy to read, and hardly noticeable, even on hard, sweaty workouts or intense moments at work. Plus, at only 36 grams with the band, its half the weight of many competitors. This is easily the best substitute for a standard fitness tracker, perfect for those who want long battery life and intuitive activity tracking in the city and nearby foothills or mountains. 

　　Read More GPS Watches Comparison Chart

GPS Watch	Price	Battery Life	Weight	Case Size	Display Size	Bezel Material	Water Resistance Rating
Garmin fenix 8	$1,100	Up to 28 days (solar model)	57g (80g with band)	43mm, 47mm, or 51mm	1.3”	Stainless Steel or Titanium	10 ATM
Amazfit T-Rex 3	$300	Up to 27 days	68.3g	48mm	1.5”	Stainless Steel	10 ATM
Suunto Vertical	$839	Up to 60 days (solar model)	74g	49mm	1.4”	Stainless Steel or Titanium	10 ATM
Polar Grit X2 Pro	$750	Up to 10 days	57g (79g with band)	48.6mm	1.39”	Stainless Steel or Titanium	10 ATM
Garmin vivoactive 5	$300	Up to 11 days	23g (36g w/ band)	42mm	1.2”	Aluminum	5 ATM

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.

　　

　　A bright, clear display is one of the first things you notice about a GPS watch; (photo/Will Porter) 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.

　　

　　The Garmin fenix 8 delivers clear, easy-to-read GPS tracking; (photo/Will Porter) 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.

　　

　　The Polar Grit X 2 Pro offers heart rate tracking and a host of other fitness options; (photo/Will Porter) 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.

　　

　　The Garmin vivoactive 5 offers plenty of features for a reasonable price; (photo/Will Porter) 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 didnt 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 its 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 thats fair — for $800+, you better get what you want.

　　Frequently Asked Questions How accurate is the GPS tracking on a GPS watch? This is arguably the most important question, as the primary function of a GPS watch is to accurately track your location and movement. Factors that can affect accuracy include the quality of the GPS chipset, the presence of obstacles (like tall buildings or dense tree cover), and software algorithms used to process the GPS data. Most modern GPS watches from reputable brands (like the ones covered above) offer accuracy down to 10–15 meters (33–49 feet). Still, before you buy, it’s always a good idea to check reviews from people who will be doing the same type of activities you’re looking to do.

　　What battery life can I expect with a GPS watch? Battery life is crucial, especially for activities like long runs, hikes, or multi-day adventures. GPS usage drains the battery significantly, so look for a watch with a long battery life in GPS mode. Each watch we covered in this guide offers some combination of power-saving modes or solar charging to extend battery life. We feel comfortable taking each of these out on a multi-day adventure without the charger, but wouldn’t want to risk it for much longer than that.

　　What activities do GPS watches track? While all GPS watches track basic metrics like distance, pace, and time, they differ in the range of activities they support. Some focus primarily on running, while others cater to multi-sport athletes with profiles for swimming, cycling, hiking, and more. Consider your needs and choose a watch that supports the activities you do. In most cases, these high-powered GPS watches will provide way more data than you need, but the best ones, like the Garmin fenix 8, are able to parse it down into digestible tidbits

　　

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