Tag Archives: Garmin

The best GPS running watches for 2026

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Having the right GPS watch on your wrist whether you’re going for your first ever run or your umpteenth run can make all the difference. The best GPS running watches not only keep track of how far you’ve run, but they track pace and other real-time metrics, advanced training features to help you hit your goals and, of course, precise distance measurements. Some models even provide offline maps for navigation, sleep tracking, recovery insights, and smart features that “regular” smartwatches do.

For those who need extra durability and lasting battery life, higher-end sport watches — like some of the best Garmin watches — are built to handle intense workouts, harsh weather and long runs. If you're training for a marathon, triathlon or just want a multisport option that can keep up with your lifestyle, these watches have the tech to support you.

With so many options available, from entry-level models to the best running watches packed with advanced running metrics, it can be tricky to find the right fit. That’s why we’ve rounded up our top picks to help you choose the perfect GPS watch for your training needs.

The Polar Pacer Pro looked and felt quite similar to our top pick, and it mapped my outdoor runs accurately. However, Polar’s companion app is leagues behind Garmin’s with a confusing interface and a design that feels very much stuck in the past. It’s also $100 more expensive than our top pick.

The Amazfit Cheetah Pro tracked my outdoor runs accurately and Zepp’s companion app has a coaching feature much like Garmin’s adaptive training plans that can outline a routine for you to complete in preparation for a race or to achieve a specific goal. My biggest issue with it was that its touchscreen wasn’t very responsive — it took multiple hard taps on the display to wake it, and often the raise-to-wake feature didn’t work, leaving me staring at a dark screen.

The most important thing for a GPS running watch to have is fast, accurate GPS tracking. That might seem obvious, but it’s quite easy to get distracted by all of the other smart features most of these devices have. Since most of them can be worn all day long as standard sport watches, there’s a lot of (possibly unnecessary) fluff that looks good on paper but won’t mean much if the core purpose if the device is left unfulfilled. To that end, I paid particular attention to how long it took each device’s built-in GPS tracking to grab my location before a run, if it ever lost my spot and the accuracy of the generated maps. Also, the device should be smart enough to let you start tracking a run while the GPS looks for your location.

You may not be able to suss out GPS accuracy just by looking at a spec sheet (that’s where this guide can help), but you can check for features like supported workout profiles. That’s something you’ll want to look into, even if your one and only activity is running. Check to make sure the best running watches you’re considering support all the kinds of running activities you like to do (outdoor runs, treadmill runs, etc) and any other workouts you may want to track with it.

Most fitness wearables today aren’t one-trick ponies; you’ll find a healthy number of trackable exercise modes on any sport watch worth its salt. That said, the number of workout profiles can be directly proportional to a device’s price: the higher-end the product, chances are the more specific, precise workouts it can monitor.

In a similar vein, you’ll want to check the trackable metrics of any watch you’re considering before you buy. Since we’re talking about the best GPS running watches, most will be able to track the basics like distance, heart rate and pace, and those are bare minimums. Some watches can monitor additional stats like speed, cadence, stride length, advanced running dynamics, aerobic and anaerobic training effect, intensity minutes and more. If you’re already a serious runner who trains for multiple races each year, or if you're a trail runner who needs elevation and navigation features, you’ll want to dig into the spec sheet of the watch you’re considering to make sure it can track all of your most necessary metrics.

It’s worth checking out a watch’s case size and weight before going all-in on one. GPS running watches, and standard smartwatches as well, can have a few different sizes to choose from so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best fit for your wrist. I have a smaller wrist, so I tend to avoid extra-large cases (anything over 42mm or so), especially if I intend on wearing the device all day long as my main timepiece. Weight, on the other hand, is a little less controllable, but typically smaller case sizes will save you a few grams in overall weight.

For those who need durability, particularly trail runners or those tackling extreme conditions, devices like Garmin watches offer rugged builds that can handle rough terrain, impact, and extreme weather.

Unlike regular smartwatches, GPS running watches have two types of battery life you’ll need to consider: with GPS turned on and in “smartwatch” mode. The former is more important than the latter because most GPS running watches have stellar battery life when used just as a smart timepiece. You can expect to get multiple days on a single charge, with some surviving more than two weeks (with all day and night wear) before they need a recharge.

Battery life with GPS turned on will be much shorter by comparison, but any GPS running watch worth its salt should give you at least 10-15 hours of life with the GPS being used continuously. The more you’re willing to spend, the higher that number typically gets, with some GPS running watches lasting for 40 hours while tracking your location.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/best-gps-running-watch-141513957.html?src=rss

The best fitness trackers for 2026

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If you're looking to get fit, sleep better or just keep a closer eye on your health, a fitness wearable is a great place to start. Whether you're into intense workouts or just want to hit your step goal each day, the best fitness trackers available today can offer loads of helpful features, from sleep tracking and resting heart rate monitoring to built-in GPS and stress tracking. Some are even subtle enough to wear 24/7, like smart rings, while others double as stylish smartwatches.

There are great options out there for beginners as well as more advanced users, and the variety of features means there’s something for every lifestyle and budget. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best fitness trackers you can buy right now, and explain who each one is best suited for.

The answer seems simple: Fitness wearables are best at monitoring exercise, be it a 10-minute walk around the block or that half marathon you’ve been diligently training for. Obviously, smartwatches can help you reach your fitness goals too, but there are some areas where fitness bands and smart rings have proven to be the best buy: focus, design, better battery life, durability and price.

When I say “focus,” I’m alluding to the fact that fitness trackers are made to track activity well; anything else is extra. They often don’t have the bells and whistles that smartwatches do, which could distract from their advanced health tracking abilities — things like all-day resting heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and even detailed sleep tracker insights. They also tend to have fewer sensors and internal components, which keeps them smaller and lighter. Fitness trackers are also a better option for those who just want a less conspicuous gadget on their wrists all day.

Battery life tends to be better on fitness trackers, too. While most smartwatches last one to two days on a single charge, fitness bands offer between five and seven days of battery life — and that’s with all-day and all-night use even with sleep tracking features enabled. Many fitness trackers also slot nicely into your existing ecosystem, syncing seamlessly with your smartphone, other fitness apps and cloud storage to keep all your data in one place.

When it comes to price point, there’s no competition. Most worthwhile smartwatches start at $175 to $200, but you can get a solid smart band starting at $70. That makes them a great entry point for beginners who want to track their progress without committing to a full smartwatch. Yes, more expensive bands and smart rings exist (and we recommend a few here), but you’ll find more options under $150 in the fitness tracker space than in the smartwatch space.

If you need a bit more from your wearable and don’t want to be limited to a fitness or activity tracker, a smartwatch may be the best buy for you. There are things like on-watch apps, alerts and even more robust fitness features that smartwatches have and the best fitness trackers don’t. You can use one to control smart home appliances, set timers and reminders, check weather reports and more. Some smartwatches let you choose which apps you want to receive alerts from, and the options go beyond just call and text notifications. Just make sure your smartwatch is compatible with your Android or iPhone, however, before purchasing, as not all of them work with both operating systems.

But the extra fitness features are arguably the most important thing to think about when deciding between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch. The latter devices tend to be larger, giving them more space for things like GPS, barometers, onboard music storage and more. While you can find built-in GPS on select fitness trackers, it’s not common.

If you’re someone who’s seriously training — say for a race or an endurance challenge — a dedicated running watch may be worth considering. These often provide more in-depth cardio analytics, recovery insights, and real-time pace data that go beyond what standard trackers can deliver.

The Fitbit Inspire 3 strips out all the luxury features from the Charge 6 and keeps only the essential tracking features. You won’t get built-in GPS tracking or Fitbit Pay or Spotify control but you do get solid activity tracking, automatic workout detection, smartphone alerts and plenty more. The updated version has a sleeker design and includes a color touch display and connected GPS, the latter of which lets you track pace and distance while you run or bike outside while you have your phone with you. When compared to the Charge 6, the Inspire 3 is more fashionable, too. Its interchangeable bands let you switch up the look and feel of your tracker whenever you want, and it’s slim enough to blend in with other jewelry you might be wearing. We were also impressed by its multi-day battery life: Fitbit promises up to 10 days on a single charge, and that checked out for us. After four days of round-the-clock use, the Inspire 3 still had 66 percent battery left to go.

The battery life of fitness trackers can vary depending on the model and its features. On average, most fitness trackers last between five to seven days on a single charge. Basic models with limited features could stretch up to 10 days or more. However, more advanced trackers with features like continuous heart rate monitoring, GPS, or always-on displays may need recharging after one to three days. If you're using GPS or streaming music through your fitness tracker, you'll find that this drains the battery faster. By using these features less, or turning them off, you'll extend battery life. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/best-fitness-trackers-133053484.html?src=rss

Garmin’s smallest GPS smartwatch ‘Lily 2 Active’ is designed for active women

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It is not easy for new players to penetrate the otherwise competitive smartwatch arena. But Garmin is no outsider. Arguably, it is amid the top few in the industry. No wonder, the GPS-enabled consumer tech specialist is increasing its profile with the addition of a women-first watch that’s stylish, features built-in GPS, and comes with all the health and wellness features of a connected smartwatch.

Called the Lily 2 Active, this is the smallest GPS-enabled smartwatch in the Garmin family. Perhaps for some that could mean the Lily 2 Active cuts corners, but it’s far from the fact. It’s a small, but fashionable feature-focused smartwatch that comes with nine days of battery life – if you are not using the GPS. With the GPS running all the time, the watch will trim the usage down to nine hours before requiring a recharge.

Designer: Garmin

Of course, the Lily 2 Active has been created with a primary emphasis on women’s health tracking features. So, the watch can be used to keep track of the menstrual cycles, pregnancies, and also monitor the different sleep stages. Small but durable the watch has a metal casing and a hidden display that comes to life on a tap or with movement of the wrist.

The watch is provided with two push buttons to select activities or toggle between screens. It comes preinstalled with workout features for cardio, yoga, tennis, dance fitness, strength training and more. Interestingly, the user can download the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and yoga sessions to view the workout on the Lily 2 Active’s screen. With the videos playing directly on the wrist, you can ensure to follow the workout correctly even when you are outdoors without access to a larger screen device.

Since it is designed with all the health monitoring and wellness features, the smartwatch allows the wearer to keep track of their different sleep stages along with the continuous monitoring of the heart rate, Pulse Ox2, stress, and respiration. It accumulates information about the user’s night sleep and grants insight into their sleep quality with other wellness details in the morning. Built-in GPS can keep track of your outdoor activities, including walks, runs and more.

Lily 2 Active is compatible with Garmin’s Connect smartphone app and lets you make contactless payments using Garmin Pay. The watch works error-free with iOS and Android and comes in three color variants: Lunar Gold with Bone silicon strap, Silver with a Purple Jasmine silicon strap, and Jasper Green with a Jasper Green silicone strap for $300 apiece.

The post Garmin’s smallest GPS smartwatch ‘Lily 2 Active’ is designed for active women first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple Watch 3 can sit and watch as Garmin Fenix 8 Smartwatch arrives with AMOLED display

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Lately, Apple has been all over the news for its slated launch of the Watch Ultra 3 but Garmin seems to have undercut the Cupertino giant by launching its own set of new-age smartwatches. Yes, Garmin’s anticipated Fenix 8 AMOLED smartwatch is here alongside the modest Fenix E model.

The sports smartwatch will get a bright screen similar to a smartphone, thus making it crisp and highly visible in broad daylight. If you don’t want to keep charging your watch after a while, choosing the standard solar version with the time-tested MIP (Memory In-Pixel) display is a better option since it delivers added battery life. Either way, the Fenix 8 series will give tough competition to the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and the upcoming Apple smartwatch.

Designer: Garmin

The Garmin Fenix 8 comes in two sizes – 47mm and 51mm – for both the AMOLED and standard solar versions. The AMOLED model however gets another 43mm variant well suited to small hands. All the Fenix 8 versions will have built-in speakers and microphone to take calls, trigger the phone’s voice assistant, settings timers hands-free, or even listen to music. This is new to the Garmin Fenix line and something users will value in daily usage. According to official figures, the Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm lasts for up to 29 days on a single charge while the standard Fenix 8 51 mm variant can go for a stellar 48 days with the screen always on.

This smartwatch is tested strictly according to US military standards for protection against fire and sudden shocks. It comes with a 40m water-resistance feature, and the app interface now gets the scuba diving and apnea modes. Garmin has also added a built-in flashlight function which is a welcome addition. The watch now has strength training plans that come with four to a week mode to achieve fitness goals, and guided workouts for trail running and skiing. Durability has been boosted with the inclusion of a sensor guard and leakproof buttons.

Garmin claims that they’ve improved the navigation features as the user can now customize layers on the map screen. Alongside this, the new dynamic round-trip routing feature lets you set a target distance to create an automated route that updates in real time for you to achieve that distance.

Depending on the model and variant chosen, the smartwatch can cost anywhere from $1000 – $1200. The Fenix 8 AMOLED versions are priced at $1000, $1100 and $1200 respectively. The standard 47 mm and 51 mm solar variants will cost $1100 and $1200.

The post Apple Watch 3 can sit and watch as Garmin Fenix 8 Smartwatch arrives with AMOLED display first appeared on Yanko Design.