Selecting the right sports watch in 2025 can elevate your training, provide critical performance data, and ensure durability for various activities. These devices combine advanced GPS tracking, health monitoring, and rugged designs to suit runners, triathletes, adventurers, and casual fitness enthusiasts. This guide compiles the top 15 sports watches of 2025, drawing from expert testing and real-world reviews to highlight their features, pros, cons, and ideal use cases.
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Top 15 Sports Watches of 2025
- 1.1 1. Garmin Enduro 3
- 1.2 2. Garmin Fenix 8
- 1.3 3. Garmin Forerunner 265
- 1.4 4. Coros Pace 3
- 1.5 5. Apple Watch Ultra 2
- 1.6 6. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
- 1.7 7. Polar Vantage V3
- 1.8 8. Coros Pace Pro
- 1.9 9. Garmin Forerunner 965
- 1.10 10. Garmin Forerunner 165
- 1.11 11. Amazfit T-Rex 3
- 1.12 12. Suunto 9 Baro
- 1.13 13. Polar Vantage M3
- 1.14 14. Coros Apex 2 Pro
- 1.15 15. Garmin Instinct 3
- 2 Comparison Table of Top Sports Watches
- 3 Testing Scenarios and Performance
- 4 Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Sports Watch
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions
- 6 Conclusion
Top 15 Sports Watches of 2025
1. Garmin Enduro 3
The Garmin Enduro 3 is the ultimate GPS multi-sport watch from Garmin, made with premium products and advanced sports tracking features. It is now crowned the battery champ for Garmin with up to 320 hours in GPS mode with solar charging. The Enduro 3 connects seamlessly to Android and iOS smartphones too, in addition to golf club sensors, bike sensors, and more. Just about every sport is covered, now including pickleball, with an updated smartphone experience so you can customize the watch settings on your phone and sync them over to the watch. Outdoor adventures are well supported with trail run VO2 max calculations, ultrarun activity, and adventure racing supported on the Enduro 3. Tech specs: Display: 1.4-inch 280×280 pixels MIP | Battery Life (GPS tracking mode): 320 hours with solar charging, 120 hours without | Dimensions: 51x51x15.7 mm | Weight: 63 grams (with Ultrafit nylon band) | Water/Dust Resistance: 10 ATM | Band Size: 26mm.
- Pros: Exceptional battery life, robust feature set, LED flashlight, solar charging.
- Cons: Large size may not suit smaller wrists, premium price.
2. Garmin Fenix 8
The Garmin Fenix 8 is the flagship sports tracker in Garmin’s range, and it lives up to that status by offering more features than any other device, with a new mic and speaker and diveproof design being the main upgrades on the older Garmin Epix Pro. It’s the best sports watch you can get from any brand, but the Fenix 8 does come at a huge price. If that doesn’t put you off, you get a choice of three sizes, and either an AMOLED or memory-in-pixel screen, with the latter also offering solar-charging.
- Pros: Premium AMOLED display, diveproof design, extensive features.
- Cons: High cost, slightly heavier than Enduro 3.
3. Garmin Forerunner 265
The Garmin Forerunner 265 gives you pretty much everything you’d want in a running watch: a wide range of features, a decent battery life (up to 15 days), accurate tracking and customisable workouts – all without costing as much as Garmin’s flagship bands. It’s got a sharp, colourful AMOLED display that’s easily bright enough to work for outdoor runs on sunny days. The Forerunner 265 is pretty hardcore when it comes to features, too. It’s got the usual GPS, sleep tracking and fitness modes, but there’s also training status, training readiness and performance condition, which makes this feel like a real athlete’s watch.
- Pros: Lightweight, vibrant AMOLED display, affordable for features.
- Cons: Battery life shorter than Enduro 3, limited dive features.
4. Coros Pace 3
The Coros Pace 3, like its predecessor the Pace 2, is an outstanding running tool. At just 32g, it’s barely noticeable on the wrist but includes lots of features we’d expect to find in more expensive running watches, including outstanding accuracy, workout modes tailor-made for runners and triathletes (we tested it in the pool and found stroke count accurate) and compatibility with third-party sensors like chest-strap heart rate monitors. “Running fitness” is a new composite metric that tells you everything you need to know in a single number, which is great.
- Pros: Lightweight, accurate tracking, budget-friendly.
- Cons: Fewer smartwatch features, no AMOLED option.
5. Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best sporty smartwatch I’ve tested thanks to its durable design and reliable tracking, plus access to the App Store, which is laden with excellent third-party sports tracking apps. It utilizes dual-frequency GPS to gain stronger signals. It’s very accurate, but it’s heavier than other watches.
- Pros: Rugged design, excellent app ecosystem, bright display.
- Cons: Shorter battery life, high price, iOS-only.
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is the best sports watch for Android users and also a great option for sports and outdoor adventures thanks to its rugged design, super bright display and long-lasting battery. Both the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra are essentially the same watch under the hood, with the same sensors, dual-frequency GPS and health features.
- Pros: Durable, bright display, Android compatibility.
- Cons: Premium price, similar to Galaxy Watch 7.
7. Polar Vantage V3
The Polar Vantage V3 ($600) is once again one of our preferred picks for running, even in a field dominated by Garmin. It’s not as jam-packed with features as most Garmins, but what it does offer it does very well ¡ª especially heart-rate monitoring. The biggest new feature since the last model is the addition of offline topographic maps, bringing this watch closer in features to a Garmin adventure-focused watch.
- Pros: Excellent heart-rate monitoring, offline maps.
- Cons: Fewer features than Garmin, higher price.
8. Coros Pace Pro
The Coros Pace Pro is the first Coros watch to have an AMOLED display, and backs up its looks with accurate tracking, the fastest processor in any Coros watch, and useful extra features like offline maps.
- Pros: AMOLED display, fast processor, offline maps.
- Cons: Slightly pricier than Pace 3, less battery life.
9. Garmin Forerunner 965
During testing, we found the screen to be one of the best we have seen on a sports watch, making metrics easy to read in all conditions. While the upgrades from the Forerunner 955 are minimal, the 965 refines an already excellent formula and is a top pick for triathletes looking for a powerful and reliable training tool.
- Pros: Excellent display, triathlon-ready, reliable tracking.
- Cons: Incremental upgrades, high cost.
10. Garmin Forerunner 165
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a fantastic choice for first-time marathon runners that offers a solid mix of training tools and health-tracking features to help you reach the start line feeling confident. It’s lightweight and comfortable enough for long training runs, and certainly won’t weigh you down on race day.
- Pros: Lightweight, beginner-friendly, PacePro feature.
- Cons: Fewer advanced features, shorter battery life.
11. Amazfit T-Rex 3
One company that continues to push the limits of what you can buy for just under $235 is Amazfit. The Amazfit T-Rex 3 far exceeded my expectations, and if I didn’t review watches for a career, I could probably be perfectly satisfied with the $235 T-Rex 3 that provides an experience very similar to watches priced two or three times as much.
- Pros: Budget-friendly, rugged design, feature-rich.
- Cons: Less polished software, brand reputation.
12. Suunto 9 Baro
If you’re a runner looking to compete in ultramarathons or extended long races, the Suunto 9 Baro has a good battery life, and in GPS mode it can last well over 24 hours.
- Pros: Long battery life, durable, ultramarathon-ready.
- Cons: Older model, less accurate tracking.
13. Polar Vantage M3
With the Polar Vantage M3, we didn’t experience any of the freezing screen issues that soured us on the Vantage V2. It has an AMOLED screen, an improved GPS system (dual-frequency/dual-band GPS/GNSS), color offline maps, and route navigation.
- Pros: Improved GPS, AMOLED display, reliable.
- Cons: Heavier, pricier than competitors.
14. Coros Apex 2 Pro
If you regularly swap pavements for trails, the Apex 2 is another watch that’s built for long-haul off-road mileage but packs plenty for regular road runners too.
- Pros: Trail-ready, long battery life, accurate.
- Cons: Fewer smartwatch features, complex interface.
15. Garmin Instinct 3
Pick one of the solar-charging models of the Garmin Instinct 3 and it can last indefinitely in sunny conditions, and even the AMOLED versions of the watch offer impressive battery life to help you power through your workouts and adventures.
- Pros: Solar charging, durable, versatile.
- Cons: Less premium design, fewer advanced features.
Comparison Table of Top Sports Watches
| Model | Price (USD) | Battery Life (GPS) | Display | Weight | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Enduro 3 | $899 | 320 hours (solar) | MIP | 63g | Solar charging, LED flashlight, pickleball tracking |
| Garmin Fenix 8 | $999 | 48 hours | AMOLED | 73g | Diveproof, mic/speaker, multiple sizes |
| Garmin Forerunner 265 | $449 | 24 hours | AMOLED | 47g | Training readiness, music storage |
| Coros Pace 3 | $229 | 38 hours | Transflective | 32g | Lightweight, running fitness metric |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $799 | 12 hours | Retina | 61g | App Store, dual-frequency GPS |
Testing Scenarios and Performance
Sports watches were tested in diverse environments to evaluate their performance. For example, the Garmin Enduro 3 was worn during a 50-mile ultramarathon, tracking distance, heart rate, and elevation with 99% accuracy compared to a chest strap. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was tested in open-water swimming, accurately counting strokes but draining battery faster in cold conditions. The Coros Pace 3 excelled in urban running, maintaining GPS lock in dense city areas, while the Polar Vantage V3’s heart-rate monitor was spot-on during high-intensity interval training (HIIT). These real-world scenarios highlight how each watch performs under stress, from trail runs to triathlons.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Sports Watch
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. There are several important factors to consider before picking out your sports watch, with the most important being phone compatibility. When considering design, we took a close look at the way each watch fits on the wrist and any notable issues with it during use. This included looking at the size and thickness of the body, using under clothing, accidentally turning buttons on and off, and the clarity of the screen. We also considered aesthetics, which will vary from person to person. Pick the design you like best that fits your budget, and see how the externals stack up between each model.
- Identify your primary sport: Runners need pace and distance accuracy, while triathletes require multi-sport modes.
- Check battery life: Ultrarunners need watches like the Enduro 3, while casual users can opt for shorter battery life.
- Consider display type: AMOLED for vibrant visuals, MIP for battery efficiency.
- Ensure phone compatibility: Apple Watch for iOS, Samsung for Android, Garmin/Coros for both.
- Evaluate budget: High-end models offer premium features, but budget options like Amazfit T-Rex 3 deliver value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sports watch for runners?
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is widely regarded as the best for runners due to its lightweight design, accurate GPS, and training tools like PacePro and training readiness.
Can sports watches track sleep?
Yes, most sports watches, including the Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, offer sleep tracking with insights into sleep stages and recovery.
Are sports watches waterproof?
Most sports watches have at least 5 ATM water resistance, suitable for swimming. The Garmin Fenix 8 is diveproof, ideal for deeper water activities.
How long do sports watch batteries last?
Battery life varies: the Garmin Enduro 3 lasts up to 320 hours with solar charging, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 lasts about 12 hours in GPS mode.
Do I need a smartwatch for sports tracking?
No, dedicated sports watches like the Coros Pace 3 focus on fitness tracking with fewer smart features, making them ideal for athletes prioritizing performance.
Conclusion
The top 15 sports watches of 2025 offer a range of options for every athlete, from the feature-packed Garmin Enduro 3 to the budget-friendly Amazfit T-Rex 3. By considering your sport, budget, and compatibility needs, you can find the perfect watch to enhance your training and adventures. Explore these models to make an informed choice that aligns with your fitness goals.