Are you an active individual? If so, you probably go jogging on a regular basis.
If you jog at night or without an assistant, you do need a good GPS watch.
Why does it matter? A good GPS watch tells you exactly how far you jogged, in which direction and at what pace.
Having this kind of information on hand may be super important in some situations. Not to mention the fact that it’s a great way to track your workout and get more out of it.
If you don’t have time to read a full review, then this section is made for you!
Below you’ll find a quick buying guide aimed at helping you pick the best budget GPS watch.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Coros APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch | Best Overall |  |
| Polar M200 GPS Running Watch | Budget Pick |  |
| Apple Watch Series 3 | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Coros APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch
Pros:
- Shatterproof, scratch-resistant Sapphire glass
- Full GPS acquisition in less than 15 seconds
- Deep dive and open water swimming modes
- Built-in heart rate monitor
- Comprehensive list of activity modes including running, swimming, hiking, golfing, and much more
- Nicely designed TFT touchscreen
- Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity
- Easy to customize and back-up exercise and training profiles
- Comes with free Polar H7 chest strap heart rate sensor
- More than 4-hour battery life
Cons:
- Lacks a built-in barometer
- Heart rate sensor requires a compatible chest strap
- Not very accurate when used as a step counter
2. Apple Watch Series 3
Pros:
- Beautiful compact display and lightweight design
- Connectivity with everything you need
- Great aesthetics and easy to pair with other Apple products
- Has long-lasting battery
- Low profile and comfortable
- Great display
- Built-in GPS and GPS
- Accurate altimeter
- Calorie Counter
- Heart rate monitor and pulse discreetly
Cons:
- Expensive
- Expensive accessories
- Social media integration is a little strange and disconnected
- Always on display can consume battery power quickly
- Not built for extreme exercise
Apple Watch Series 3 is a great watch for people on the go. It’s a bit pricier than your average smart watch, but the range of features it offers more than make up for it. The watch is easy to use, has a crisp, always-on color display, and is swim-proof.
3. Garmin Forerunner 45
Pros:
- Great as an entry level GPS running watch
- Glanceable screen shows key info like time of day, distance, pace, heart rate and calories
- Uploads and displays GPS running data on Garmin Connect online fitness community
- Optional heart rate monitor allows for highly accurate calorie burn estimate
- Very economical
Cons:
- Heart rate monitor must be purchased separately
- Not able to adjust settings
- Battery life is short
The Garmin Forerunner 45 is an affordable entry-level GPS running watch with a full range of running features.
It displays time of day, current stats like pace and distance, and offers digital read-outs of heart rate and lap pace.
This is a very simple watch to use, and the display is large enough to see at a glance without needing to get too close or slow down.
4. Polar M200 GPS Running Watch
Pros:
- Has a robust GPS system that tracks data
- Works seamlessly with Polar fitness apps
- The built-in heart rate monitor is accurate
- Lightweight and comfortable
- The battery life is excellent
Cons:
- Doesn’t alert you to incoming messages
- Doesn’t work on swimming laps
The Polar M200 GPS Running is a rugged and durable GPS watch designed specifically for runners. It is a smart watch, compatible with Android and iPhones. It also works exceptionally well with the Polar Flow app, which provides you with real-time performance data, stats, and various training reports. This watch is able to track and monitor your steps, distance, speed, pace, and calories.
The Polar M200 GPS Running Watch is equipped with the M-walk feature. It’s a motion sensor that counts your steps even when you’re not running. It is also equipped with a heart rate monitor and a sleep tracker which can be used to monitor your overall health.
One of the unique features of this device is the ability to automatically track your sleep duration and periods of movement. The watch also features a GPS tracker, which provides real-time GPS data. It works best when used in conjunction with a smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the cheapest GPS watch?
If you are trying to figure out the cheapest GPS watch, you will want to avoid devices that use Smartphone apps as GPS tracking is not advised for accuracy. You should also avoid very cheap devices mainly because they are not as durable as good quality GPS watches.
The GPS watches that should be at the top of your list are the Garmin Forerunner 35, Garmin Forerunner 235 and the Garmin Fenix 3. All three have GPS tracking and are in the low price range of GPS watches. All three of these watches have features that runners and athletes will need to reach their goals, such as heart rate monitors, average pace and distance traveled.
Which GPS watch is most accurate?
For the most part, GPS technology is extremely accurate. You really can’t complain on that front. What it really boils down to is making sure you choose a GPS watch with fast satellite acquisition and a large number of satellites it can connect to.
In a perfect world, a GPS watch should be able to track a user at all times. The best GPS watches on the market can do just that, even if they have held a slight position of their own.
What is the best cheap smartwatch?
These days smartwatches are dirt cheap.But some of these are better than others regarding specs.You don't have to worry about considering features or functionality.Because all of the smartwatch devices in this list are capable of doing most of the basic stuff plus a little more.
I think that Fenix 5 is the best budget smartwatch,which you can totally go for.Non other smartwatch than new Amazfit Bip could threaten the Garmin as the best budget watch for the money.On the other hand,Nexus is a more like a toy compared to others two.So just make a choice.
Are GPS watches worth it?
GPS watches offer a truly quantified means of tracking performance. They can create compelling data logs that one can use to improve his or her racing strategies or training methods.
GPS watches are also rather convenient and produces data that is more accurate than one could achieve on his own. For instance, a run on a treadmill will always be more accurate than a run outside through different terrains. The watch smoothes out the shifting landscape beneath you.
If you are a fitness buff or a professional athlete with a need for more scientific data, then a GPS watch is worth the investment.
However, you should also keep in mind that GPS watches are useless if you do not train with consistency. Sure you can monitor recording, but if you are not actually out running, the watch is basically useless.
Conclusion
There is a ton of options when it comes to the best GPS watch for your needs. This article will help you understand what options are available and what kinds of different features you need to look out for.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Coros APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch | Best Overall | |
| Polar M200 GPS Running Watch | Budget Pick | |
| Apple Watch Series 3 | Upgrade Pick | |