The best running watch for any budget in 2022

The Apple Watch is the leader for third-party apps, providing more ways to train. Garmin is the best choice for connecting accessories. Higher-end models can hook up to a wide array of ANT+ sensors, from heart rate chest straps to bike turbo trainers and foot pods. 

Is a running watch better than an Apple Watch?

A recent-generation Apple Watch actually makes a great runner’s watch. It has good GPS, excellent water resistance, one of the best wrist-worn heart sensors around and a very bright screen. 

Battery life is the most obvious Apple Watch issue for runners. While the Watch has enough juice for a marathon, or two if you’re quick, if you use it for longer runs you will find that GPS tracking eats into the battery and makes this smartwatch’s already limited stamina even shorter. Some running watches can last a couple of weeks, rather than the day or so you get from an Apple Watch. 

Garmin watches in particular offer some specific benefits here. Its specialist runner’s watches have screens that thrive off ambient light, rather than competing with it like a smartwatch, so long stretches outdoors don’t make the display drain more power. 

Are running watches accurate?

A good running watch provides a decent illusion of accuracy. These watches use a series of algorithms to patch-up error-strewn readings from a series of sensors on your wrist. We ask a lot of these watches, given they only really interface with a few square inches of skin on one part of the body. 

GPS location data is probably the most reliable stat of a watch, because it is not significantly affected by the motion of running. Heart rate reliability varies wildly between models, and Apple’s Watch Series 6 heart rate sensor is one of the best around. 

Step counting remains something of a mess, because there are choices to make about which movements that look (to a motion sensor) like steps to discard. And what might be more accurate approach for one person in situation A may lead to less accurate results for a serial gesticulator in situation B. In other words, don’t claim your step count is more accurate than your similarly tall friend’s just because your watch cost more. 

In summary, GPS is almost universally useful and heart rate accuracy is a key area in which spending more often provides better results. And as features like stress tracking and VO2 Max rely on heart rate readings, that is particularly important. 

Which running watches connect to Strava?

Watch manufacturers that let you transfer your data to Strava easily include Apple, Garmin, Polar Fitbit and Suunto. 

Huawei, Realme and Xiaomi do not let you link directly to Strava, but there are workarounds. Third-party apps like Health Sync can bounce data between platforms, so this need not be a reason to discount a manufacturer entirely. 

Can you use a running watch for swimming?

5ATM water resistance is the spec to look for in a watch suitable for swimming. Most fitness trackers from big brands now offer this, even the cheap ones. 

IP68 wearables are not recommended for use in the pool. While they may have been tested for submersion at a swim-ready depth, swimming involves greater water pressure because you will be moving. 

How good a watch is for swim tracking varies by model. Some will have an outdoors mode using GPS, and an indoor one that uses motion sensors to count laps. Non-touchscreen watches will work best for swim-tracking, as capacitive touchscreens don’t work underwater.