To assist you in choosing the ideal travel companion, we tested the top GPS watches from Apple, Garmin, Coros, Suunto, and other manufacturers.
The top 13 GPS watches, which our reviewers and testers spent the last 9 years testing, are listed in this review. A testing strategy that we’ve devised focuses on examining the features, battery life, usability, accuracy, and design. To provide you with the finest advice, we consider both the inside user interface and the external hardware. We examine a variety of use scenarios to assist you to choose the watch that will work best for your lifestyle and price range because we are aware that everyone has different objectives.
We can assist you whether you’re looking for new camping equipment or trekking accessories. From the most comfortable sleeping bags to the best hiking poles, we thoroughly test each item and provide reviews. We have also experimented with pairing your watch with a satellite messenger or solar charger if you want to go far away.
1. Apple Watch Ultra
The Apple Watch Ultra is strong when used with an iPhone. It’s a useful tool to be able to activate and use many of your phone’s features. The Interface on this device is easy to use and smooth, whether you’re conversing on the phone or sending a fast text. This particular model is what you need if you’ve been looking for a GPS-enabled smartwatch that is superior to the competition. It’s unquestionably the best designed, even though it’s not as “ultra” as some of the other more durable models.
The Ultra’s incredibly bright always-on display reduces battery life, and the modes don’t seem as specifically designed for athletes as some of the other models in our range, but the smart features easily outweigh the competition. This watch is for individuals who desire both superior GPS tracking and the features of an Apple Watch. This would be on our list if we could afford more than one watch, but it’s not our top pick for all outings. Yet, if you don’t require a battery life of more than a day, this can be the right device for you.
Pros:
- Leading-edge health metrics
- Premium materials and design
- Red-light functionality and the best watch face design for phone and SMS responses
Cons:
- Pricey and short battery life
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2. Coros Pace 2
When it comes to value, the Coros Pace 2 is unbeatable. The watch face is smaller, so it may suit even the tiniest wrists and hardly be felt. With superb fitness and health tracking tools, the features are streamlined to provide you with just what you need. It features an amazing design that is user-friendly and intuitive. No other watch offers a comparable degree of quality for the price. A speedier 100-mile run or another endurance event may be completed with the battery life, which in our tests lasted 29 hours. The Coros app is one of the most user-friendly user interfaces we’ve seen so far, and it also works on other platforms. There are no better places to look if you want a great offer.
Regrettably, this is not a watch with contactless payment or other high-end enhancements. Interestingly, it does include ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass) functions but does not have a breadcrumb trail map. The Garmin Forerunner 55, which is available for a comparable price, is a better option if you’re searching for the best software features. But, we wouldn’t suggest any other watch for individuals who aren’t as concerned with features and are simply looking for a simple, accurate watch with a long battery life.
Pros:
- Extraordinarily light
- Long battery life Excellent accuracy
- very user-friendly
Cons:
- only a few sports profiles
- plastic architecture
3. Garmin Fenix 7
The greatest GPS watch we’ve ever tested is the Garmin Fenix 7. This model is simple to use and accurate, with a battery life that will last throughout the majority of ultra-distance events. We favour the Garmin user interface since it offers a wealth of features that improve our time spent outside without being annoying or difficult to use. We appreciate the robust build quality, elegant design, and extra features like large music storage, Garmin Pay, in-car navigation, and integration with Garmin’s expansive online ecosystem.
Although this watch is excellent, many people will find alternative watches with fewer features at a lower price to be a better bargain. Time investment is also required to fully understand the feature options and how to configure them. The greatest GPS watch on the market now is this one, though, assuming you can afford it.
Pros:
- Excellent features and a UI
- Excellent battery for the majority of distances
- High-quality components and a tough design
- Dual-frequency GPS with an accuracy
Cons:
- The Pricey Garmin Connect app seems stale.
4. Coros Vertix 2
If battery life is your top concern, the Coros Vertix 2 is your best choice. This large, robust watch has all the features you need to get ready for your upcoming excursion, including a pulse oximeter, touch screen, breadcrumb trail, several workout profiles, workout creation, route navigation, and more. Extreme adventurers who need their power to endure all day and all night love it since it has the best battery life of any watch in our collection.
The 51mm size of this watch may not be to everyone’s taste, even though we adore it. It might not be the best option for people who run or participate in other activities that require a lot of arm movement because of how heavy it is owing to the size of the case and the limitless battery life. The cost is also significantly higher than that of the superior alternatives, the Coros Pace 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 955. Nevertheless, if you prefer this model’s commanding appearance, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed; it’s great for trekking and we can imagine it working well in adventure circumstances.
Pros:
- GPS and smartwatch battery life that leads the industry
- Outstanding precision across all profiles
- Simple to operate with a fluid and accurate scroll wheel
- Large screen and tough appearance in a slim casing
Cons:
- The complete user interface does not support the expensive touchscreen
5. Garmin Forerunner 955
Advanced features include turn-by-turn directions, various industry-leading health measures, and multi-band GPS available with the Garmin Forerunner 955. Although this model is very lightweight, it nevertheless has an all-day battery life that should be adequate for the majority of users. This watch is simple to use in a variety of situations thanks to a touch screen and specific buttons. The best sensors are those made by Garmin, which deliver precise measures like BPM, HRV, and sleep analysis.
While compact, this model’s design feels a little less sturdy because it doesn’t have any metal components. You could like some of the designs used by the competition if you want your watch to stand out more and appear a little more robust. Garmin also needs to update its accompanying mobile app, which is older and more difficult to use than the Coros or Apple counterparts. Yet, if you want all the newest features without spending a fortune, this model is for you.
Pros:
- slim, light design
- GPS and precise health sensor Advanced health metrics
Cons:
- Lower battery life than the competition
- Fewer premium materials
