10 of the best running watches in the UK

Newsflash: Running is hard. Unless you’re one of those rare and confusing individuals who just gets up and runs for miles, the act of hauling yourself up from the sofa and pounding the pavement for more than a few minutes is tough.This is why those who commit to this torturous hobby do everything they can to make it more bearable. Runners will often spend big on the comfiest trainers and snazziest leggings, all in the pursuit of a less painful experience.

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We’re not going to pretend that splashing out on all the best gear is going to instantly transform you into an elite athlete, but it could make a real difference. You can check out this website if you’re interested in learning more about these devices and their various accessories too – https://mobilemob.com.au/. Take running watches for example: These clever little devices are designed to optimise and personalise your training to improve your performance. Sounds helpful, right?

Some of the most basic running watches provide data on your step count, calorie burn, and distance travelled. The more advanced models can monitor your sleep, record your heart rate, and even track your running route so you can later analyse your elevation, speed, and much more. All of this data provides a clear picture of your masochistic practises.

Listen, we’re not suggesting that you start running regularly, because frankly that sounds like a lot of work. However, if you’re determined to get out there, you might as well make it easy on yourself. Get all the gear and have no idea, so at least you’ll look good when you’re crawling on your hands and knees. Plus, you’ll be able to measure how quickly you were running before you passed out.

We know this is all very persuasive and you’re probably sold on the idea of a running watch. That’s great, but which model will work best for you? It’s a tricky question that we have attempted to answer by tracking down some of the best options from top brands like Garmin, Fitbit, and Apple. Whether you’re just starting out or training to be the best, there should be something on this list for you.

These are the best running watches for 2020.

Best for multiple sports

The Good

Heart rate tracking • Receive texts, emails, calls, and social media alerts • VO2 max estimate • Race predictor • Recovery advisor • Multisport feature

The Bad

Pricey • Limited smart features

The Bottom Line

Great running watch for users who want to focus on sport and don’t require the smart features of Apple or Fitbit.

Garmin Forerunner 735XT

The multisport feature provides a seamless transition as you move between activities.

Battery life: 5 days
Weight: 45.4 grams
GPS: Yes
Water resistant: Yes

£299.99 from Amazon

The first name that comes to mind when you think about running watches is Garmin, and that’s because the brand has a number of great devices for runners of all abilities.

The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is probably your best option if you like to do more than just run, because of its automatic multisport feature that provides a seamless tracking transition as you move from the pool to the bike and from your bike to the track. The Forerunner 735XT is compatible with workouts for running, cycling, and pool swimming, meaning it’s perfect for triathletes.
When it comes to running specifically, this watch provides detailed information on stride length, ground contact time, and much more, presenting a clear picture of your style. This sort of detail could make all the difference.

Best for sleep tracking

The Good

Heart rate monitoring • Daily workout guidance • Nightly recovery measurement • Not too pricey

The Bad

Battery life could be better • Some connection issues reported

The Bottom Line

A running watch that cares about your recovery as well as your workout.

Polar Ignite

Follow your sleep stages and get detailed insights into your bedtime behaviour.

Battery life: 5 days
Weight: 35 grams
GPS: Yes
Water-resistant: Yes

£199.50 from Amazon

Polar is not as famous as brands like Garmin and Apple, but it’s definitely something to consider if you run regularly.

The Polar Ignite fitness watch comes with advanced wrist-based heart rate monitoring, integrated GPS, personalised daily workout guidance, and a nightly recovery measurement. This last feature is what sets this device apart from the competition, as the sleep tracker monitors your sleep stages and gives you feedback and a numerical sleep score. Recovery is important, guys.
The integrated GLONASS tracks your speed, distance, and route, with the FitSpark training guide offering ready-made on-demand workouts that match your recovery and readiness.

Best for apps

The Good

ECG feature • Always-on Retina display • Band colours • Running apps

The Bad

Sleep tracking

The Bottom Line

The Series 5 goes further than any smartwatch has gone before and should appeal to even the most hardcore runners.

Apple Watch Series 5

The Apple Watch offers a wide range of dedicated running apps.

Battery life: 18 hours
Weight: 36.7 grams
GPS: Yes
Water-resistant: Yes

£399 from Amazon

The Apple Watch Series 5 might not be specifically designed for runners, but it’s so advanced that it can get the job done.

You get access to a wide range of health and fitness features as well as dedicated running apps. No other device can really compete with this selection, and the likes of Strava, Runkeeper, and Nike+ Run Club can really help you to stay on top of your objectives.

This device is also a great option for runners due to its ECG, fall sensing, and emergency calling capabilities. If the watch detects something unsettling, it will let you know. Getting a warning like this from your watch could potentially save your life.

The always-on Retina display lets you see these all-important stats at a glance on the run without having to twist and hold your wrist in position, which is useful when you’re running hard.

Best for performance data

The Good

Rugged design • Detailed performance data • Three-axis compass, gyroscope, and barometric altimeter • Smart notifications

The Bad

Expensive

The Bottom Line

This is just about as good as it gets, but it will cost you dearly.

Garmin Fenix 6

Performance data includes training load balance, training status, and running and cycling dynamics.

Battery life: 120 days
Weight: 81.6 grams
GPS: Yes
Water-resistant: Yes

£475 from Amazon

The Garmin Fenix 6 multisport watch offers cutting-edge design and performance, and it’s just about the best running watch that money can buy.

It’s contoured for a seriously comfortable fit, with easy-to-access features that include enhanced heart rate monitoring, built-in activity profiles, VO2 max estimates, and much more. Plus, you can even get performance metrics and training load balance readings to see how you’re progressing (or not).

Satellite navigation and tracking functions combine with a three-axis compass and barometric altimeter to give you reliable readings even when you’re running off-road. No other running watch on this list can off