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Best GPS Heart Rate Watches for Running and Cycling

In most cases for the best GPS heart rate watch, getting accurate features means paying more bucks. There is another side to this fact that we are going unwrap. We don’t deny, accuracy requires a hefty price, but how to get the right one? That often confuses us. With that in mind, we bring compelling choices for you.

We have the six best GPS heart rate watches, which help you with all considerations regarding wellness, estimates VO2 max, calories burned, HR monitoring, and more. These watches are designed to push you towards your goals with the most convenience. With the hottest features, these models have matchless performance.

Let’s have a glance to find the best one for you.

Best GPS Heart Rate Watches

Everybody deserves great when the matter is health. In this regard, we have a distinctive list of the best GPS Heart rate watches.

When it comes to pushing your limits in triathlons, staying properly hydrated is crucial. But what should you consider for bike hydration? We’ve got you covered with expert insights on choosing the right hydration systems to keep you performing at your best.

Here we listed each model with its special features to help you get a quick look if you need quick recommendations. 

Image Product Price
EDITOR’S CHOICE

Fitbit Versa 2 – Editor Choice

Fitbit Versa 2

  • Get alerts.
  • Alexa built-in.
  • Highly Accurate.
CHECK BEST PRICE
FITNESS TRACKER

YAMAY SmartWatch – 4 Stylish Clock Faces

YAMAY Smart Watch

  • IP68 waterproof.
  • Real-time results.
  • Stylish appearance.
CHECK BEST PRICE
OS BY GOOGLE

Fossil Gen 5 – With a Swimproof Design

Fossil Gen 5

  • Elegant design.
  • GPS, HR, NFC sensor.
  • Efficient performance.
CHECK BEST PRICE
BEST TRI WATCH

GARMIN FORERUNNER 935 – Best Value Triathlon Watch

Garmin Forerunner 935

  • Premium construction.
  • Evaluates your training.
  • Precise GPS and HR tracking.
CHECK BEST PRICE
GPS RUNNING

Polar M430 GPS Running Watch - 24-by-7 Activity Tracking

Polar M430

  • Appealing design.
  • Optical HR Monitor.
  • 24/7 activities tracking.
CHECK BEST PRICE

1. Fitbit Versa 2 – Editor’s Choice

  • Get alerts.
  • Alexa built-in.
  • Highly Accurate.

Fitbit Versa 2 – Editor Choice

As far as the best GPS heart rate watch is concerned, our first choice would be Fitbit Versa 2. This watch has won thousands of hearts. It is no doubt the most beautiful by design and ultra-functional for athletes.

This watch is not hard to afford and the best alternative as compared to other high pricey watches. With lots of advanced features, it has easy stats to view on its wide display. You will also get the Fitbit to pay to get tracking of your sleep, quality of workouts, and much more. 

Best of all, its main features are GPS and HR monitoring. It ensures you the best experience of keeping tracking your activities 24/7.

Display

It has an AMOLED display as other watches of Fitbit have. It also comes with two types of always-on display, such as a digital and an analog. But you can use both in grayscale colors. However, its customization is limited. There is a small size of icons so you can touch them easily. 

With a simple, sleek, and groundbreaking design, it looks clean. It is low in weight, which makes it comfortable to wear. You can also wear it while sleeping and get a detailed analysis on the next day to improve your sleep.

Moreover, its square shape with rounded corners has lots of colors available to choose from.

Are Activities Tracked?

Probably, it is the most reviewed watch when it comes to the Best GPS heart rate watch under 200. It tracks your sleep, 24/7 heart rate, time asleep, calories, steps, and much more. You will be surprised to know how accurate the REM is provided by this watch. It tracks deep as well as light sleep stages and gets personal insights. 

You will like to get the notifications such as there is a green border for WhatsApp alerts and a blue for FB messenger. The standout feature is you can also respond to alerts. What’s more? It allows you to upload up to 300 songs in its built-in onboard memory.

Additionally, it allows connectivity to get the app to visualize your stats more clearly and improve your experience. Not only that, but you are also able to share your achievements.

Having to flick your wrist to your face, will display you the interface. Arguably, this feature is very hard to find, so there is no need to push any button. It is because it detects your face with no hassle.

Compatibility and Battery Life 

Essentially to know that it provides great compatibility with a smartphone by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Moreover, battery life is up to 6 days, and it is quick to recharge.

PROS

  • Highly durable.
  • Outstanding battery.
  • 24/7 Heart rate tracking.

CONS

  • Lack of customization

Overall, if you are looking for the most trusted watch with reliable features, The Fitbit Versa 2 is our top recommendation. It features built-in Amazon Alexa, controls lots of apps, built-in storage, heart rate tracking, gets alerts, and much more.


2. YAMAY Smart Watch – Fitness Tracker

  • IP68 waterproof.
  • Real time results.
  • Stylish appearance.

YAMAY SmartWatch – 4 Stylish Clock Faces

Lastly, we have the YAMAY SmartWatch that is offering high reliability. It has affordable features with a waterproof design and outstanding compatibility. The standout point is that it provides compatibility with both android and iPhone.

If you are looking for the best GPS Heart Rate watch, then you don’t need to look further because it helps you get better tracking to level up your fitness goals.

Counting your heart rate, pace, steps, sleep tracking, and so forth doubles up your efficiency. That’s the reason, it is the best GPS heart rate watch for triathletes

Display 

A high durable material has been used in its construction. It has a square face with slightly rounded corners. The mix of both plastic and rubber makes it hard to break. Along with the durability, it is pleasantly aesthetic. Its rugged manufacturing can withstand the rough environment.

This flexibility is not all. It also allows you to get colorful versions to maintain your style. There is an HD screen that provides easy-to-read readings in any situation and adjustable with sunshine. 

Best of all, it is IP68 waterproof. Hence, it can resist while washing hands, running, swimming, and raining. There is no need to face any hassle before going to take a shower. That’s also a plus point. 

Moreover, it comes with interchangeable bands, and stylish colors and colors are available to choose from that meet your style.

Are Activities Tracked?

This watch automatically tracks your activities, including steps, calories, HR, sleep stages, 14 exercise modes, and other workouts. To get the results of your activities, you can connect it to your smartphone, ensuring real-time outcomes.

There is also featured GPS tracking which shows pace and distance. Furthermore, it has a special sport mode to get detailed insight for most of your daily workouts. 

Again, its special feature which appeals so many eyes is its 14 modes tracking. This watch lets you select methods, including walking, jogging, running, cycling, and others, so you are able to enjoy a wide blend of activities with a single interface. 

Not only for men, but it also allows women to track their health. It lets you track the menstrual cycle to get the next ovulation so you can improve your health.

Furthermore, it allows you to get alerts from your social media apps if you are out of reach from your mobile.

Compatibility and Battery Life

It offers impressive connectivity for both Android and iOS. The battery life is also up to 12 hours on GPS mode, which may take a little less but worth it from the price perspective.

PROS

  • Flash light included.
  • Long lasting battery.
  • Lots of colors options.
  • Sensitive touch screen.

CONS

  • Not compatible with Samsung J series

With anodized aluminum construction, this watch is lightweight, simple, and offers blast performance. It has all the perks that you are looking for the best GPS Heart rate watch for running, cycling, swimming, and non-sport usage also. Not only that, the price is very cheap, which is awesome, unlike its competitors. 


3. Fossil Gen 5 – Wear OS by Google

  • Elegant design.
  • GPS, HR, NFC sensor.
  • Efficient performance.

Fossil Gen 5 – With a Swimproof Design

The Fossil Gen 5 GPS Watch is completing all of your expectations regarding GPS, heart rate, and a healthy set of features. Not only that, it is another throwaway wear as compared to OS watches.

There is no watch in its price range that delivers as best as it is doing. On the pleasant side, it has a simple design, performs well, and with more RAM and external speakers.

Let’s start to review what people liked or disliked.

Display 

Design-wise, it looks appealing with a classic appearance. Visually, its craftsmanship is on the top-notch. It is slim and smart with a round face and low in weight. And, it looks clean and outstanding on the wrist, so you can comfortably wear it all day long. It features an AMOLED display to get clear readings. 

In addition to its silky black display, it has comfortable straps. You can get so many varieties for the material of straps and colors. Indeed, you can choose the right one which attracts you the most. All of the styles are easy going and feel professional. 

More than that, you will receive notifications, measure your cardio and fitness levels, track your heart rate, listen to music, and more right at your wrist. The waterproof design allows swimming as well. 

Are Activities Tracked?

Fossil Gen 5 is designed to provide high performance, compelling features, and smart sensing. You can track your heart rate any time you are on the move due to it having an improved Heart Rate sensor.

Regardless of what you are doing, it detects you while walking, biking, or running. Not only that, you can choose to start workouts from a wide range of activities with a simple process by using your smartphone or watch sensor. Indeed, it enhances well-being levels. 

Best of all, Fossil enables NFC to pay contactless Google payments. You can use thousands of apps from assistant to fitness, games, news, sports, social media, and others. In either word, it also provides your alert so you can use functions when your phone is out of your reach.

Google fit allows counting your steps and burning calories with real-time progress. They feature tracks of sleep, and you will set your goals. The standout feature is its dedicated GPS tracker. It offers you to safely walk on your commute without needing to lug your phone. 

Compatibility and Battery 

For superior connectivity, it has smart sensing for devices. It runs up to 24 hours with ease. There is a multi-day extended mode. It takes only an hour to charge up to 80%. 

PROS

  • G Assistant.
  • Track fitness with health apps.
  • Health Coaching with Google Fit.

CONS

  • Battery is not so good.

With adequate battery life and line-up features, the Fossil Gen 5 is the best triathlon watch with heart rate monitor and GPS tracking at a surprising price range. With no doubt, it performs outstandingly and improves your performance to the next level.


4. Forerunner 935 – Best Tri GPS Watch

  • Premium construction.
  • Evaluates your training.
  • Precise GPS and HR tracking.

GARMIN FORERUNNER 935 – Best Value Triathlon Watch

Needless to say that, the Garmin Forerunner 935 Running Watch is the best triathlon watch you would ever find. It offers advanced running and multisport specifications, elevation changes, training status, advanced dynamics, and more. With wrist-based GPS and Heart rate monitoring, it ensures you will get accurate readouts. 

Best of all, it comes with a lightweight design and a long-life battery. Indeed, this watch uses useful metrics for nearly every indoor and outdoor activity.

Display 

It has pretty comfy and soft bands for long hours. With the average size, it ensures a snug fit. Sidebar buttons are easy to press with a round face and clear plastic cover. It ensures durability and anti-scratching.

When you unbox, you will see its shape, it is smart and rectangular with a charging cable and instructional manual. Using its USB cable, you can sync the watch with your computer using Garmin Express.

Are Activities Tracked?

For runners, it has advanced metrics. It provides tracking running, swimming, cycling by time balance, stride length, etc. You will get the best features that never let you regret that such as it offers lots of services.

It tracks pace, cadence, the elevation of loss, interval training, workout alerts, stride length, SWOLF, VO2 max, calories, training effects, sleep tracking, steps swimming, running, and more.

More than that, its optical HR sensor has the best accurate readings. We have compared this sensor as compared to other models available in the market, this one has no exception. Not only that, you can connect it to an external HR strap, power meter, and more. 

What else would you get? It allows notifications. You will get control over music and your smartphone using its ANT+ technology. However, you have to keep in mind that it doesn’t offer internal storage for music. 

On the bright side, this watch has a 5 plus rating from our side when it comes to GPS tracking. As it provides the best route to follow. Furthermore, it has also featured the compass, barometer, and altimeter to record the elevation accurately and timely.

Compatibility and Battery 

Last but not far least, it is compatible with android phones, and windows. The battery life runs up to a couple of weeks on watch mode and 24 hours on GPS mode. For added performance, it has UltraTrac mode that lasts up to 50 hours.

PROS

  • Soft and comfortable wear.
  • Easy to use.
  • Great battery life.

CONS

  • Doesn’t have onboard music.

All in all, if you want a premium multisport best GPS triathlon watch, then this version by Garmin is suggested for you. It provides a great number of advanced features with top-notch accuracy as well as elevates your changes so you can do better.


5. Polar M430 – GPS Running Watch

  • Appealing design.
  • Optical HR Monitor.
  • 24/7 activities tracking.

Polar M430 GPS Running Watch - 24-by-7 Activity Tracking

To be honest, the Polar M430 GPS Running Watch has lots of reasons which don’t deny adding it to the list of the best GPS Heart rate watches. It comes with improved features, unlike its predecessors.

It may not seem aesthetically attractive, but the beauty of its performance is hard to define hence why we reviewed it here. The basic functionality of this watch includes accurate GPS and HRM. It also provides running index analysis, long battery life so you can reach your activity goal easily. 

Display 

The square screen with slightly rounded corners offers nice looks. There are two color options with different sizes to choose from, so you can get the right fit. Its monochrome display is not hard to see. There are 5 buttons to set up, and super simple to use. That means you can easily use it manually since it doesn’t support touchscreen.

Fortunately, its thicker face has cooler steps. With silicone material, it is not only comfortable to feel, but its holes are offering ventilation. Having said that, you will wear it for long hours Without getting sweaty.

Not only that, it provides lots of customization to get a comfy view on its display when you are on the move.

Are Activities Tracked?

When it comes to tracking, it wins everyone’s heart. It provides the most accurate heart rate monitoring for serious athletes that helps you make their training better. Not only for sports, but it is also for the average person to monitor the heart rate to get highly precise results.

Its accuracy is due to 6 LEDs, which provide real-time analysis. It does also measure pulse while swimming, so you can get higher stability from it. For runners, it has allowed tracking steps count, calories burned, and more, hence, why it is the Best GPS heart rate watch under 200.

Out of the most compelling features, it has a high VO2 max indicator for better performance.  Unlike other GPS watches, it uses different technology. There is integrated SiRF Instant Fix Satellite prediction technology that offers great results. 

Hence, we have found that it is manufactured to create a better quality line of features for either runners or average people. For fun, it also has a memory of 8MB of Flash and vibrates for notifications.

Compatibility and Battery 

You will get compatibility for Polar M430 with H7 Heart rate monitor straps and Polar H10. It provides a great battery which runs more and requires less charge. On a single charge, it runs up to 30 hours, but GPS mode allows you to get 13 hours of battery.

PROS

  • Long battery life.
  • Waterproof design.
  • Great GPS tracking.
  • LED Heart rate sensors.

CONS

  • Doesn’t track sleep.
  • Monochrome display.

Nevertheless, the Polar M430 belongs to the best GPS Heart rate watches by providing an iconic yet minimalistic design. By tracking accurately, certainly, it is a step up to improve your fitness. It may not have cutting edge technology, but it will be fit when it comes to what is the best GPS heart rate watch. 


6. Coros PACE Multisport GPS Watch

  • Great compatibility.
  • 13 workouts modes.
  • UltraSync technology.

COROS Pace Review 2021

The Coros PACE Multisport GPS Watch has compelling features at a competitive price. Like Suunto, Polar, Garmin watches, it has a dime look with matchless performance. No one stops praising after viewing its appearance. It is admirable whether you use it indoors or outdoors.

Best of all, the Pace has allowed ultra-functionality for runners and triathletes who need exact accuracy without navigation. There are built-in training plans for swimming, running, triathlon, and other activities. Indeed, it ensures athletic performance to level up your fitness goals one step further.

Display

The premium quality watch has a big display that offers easy viewing. It is lightweight and doesn’t look bulky. WIth black background, it has text in white color which draws good attention. Also, the high-resolution display makes stats easy to read for activities. 

More than that, it comes with silicone bands that feel soft for long hours of wearing. The sleek and eye-catching design with comfortable bands allows you to wear over periods even in intense workouts. However, it doesn’t allow a quick-release option but the bands are removable easily.

Are Activities Tracked?

Nonetheless, the Pace is manufactured premium to offer incredible performance when you need it most. It has advanced design technology to estimate the statistics of swimming, running, cycling, and other sports with maximum reliability.

With a wrist-enabled optical heart rate monitor, it lets you keep tracking of your health. The COROS app offers customizability for heart rate monitoring and your reverse. There are features to get to know about the updates of post-training.

It ensures to let you provide your calories burned and intensity minutes. Furthermore, it elevates readings with a barometric altimeter in the most accurate format. Also, GPS is precise regardless of where you are.

Additionally, it has three colors to choose from with different size bands to get sung fit. However, it is a basic activity tracker but you can get known for steps, exercise time, and more. These features make your wellness great. 

Moreover, it supports notification alerts. You will receive vibration for notifications including texts, social media apps, and more. You can do phone calls right on your wrist. 

Compatibility 

Using UltraSync technology makes connectivity convenient, It makes better compatibility so you don’t have to spend long hours on your phone.

Now no longer need to worry about battery life. Is because of an innovative CPU system that is engineered to consume less power. Hence, it will work for up to 30 days on smartwatch mode and 24 hours on GPS mode.

PROS

  • Long battery life.
  • Accurate Readings.
  • Comfortable to wear.

CONS

  • Less customization

FAQs – Best GPS Heart Rate Watches

Is Having A GPS Heart Rate Watch Worth It?
Without any doubt, the best GPS Heart rate watch is worth every single penny. It lets you monitor the pace and distance accurately. It also makes running easier. You don’t need to carry your cell phone, and advanced GPS metrics allow step cadence and VO2 Max score. These are the most helpful features for serious athletes.
What Is The Best GPS Watch?
GPS determines your exact location, so it should be good to go with reliable features and companies. The wrist based GPS watch must ensure you have a solid track so you can get accurate readings. For this regard, it should have advanced metrics that efficiently estimate pace and distance.
Is Polar Smart Watch Better Than Garmin?
The Garmin watches have more features, and you can customize them. As well, the Garmin has gained fame over time because of their intuitive watch interfaces. Best of all, you will have various options to choose from Garmin brand.
On the other hand, polar watches are better for those who need to monitor their training time. Additionally, the polar company is known for making watches with a superior web interface.
Do Smartwatches With GPS Require Internet Connection?
No, GPS watches do not require an internet connection. The GPS watches require the signals from the satellite to work.

Final Verdicts

With all aspects of the best GPS heart rate watch, we have provided the most demanding features at any price. These watches are providing competitive features.

Whether you are an athlete or not, if you are looking at the accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring watch, then choose any of the above. These are designed to be the best when it comes to level up your fitness.

Thanks for the read!


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Jordan Carter

Eric Jordan

Writer | Triathlete

A writer by passion and a triathlete coach profession. In his free time, he swims, runs, cycles, and helps newbie athletes to achieve their goals.

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