Search Categories

1

Why We Love It

Runners praise the Garmin Forerunner 245 for its advanced running metrics, helping them train more effectively. The safety features, especially the incident detection, gives users peace of mind during their runs. Despite its advanced features, users find the watch user-friendly and the personalized training plans incredibly useful.

Pros

  • Advanced running metrics
  • Safety and tracking features
  • Personalized training plans

Cons

  • Shorter battery life in GPS mode
  • No offline music storage in base model

Garmin Forerunner 245 is a GPS-enabled running smartwatch.

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a powerful running smartwatch that allows you to track your stats, monitor your progress, and train smarter. Its advanced features include VO2 max estimation, training status with adjustments for heat, recovery time, and aerobic and anaerobic training effects. The watch also offers safety and tracking features like incident detection, which sends your real-time location to emergency contacts.

2

Why We Love It

Users and experts appreciate the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music for its advanced running dynamics and metrics. Its ability to store and play music directly from the watch is a key selling point. The Pulse Ox sensor is praised for providing additional insight into your fitness level. Additionally, its lightweight and comfortable design makes it great for long runs.

Pros

  • Advanced running metrics
  • Music storage
  • Pulse Ox sensor

Cons

  • No payment feature
  • May be complex for beginners

GPS enabled running smartwatch with music storage

The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a smartwatch designed specifically for runners. It provides advanced running dynamics, including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio, and more. It also has a wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor to measure your body's oxygen saturation. The smartwatch can store up to 500 songs and sync with music streaming services.

3

Why We Love It

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is praised by users and experts for its advanced running metrics and customized training plans. Its accurate GPS tracking and safety features are highly valued by runners. It's also highly rated for its comfortable design and battery life. Above all, it's the personalized insights that really make this a favorite among serious runners.

Pros

  • Advanced running metrics
  • Personalized training plans
  • Safety features

Cons

  • No built-in music storage in the base model
  • Limited smart features

Sophisticated GPS running smartwatch with advanced performance insights.

Garmin Forerunner 245 is a smartwatch designed for runners, offering advanced performance metrics like VO2 max, training status, and aerobic and anaerobic training effect. It also offers a personalized training plan with adaptive training guidance. Equipped with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems for precise tracking. Safety and tracking features include incident detection and assistance, which sends your real-time location to emergency contacts.

4

Why We Love It

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is highly regarded by runners for its comprehensive running metrics and customizable workouts. Users love its accurate GPS and heart rate monitor. The ability to receive smart notifications directly on the watch is also well received. Furthermore, the watch's lightweight and comfortable design is often praised.

Pros

  • Advanced running metrics
  • Customizable workouts
  • Smart notifications

Cons

  • No music storage in base model
  • Shorter battery life than competitors

Customizable running smartwatch with advanced performance metrics.

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a GPS running smartwatch with advanced features tailored to improve your running performance. It tracks your pace, distance, and provides insights on running form. The watch also includes a wrist-based heart rate monitor and a Pulse Ox sensor for advanced sleep monitoring. It allows you to create custom workouts and has smart notification capabilities when paired with a smartphone.

5

Why We Love It

Users love the Fitbit Versa 3 for its range of health-centric features, such as sleep and heart rate tracking. The built-in GPS is a consistent favorite, providing accurate tracking for workouts. Users also appreciate the long battery life, which allows for multiple days of use. The addition of voice assistant capabilities is also well-received, adding convenience to everyday tasks.

Pros

  • Built-in GPS
  • Sleep Tracking
  • Long Battery Life

Cons

  • Limited third-party apps
  • No offline Spotify playback

Smartwatch with GPS, heart rate, and voice assistant

The Fitbit Versa 3 is a health and fitness smartwatch with built-in GPS, heart rate tracking, and voice assistant. It also tracks your sleep stages and gives you a Sleep Score. The watch has a 6+ day battery life and is water-resistant. You can also control your Spotify app and make secure purchases with Fitbit Pay.

6

Why We Love It

The Polar M430 is loved by runners for its advanced training features and accurate GPS and heart rate monitor. Users appreciate the detailed sleep tracking and long battery life, especially during marathons or long training sessions. Despite its bulky design, it's praised for its durability and reliability.

Pros

  • Advanced running features
  • Wrist-based heart rate monitor
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Bulky design
  • Limited smart features

Robust running watch with GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitor.

Polar M430 is a running watch with GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitor. It offers advanced training features including running programs, running index, and sleep plus tracking. It's waterproof and has a lightweight design for comfort during long runs. It can also provide phone notifications and has a long battery life of up to 30 hours with GPS active.

7

Why We Love It

The Garmin Vívoactive 4 is highly praised by users and experts for its versatility, offering built-in sports apps and comprehensive health monitoring. Users love the convenience of contactless payments, smart notifications, and music storage. The various tracking features, especially the Body Battery energy monitor, are also highly appreciated by users.

Pros

  • Built-in sports apps
  • Comprehensive health monitoring
  • Contactless payments

Cons

  • Battery life could be better
  • Requires proprietary charging cable

Feature-rich smartwatch with GPS and built-in sports apps.

Garmin Vívoactive 4 is a GPS smartwatch with built-in sports apps, including strength, cardio, yoga, and Pilates workouts. It offers comprehensive health monitoring such as respiration tracking, Body Battery energy monitor, stress tracking, sleep tracking, heart rate monitor, and more. It also provides smart notifications, music storage, safety and tracking features, and Garmin Pay contactless payments.

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 3 Products Updated Oct 03, 2025
Product Built-in GPS Music Storage Pulse Ox Sensor Safety Features Sleep Tracking Battery Life
2 Garmin Forerunner 245 Music, GPS Running Smartwatch
Yes Up to 500 songs Yes No No Up to 7 days
2 Garmin Forerunner 245, GPS Running Smartwatch
Yes No offline storage No Yes No Up to 7 days
5 Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch
Yes Control Spotify app No No Yes 6+ days
2

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music, GPS Running Smartwatch

Built-in GPS
Yes
Music Storage
Up to 500 songs
Pulse Ox Sensor
Yes
Safety Features
No
Sleep Tracking
No
Battery Life
Up to 7 days
2

Garmin Forerunner 245, GPS Running Smartwatch

Built-in GPS
Yes
Music Storage
No offline storage
Pulse Ox Sensor
No
Safety Features
Yes
Sleep Tracking
No
Battery Life
Up to 7 days
5

Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch

Built-in GPS
Yes
Music Storage
Control Spotify app
Pulse Ox Sensor
No
Safety Features
No
Sleep Tracking
Yes
Battery Life
6+ days

Frequently Asked Questions About Smart Fitness Devices

What makes a smart fitness devices the "best"?

We evaluate products based on quality, performance, value for money, user reviews, durability, and ease of use. Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect the latest market offerings and user feedback.

How often do you update your smart fitness devices recommendations?

Our team continuously monitors the market for new products and updates our recommendations quarterly. We also adjust rankings based on user feedback and new testing results.

Do you test all the products you recommend?

Yes, whenever possible, we physically test products in our labs. For products we can't test directly, we rely on verified user reviews, expert opinions, and detailed specifications to make informed recommendations.

What if I'm looking for a specific type of smart fitness devices?

Our top 10 list covers the most popular and highly-rated options. If you have specific requirements, check our detailed product descriptions and pros/cons to find the best match for your needs.