Comparison of the 9 best connected sports watches of 2026!

If you've ever dreamed of a watch that could not only tell you the time, but also tell you where to go, how to get there, and even how many calories you burned on the way, then you've come to the right place. Here's our comparison of the best connected sports watches, where we put tech giants Garmin, Suunto, Polar, Coros, and Samsung to the test. Spoiler: one of these GPS watches can even survive a trip to Mars (almost)! So fasten your seatbelts, or rather, your wristbands, and let's see which of these beauties really deserves to shine on your wrist.

Summary of the comparison of the best connected sports watches

Premium / High-End Sports Watches

• Garmin Epix Sapphire Titanium: Visual excellence
• Coros Vertix 2S: The Best Coros Sports Smartwatch
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: The Ultimate Smart Sports Watch
• Polar Grit X2 Pro: The Best Sports Watch for Connected Health Tracking
• Summary Table of the Best Premium Sports Smartwatches

Best smartwatches for Running & Triathlon Comparison

• Garmin Forerunner 265: Garmin's Best Running Watch
• Suunto Run - All the Essentials for Hardcore Runners
• Polar Vantage V3: The Best Heart Rate Tracking Sports Watch
• Coros Pace 4: The Best Value-for-Money Running Watch
• Summary Table of the Best Running & Triathlon Smartwatches

Top 5 high-end multisport connected watches

This comparison of the 9 best connected sports watches starts with the best top-of-the-range multisport connected watches. The 5 models below are the best each manufacturer has to offer in terms of quality of materials, durability, technology... So get ready to discover watches that not only guide you, but can also save your life (or at least prevent you from getting lost in the woods)!

Garmin Epix Sapphire Titanium: Visual excellence

The Garmin Epix Sapphire Titanium represents the pinnacle of Garmin technology for those who refuse to sacrifice aesthetics for performance. Its most disruptive feature is the high-resolution AMOLED touchscreen display, which delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. This allows the preloaded TopoActive mapping to be viewed with smartphone-level clarity, even under direct sunlight. As the Sapphire edition, the watch features an ultra-resistant sapphire crystal lens and a titanium bezel that significantly reduces weight compared to steel versions, while maintaining military-grade durability (810G standard) against thermal shock, impacts, and water (10 ATM).

On the technical side, this model stands out with its SatIQ™ technology and multi-band GPS, which automatically selects the most precise satellite mode for your surroundings to optimize battery life without losing pinpoint geolocation in dense forests or urban canyons. For the serious athlete, it offers cutting-edge metrics such as Real-time Stamina, which monitors and tracks exertion levels during a workout, and the Morning Report, which summarizes sleep quality, recovery, and training readiness as soon as you wake up. Additionally, it includes premium everyday features like contactless payments via Garmin Pay and the ability to store hundreds of songs, allowing you to train completely phone-free.

Coros Vertix 2S, the best connected sports watch by coros

Updated in April 2024, the Vertix 2S is the latest top-of-the-range model from Coros. This Coros watch is an excellent choice of connected sports watch in 2024, although unlike the other competitors in this comparison, it doesn't differentiate in any particular area. It doesn't have as long a battery life as the Suunto Vertical, but it's much better than the Galaxay Watch Ultra. It doesn't have an OLED screen, but it does have a good LCD screen... In other words, this Coros isn't the best in any one area, but it's good all round. In a way, it's one of the most versatile in this comparison with the Fenix 7.

Like its competitors, the Vertix 2S features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and titanium bezel, making it extremely robust. It can withstand temperatures from -30°C to 50°C and water pressure of up to 10 ATM (100 metres), making it perfect for the most demanding environments. The Vertix 2S is a compromise between price, ease of use, battery life...

Samsung galaxy Watch Ultra, the most connected of sports watches

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung's latest innovation, released in July 2024. With this Ultra, Samsung has decided to target the sports enthusiasts market, competing with the leaders in the field of GPS watches dedicated to sport, such as Garmin, Suunto, Polar and Coros. Samsung has therefore taken the gamble of adding functions dedicated to extreme sports, such as resistance to temperatures ranging from -20°C to +55°C, as well as resistance to altitudes of up to 9,000 m, making it suitable for almost all conditions.

The Korean brand has also added physical buttons, which are very practical underwater or when wearing gloves - in other words, practical when you're doing sport. Despite this, Samsung hasn't forgotten its roots. So this watch is our champion when it comes to technology.

In fact, in this comparison, it has the best screen (Super AMOLED with 480 x 480 pixels), which is hardly surprising when you consider that the brand is the world's largest manufacturer of displays. But the Galaxy Watch Ultra is also the only watch that can work without a phone, thanks to a 4G connection. What's more, the Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on Wear OS 5.0, the latest version of Google's operating system, unveiled in May 2024. So it will undoubtedly be the best operating system of the watches in this comparison.

However, all these features together mean that it has the worst battery life of the best high-end connected watches in this comparison. If you're an ultra-trail runner, this isn't the watch for you. This watch is more for sports geeks. It's worth noting, however, that as a Samsung watch, it connects perfectly well to the Samsung universe (Galaxy AI, Samsung Galaxy Fold...). But Apple fans, you won't be able to take advantage of it...
 

Polar Grit X2 Pro, the best sports watch in terms of connected health

Unlike other watches that focus on maximum endurance or advanced connectivity features, the Grit X2 Pro stands out for its in-depth monitoring of health and performance settings. With its Polar Elixir technology and fourth-generation sensors, it provides comprehensive analysis of vital vitals, including heart rate, blood oxygen saturation and recovery levels. This accuracy is essential for athletes looking to optimise every aspect of their training.

In addition to its ruggedness and resistance to the elements, the Grit X2 Pro is equipped with offline maps and a breadcrumb trail function, providing reliable navigation tools for adventurers. Its high-resolution AMOLED display ensures clear visibility of data even in direct sunlight, while its WR100 certification guarantees flawless performance in aquatic environments.

The combination of these features makes the Polar Grit X2 Pro a unique watch for those looking not only for robustness and durability, but also for a detailed and strategic analysis of their physical performance.

Summary table of the best top-of-the-range connected sports watches

Here's a summary table comparing the best top-of-the-range connected sports watches to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Comparison of the best connected watches for running/triathlon

Welcome to the (running) race! Having explored the heights of top-of-the-range watches, let's take a look at what different brands are offering in the way of watches designed specifically for running. So, ready to run with the best? Don't worry, these watches won't judge you if you end up walking a little... or a lot.

Garmin Forerunner 265, the best triathlon watch

We kick things off with the Garmin Forerunner 265 lineup. This model stands out as the top choice for experienced runners or anyone looking for a high-performance smartwatch within the Forerunner range—without the maps and features of the 965, which almost rival the Fenix series. On the other end of the spectrum, the 165, with its limited storage space and lack of built-in music, remains more basic, but serves as an excellent option for a watch solely dedicated to running.

During our test of the Garmin Forerunner 265, Alice Michel, our ambassador and accomplished athlete, was won over by the watch's lightweight feel and comfort. Despite its extensive feature set—including a customizable AMOLED touchscreen—the Forerunner 265 remains surprisingly light, making it perfect for long runs. The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are seamless, making it easy to sync data and listen to music phone-free.

The battery life is impressive, requiring a recharge only once a week for daily use. The watch also features a "morning report" that details sleep quality and recovery, offering personalized insights to optimize your training.

In short, the Garmin Forerunner 265 strikes the perfect balance between advanced features and user-friendliness, making it the ideal pick for runners seeking performance and comfort without unnecessary fluff.

Suunto Run - All the Essentials for Hardcore Runners

While Garmin continues to make its watches increasingly connected—and often more expensive—with models like the Forerunner 570 (incorporating features like speakers or a flashlight on certain high-end models), Suunto takes a different approach with the Suunto Run. Much like the Suunto Race in the outdoor segment, the Suunto Run focuses strictly on the essentials for runners: offering a highly competitive watch at a fair price without compromising on core functionalities.

Specially engineered for runners, the Suunto Run is extremely lightweight (only 36 grams) and delivers an impressive battery life for its class. It allows you to focus entirely on your training, providing absolutely solid performance metrics with up to 12 days of battery life in daily use and up to 20 hours of training with high-precision dual-band GPS.

A total of 34 sports modes are available, 5 of which are dedicated exclusively to running. The Marathon profile is a particularly exciting feature: you set a target distance (5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon) and receive a real-time prediction of your finish time during the run.

To promote smarter training and enhanced recovery, the Suunto Run monitors your training load, measures your post-workout heart rate, and calculates your Training Stress Score (TSS). Thanks to multi-band GPS, route tracking is exceptionally accurate, and all metrics are comprehensively analyzed in the Suunto App, which also includes support for third-party applications.

Finally, a major feature that many runners have long requested is on board: an integrated MP3 player with local music storage. This allows you to leave your smartphone at home and listen to your favorite music directly through Bluetooth headphones, complete with full Bluetooth audio control.

Polar Vantage V3: The Best Heart Rate Tracking Sports Watch

The Polar Vantage V3 stands out as a benchmark running watch for athletes seeking unmatched heart rate accuracy. Thanks to its built-in electrocardiogram (ECG)—a rare feature among its competitors—it delivers clinical-grade heart rate analysis, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious sports enthusiasts.

Powered by Polar Elixir™ biosensing technology, this watch combines multiple sensors to analyze essential biological markers. The SpO2 sensor measures blood oxygen saturation, while skin temperature is tracked precisely to provide a comprehensive overview of your overall well-being. The 1.39-inch AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors and flawless readability, even under direct sunlight.

The Vantage V3 is engineered for high-performance running, featuring dual-frequency GPS, offline topographic maps, and a battery life that reaches up to 53 hours in training mode. Beyond tracking your active performance, it actively optimizes your recovery through specialized tools like the orthostatic test, ensuring a perfect balance between hard training and proper rest.

Built to be both robust and comfortable, the watch is crafted from an aerospace alloy paired with a curved Gorilla Glass 3.0 lens and an ergonomic silicone strap.

Coros Pace 4: The Best Value-for-Money Running Watch

We have specifically selected the Coros Pace 4 due to its highly interesting evolution compared to the Pace 3, highlighted by the integration of an AMOLED display. While the battery life decreases slightly as a result, it maintains an accessible price point and integrates technologies typically reserved for more premium models, cementing itself as one of the best value-for-money options on the market.

The upgrade in display quality is clear: while maintaining the 1.2-inch size, the resolution jumps from 240 x 240 to 390 x 390 pixels. This marks a significant difference compared to previous generations that used Memory LCD screens. Nevertheless, the choice of a fiber-reinforced polymer body and mineral glass (instead of the sapphire crystal found in the Apex lineup) reflects a logical compromise to keep the retail price competitive.

Battery life remains one of the strongest arguments for this model. Despite the AMOLED screen, it achieves up to 41 hours in standard GPS mode (with all systems active), which is more than enough for several long outings or even ultramarathons. In the more precise dual-frequency mode, the runtime drops to 31 hours, which is still ample for the vast majority of runners. For daily use, the watch offers up to 19 days of battery life (or roughly 6 days with Always-On mode enabled).

Additionally, the watch incorporates a highly accurate dual-frequency GNSS chip and an enhanced optical heart rate sensor compared to the Pace 3, featuring larger LEDs to reduce measurement errors. A new addition is the built-in microphone for voice notes; however, it does not support phone calls and is strictly intended for recording quick reminders. For offline music playback, 4 GB of internal storage is available. In short, this watch delivers virtually everything needed for running—and more—at a very competitive price, positioning itself as a solid alternative to significantly more expensive sports watches.

Summary Table of the Best Running & Triathlon Smartwatches

In conclusion, whether you are a seasoned athlete or a tech enthusiast looking to boost your performance, there is a premium running or multisport smartwatch perfectly tailored to your needs. Each model in this comparison offers a unique set of features and distinct technologies. Make the right choice and let your watch become your ultimate, indispensable running partner!