Whether you need a watch for getting in shape or training for a big marathon, having one of the best running watches in 2022 will help you keep track of your progress. These watches will help you see how far you can go and how fast you can go.
Most running watches have GPS tracking as well as heart rate monitoring. However, the best running watches in 2022 are ale to back other sports as well, including cycling and hiking. In addition, most of them are water-proof so in case of a rainstorm, you do not have anything to worry about. If you want to have the premium options, you need to pay more. These extra features can include customized workouts, music storage, greater smartphone abilities, as well as a battery that can work for long periods of time. There are variety of sizes available and some watches can be better for smaller wrists or using on a daily basis. TechTrends have made a list of the best running watches in 2022, considering their ease of use, design, battery life, as well as other features. Here we go.
Best Running Watches in 2022
If you use one of the best running watches in 2022, you can reach your goals faster that before; whether it is just running for getting in shape or getting ready for a marathon. There are a variety of options at your disposal, so finding the one that best fits your needs is not an easy task. TechTrends is here to help you make a wiser decision, so without further ado, let’s get to the list.
- Garmin Forerunner 255 Music: Best running watch overall
- Garmin Forerunner 55: Garmin’s best entry-level running watch
- Garmin Forerunner 955: Best running watch for triathletes
- Coros Vertix 2: Best Coros running watch
- Fitbit Sense 2: Best running Fitbit
- Polar Vantage V2: Best running watch for monitoring recovery
- Apple Watch Ultra: Best Apple running watch
- Garmin fenix 7 series: The best outdoors Garmin watch
- Garmin Venu 2 Plus: The best Garmin smartwatch
1. Garmin Forerunner 255 Music
Specifications:
- Battery Life in GPS mode: 5 hours (with music), 30 hours (without music)
- Size: 42mm and 46mm
- Weight: 39g and 49g
- Water Resistance: 5ATM
- Music Storage: Up to 500 songs
- Workout Recommendations: Yes
- Sleep Tracking: Yes
- Smartphone Notifications: Yes
- Mobile Payments: Yes
According to the article of the best running watches in 2022, the best pick is Garmin Forerunner 255 Music. You can have everything you are looking for in this watch, starting from correct tracking to music controls to creating custom workouts, all for a price as much as an Apple Watch. You can also access Garmin’s training metrics that will offer you help in planning workouts and recovery time. In addition, the transflective display is quite easy to read even when there is a light of light, such as direct sunlight. Furthermore, with only pushing a button, you can resume or pause a run, which helps you pay attention to the trail or road rather than losing focus while watching your watch. The battery will also last for a few sessions of workout, even if you play music.
Although the advance health options are usually for the more expensive watches made by Garmin. It also has the newest Elevate V4 sensor of Garmin brand, with the green light recording heart rate, while the red light records the oxygen level of the blood. This sensor has the capability to measure the rate of breathing as well as HRV, and stress. When in triathlon mode, it is able to track multisport training sessions. This improvement makes this watch even more fantastic than it already is. This is one of the greatest running watches in 2022.
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2. Garmin Forerunner 55
Specifications:
- Heart rate monitor: Yes
- GPS : Yes
- Water resistance: 50 meters
- Display: 08-inch MIP
- On-board music: No
- Mobile payments: No
- Sleep tracking: Yes
- Battery life: 14 days/20 hours with GPS
If you are getting interested into running, having a device that can be used as a basic fitness tracker is a wise choice. However, Garmin Forerunner 55 is not going to overwhelm you with many options. It is one of the best running watches in 2022. It is a clear choice considering all the options Garmin watches provide. This entry-level fitness watch, the Garmin Forerunner 55, is a replacement for the 45 version. Although the design is very similar to the one that came before, Garmin added some useful changes, including more advanced changes that usually the more expensive watches have. The new PacePro technology of Garmin is used in this watch, which provides you with gentle speed and cadence alerts when you are on the run.
In addition, there are recommendations for recovery time and workouts, according to your history of training, your fitness levels and recovery. Therefore, this makes it different from other alternatives with similar price that do not offer custom plans of coaching. However, it does not support music storage, mobile payment, or third-party apps. The display is relatively small, a little more than 1 inch. If you need a cheaper version though, then buy its predecessor as the release of the Forerunner 55 put it in sale.
3. Garmin Forerunner 955
Specifications:
- Heart rate monitor: Yes
- GPS : Yes
- Water resistance: 50 meters
- Display: 3-inch AMOLED display
- On-board music: Yes
- Mobile payments: Yes
- Sleep tracking: Yes
- Battery life GPS mode: 42 hours/49 hours with solar
The next one on the list of the best running watches in 2022 is the Garmin Forerunner 955, which is an updated version of the Forerunner 945. If you don’t know which version to buy, keep reading to see the upgrades made to this version of the watch. This watch has two versions, one that is solar, the other that is non-solar. Just like its name shows, the solar version has a Power Glass screen, which can get the power of the Sun in order to give the watch more battery life. The solar version of this watch is capable of working for about 20 hours when in smartwatch mode, 49 hours if in GPS mode with no music, and 110 hours if it is in Ultratrac mode.
When you are running, it is easy to read and navigate with the help of the watch. When you are not running, the creator added a touchscreen to make it appear more like a smartwatch. In addition, there are a lot of impressive training metrics such as the new Training Readiness metric. This is an incredible running watch and one of the best running watches of 2022, showing all the features of the Fenix 7 but in a cheaper price.
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4. Coros Vertix 2
Specifications:
- Battery Life in GPS mode: 140 hours
- Size: 3mm, 89g
- Water Resistance: 328 feet
- Music Storage: Yes
- Workout Recommendations: Yes
- Sleep Tracking: Yes
- Smartphone Notifications: Yes
- Mobile Payments: No
Coros made a very incredible running watch in order to compete with watches like Garmin Fenix 7. While the Fenix 7 has three various diameter choices, including 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm, and many editions to be suitable for every budget, need and wrist size, Vertix 2 has only one model, with a case diameter of 50.3mm to 47mm with the first Vertix. The Coros Vertix 2 does not have a solar version, however. This watch can do whatever you need it to do as it is made for multi-day adventures. The battery life is very impressive, which can last for 240 hours if put in UltraMax GPS mode. The screen of the watch is protected against hits and knocks with the help of a reinforced bezel.
Although this is a great choice for a very heavy marathon training plan, if you do not have any plans for skiing, going off-road, and swimming, you can find more budget watches available on the list of the best running watches in 2022.
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5. Fitbit Sense 2
Specifications:
- Battery Life in GPS mode: 12 hours
- Size: 58 inches, 1.7 oz
- Water Resistance: 165 feet
- Music Storage: No
- Workout Recommendations: Yes
- Sleep Tracking: Yes
- Smartphone Notifications: Yes
- Mobile Payments: Yes
It does not necessarily mean that a smartwatch can be a good running watch. If you have sweaty fingers or have gloves on, it is harder to use the touchscreen. The battery life is not long, just a few days. The display will not be on all the time and you can look at it by shaking your wrist and pressing a button. Fitbit Sense 2 is one of the best running watches in 2022. Although this smartwatch does not let you make untethered phone calls that you are able to do with Apple Watch Series 8, the health and fitness options are better. The company made a premium smartwatch that has an advance health and wellness options. The ECG sensor and blood oxygen reading is approved by FDA.
The Sense is able to measure electrodermal activity as well as skin temperature. In comparison with the first Fitbit Sense, the Sense 2 has a better design, interface and EDA sensor, being the best Fitbit smartwatch on the market.
6. Polar Vantage V2
Specifications:
- Battery Life in GPS mode: 40 hours
- Size: 46mm, 51g
- Water Resistance: 330 feet
- Music Storage: No
- Workout Recommendations: Yes
- Sleep Tracking: Yes
- Smartphone Notifications: Yes
- Mobile Payments: No
Polar Vantage V2 is one of the best running watches in 2022, which will help you avoid overtraining, which is one of the main causes of running injuries. This watch is designed in a way that it helps users recover from serious injuries. This is a great option although some smartwatch functionalities are lower. Following a run, the Polar Vantage V2 can be helpful in doing a Leg Recovery test, which shows how much time is needed for rest before the next hard run. While other watches have recovery suggestion, the Polar Vantage V2 offers metrics that are specific to legs. Moreover, there is a Nighty Recharge feature that puts sleep quality in the recovery context.
Another feature that is impressive is the training plans. You can create plans for training by plugging workout data into Polar Flow and then you can share them with coaches, which can help you avoid injuries.
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7. Apple Watch Ultra
Specifications:
- Sizes: 49mm
- Battery Life: 36 hours (60 with low power mode)
- GPS: Yes
- Swim-Proof: Yes
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- LTE: Optional
- Mobile Payments: Apple Pay
- Compatibility: iOS
If you need serious running training, then we strongly recommend Apple Watch Ultra, which is one of the best running watches in 2022. Not only does it have the new Watch OS running features, but the Ultra also has a third button, named the Action Button. This is able to pause the watch or lap it when moving, which is easier considering that you might have sweaty fingers or have gloves on. While it does not reinvent the wheel, it adds some options that most best running watches in 2022 have. However, some believe that the Ultra is like an updated version of the Apple Watch Series 8 but in a running edition. The screen is 49mm; therefore, it is huge, with the bezel that are made of titanium.
There is also a lip around its screen to keep it more protected. The display glass is made of sapphire and it is water resistant. In addition, the battery can last for 60 hours. The design is impressive and reading it is not hard, even when there is a lot of light. Since its screen is bigger, more data fields can be seen. However, if you need more battery life, recovery metrics or uploading maps capabilities, then you need to check the Garmin watches on the list of the best running watches in 2022.