10 Best Gps Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a robust multisport GPS watch designed for athletes and outdoor adventurers who need reliable performance and durability. Its 1.4-inch bright AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens ensures clear visibility even in tough environments. The titanium bezel adds strong protection, making it well-suited for rugged use. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours when using GPS continuously, which means less frequent charging for long trips or extended activities.

GPS accuracy is enhanced by multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology, along with built-in sensors like a compass and barometric altimeter, providing precise navigation and effective mapping features such as dynamic round-trip routing. The watch supports various sports and training tracking with advanced metrics, including real-time stamina and heart rate monitoring, plus it offers health insights like sleep quality and recovery scores. Connectivity features are strong, with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a built-in speaker/mic allowing calls and voice commands even offline.

The 40-meter dive rating and metal buttons make it suitable for water sports including scuba diving. On the downside, the watch’s features and data accuracy are best for fitness and wellness rather than medical use, and some health functions like Pulse Ox and ECG are region-restricted. It also weighs around 102 grams, which might feel a bit heavy for casual users. This watch is an excellent choice for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want a durable, feature-packed GPS watch with excellent battery life and advanced training tools.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is a solid choice if you're looking for a GPS watch that pairs closely with an iPhone and offers a broad set of smart features. Its built-in GPS provides reliable location tracking for running, cycling, or outdoor workouts, though it may not be as specialized as some sport-focused GPS watches. Battery life is decent but generally lasts about a day, so daily charging is needed, which is typical for smartwatches with bright Retina displays. The watch is swimproof with 50m water resistance, making it durable for everyday use and light water activities, but it might not suit very rugged environments or extreme sports.

Heart rate monitoring is accurate enough for fitness tracking and health notifications, including alerts for unusual heart rhythms. Connectivity is strong with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing calls, texts, and music streaming when paired with an iPhone. The user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, especially with watchOS 11, making navigation through apps and features straightforward. It covers basic activity tracking well, including workouts, sleep, and cycle tracking, and integrates with Apple Fitness+ for guided exercises.

Its mapping and navigation capabilities are more suited to casual use rather than detailed off-route navigation, as it relies on the iPhone for advanced map features. If you want a stylish, versatile smartwatch that balances health and connectivity features with everyday usability, the Apple Watch SE is a great pick. But if you need extended battery life, rugged durability, or pro-level GPS navigation, you might want to explore dedicated sport GPS watches.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is a strong contender in the GPS watch category, especially for users who value both fitness tracking and smart features. One of its standout strengths is its advanced health monitoring capabilities, including an ECG app and comprehensive heart rate tracking, which can alert you to any irregularities. The Always-On Retina display is bright and clear, enhancing usability, especially outdoors. Battery life is decent — up to 18 hours with normal use, and it can extend to 36 hours in low power mode.

Durability is another plus; the watch has a water resistance rating of 50m, making it swimproof, and it’s dust resistant (IP6X-certified), which is great for outdoor enthusiasts. Its lightweight and comfortable design make it suitable for all-day wear, whether you're working out or just going about your day.

The watch requires an iPhone for full functionality, which might be limiting for Android users. Additionally, while the GPS accuracy is generally reliable, fluctuations can occur during intense activities like running or cycling. The high price point might also be a hurdle for those looking for a budget-friendly option. It integrates well with other Apple devices, allowing for seamless notifications and calls, which can be a major advantage for Apple users. The wide range of customizable watch bands and faces helps users personalize their watch to fit different styles.