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The 7 Best GPS Watches in 2025 (Garmin, Apple, and More!)
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We live in a world where technology is everywhere, and it is paramount in our daily lives. Not only do you see it on your phone, tablets, and computers, but it also exists on watches.
People are constantly busy on the roads for work, and sometimes you wish you do not have to bring out your phone to track where you’re going. Thankfully, technology has brought us this far, and GPS watches are widely available around the world so that everyone can maximize the use of this technology.
Whether you’re an avid hiker, outdoorsy guy, or just someone who just wants to track your daily activities, this list will have you covered.
History of GPS Watches
Compared to the long history of mechanical watches, GPS technology was only introduced recently. We go back to 1973, when the U.S Department of Defense was looking to invent a GPS system and started a GPS project. 5 years later, in 1978, spacecraft prototypes were sent to space to further test the uses of GPS.
Finally, in 1993, 24 working satellites were successfully launched into space, and the first GPS was created. Since then, the GPS has been widely used around the globe, including on cars, planes, phones, and even watches.
The first ever civilian wristwatch with a GPS function is the Casio Navi series, which was launched in 1999. The functionality of the GPS acts as a secondary mobile function, and the watch actually had an accurate quartz liquid crystal display that was very popular back in the 90s.
Not only does the Casio Navi GPS have the functionality to tell the time and a GPS function, but it also includes other features such as a blood pressure monitor, a sensor for weather forecasts, an MP3 player, and even a digital camera! This watch was truly one of the first true smart watches, as well, with it being only quartz-powered.
Fast forward to today, there are many brands of watches that include multiple functionalities, including a GPS into a wristwatch, and have gotten very advanced. Thus, there are multiple choices for you to choose which watch is the best one for you.
Best GPS watches
In this section, we will go through 7 choices of different GPS watches from different brands. Each of them will have different functionality, sizes, and specifications depending on brand and price.
Some of them will have a thicker and bigger case but have greater battery life and functionality, while some will have lesser software features but will have better build quality.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Out in the wild, there is no electricity to charge your watch, but no fret, this watch will be powered and be reliable by your side. This watch is powered by solar and will have a battery life of up to 28 days if it is constantly under the sun (up to 48 hours if you are in GPS mode). If you are someone who is super outdoorsy and often on multiple-day hikes on your backpacking trips, this is for you.
The Instinct 2 Solar probably suits most people out there with its essential features, such as an altimeter, barometer, compass, and basic smartwatch features as well. You can also track your fitness goals on this watch with its app.
The watch comes in a 45mm case size with its case material made from mostly rubber and plastic, making it lightweight at just 53 grams and very durable on your grueling, challenging hike.
The price for the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is $400.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple watch is, unsurprisingly, the most popular watch in the market, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the highest performance-based smart watch in the market.
It fits every criteria as they have excellent battery life, great connectivity features with an Apple phone, and a very user-friendly Apple Health app. It is no surprise that the Apple watch is super popular as it is best optimized with an Apple phone.
The watch has a unique square-shaped 49mm case and an extremely bright screen. The UI is easy to use, and the screen resolution is extremely high, reaching 3000 nits of brightness.
However, the Ultra 2 suffers from battery life as it has only roughly 12 hours of GPS tracking. Thus, this watch may not suit the lifestyles of ultra athletes who want a multiple-day battery life.
The price of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is $800.
Garmin Fenix 8 Amoled Sapphire/Solar
Depending on what your uses are, you can pick the Solar version or the Amoled Sapphire. We included the Amoled Sapphire version because it has full GPS mapping on the watch with a 454×454 pixel (on a 51mm watch case) AMOLED touch screen.
This means that it shows you every single detail on your hiking track, and it also has an extra-bright screen, which makes everything super easy to read.
This watch best suits hardcore hikers who want to see every map detail and topo line to map out where they are going properly. The battery life is decent and can be used for up to 84 hours on GPS mode and up to 29 days on Smartwatch mode.
If the battery life is a concern or you are out wandering without electricity for more than a few days, you can opt for the Solar version of this watch.
The watch case for the Fenix 8 is made from carbon gray dlc titanium with a rubber strap, making it extra light and durable for extreme sports. The price for the Fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire is $1,200.
Coros Pace 3
The Coros Pace 3 is perfect for someone who is on an ultra tight budget but still wants an affordable GPS watch that does not sacrifice too much on the important side of a watch. It is often chosen as one of the best affordable GPS watches on the market.
With an exceptional battery life at this price point, up to 30+ hours of GPS or two weeks of normal use, this is perfectly fine for outdoor activities or just charging it every few days.
It also includes basic everyday features such as navigation apps, health tracking, and more. However, other than that, it suffers from other features that you get from other premium smartwatches, such as music control, contactless payment, a flashlight, and more.
Also, if you have a small wrist, this might be perfect as it comes in the smallest case size on this list with just 42mm with a LC screen. If you are looking for something that just works on a day-to-day basis with solid battery life, this might be the one for you.
The price of the Coros Pace 3 is $230.
Garmin Enduro 3
The Enduro 3 is the top choice for ultra athletes who love to push their bodies to the limit and engage themselves in tough expeditions.
The main benefit of this watch is the superior battery life that it contains. It has the longest battery life among all the watches we included in this list. With a whopping up to 320 hours of battery life with solar charging, it is easily the best long-lasting watch.
A similar feature with the other watches on this list is that it also has an enhanced screen resolution to accurately use your GPS tracking and the ability to track different activities. Among all the “normal” features that this watch has, the coolest feature is it has a built-in flashlight. If you’re hiking for several days and staying out in pitch black darkness, this is very handy.
With a case size of 51mm, it will wear massively, but with that size of a case, it is able to fit in a gigantic battery.
The price for the Garmin Enduro 3 is $900.
Suunto Race
The Suunto Race is the direct competitor of the Garmin Forerunner 965 mentioned above. It has similar features such as an AMOLED Display with smooth operation, GPS functions, and more. What makes this watch slightly more appealing is the battery life, with up to 50 hours of GPS tracking and other daily use for up to 5-10 days.
The Suunto Race has a 49mm case and even has a scroll wheel to navigate the menu systems without having to touch the screen. This improves the usability and also prevents the risk of missing a button on the menu. The only slight downside is the ability to connect to only one Bluetooth device at a time. But I think that is just a minor nitpick.
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So, if you’re after something lightweight and want something everyday that does not break the bank, the Suunto Race might be a good option.
The price of the Suunto Race is $450.
Garmin Forerunner 965
The Forerunner 964 is not as hardcore as the other watches, but at the same time, it does not cost nearly as much. The watch is extremely lightweight and is one of the slimmest smartwatches out there.
The 47mm case might seem small in the smart watch world, but it does pack the full package of features as well. You could use GPS, third-party apps to track your performance, health-related sensors, and other smartwatch features as well.
To display these features is the new AMOLED display that makes navigation easier with its accurate and vivid colors. The only slight downside of the watch is its short battery life. With up to 24 hours of GPS recording time, for normal daily use, it can last up to 20 days.
However, not everyone is a hard-core Bear Grylls type of guy, and most people out there would just want a day hike or a short run around the block.
With its light weight, it also wears extremely comfortably and is easy to wear around with its relatively smaller case size. The price of the Forerunner 965 is $550.
Final thoughts
Every smartwatch out there has its ups and downs, and there is a clear trend that can be seen in the world of smartwatches. A smartwatch that has more features and a bright screen usually suffers from bad battery life, but a smartwatch that is built bigger and bulkier will have great battery life but with less features.
This list covers 99% of the people out there who are looking to up their fitness game and push their limits, but also for those who just want to live with a smart watch for everyday activities as well. Thankfully, there are so many GPS watches out there, and we hope there is a right one out there for you. Stay safe out in the woods or anywhere you are!
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