What is the right running/sports watch for you?

Running smartwatches have become an essential part of a runner’s life. Every year, the feature sets get better. A decade ago, not many runners or coaches would have imagined having so much data and analytics at their fingertips. These watches are not cheap, making it an important decision for runners across all proficiency levels—from beginners to pros—about which watch to buy.

This inspired me to create a simple guide to help make a better decision. Garmin and Coros are the two brands currently available in India, so I will focus on their watch series. Their watch lineups, especially Garmin’s, are as complex as running shoe options.

There are three broad factors impacting the decision:

1. Running Frequency and Distance: How often and how far do you run?
2. Other Sports: Do you also swim, cycle, or do gym workouts?
3. Outdoor Activities: Do you engage in outdoor sports like hiking or trekking?

The interplay of these factors leads to distinct runner personas, ultimately determining the right watch choice.

So here is a simple and easy to use decision making tree. It is purposefully kept straightforward to avoid information overload and offer a starting point for runners making their decision.

Additional Factors to Consider:

Several other factors impact your decision about a sports watch:

• Budget: How much are you willing to spend?
• Size & Form Factor: Do you prefer a small and compact watch or a big and rugged one?
• Lifestyle: Do you want a plain and simple watch or one that doubles as a lifestyle accessory?
• App Ecosystem: How mature is the app ecosystem of the brand? Most provide everything you need.
• Battery Life: How long does the watch last without needing a recharge? Long-lasting and fast-charging batteries are a plus.

Brand comparison – Garmin v/s Coros

Garmin seems to have an edge in terms of app maturity and features. Coros, while a newer brand, has nearly caught up with Garmin but still lags slightly in innovation and app intuitiveness. Garmin watches are also more aesthetically pleasing, with a special series focused on lifestyle and a sporty series that is quite attractive.

Coros stands out for its battery life, a top differentiator from Garmin. Coros watches are built to last a long time. Coros is also a price leader, offering sturdy sports watches at prices nearly 25% lower than Garmin. For example, compare the price difference between the Coros Pace 3 and the Garmin 265.

Other brands

Besides Garmin and Coros, there are other brands like Polar, Amazfit, Wahoo, and Titan. Unfortunately, they are either not widely available or not up to the mark, so I focused on the top two brands for simplicity.

I advise all runners and multi-sport enthusiasts to consider all the above factors before making an important decision about their next (or first) sports watch. Choose wisely!

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This is not a sponsored post. It comes from years of experience in running, swimming, biking, and working out, along with my own research. If you have read this far, thank you! If you found this helpful, please share it within your network. For feedback or more help in choosing, DM me at aashutosh[dot]chaudhari[at]gmail[dot]com. I will surely get back to you.