5 best smartwatches for runners in 2024

Remember the good old saying – ‘Health is Wealth’? Lack of physical activity for a long time can result in various health-related problems. With the growing awareness, more and more people are becoming health conscious. But the important question on everyone’s mind is how to keep track of their fitness.

Fitness-centric gadgets and apps have seen immense demand over the last few years. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are useful tools to monitor and measure your health, physical activity, and basic fitness levels. Additionally, smartwatches go beyond fitness as wrist-based devices are the best companions for your smartphones too.

The best running smartwatches of 2024

There are a range of smartwatches from basic to premium, most of them capable of tracking a host of workouts including running which is common across every demographic. Choosing the right one with different features and from the right brand can be quite difficult. One can find smartwatches aimed at basic users, workout newbies, and professional athletes. Regardless, here are the best smartwatches for running in 2024.

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1. Samsung Galaxy Watch6

2. Apple Watch Series 9

3. Fitbit Versa 2

4. Amazfit POP 3R

5. OnePlus Watch 2

1. Samsung Galaxy Watch6

The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is a popular choice among Android smartphone owners. It comes in 40 and 44-mm circular dial sizes with an IP68 dust and water-resistance rating and two physical buttons on the right side. The smartwatch is equipped with a heart-rate sensor, a BP monitor, a sleep tracker, and fall detection. It supports over 90 workout modes with automatic tracking of runs, walks, and more activities.

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Apart from the health and fitness features, the Galaxy Watch6 comes with a 1.5-inch display, built-in GPS, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, and runs on WearOS 4 out of the box. The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 costs Rs 19,999 for the WiFi version.

2. Apple Watch Series 9

For those in the Apple ecosystem, the Watch Series 9 is a solid companion for your iPhone. It is also the current-generation offering that will get a successor later this year. The Cupertino-based tech giant’s smartwatches are known for saving people’s lives by detecting cardiac-related conditions on time. The Watch Series 9 is equipped with advanced health sensors including heart rate, ECG, sleep, and cycle tracker.

It also has precise GPS tracking along with emergency SOS, fall, and crash detection capabilities that prioritise your safety during runs. The smartwatch is also compatible with third-party running apps that provide comprehensive metrics making it a suitable option for tech-savvy runners. The Apple Watch Series 9 starts at Rs 39,499.

3. Fitbit Versa 2

The Fitbit Versa 2 is a reasonably priced unisex smartwatch for those who want to reach their health and fitness goals without spending too much. It comes with a daily readiness score that determines if you should take up an activity or rest. The Versa 2 offers real-time pace and distance metrics for runners along with the ability to detect floors climbed. 

There are also 20 goal-based exercises along with automatic tracking for some options. Other parameters of the smartwatch include heart-rate monitor, AFib detection, skin temperature variation, menstrual cycle tracker etc. The Fitbit Versa 2 is priced at Rs 21,999.

4. Amazfit POP 3R

If you’re looking for an affordable smartwatch with basic tracking features instead of comprehensive ones, then the Amazfit POP 3R is worth looking at. It has a premium design with an IP68 rating, a metal unibody and two physical buttons on the right side of a round dial.

The smartwatch packs support for 100+ sports activities with precise tracking and monitoring in activities like running, walking, cycling etc. You get a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, built-in speaker, and up to 12-day battery life. The Amazfit POP 3R carries a price tag of Rs 4,999.

5. OnePlus Watch 2

The OnePlus Watch 2 boasts military-grade durability making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and in harsh environments. It has a circular dial with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, a rotating crown, and an action button. It has dual chipsets for a balanced performance and efficiency. The smartwatch claims to offer 100 hours of battery life on a single charge. The OnePlus Watch 2 has heart rate, SpO2, and VO2 Max sensors, and comes with 100 dedicated sports modes.

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Outdoor running is a popular activity and hence this wearable device comes with advanced tracking metrics like pace, stride length, cadence, vertical amplitude etc. Additionally, the presence of inbuilt dual-frequency GPS with accurate location tracking means you can leave your smartphone at home when heading for a run. The smartwatch also features sleep and stress tracking. The OnePlus Watch 2 retails for Rs 22,999.

Choosing the right smartwatch can enhance your running experience as well as help you track other health parameters. They help in providing valuable insights to achieve fitness goals. Each option listed above offers unique features ensuring that they are the perfect companion for your runs.