How to choose a smartwatch for sport and outdoors: battery, GPS and sensors

A smartwatch for sport is a different purchase from one for notifications. If you run, hike or train, three things decide whether you will like it: how long the battery lasts, how well it tracks location, and whether it works with your phone and apps.

Battery life: look at the right number

Manufacturers publish several figures: smartwatch mode, GPS mode and sometimes a “battery saver” mode. The GPS figure is the one that tells you how long a long run or hike can be recorded. Always-on screens and heart-rate tracking shorten these numbers. Solar charging, found on some outdoor watches, adds time in daylight but does not replace charging.

GPS and navigation

• Built-in GPS: lets you leave the phone at home.
• Multi-band or dual-frequency GPS: better accuracy in cities, canyons and under tree cover, usually on higher-priced models.
• Maps and routes: some watches show a breadcrumb trail only, others have full maps. Decide if you need to follow a route or just return to the start.

Sensors worth having

Optical heart-rate is standard. Barometric altimeter and compass help in the mountains. Skin temperature, blood oxygen and “body battery” style scores are interesting but optional, and not medical devices. Do not use any watch as a substitute for medical advice.

Durability and comfort

Look at the water rating (for swimming, a rating of 5 ATM or more is common), the screen glass and the case size. A big, rugged watch is great on a hike and bulky on a small wrist. Check the case diameter and weight before you buy.

Phone compatibility and apps

Some watches work with both Android and iPhone, others fully only with one. Check the companion app, whether you can export workouts, and whether it connects to the training apps you already use.

Checklist

1. GPS battery life covers your longest activity with margin.
2. Case size and weight are comfortable on your wrist.
3. It works with your phone and your training apps.
4. The sensors you will actually use are included, and you are not paying for the rest.

The watches below are listed with their Amazon rating. Prices change, so open the product on Amazon for today’s price.