A good smartwatch won’t fix your training, but it can make tracking it less of a hassle. Whether you’re logging runs, lifting weights, or just want to know why you feel exhausted at 2pm, the right watch handles the data so you can focus on the work. After testing the most popular fitness-focused watches over the past few months, here’s what actually holds up.
| Model | Best For | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 965 | Overall | Up to 23 days | Premium |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Premium | Up to 36 hours | High-end |
| Garmin Fenix 7 | Durability | Up to 22 days | Premium |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | Value | Up to 40 hours | Mid-range |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | Budget | Up to 14 days | Affordable |
I wore each watch for several weeks, running, lifting, swimming, and sleeping in them. I compared heart rate data against a chest strap during HIIT and steady-state cardio. GPS accuracy got checked across known-distance routes. Battery life was measured during actual training weeks—not manufacturer specs, but real drain with notifications on and always-on display enabled. I also evaluated how well each watch played with the apps most guys actually use.
The Forerunner 965 is the closest thing to a complete fitness watch right now. It doesn’t excel at everything, but it does everything well enough that most men won’t need to compromise.
The training readiness score analyzes sleep, HRV, acute load, and recent activity to tell you whether to push or take it easy. During testing, it predicted fatigue accurately more often than not—useful when you’re tempted to hammer a workout but your body isn’t having it. That’s the real value here: data that actually changes behavior rather than just looking cool on a graph.
The AMOLED screen is bright enough for midday runs, something older Forerunners struggled with. Titanium bezel keeps weight down while adding scratch resistance. Battery life runs 5-7 days with always-on display, which means weekly charging for most users rather than the daily ritual Apple Watch demands.
The trade-offs: no native app store means you’re stuck with Garmin’s ecosystem, and sleep tracking is solid but not as detailed as Fitbit’s. At premium pricing, you’re paying for training features you might not use if you just want step counts and heart rate.
If you’re in the Apple ecosystem and want the most capable fitness watch available, this is it. The Ultra 2 is built like a tank—49mm titanium case, sapphire crystal, 100m water resistance—yet doesn’t feel ridiculous on smaller wrists the way previous XL watches did.
The Action Button is genuinely useful. Start a workout, mark intervals, trigger the flashlight—anything that saves you touching a screen with sweaty hands gets used. Dual speakers let you hear workout prompts in noisy gyms, and GPS accuracy matches Garmin’s best.
The downside is battery. You’ll charge every 1-2 days depending on workout frequency. That’s the price of Apple’s feature set. If you don’t mind daily charging and want the best smartwatch experience alongside fitness tracking, this delivers. If battery weeks matter more than app selection, look elsewhere.
For trail runners, mountain bikers, and anyone whose training involves dirt, water, or general punishment, the Fenix 7 is built for you. Fiber-reinforced polymer case, metal bezel, Gorilla Glass—tested to military standards for thermal and shock resistance. Mine has survived desert heat, winter runs, and泳池 workouts without damage.
Multi-band GPS with preloaded TopoActive maps means reliable navigation in remote areas where phone signal dies. Solar variants add a photovoltaic lens that genuinely extends battery to 3-4 weeks in good conditions. That’s not a gimmick; I’ve seen it work on multi-week backcountry trips.
The trade-offs: it’s bulky and heavy. Screen size relative to case is smaller than modern AMOLED competitors. At premium pricing, you’re paying for ruggedness most users won’t need. If your idea of outdoor fitness is a treadmill, save the money.
Not everyone needs a $600 watch. The Galaxy Watch 6 delivers solid health tracking, reliable workout features, and smartwatch functionality at roughly half that price.
Samsung’s BioActive sensor measures heart rate, blood oxygen, and body composition—skeletal muscle mass and basal metabolic rate. These aren’t medical-grade measurements, but they provide useful trends over weeks and months. Over 100 workout types are supported, with auto-detection that works well for running, cycling, and swimming.
The real advantage is Wear OS. Google Maps, Spotify, messaging apps—all feel native and responsive, unlike Garmin’s more limited app selection. Battery life hits about 40 hours with always-on display, so every other day charging. Some health features require a Samsung phone, which limits appeal for Pixel or iPhone users.
The GTR 4 undercuts every competitor on price while delivering 90% of what casual fitness users actually need. Dual-band GPS tracks runs accurately. Heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, and sleep data are all captured reliably. Workout detection covers 150+ activities.
The battery is the real story: 10-14 days with regular use, nearly three weeks if you disable some smart features. That’s Garmin-level endurance at a third the price.
The trade-offs: the Zepp app is functional but less polished than Garmin Connect or Samsung Health. No NFC means no contactless payments. Training analytics are basic—you get heart rate zones and workout logs, not the readiness scores and recovery recommendations that advanced athletes actually use. For beginners or casual users, this covers everything that matters.
Think about three things before buying:
What you actually do. Road runners need lightweight GPS with pace accuracy. Gym rats need heart rate that stays accurate during jumping jacks and rep counting for lifting. Swimmers need water resistance and stroke detection. Outdoor adventurers need rugged builds and mapping.
How often you’ll charge. Hate daily charging? Garmin and Amazfit offer weeks of battery. Don’t mind daily charging? Apple gives you more features per cycle.
What ecosystem you’re already in. Apple Watch requires iPhone. Samsung works best with Samsung phones. Garmin and Amazfit work with both but have smaller app selections.
Skip the premium features if you mainly want step counts and basic workout tracking. The gap between $200 and $600 watches is mostly advanced training analytics—useful if you’re optimizing for performance, unnecessary otherwise.
Garmin Forerunner 965 balances training features with everyday wear better than anything else. Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the choice for iPhone users who want maximum functionality and don’t mind charging often. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is the best value for most guys. Amazfit GTR 4 proves you don’t need to spend much for solid tracking.
Before buying, spend time with each brand’s app—Garmin Connect, Samsung Health, Apple Health, or Zepp. The watch matters less than the insights you actually use. Fancy metrics mean nothing if the watch sits in a drawer because it’s uncomfortable or the charging schedule annoys you.
Finding the right smartwatch can transform your weight loss journey. These devices do far more…
I've tested dozens of wearables in real gym environments—from heavy lifting sessions to high-intensity interval…
Not all water-resistant watches actually track your swims well. Pool tracking, lap counting, stroke detection,…
Finding the right smartwatch for cycling isn't about strap style or brand loyalty—it's about getting…
After testing dozens of devices across trails, tracks, and treadmills throughout 2024, I've compiled this…
There's a lot of fitness smartwatches at Walmart. I'm talking budget trackers, mid-range options, and…