How do I choose the best sports watch for me?

Consider the following when choosing a sports watch: Fitness goals : If you only want to increase your time, a watch with a stopwatch and an ability to track your pace should be enough. If you want to track other training elements, you can find a watch that monitors GPS, heart rate, and sleep patterns. If this isn't important to you, you can stick with a simpler, less expensive model. Budget : Sports watches range widely in price. A sports watch is an investment in your health, but you don't want to break the bank to purchase one. Consider starting with a budget model and see how you like it before spending more. Reviews : Read customer testimonials. If you're not a tech person, reviews on user design and how intuitive is the model are important.

What are the benefits of a sports watch?

You can use a sports watch to time your workout intervals , track your pace, and see how much distance you’ve covered on a run, bike ride, or swim . Understanding and logging your performance can be very motivating. Plus, many higher-tech options will track your heart rate, sleep quality , and stress levels, too. Luckily, you'll find tons of sports watches on the market, so you can easily find one that’s as high- or low-tech as you want it to be—and that’s great at tracking all the data you care about.

How do I care for my sports watch?

If your watch is water-resistant or waterproof, you can clean it with warm water and soap. Before you wash any sports watch, make sure all components are screwed down. Gently wash the band and face using a light circular motion and allow to air-dry. If your sports watch is not water-resistant, use an alcohol wipe or a disinfecting wipe. If the watch has a leather band, wipe it off with a dry cloth or paper towel.

The 10 Best Women’s Sports Watches of 2022

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A sports watch can make for a useful addition to your fitness routine, whether you’re a casual runner or a multisport athlete. Sports watches are designed to withstand the wear and tear of your favorite activities, and they’re often packed with features that make it easy to collect data on all your go-to workouts.

Here are the best women's sports watches on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Fitbit Versa 2 Fitness Smartwatch at Amazon

Easily collect all the fitness data you need and skip over any overwhelming extras with this high-quality sports watch.

Best Budget:

Willful Waterproof Sports Watch at Amazon

A durable, accurate, and water-resistant sports watch that tracks key metrics, as well as your heart rate and sleep quality.

Best Splurge:

Garmin Fenix 6S GPS Watch at Amazon

A small watch designed for big adventures that tracks any and everything you could possibly need while on the move.

Best for Beginners:

Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness Tracker at Walmart

This pick has all the features a sports watch novice needs and none of the ones they don't, as well as a budget-friendly price.

Best for Runners:

COROS Pace 2 GPS Sports Watch at Amazon

Perfect your form and level up your training with this sports watch's in-depth tracking features.

Best Waterproof:

Apple Series 3 GPS Watch at Amazon

A high-quality waterproof sports watch that can track all your favorite workouts in depth—both in and out of the water.

Best High-Tech:

Polar Vantage M GPS Watch at Amazon

This watch takes your fitness metrics to the next level, breaking workouts down by cardio load, muscle load, and perceived load.

Best Low-Tech:

Timex Women’s Ironman Classic 30 Watch at Amazon

The ideal sports watch for the woman simply focused on timing her workouts and staying on track.

Best for Triathlons:

Garmin Forerunner 945 at Amazon

A does-it-all smartwatch with a price to match, this Garmin pick is your trusty sidekick for your most intense race training.

Most Stylish :

Movado Connect 2.0 Fabric Smartwatch at Amazon

Enjoy both form and function with this stunning sports watch featuring the metrics you need, a built-in GPS, and more.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust Verywell Fit?

4.3

Pros

Great battery life
Fitness-focused features
High-quality construction

Cons

Fewer smart features than other options
Limited iOS integration

The Fitbit Versa 2 is higher-tech than a classic sports watch—but not so high-tech that it overwhelms you with unnecessary features. The watch tracks classic metrics like steps, distance, and time. And since it boasts more than 20 exercise modes, you can easily collect data on all your favorite workouts.

The watch is water-resistant up to 164 feet, so you can take it swimming, and its long-lasting battery holds its charge for up to six days. What’s more, the Fitbit Versa 2 is smartphone-compatible, so you can use it to keep up with messages, emails, and more while on the go.

Pros

Durable design
Tracks heart rate and sleep quality
Waterproof

Cons

Less customizable than other options
Can't sync with tablets or computers

The Willful Sports Watch is durable, water-resistant, and capable of tracking all your favorite activities. The affordable and user-friendly watch tracks key metrics like steps, pace, and distance. And since it boasts an array of activity modes, you can use it to track your favorite forms of exercise in greater depth.

Unlike other budget-friendly sports watches, the Willful Sports Watch can track your heart rate and sleep quality, too. It's even smartphone-compatible, so you can use it to keep up with notifications without looking at your phone.

Pros

Small, wearable size
Tons of smart features
Built to last

Cons

Heart rate monitor lacks accuracy
Less stylish than other options
Expensive

The Garmin Fenix 6S is best for the person who wants all the in-depth fitness data they can get. The multisport watch covers all your bases, tracking everything from your pace and distance traveled to your heart rate and sleep quality. And it will monitor more advanced metrics as well, such as your VO2 max, training load balance, altitude acclimation, and more.

The durable watch is perfect for outdoor adventures. Its built-in GPS will keep you on track even if you go off-trail. The watch’s long-lasting battery can keep you going for up to 34 days at a time (in battery saver mode) as well. And since it's smartphone-compatible, you can use it to stay in the loop no matter where you are.

Pros

Built-in GPS
Great companion app
Stylish design

Cons

Lacks color display
Screen wake can be temperamental

The Fitbit Charge 4 is officially categorized as a fitness tracker, but it can do all the things you want a sports watch to do, too. And since it’s lower on features than your average smartwatch, it’s a particularly beginner-friendly option.

The easy-to-use watch will track your pace, sleep quality, and even your heart rate. And since it boasts more than 20 workout modes, you can use it to collect data on your go-to activities. Its built-in GPS will help you navigate your favorite routes, and its long-lasting battery will keep you going for up to seven days at a time.

The watch is water-resistant up to 164 feet, so you can take it swimming. And since it’s smartphone-compatible, you can use it to keep up with the world while you work out.

Pros

Excellent fitness features
Amazing battery life
Very lightweight design

Cons

Heart rate monitoring lacks accuracy
Training analysis more basic than other options

The COROS Pace 2 is a mid-range sports watch that will help you perfect your running form and level up your training. The lightweight watch is loaded with in-depth tracking features. Use its Muscle Heatmap to see which muscles are being challenged each time you work out. Use its Recovery Adviser to track your training load—and to see when you need a break. And use its Intelligent Stride Algorithm to improve your runs.

The watch also tracks more classic metrics like heart rate and sleep quality. And it offers all the features you expect from a mid-range sports watch: water resistance up to 164 feet, a built-in GPS, smartphone compatibility, and a long-lasting battery.

Pros

Built-in cellular connectivity
Great heart rate monitoring
Lots of band and case options

Cons

Battery drains quickly
More complicated interface than other options

If you’re doing a fair amount of swimming, you need a waterproof sports watch that can track all your favorite workouts in depth. The Apple Watch Series 3 fits this bill. The multisport watch is water-resistant up to 164 feet. And since it boasts 16 different workout modes, you can use it to collect data on all your go-to activities both in and out of the water.

Use the watch’s swimming mode to track your laps, stroke count, pace, and more. You can even use it to track your heart rate while you’re in the water. The watch’s built-in GPS will keep you on track while you're on the move. And since it’s smartphone-compatible, you can use it to keep up with notifications, stream music, and more.

Pros

Top-notch fitness features
Built-in GPS
Many data display options

Cons

Few smartwatch features
Can be slow to sync

The Polar Vantage M GPS Watch is higher-tech than your average sports watch, giving you access to all kinds of detailed metrics without pushing you into a high-end price point.

The watch boasts classic activity-tracking features that make it easy for you to keep tabs on your heart rate, sleep quality, and daily activity. And it offers more advanced metrics, too. For instance, the watch’s Training Load Pro feature breaks down your workouts by cardio load, muscle load, and perceived load to help you understand your fitness routine in detail. And since it allows you to track an array of different activities, it makes a great pick for the multisport athlete.

The watch is waterproof—even in open water—so you can take it swimming without a second thought. It also features a long-lasting battery, built-in GPS, and smartphone compatibility, giving you everything you’d expect from a mid-range sports watch.

Pros

Great for lap timing
Waterproof
Convenient backlit display

Cons

Less stylish than other options
Less durable than other options

This Timex pick is a classic, no-frills sports watch. It’s budget-friendly, water-resistant, and easy to use, giving you everything you expect from a classic sports watch with none of the extra fluff.

The watch comes equipped with a 24-hour countdown timer and a stopwatch that can track up to 30 laps in 100 hours. The watch’s backlit display makes it easy to see in the dark. And since it’s water-resistant up to 330 feet, you can safely take it swimming. If all you want is a classic sports watch that can time your workouts and keep you on track, this one is sure to deliver.

4.3

Pros

All the classic and advanced metrics you need
Great battery life
GPS-enabled incident detection feature

Cons

Heart rate monitor less accurate during high intensity work
Expensive

The Garmin Forerunner 945 is definitely an investment, but if you’re a triathlete looking to take your training to the next level, it’s a worthwhile buy. The watch monitors classic metrics like heart rate, sleep quality, and stress. It also tracks more advanced ones like training status (adjusted for heat and altitude acclimation), training load focus, and recovery time.

If you’re an avid runner, you can dig into the watch’s advanced running dynamics, which track your stride length, ground contact time, vertical ratio, and more. And if you’re training for a race, you can use the Garmin Coach feature to make an adaptive training plan and receive daily workout suggestions.

The watch’s long-lasting battery stays charged through your longest race, and its GPS-enabled incident detection feature gives your loved ones peace of mind. Of course, the watch is also smartphone-compatible, so you can use it to keep up with notifications while on the go and to listen to all your favorite songs while you train.

Pros

Premium design
Comprehensive fitness tracking
Easy to swap straps

Cons

Battery life lacking compared to other options
Text is hard to read, according to some users

The Movado Connect 2.0 is a truly stunning sports watch. And since it’s designed to be durable, water-resistant, and gym-friendly, you don’t have to pick between function and form. The sleek watch uses Google Fit to track classic metrics like heart rate and daily activity. And since it’s smartphone-compatible, you can use it to keep up with your notifications while on the move.

The watch is water-resistant and its built-in GPS will keep you on track during runs and bike rides. These features make the watch a great wear-anywhere pick—one that’s sure to turn heads while also holding up to the demands of your favorite activities.

Final Verdict

The Fitbit Versa 2 Fitness Smartwatch is a well-rounded sports watch that will suit most people. It's equipped with a built-in GPS, a long-lasting battery, and more than 20 exercise modes. It’s also water-resistant up to 164 feet and smartphone-compatible, so it will cover all your bases without pushing you into a high-end price point.

What to Look for in a Sports Watch for Women

Metrics

The range of metrics you can monitor with a sports watch is immense. On basic models, you’ll find stats like time, pace, and distance. On advanced watches, you’ll find data for altitude acclimation, training load, and sport-specific dynamics. But more in-depth data isn’t always better, so look for a watch that tracks the metrics you care about most.

Water Resistance

Many sports watches are water-resistant, but some can handle submersion better than others. Be sure to note how water-resistant a watch is before taking it for a dip.

Battery Life

If you plan to wear your sports watch every day, make sure it features a long-lasting battery. Frequent recharges can be a hassle, though they aren't as tedious if you only plan to wear your watch during workouts.

Price Point

Sports watches exist across all price points, and it's important to remember that a larger investment doesn’t always make for a better watch. Look for one that does everything you need it to do, and avoid paying for features that don’t matter to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the best sports watch for me?
Consider the following when choosing a sports watch:
- Fitness goals: If you only want to increase your time, a watch with a stopwatch and an ability to track your pace should be enough. If you want to track other training elements, you can find a watch that monitors GPS, heart rate, and sleep patterns. If this isn't important to you, you can stick with a simpler, less expensive model.
- Budget: Sports watches range widely in price. A sports watch is an investment in your health, but you don't want to break the bank to purchase one. Consider starting with a budget model and see how you like it before spending more.
- Reviews: Read customer testimonials. If you're not a tech person, reviews on user design and how intuitive is the model are important.
What are the benefits of a sports watch?

You can use a sports watch to time your workout intervals, track your pace, and see how much distance you’ve covered on a run, bike ride, or swim. Understanding and logging your performance can be very motivating.
Plus, many higher-tech options will track your heart rate, sleep quality, and stress levels, too. Luckily, you'll find tons of sports watches on the market, so you can easily find one that’s as high- or low-tech as you want it to be—and that’s great at tracking all the data you care about.
How do I care for my sports watch?

If your watch is water-resistant or waterproof, you can clean it with warm water and soap. Before you wash any sports watch, make sure all components are screwed down. Gently wash the band and face using a light circular motion and allow to air-dry.
If your sports watch is not water-resistant, use an alcohol wipe or a disinfecting wipe. If the watch has a leather band, wipe it off with a dry cloth or paper towel.

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

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