Best GPS Watches of 2025

For hikers and mountaineers alike, a quality GPS watch is a worthy addition to your gear collection. Built to handle the extremes, GPS watches have a distinct look with durable, scratch-resistant faces and large screens flanked by glove-friendly buttons. Beyond GPS tracking, these watches include ABC basics (altimeter, barometer, and compass), as well as modern fitness tracking technology, such as heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and custom workout suggestions. You’ll see a lot of familiar faces in our top picks for 2025, including Coros, Suunto, and GPS giant Garmin. For more background information, check out our comparison table and buying advice below the picks, along with details about our testing process. And if you’re on the hunt for a sports watch to record frontcountry workouts, check out our list of the best fitness watches.

Editor's note: We updated this guide on August 27, 2025, to add the newest Nomad watch from Coros to our list. We also added the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar as our best overall GPS watch (replacing the Instinct 2), and expanded our buying advice with a section explaining the types of GPS tracking (standard, all-systems, and dual-frequency GPS). Lastly, we swept the guide to ensure all information was up to date at the time of publishing and added photos from recent testing excursions. 
 

Our Team's GPS Watch Picks

• Best Overall GPS Watch: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
• Best Budget GPS Watch: Coros Pace 3
• Best GPS Watch for Maps and Navigation: Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar

Best Overall GPS Watch

1. Garmin Instinct 3 Solar ($400)

Weight: 2.0 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion and solar
Diameter: 40, 45, 50mm
What we like: A rugged, long-lasting GPS watch with smart features.
What we don’t: Garmin’s Fenix series boasts better navigation and battery life; most Garmin watches come with a steep learning curve.

If you’re in the market for a do-all GPS watch, Garmin’s Instinct 3 Solar hits a fantastic balance of price and performance. This latest addition to the Instinct line retains the series’s all-business vibe with a durable case, monochrome display (you can get the non-solar version in an AMOLED display for a bump up in price), and a five-button interface that’s easy to use in wet weather or while wearing gloves. The newest Instinct also keeps the built-in solar panel, which gives the watch a significant boost in battery life compared to similar designs. Most of the upgrades in this model exist inside the watch, such as a multi-band GPS chipset and updated breadcrumb navigation that now includes grid lines and city names. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the Instinct 3 has a host of sports tracking modes—including those for running, hiking, biking, skiing, and swimming—as well as practical features like compass, weather forecasts, elevation, and a heart rate sensor.

Despite the new bells and whistles, the Instinct 3 still falls short of the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar below in terms of battery life and mapping. While the Instinct 3 has an impressive 40 hours of battery life when using GPS, the Fenix 7 can last up to 57 hours (though the Instinct 3 has the Fenix beat by 2 hours when using all-system GPS). The Fenix 7 also has more capable and detailed offline mapping and navigation, which might appeal more to dedicated backcountry travelers. That said, either Garmin watch comes with a steeper learning curve compared to the Coros options below—there are just so many features and customization options that we never felt like we were fully familiar with either watch. We also found both watches to be fairly clunky and large on the wrist. But in our opinion, the Instinct 3 offers a lot of bang for its buck (especially compared to the pricey Fenix 7). But if you’re just on the hunt for basic ABC capabilities and a simple timepiece, you can save even more by opting for a non-GPS watch (we cover a few in our buying advice below).
Read more: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar review
See the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
 

Best Budget GPS Watch

2. Coros Pace 3 ($229)

Weight: 1.4 oz.
​Battery: Lithium-ion
Diameter: 41.9mm
What we like: A budget-friendly watch that will get the job done for daily wear and light backcountry use.
What we don’t: Not as backcountry-ready as Coros’ pricier options below.

If the price of a premium and feature-filled watch takes your breath away, Coros’ simple and cheap(er) Pace 3 will be a welcome relief. Despite undercutting all other picks on our list by a good chunk of change, the Pace doesn’t give up much in the way of functionality or performance, including ABC sensors, multisport activity tracking, and detailed sleep data. We’ve worn various Pace watches over the years and have always appreciated their low profile, ease of use, and accuracy. In fact, we’ve found the Pace’s GPS tracking, mileage, and elevation to be fairly consistent with high-end Garmin watches, which is flat-out impressive given the price. The cherry on top: The Pace 3 is the lightest watch here at just 1.4 ounces with the silicone band (or 1.1 oz. with the nylon band).

It’s important to note that Coros designed the Pace 3 with less of a backcountry focus than their Apex 2 or Vertix 2S below. Most notably, the polymer bezel and mineral glass screen aren’t particularly tough (the Apex and Vertix uses more robust titanium alloy and sapphire glass), the battery isn’t quite as long-lasting, and you don’t get preloaded maps. If you like the Pace’s vibe but want something a bit more backcountry capable, it’s worth checking out the Pace Pro which has offline mapping (it still uses breadcrumb navigation, however) and has a longer battery life than the Pace 3 (38 hours in all-systems GPS mode vs the 3’s 25 hours). For daily tracking and light backcountry use, the Pace 3 is an entirely capable design in an affordable and sleek package. We especially like how easily it slides under our jacket cuffs, which can’t be said of the bulkier options that dominate the market.
Read more: Coros Pace 3 review
See the Coros Pace 3
 

Best GPS Watch for Maps and Navigation

3. Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar ($900)

Weight: 2.6 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion and solar
Diameters: 42, 47, 51mm 
What we like: Top-notch navigation with preloaded road, trail, and topographic maps.
What we don’t: Expensive, heavy, and overkill for casual users.

The Instinct 3 Solar gets our top pick for its durable construction and long-lasting solar power, but explorers who want top-of-the-line GPS navigation should look to Garmin’s premier multisport watch, the Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar. Like the Instinct, the powerhouse Fenix includes quality ABC sensors, accurate tracking—thanks to GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite compatibility—and features like heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking. Importantly, the Fenix 7 Pro also has the best available wrist-based mapping: detailed contour lines and extensive navigation tools that excel for activities ranging from hiking and mountaineering to trail running and skiing. Finally, like our top pick, the 7 Pro can be charged via solar power, which makes it a worthy companion for long cross-country treks (it lasts up to 73 hours in standard GPS mode using solar power, or 57 hours without).

That said, the Fenix 7 series comes with notable drawbacks, including high cost, complexity, and weight. What’s more, the tech is overkill for someone just looking for the basics like barometric pressure, elevation, and temperature. Finally, even in the smallest “S” form, the Fenix is on the heavy side due to its stainless steel build, and you’ll feel the extra heft during activities like running. But if you value Garmin’s slick navigational features and don’t mind paying for extras like WiFi support and music storage, it’s one heck of a GPS watch. A final note: Garmin recently released the Fenix 8, which features an extended battery life and retooled interface, although initial reviews report middling performance and a host of software bugs. We’re currently testing the Fenix 8 and will report back with our thoughts in subsequent updates.
Read more: Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar review
See the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar
 

Other GPS Watch Recommendations

4. Coros Nomad ($349)

Weight: 2.2 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion
Diameter: 47.8mm
What we like: Most premium mapping of any Coros watch at an extremely competitive price.
What we don’t: Still not as backcountry-ready as the Garmin Fenix 7.

The Coros Nomad is the latest addition to the brand’s modest lineup of GPS watches, and it comes with a host of intriguing features. To start, the Nomad features the most detailed offline mapping of any Coros watch to date, with the inclusion of street names and points of interest. Its voice pin feature allows you to record voice notes on the go and listen to them later through the Coros app. The voice notes are automatically transcribed and display a pin location of where the recording was taken. Serious anglers might get a kick out of the Nomad’s fishing activity modes, which can track fly fishing, boat fishing, shore fishing, and kayak fishing. The Nomad’s maps also have a water depth display, though users have reported some bugginess in early testing. Finally, it’s worth pointing out that the action button, which is exclusive to the Nomad, can be customized within different sport modes to perform certain tasks, such as recording a voice pin.

When it comes to battery life, the Nomad lands between the Apex 2 and the Vertix 2S below: It has 50 hours of life when using all-systems GPS and 22 days of life with daily use. While this new watch has a lot of backcountry potential, we still hesitate to recommend it over Garmin’s Fenix 7 above. Not only does it lack solar charging, but its mapping technology still can’t match the Fenix. Most importantly, the Nomad doesn’t have offline rerouting like the Fenix 7, which helps get you back on track when you stray from your course. Coros’s manual track-loading is also still pretty clunky compared to Garmin’s, which is automatically synced to the watch upon creation. And if we were to nitpick, we’re not entirely sure how useful the voice pin feature is—unless you’re one to have mid-run epiphanies or take detailed testing notes (like we do), this feature might go unused. That said, the Nomad comes out of the gate strong for one reason: its price-to-performance ratio. In fact, for a supremely competitive price, the Nomad offers a compelling alternative to our top-rated Instinct 3.
See the Coros Nomad

5. Garmin Enduro 3 ($900)

Weight: 2.2 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion and solar
Diameter: 51mm
What we like: Longer-lasting battery and better durability than the Fenix 7 Pro above.
What we don’t: Pricey and overbuilt for most.

Garmin’s watch lineup is undeniably extensive, but we'd be remiss not to include their well-rounded and highly capable Enduro 3. Battery life is a big selling point: While both the Enduro and Fenix 7 Pro Solar above offer solar charging, the Enduro’s larger solar band and upgraded battery translate to a nice boost in power. For reference, the Enduro lasts an impressive 320 hours with standard GPS tracking while solar charging (144 hours using all-systems GPS) compared to just 73 hours with solar for the Fenix 7. The cherry on top: Its titanium bezel and sapphire lens are highly durable and scratch-resistant, translating to a nice upgrade in longevity compared to the Fenix 7.

The Enduro 3 builds on its predecessor, the Enduro 2, with improved battery life, Garmin's latest software (shared with the new Fenix 8), a slightly lighter weight (0.2 oz. less), and—to our surprise and delight—a price reduction. The savings likely come from the switch to a plastic backing over the metal in the Enduro 2, but durability remains a strong suit. That said, we found the bulky size and shape to be a bit unwieldy in testing (it doesn't help that the watch is only available in one size), and it's important to be realistic about whether or not you'll utilize all of the features. If not, we think it's worth saving with a cheaper and lower-profile design like the Instinct 3 Solar above. But for committed backcountry enthusiasts who head out for days or weeks at a time and like to geek out on the numbers, the Enduro 3 is another winner from GPS giant Garmin.
See the Garmin Enduro 3

6. Coros Apex 2 ($349)

Weight: 1.9 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion
Diameter: 43mm
What we like: A multisport GPS watch with outstanding battery life.
What we don’t: Limited smart features and lacks the rugged appearance of an altimeter watch.

Coros didn’t have the brand recognition of Suunto and Garmin a few years back, but their small but mighty collection of watches has quickly gained a loyal following among outdoor and fitness enthusiasts. Built with a clear uphill-athlete focus, their mid-range Apex 2 includes a barometric altimeter (not a given in multisport GPS watches), 29 sport modes ranging from cross-country skiing to triathlon, and a durable build with a titanium alloy bezel and sapphire glass display. What’s more, we’ve found the Coros' simple dial-and-button interface easy to use with gloves on, and you get touchscreen mapping for convenient navigation. The battery life is also outstanding at 40 hours in standard GPS tracking mode and up to 13 days with simple use (the upgraded Apex 2 Pro offers 24 hours in dual-frequency GPS mode—the cheaper Apex only offers standard GPS—and a whopping 21 days with daily and sleep tracking). 

The Coros Apex 2 isn’t perfect, but it does stand out in three major ways. First, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another watch at this price point that features music storage and maps/navigation (the Pace 3 above does feature a barometric altimeter but lacks the Apex 2’s backcountry focus in most other ways). Second, the Apex 2 has a sleeker design than many of the other watches here, making it a great option for those who want the tech of an ABC watch without the stereotypical militaristic look. Finally, battery life is impressive at this price point, especially considering the watch’s power-sucking feature set. Most users won’t find Coros’ ecosystem as intuitive as Apple’s or Garmin’s, and we did experience some functionality issues in testing—most notably, it's easy to accidentally press the protruding buttons when removing a pack or layers, which can skew data. But it's nevertheless a premium-feeling and long-lasting watch at a great value.
See the Coros Apex 2

7. Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar ($699)

Weight: 2.6 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion and solar
Diameter: 49mm
What we like: Impressive battery life, accurate tracking, and sleek design that crosses over nicely for daily wear.
What we don’t: Lacks the navigational prowess of Garmin's offerings.

Finnish brand Suunto has been in the exploration game for nearly a century—starting with compasses in the mid-1930s—and the Vertical Titanium Solar watch is a nice reflection of their continued progress and innovation. Combining stellar battery life, precise GPS and activity tracking, and a sleek and refined design, the Vertical Titanium Solar was quick to impress in testing. Starting with battery life, the watch lasts an impressive 85 hours with solar (recording every second with dual-band GNSS), and you can extend its lifespan significantly by tweaking recording intervals and satellite usage. Despite its expedition-ready performance, the design is also very classy-looking and crosses over nicely for wearing casually, which can't be said of many designs here (including the bulky Fenix and Enduro above). A final feather in the Suunto's cap is durability, which is excellent thanks to the titanium bezel and sapphire screen (a stainless steel version is available for less).

However, while the Vertical Titanium Solar stacks up well to premium Garmin offerings in most metrics, it falls short in one area: maps and navigation. Specifically, the Vertical's maps lack location names and turn-by-turn directions, making the Enduro 3 and Fenix 7 above better options for those who plan to rely on their watch for navigation. The Suunto also has limited customization within sport modes and lacks Garmin's ClimbPro feature, which is a very useful tool for hilly routes and races (it splits up the climbs and descents on the route and lets you track your progress on each individual section). But if battery life, durability, and accurate tracking are at the top of your priority list, the Vertical Titanium Solar is a great option to have on your radar.
Read more: Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar review
See the Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar

8. Coros Vertix 2S ($700)

Weight: 3.1 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion
Diameter: 50.3mm
What we like: Incredibly durable; great at altitude and in extreme temperatures.
What we don’t: Falls short of the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro in features.

If you like the durability and utilitarian design of the Fenix 7 and Enduro above but prefer Coros’ interface and software, the Vertix 2S is worth a look. Unlike their sleek and relatively low-profile Apex 2 and Pace 3 above, the Vertix 2S is significantly larger and features a rugged titanium bezel and cover and sapphire glass screen. Built for extreme conditions, the watch excels at altitude and in frigid conditions (it’s built to withstand temperatures down to -22 degrees Fahrenheit) and comes with expedition-ready features like SpO2 monitoring, nutrition tracking, storm alerts, and glove-friendly buttons. Further, despite lacking a solar panel for charging, the Vertix 2S has a very respectable battery life of 118 hours in standard GPS mode (43 hours using dual-frequency GPS). 

The Vertix series received some small updates that improved heart rate monitoring and GPS accuracy. However, the 2S still has its drawbacks: To start, Coros does not include location names on their maps, and you don't get turn alerts or turn-by-turn navigation. Second, music must be uploaded manually since Coros watches don't support streaming services. For a higher cost, the Garmin Fenix 7 above offers improved navigation, music control, and improved battery life due to the addition of a solar panel, along with several other handy features like a built-in flashlight and sleep coach. In the end, the Vertix 2S certainly is a nice choice for Coros devotees looking for a rugged watch to take into extreme environments, but the Fenix 7 is the better all-around design, especially if you plan to use the mapping and music functions frequently.
See the Coros Vertix 2S

9. Casio G-Shock Move GBD-H2000 ($399)

Weight: 2.2 oz.
Battery: Lithium-ion and solar
Diameter: 59.6mm
What we like: Hard to kill.
What we don’t: Outdated, heavy, and more expensive than modern options with similar tech.

One of Casio’s latest watches to bear its venerable G-Shock name is the Move GBD-H2000. Building on the brand's initial foray into the GPS world, the Pro Trek WSD-F20, the G-Shock Move GBD-H2000 combines Casio’s trademark durability and solar power with modern touches like activity tracking, heart-rate monitoring, and a variety of additional sensors (including a barometric altimeter and compass, thermometer, and accelerometer). Importantly, the watch also integrates with Casio’s app to make all this data more digestible. And as expected from a G-Shock design, the G-Shock Move GBD-H2000 is about as bombproof as an outdoor watch gets.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to opt for the Casio over other watches here is the rugged and shock-resistant case, which you’ll either love or hate. The G-Shock Move GBD-H2000 also features the most impressive water rating on our list (it can handle pressure up to a depth of 200m), which gives even more credence to its bombproof construction. And finally, with a built-in solar panel, it can last for up to a year of daily use without needing a charge. But in 2025, most of these features are fairly standard in outdoor watches, and the Casio doesn’t offer anything remarkable the the price. In the end, we’re partial to more modern and sleek designs from brands like Garmin, Coros, and Suunto.
See the Casio G-Shock Move GBD-H2000

GPS Watch Comparison Table

Editor’s note: The stated battery life is the manufacturer’s claim while in all-system GPS mode, with solar charging when applicable/advertised. Changes to the settings, features, and type of tracking (e.g., standard or multi-band/dual-frequency GPS) will affect this number. Read more about GPS tracking in the buying advice below.

About Our Testing Process

Everyone on the Switchback Travel team loves to spend time outdoors—especially when it means getting far off the beaten path to enjoy some backcountry solitude. However, as we’ve learned firsthand, route-finding can be downright challenging in remote areas and inclement conditions. With that in mind, we can’t overstate the value of bringing some sort of GPS navigation into the backcountry—whether it be a handheld GPS device or a wearable GPS watch like those featured above. As we covered, GPS watches are highly accurate at pinpointing your location and purpose-built to handle the rigors of outdoor use, but we’ve also grown to love modern features like multisport activity tracking, detailed sleep data, custom workout suggestions, and music storage (among others). Of course, considerations like weight, bulk, and battery life are also always top-of-mind, especially on longer and more gear-intensive missions (like climbing Island Peak in Nepal, which one of our editors did while wearing the Garmin Fenix 7).

This list started in 2015 as a round-up of the best altimeter watches, with former editor Jenny Abegg drawing from her extensive experience in the Pacific Northwest backcountry to choose six standouts to feature in the guide. Given the sizable crossover with GPS watches, we opted to revamp the guide in 2024 to exclusively cover GPS-equipped designs, with a separate section in our buying advice on non-GPS (altimeter) watches. Editor Maddie Downie currently manages the guide. A self-proclaimed peak-bagger with big goals of getting to the top of obscure, remote mountains all over Washington state’s North Cascades, Maddie regularly relies on GPS to help her navigate through the backcountry—especially when the trail turns to bushwhacking.
 

GPS Watch Buying Advice

• Outdoor GPS Watches
• Key Features
  • ABC: Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass
  • Mapping
  • Multisport Features
  • Ski Functionality
  • Smartphone Connectivity
• Dimensions and Size
• Weight
• Power Source and Battery Life
• GPS Tracking
• Daily Use
• Non-GPS (Altimeter) Watches

Outdoor GPS Watches

Originally popular in the running and triathlon crowds, there are a growing number of GPS-enabled watches that excel in the backcountry, which was a driving force for starting this guide. In short, these models combine the feature sets of a handheld hiking GPS, altimeter watch, and fitness tracker (some entry-level designs forgo ABC sensors). Compatibility with a range of satellites, including GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS (also known as multi-GNSS support), improves coverage and accuracy. And features like downloadable routes, tracking to recount your travels, and extended battery lives make these ideal partners for hikers, mountaineers, skiers, and ultra-distance athletes. For more fitness-focused options that excel for daily training, see our round-up of the best fitness watches.
 

Key Features

ABC: Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass
All the watches on this list come with the ABC basics: an altimeter, a barometer that provides measurements of current atmospheric pressure, and a compass. Beyond that, many take it a step further with more detailed data like mapping of elevation gained and lost, as well as shifts in barometric pressure. Finally, it’s worth noting that while all of the picks above come with GPS tracking, there are plenty of non-GPS-equipped ABC watches on the market, many of which will save you a substantial chunk of change. If GPS isn’t a must-have for you, we’ve included a few of our favorite altimeter watches in the "Non-GPS Watches" section below. 
 

Mapping
One area where GPS-enabled watches vary significantly is in their mapping and navigation abilities. In general, the market can be broken into two categories: topo-equipped models like Garmin’s Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar that feature detailed contour lines, and simple mapping that includes only a basic line or marker on an otherwise blank screen. Both are useful for following a preset route or retracing your steps with the breadcrumb functionality (which works just as it sounds), but topo mapping provides helpful insights into the terrain, including expected elevation change if you’re off-trail or considering a different route. No matter the respective mapping abilities, as with all pieces of technology, GPS watches should not be relied on as your only source of backcountry navigation—we love using the Gaia app on our phone, and there's always the good old paper map and compass.
 

Multisport Features
As we touched on above, outdoor GPS models share many features with watches intended for sports like running, cycling, and swimming. High-end designs like the Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar and Garmin Fenix 7 can pretty much do it all, with built-in ABC sensors, wrist-based heart rate monitoring with zone recording for training purposes, and dedicated modes for triathletes. Coros’ Apex 2 is a great value option with excellent battery life that excels for long runs, although its user interface is slightly less refined than the more proven Garmin and Suunto models.
 

Ski Functionality
For winter use, some of the higher-end models from Garmin offer extensive capabilities for activities ranging from XC skiing to resort and backcountry riding. The Fenix 7 line, including the standard and Solar models, is able to record everything from distance covered and elevation change while XC skiing (for both skate and classic) to the number of laps you ski or snowboard at the resort. Taking it a step further, the Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar and Enduro 3 have preloaded maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts, which we found provided impressive detail for navigating on-trail runs. And in the backcountry, you can quickly check on data like topo mapping to analyze the steepness of the terrain, barometric pressure, distance covered, and elevation gained/lost throughout the day. Like with the mapping section above, the watch shouldn’t be your only resource for navigating and understanding your winter surroundings, but it’s undeniably a fun and valuable tool in a range of conditions.
 

Smartphone Connectivity
A final notable feature of many GPS watches is their connectivity to smartphones. Similar to everyday pieces like the Apple Watch, you can pair the two via Bluetooth for receiving notifications like text messages or downloading activity data to your phone. Further, some units store and play music (via Bluetooth headphones), while others allow you to use the watch face to control music playing from your smartphone. Finally, it's worth noting that the Garmin watches above allow you to connect to popular music streaming services like Spotify, while the Coros models require you to manually upload MP3 files.
 

Dimensions and Size

Since you’ll be wearing it for extended periods, the physical size of a watch is another important consideration (we’ve included the diameter of each model in our product write-ups, and the comparison table above includes both diameter and height). Even sleeker designs like the Coros Vertix 2S take up quite a bit of real estate and can be uncomfortable if you prefer a light and compact shape. The good news is that there are a number of trimmed-down models, including the 43-millimeter Coros Apex 2 and the smaller Garmin Instinct E (40mm). You do sacrifice a little screen size and often some battery life in going with the smaller variations, but the trade-off in comfort will be worth it for some.
 

Weight

Closely tied to dimensions is the weight of a given watch. As expected, a lighter and more compact design is one that you won’t notice as often, especially during active pursuits like running, biking, or backcountry and XC skiing. Weight inevitably goes up with more durable and longer-lasting materials, as well as when you select a feature-rich model. Our picks above vary quite a bit, ranging from the hefty Coros Vertix 2S (3.1 oz.) to the sleek and low-profile Pace 3 (1.4 oz.). Many of our favorites land in between at around 2 ounces, which we’ve found to be a good balance of durability and all-day comfort.
 

Power Source and Battery Life

Lithium
Like a smartphone, GPS-enabled watches rely on rechargeable lithium batteries. Traditionally, these watches drain battery life fairly quickly with their digital screens and connectivity to phones and satellites for tracking purposes. As a result, they can only go relatively brief stretches in between charges, although the technology is making big improvements as of late. On the short end, the Coros Pace 3 lasts only 38 hours in standard GPS mode, while the Garmin Enduro 3 can stay powered for up to 120 hours in GPS-only mode (not using solar charging). 
 

Solar
Solar comes with the benefits of limiting waste and not having to worry about bringing along a replaceable battery or needing to charge the watch every few days. Not to mention, a self-sufficient little instrument has a simple beauty to it—especially for travelers and extended backcountry trips. You also don’t have to worry about getting the watch its vitamin D that often, since many can store a charge for months at a time. Casio is the clear leader in this realm, although Garmin has made serious inroads with their Power Glass technology featured in our top-ranked Instinct 3 Solar.
 

It’s worth noting that battery life has been improving with just about every new release. Using the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar as an example, the outgoing version maxed out at 30 hours when tracking in standard GPS (48 hours with solar charging), while the updated 3 lasts up to 40 hours and a whopping 130 hours when solar charging. In addition, Suunto, Garmin, and Coros offer battery-saving modes that cut down on smart features and extend the period between when the watch collects your satellite coordinates, thereby increasing battery life. For the aforementioned Instinct 3 Solar, the watch's life is unlimited when solar charging in Expedition GPS Activity mode and Max Battery GPS.

GPS Tracking

As mentioned above, GPS watches are compatible with a range of satellites, which improves tracking accuracy and coverage. These include the US's GPS satellite, Russia's GLONASS, the EU's Galileo, China's Beidou (BDS), and Japan's QZSS. Modern GPS watches also have the capability of using these satellites in different ways. When perusing the manufacturer's specs for each watch, you might notice that data varies depending on whether a watch is using standard, all-systems, or dual-frequency/multi-band GPS. Without getting too much in the weeds, here's a quick breakdown of each: Standard GPS connects to just one satellite at a time and takes readings about every second in optimal conditions (i.e., clear skies). All-systems GPS pairs with multiple satellite systems at the same time, which further increases tracking accuracy. Dual-frequency GPS (or multi-band GPS) takes this a step further by enabling the device to communicate with the previously mentioned satellites simultaneously and in two frequencies, which provides even greater accuracy (if you want to read more about dual-frequency GPS, Garmin explains it nicely).
 

In a perfect world, we'd always track in dual-frequency GPS as it's the most consistent and least prone to error, but this mode will zap your watch's battery faster than standard or all-systems GPS. Of note: Some manufacturers (like Coros) are moving away from standard GPS tracking altogether and only providing all-system or dual-frequency GPS tracking. For that reason, the comparison table above lists the battery life spec for each watch when using all-systems GPS mode.
 

Daily Use

The designs on our list are purpose-built for outdoor use, and as a result, many have a decidedly outdoorsy look to them. However, while options like Garmin’s Fenix and Instinct may look out of place in the office or around town (depending on the town, of course), there are plenty of lower-profile and more everyday-friendly designs to consider. On our list above, a couple of sleek standouts include the Coros Pace 3 and Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar. For those who don’t need all the backcountry bells and whistles, smartwatch designs like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (among others featured in our fitness watch round-up) are a viable alternative.
 

Non-GPS (Altimeter) Watches

While GPS watches make a lot of sense for outdoor-goers venturing far off the grid, the reality is that not everyone needs GPS tracking. In fact, there are several upsides to going the non-GPS route, including massive cost savings, superior battery life, and a simpler interface (most have limited to no smartphone connectivity, activity tracking, or music capabilities). Often referred to as ABC or altimeter watches, non-GPS watches are often stripped down to the basics and forego the bells and whistles present in modern GPS-equipped designs.
 

In pinpointing some of our favorite altimeter watches, Suunto’s Core is a solid value, offers great accuracy with a premium barometric altimeter, and packs in tons of helpful features. It also boasts a 12-month battery life, which blows non-solar-powered GPS watches out of the water (most ABC watches use coin cell batteries, which last considerably longer than lithium-ion). Casio also makes a handful of well-built and affordable designs, including the Pro Trek PRG-270-1. In the end, only you can decide whether or not GPS tracking is worth the added cost and complexity, but the good news is that there are plenty of quality options on both sides.
Back to Our Top GPS Watch Picks  Back to Our GPS Watch Comparison Table