Which GPS Running Watch Is The Most Accurate? | ft Apple, Garmin, Suunto, Coros, Fitbit
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- čas přidán 28. 07. 2024
- With so many watches out there on the market, it can be hard to know what data is the most accurate. So we’ve decided to put in the hard work for you and test out the top GPS watches to see which comes out the most accurate in 3 different tests…
Featuring:
Apple Ultra 2
Suunto Race
Coros pace 3
Kiprun GPS900
Garmin Forerunner 965
Polar pacer
Fitbit Versa 4
↓↓ Which watch is your favourite? Let us know in the comments ↓↓
What’s in this video?
00:00:00 - Testing the Accuracy of GPS on Seven Different Watches
00:01:17 - What is GPS
00:02:31 - Testing Accuracy in the City
00:03:42 - Testing Accuracy on the Trails
00:04:54 - Dual Frequency for Improved Accuracy
00:07:16 - How Accurate Are They in a Race?
00:08:44 - GPS Watch Accuracy Comparison
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Coros Apex 2, POD 2 user here and the accuracy I get is way better than I ever got from my Garmin, especially in a race setting.
Glad to see y’all acknowledging Coros exists, and watch brands other than Garmin in general.
Coros is all over the Internet, seeing as most running youtubers have it as a sponsor.
A lot of runners on CZcams are sponsored by Coros and unfortunately the heart rate monitoring accuracy often looks questionable.
@@TBasianeyes do you mean coros hrm arm strap? they're accurate af in my experience.
@@ItsTimeToBuildIt I think they meant the watch's monitor. I just bought the arm band after 7 months of only using the watch, and was surprised that there wasn't as much discrepancy between them as I thought there'd be, maybe 6-10 BPM at most. I do have periodic issues with my watch where it will read my heart rate way lower than it should (like 130 BPM when I'm running threshold pace for example).
@@ItsTimeToBuildIt I think they meant the watch's monitor. I just bought the arm band after 7 months of only using the watch, and was surprised that there wasn't as much discrepancy between them as I thought there'd be, maybe 6-10 BPM at most. I do have periodic issues with my watch where it will read my heart rate way lower than it should (like 130 BPM when I'm running threshold pace for example).
Used Suunto race for this years London marathon, super accurate even around the Isle of Dogs👍
You could test also how different watches behave when they lost gps signal for some time. On some races there are tunnels on the track and you have new pb because of that 😂
Great idea!!
😂😂😂😂
Yeah that's my experience with Polar... Bought a high end Polar and found it struggled to give reliable GPS. Suunto and Garmin both worked really well down the years.
Nick Bester making a cheeky cameo appearance at the front of the start line at 6:38 😂
😂
I noticed that as well😊
@@runningchannel you should reach out to him sometime, talk about the trials and tribulations about setting up his own race, his plans for 2:20hr marathon or his transition from innercity banker to all round running legend. 😂
Oh if you do another test Garmin Fenix 7x please.
BOOM SHAKALAKA!
@@PatrickStar-km1dm 😂
Appreciate you including the Suunto Race in this test 🙏🏼
FANTASTIC video team ❤ Really cool to see the variety of results, pretty shocked at the Polar 🤣 Cool to see Suunto & Garmin toeing that 1st place together 🔥
🔥 🔥
That waiting for GPS reminded me of when I used to have to put my watch outside before I went and got ready for a run because it took so long (double digit minutes) to find the signal 😂 makes me feel old (I'm only in my early 30s!)
And here I am, happy with my Garmin Forerunner 55, simple and efficient. :)))
I'm still rocking a Forerunner 305. Works perfectly.
I always find my forerunner 55 is pretty accurate 👍
Proud owner of Forerunner 55 as well!
Yes me too. Proud owner of FR55. Simply the best smart watch for me so far.
Same here. I need to upgrade, but that’s more of a circumstantial thing rather than because of the watch.
10/10 recommend
Would love to see non-Ultra Apple Watches tested (SE and current gen)! Thanks for the video :)
We can look into it 😁
Check out the Quantified Scientist…he’s tested all these and way more in depth 👍
I use the se and idk how accurate the strava data is, but I have found the gps data to be very accurate. Even catching me when I stopped a bit short on a 400m
I came to say the same thing. I have the latest gen Apple Watch but have to use a separate polar watch to record runs because Apple GPS is awful!
@@mikebegley994 i use the SE and have had no issues, but I also live in a metropolitan area so maybe that helps
I love these types of videos, i have the garmin fenix 7s. My pride & joy, id be lost without it. I use the autolap function every 1km. Had the fitbit versa 3 beforehand & the inaccuracies drove my data driven mind crazy
Nice comparrison, I bought myself a refurbished Garmin Forerunner 245 Music together with an Garmin Chest strap and I am super happy so far :)
The size is perfect and all settings can be set up quite easily as well as the connection between the watch and your app on the phone is awesome!
Wanted to how to buy a refurbished watcha and how the experience...could it be money saving or wasting isf it doesn't work or so
@@sayanbiswas_sports There are actually a lot of websides they provide an refurbished service. Some of them have different conditions so it is up to you how much money you wang to spend and what is important for yourself. Amazon also offers a marketplace with many refurbished products. For me it worked perfect there is nothing demolished :)
@@sayanbiswas_sports For me it worked out pretty well. I bought it on Amazon in a bundle together with the chest strap :)
Love the methodology. Thanks
Coros Pace 3 ftw
Note: I hope you had it on the dual band setting 😮
It is a GREAT watch!
Wore a Coros Pace 2 for a year and the GPS was always very accurate. Then upgraded to a Coros Apex 2 Pro which features more accurate "duel frequency" GPS, but never used it much b/c normal GPS mode is just as good while consuming far less battery. Added a Coros Pod 2 accessory recently and it increases accuracy further by smoothing out GPS blips when running under bridges, etc, but even cooler than that, IMO, is it's near-instant pace updates (vs the 2-3 seconds it usually takes).
And... I use auto-lap for everything except for open-ended workouts. I hit the back button to mark the end of a warm-up, etc, and move on.
Love to hear this. It sounds like you have found an EPIC COROS setup that works for you!
I was wondering why there were numerous duplicate activities in Strava for Sarah last week. Now it finally makes sense!
hahaha
Excellent. Love to see more device testing. Also would love to hear your thoughts on the Huawei GT Runner...
I have a Coros Pace 2, use to be brand loyal to FitBit until they got bought by Google and nosedived in quality. I do use the autolap in miles because I'm an American.
The Coros Pace 3 is an amazing watch and only £220! If it’s good enough for Kipchoge…
Being good enough for a pro athlete usually only means that they are sponsored by them.
@@drumedorable Yeah, of course they are sponsored by them, but they probably wouldn’t use a sub-standard product. The same with their shoes.
I’ve got a COROS Vertix 2S and love its accuracy. I’ve got a BOB (8.08k) route that it nails every time.
This video came just in time! I'm in market of a new watch!
Very interesting. I have always had Garmin but would definitely consider a Coros for my next watch. Currently using a forerunner 55 and find it pretty accurate in races etc for distance.
I am extremely happy with the Coros Pace 3. Thanks to the technology, it has a super long battery life, even with dual-band GPS switched on. I have been using it for three months. I also wear the Coros Pod 2 on my shoe. This means that changes in pace are displayed to me with almost no delay.
2 thumbs up. Coros hands down for running and training.
Does the coros pod 2 also measures distance replacing the GPS? Or is it only measuring pace?
I also got the pace 3 and considering the pod 2
@@StarBattle08 the POD 2 increases GPS accuracy as it measures stride length. You really notice the benefit during races when you know the organisers have set the course accurately, the watch come sin bang on distance, pretty much every time. The real time pace feedback is also greatly improved, which is great for not only pace but also power, should you use that metric.
@@StarBattle08 I don't know for sure, to be honest. They call it "Instant Pace" and it also seems to improve GPS accuracy. I checked my tracks (up to 35 km) a few times afterwards with Komoot and there was hardly any deviation.
@@StarBattle08 As far as I know, the Pod 2 does not completely replace the watch's GPS, but complements it.
Sounds like you guys need to do a few ultras to, you know, get the best accuracy over reasonable distances.
How about test them in a really tough environment....take them on a twisty trail run through the woods. In that test, add the Garmin Fenix to see how it compares to the FR 965. We know they'll all be short, but which will be the most accurate for twisty trail races.
Interesting video! Since so many of the watches measured *slightly* short on the trail run, I suspect it was a case of the terrain varying a little. The trundle wheel has to go up and down ever so slightly due to the ground not being completely flat, so the measured mile may have been closer to 0.99 or 0.98 in a completely flat line, which is what the watches will measure. It would be much less of a factor for the built up area test since the ground is paved and therefore much closer to being flat.
That's a very good point! Do you prefer running on the trails or in built up areas? Do you find a difference on your watch?
@@runningchannel I live in the middle of nowhere so definitely no built up areas around me to worry about! I love both road and trail running though, and I've been really happy with the accuracy of my coros pace 3 for both.
My previous watch was a budget and quite old garmin that was usually great, but would occasionally lose GPS (especially when cloudy) and jump when it connected again, leading strava to think my 400m PB was 40 something seconds!
Yes! I don't see how GPS inaccuracy can ever cause a reduced distance, as any deviation from your true line has to add to the measured distance. Only entirely losing signal could potentially draw a shorter line I'm pretty sure.
@@joe-ldp Poor signal can cut off corners whenever you run anything other than a straight line. Hairpin turns or changing direction entirely can particularly result in a reduced distance on less accurate watches.
My Garmin Fenix 7 has a 3D distance option which adds in those extra up and down distances - important for hilly trail runs.
Great Video. GPS and objects to block signal has always been a proble..
Good to see Garmin performing well. Recently uograded to the Epix Gen 2 and love it. Running is pretty accurate.
I never heard of Suunto Race brand. I am looking for a new watch now for everyday use but also for running. My Apple Watch is starting to go so thank you for this video.
I've been using the Wahoo Rival watch, on my runs. It seems to line up well with distance on Wahoo Bolt bike computer, when distances are compared on bike ride, and that is two different devises. Anyways, good video, good info, with all these methods one has to accept that at best they are all approximations. Thanks for having us think about this!
I am wearing the Polar Pacer Pro since a year now, pretty happy with that choice. I did not experience any difference in the measurements from 5k to half marathon and all the training. Especially as i can compare it to the calculations afterwards in i.e. Strava. I do know what would provoke such a big difference in the measurement. Also, i usually start it directly leaving the house and it has the position quite fast. Don't really have to wait for it. I use GPS and Glonass. Funfact, it even had quite good measurement on the treadmill.... i do not know how that is possible.
Really glad you're enjoying it and finding it accurate! Have you got any big races on the horizon?
Great video! Although it will be more complete if you guys shows us the resulting map for each watch. I'm sure some discrepancies in the race results can be explained by looking at the gps map tracking results. Keep up the good work!
Great video guys, especially useful as am considering upgrading my Garmin Vivoactive 3! Can you do one for one with maps as mostly do trails as i live in the mountains thanks and keep running 😊
SUUNTO ftw lets go!
I personally use the Apple Watch Ultra (first edition) and I love it, never felt a need to look elsewhere
Turn on each watches most accurate GPS setting, I'd bet on the pace 3 for the win or at least ties for the win.
Is it possible to have auto-lap on so I can still see my km splits afterwards but not get buzzed? (Garmin)
Oh no, I have a fitbit!
A great test for accuracy. Thanks for for the video. This will be an issue at the Chicago Marathon while in downtown. Another factor of GPS is how long it takes to fully connect. The GPS on my Garmin Fenix 6 connects much faster than older models. 5-10 seconds at the most. Pervious watches I had might take a minute or longer to connect! Unrelated but in terms of heart rate accuracy, my Garmin Fenix 6 is very close to what my old Polar chest strap records. My max heart rate was only off by 1 beat per minute. 1 beat higher on the chest strap.
another great video. GPS watch yes garmin fenix, autolap no way love to see the kilometers just going up, and would have been nice to see in on a running track
Highly informative video. Currently using a regular Apple Watch (series 8) and when I ran a 10 km race last April, the watch didn’t register it as such (about 200 meters less). With this, in my Apple fitness app, that 10 km run was not marked as my fastest 10 km.
Might get a Garmin when I join another race soon.
These light hearted videos are fun, do more expensive testing on half marathon or cross country trail run testing please
Been using Garmin since the Forerunner 201. As a trail runner, cyclist (on & off road) & off-track hiker, the fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar is the absolute ducks nuts!
Question whether I do autolap: I used to use it, but with the Garmin at least it messes up both automatic (Garmin) interval laps and manual laps during interval training. When I do an interval training (whether pre-programmed in Garmin or not), I do not want interval laps to randomly cut off because I've finished an auto lap or visa versa.
Just to add; you two are excellent presenters! Love the chemistry and sense of humor. Hope to see in another Netherlands marathon again, Sarah! Can recommend Leiden!
Duplicate your Run activity and name it Intervals. In the Intervals activity, turn off auto lap, but turn it on in the Run activity. For easy runs, duplicate your Run activity and name it Zone 2. In the Zone 2 activity, set a zone 2 HR alert. You can do numerous things on a Garmin to tailor the activity settings. I have another copy of the Run activity called Runna that turns off the auto lap feature for their workouts.
How do these watches fair on treadmill ? if they have the indoor/treadmill function. Would like to know
Should have used the Suunto Vertical for the test it is even more accurate than the Race....the vertical can connect to more gps sattelites at once than the race....Awesome video as Always thank you!!
We thought the same too but we tried to keep it an equal playing field for the different types of watches that each brand offered!
Or the Race S from Suunto
@@TischTosh 😍
Using a coros apex 2 I’m quite happy with it but I don’t really care too much about exact distances. I used to run a lot on trails/ through the jungle in Taiwan and my shortest race ever was a 21k trail with about 1300m of elevation. Still waiting to make it to my first ultra. Wanted to do a 75k with 4500m elevation last November but unfortunately had to move before I could make it 😢
Would love to see results on a track. Including not just the innermost lane as many of us casual runners are in outer lanes during our jogs
Was just going to suggest this. My Polar Vantage for some reason draws squares and hexagons on the map when I run around my local track and the distances are way out of whack compared with what I normally get when running on streets and paths at the same area even. Perhaps something to do with GPS update frequency? Anyway, would be good to see if different watches perform differently on a track and also would appreciate some more insights on how to adjust your positioning settings to serve you better in different use cases (probably different settings might be optimal for trail ultras vs. track intervals).
I have been using Garmin FR 935 for a long time. Very accurate especially during trail run and hiking. Yes I will download the map prior the use. I haven't been lost even in a new trail. Another reason that time is battery life... I can go days for ultra or marathon. The map is major reason for me to predict what type of terrain and elevation beforehand... True during race.
Is Huawei (watch gt3 pro) any good for run tracking?
I wonder if the ascent/descent makes a difference with 3D speed/distance etc? I use autolap for non-workout runs and races - just use 0.25 miles laps as I find it easier to adapt pace/effort etc... based on 400m or so splits. No idea why, it's just what I've always done.
I have an Apple Watch Series 6 and have turned it into a sports watch with the WorkOutdoors app, which works for me in terms of getting all the smart watch and sports watch features unless I decide to do a 10+ hours ultra (not there yet), in which case I’d need to consider battery life
I have been using Garmin for a few months. I think that it is more accurate than others. Indeed, it is more accurate than the Apple Watch.
Why if I set off the GPS at my Garmin watch it gives the distance completed at the activity results?
Would you be able to compare different running apps and how they track your run using just your phone perhaps? I use my fitbit for heartrate and my phone to track distance and splits, but I find different apps perform better than others! Definitely hoping to get a watch for my birthday or Christmas lol. Love the video!
Hm, just upgraded my watch from the Polar Pacer pro to the Fenix7x Sapphire Solar. I never had innaccuracies as wild as that 5km result before. It does take a little while to connect to GPS (as you showed with the urban run) so wonder if it had properly connected. Anyway, another great vid. Hope you're all good.
Garmin Forerunner 965 for me, ran a 5 mile race on Sunday and it measured exactly 5 miles and I use autolap
Definitely a video that has been needed as you can't but help have a sneaky look at other watches to see if they're better than what you've already got. Love my forerunner 255 and can't see me swapping it any time soon. Would love to see a longer distance comparison, but can we add an Amazfit watch in please? They're pretty cheap but boast some decent specs and I'd like to see how accurate they are (and if the accompanying app is any good). Thanks.
Kudos to Sarah for pronouncing Suunto spot on🎉 They are from Finland and so am I.
great video, thank you! Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi all has watches i would like to see how they hold up to the hardcore sport watches. that said, I am happy to see my current pick, Suunto Race came out on top in accuracy, especially on trail where I want it to perform.
I'd love to see Samsung. I feel like my Samsung watch isn't very accurate at all but I don't have a chance to use a Garmin to test it against to be certain!
I also can't sync the Runna app with my Samsung watch which is a bit frustrating.
I've had the polar pacer pro and the 965 for dozens of runs each. The polar was not very accurate for me, but I always use a stryd footpod to give me distance and pace. The 965 is very good, even better than other fenixes and instincts I've used.
Solid IT Crowd joke Sarah hahahah
💪
I love my 965 (I’ve had had five, starting way back with the original 305)! I like Apple products, and the Apple Watch (I’ve had three) is a great companion to an iPhone, but for sports, the Garmin is just SO much better.
I use a Garmin Forerunner 745, so it would be great to see how it might fare in a test. Also, longer distances (10k, 10mile, or half marathon) would be interesting, since in my experience the additional distance due to weaving is even greater. I've been very happy with the Garmin and was glad to see my sense backed up by your tests! 🙂
We can definitely look into it!
I use a Garmin Fenix 7x Pro Solar Sapphire (what a mouthful) in auto satellite mode. I use auto lap when doing regular runs but have another activity defined without auto-lap for intervals and Runna workouts. Most people at our local parkrun complain that their watches (mostly Garmin and Apple) record about 5.07-5.12 km while organizers insist that the distance is exactly 5km as measured with a trundle wheel.
If you ever do another one of those, i'd be keen on knowing the precision/variation between brand when it comes to ascend :)
Great video! It would’ve been nice to see these watches compared to a Stryd foot pod, as it does not use GPS but has its own proprietary algorithm (that is very accurate).
Thank you for today, amazing video, but she has amazing voice
Great comparison. Would love to see the longer distances. I’ve been comparing my Pace 2, AW Ultra and Suunto Race. Finding the Race lagging behind. My last marathon, the Race had me at 26.88 and the Ultra at 26.48.
I’d like to see it done over the half and marathon distsmce but also include the Coros Apex 2 Pro and the Vertix 2S
Good test but I find that my watch can vary by as much as 10-15 m for a km on any given day. Weather variations maybe?
GPS is just one of satnav systems and it's not even the best one anymore. Galileo by EU is the most accurate now so your watch settings are very important in this case.
Oh no, such a hot mic on James after the race! Time to shake down Andy for some cash for some 32-bit float gear? :P
I use garmin fenix 5 and have been wondering if the newer watches are more accurate. Yes please to more comparisons including setting all for maximum accuracy, cheaper ones vs more expensive ones and my personal older vs newer. In short is it worth spending more money or not. I asked in our local running shop they had no idea (but at least admitted that!)
I know Suunto has inertial navigation as well, so it's not as sensitive to GPS loss.
I would have loved to see the watches on track. Run 10k on the inner track with all watches on the same arm and see which comes on top.
Would have been interesting to calibrate the watches with the wheel as you measured the miles, or on a track. fwiw, if I pause my Apple Ultra Watch during a run without moving about too much, it’ll record a longer distance by 0.1 or 0.2 miles than if I hadn’t paused. Also, running at a slower pace over the same course tends to result in longer distances. Same for an older Garmin Forerunner. It may be due to watch calculations to compensate when it loses GPS signal.
I have been using the Suunto Spartan Sport for years now. I feel no need to upgrade as it is accurate enough! Most recently did the Mac Mac Ultra in Sabie, South Africa (48km) where my watch registered 47.95km 🎉
That's great! Glad you've found one that suits you, and congratulations on the ultra! 🎉
I would love to see you do the test on a track since that appears to be the most challing one for the watches. I would also like to see them compared to Stryd footpod and to HRM chest strap. Did you use the highest accuracy mode when doing your test?
Thank yo ufor the amazing video. Please would you consider testing a Samsung galaxy watch 6. I have one but I can't seem to shake the feeling that the measurements are quite far off.
I love my Apple Watch for working out, but it is absolutely horrible with measuring pace on the peloton app (I use it for outdoor runs, walks, and cycles). I wonder if different apps trigger the GPS to measure differently.
Garmin Fenix 7S here and autolap always 👍🏼
and I hate these km checkpoints on the track! Because they remember me how much suffering left to the end 😂😂😂
They should be replaced by incentivation phrases like "Keep going! You're almost there". "Go harder! Prove yourself" or something like this
In the States our 5k’s measured in miles, which I always found odd. In a race, I would always use auto lap for each kilometer as that would give me more data points during such a short race. I can adjust my pacing accordingly.
I would like to see what the results would be with the Suunto race S seeing that it was launched two days ago and has even bettered its GPS functions while using offline mapping to help with tracking.
I'd be interested in seeing a marathon length test. Also I think you should use the most accurate GPS mode each watch offers ie multi point for those that offer it instead of auto
Definitely a Garmin Fanboy, theres just something about the quality etc. Over the past 18 months of ownership and over 500 runs I can honestly say I have only ever had one GPS loss of signal and it was funnily enough on a hike. I do find that when running under trees my current pace is a bit hit and miss however it adjusts after coming into a clearing and makes up for lost time etc.
Suunto 9 peak has been pretty good for my use.
My fitbit versa is off compared to my Strava as I have both going when I run. I use to have a Samsung Galaxy watch 5, which the distance was further than Strava. I gave that to my oldest as the battery life was abysmal after awhile. The versa battery life and other stats are stellar for the price. I wish they would sort out getting Stopify app for it, then I would be much happier.
I'd be interested in seeing how all of them (and the Forerunner 265) stack up against "standard" phones. 🤔 I run with my phone and track using three different apps - all show slightly different distances. And yes, I think a longer run (5-10k) would be, in my opinion, better suited for such a comparison.
Anyway, thank you so much for this! I've been waiting for such a comparison for ages but had not been able to find one. I'm considering to get a watch so quite helpful.
How about a comparison between phone gps (android and apple models), also does it make any difference if phone is in pocket vs on an armband or chest harness?
How long did it take you upload these to Stava?
Many, many days...
I bet the race organisers loved you checking their distance!! 😂
😂😂
I knew the Garmin would best out the Apple Watch Ultra but for me, numbers 1 to 4 winners would most likely go down to user's preference.
Looks like Jess did the dirty on you during your race finish 🤣👍
😂😂😂😂
I turn my watch off after every run, because I'm not interested in monitoring every moment of my life; i just want it for runs. My coros pace 2 demands to be updated every week (why?!) and the variation on the identical run i do every day is driving me nuts!
Might it be the switching it on just before running thays causing this??
Are all these dual band not multi band? Thanks!
dual is still technically multi :P
Very confident the apple ultra shorts me by 10 to 30m per run/interval. I've set it up to start as soon as you hit the action button but I think there's a slight delay anyway.
Have you done any HR tests with different options, comparing them the most accurate chest strap? That would be interesting!
If James wants to test a marathon then maybe: autolap Vs manual lap Vs no lap. Might be interesting to see how important those laps are for tracking accuracy
Been using Polar Grit X, and with that the GPS tends to show about 1-2% longer than actual distance (for instance a measured marathon distance I got about 500m more than the actual length of the race)
I'd be interested to see results from running in a valley/gorge. I ran in the Lakes at Coniston and along the Keswick to Threlkeld railway path. In both cases the map track showed me going 50 to 100 metres up the side of the hill and at Threlkeld the watch showed me running reeeeeally slowly followed by a kilometre in under two minutes to catch up. I haven't bettered that PB since!