Which smartwatch for running in 2026? Our g...

A running smartwatch is chosen first by your phone, the way you run and the data you want to see during effort. If you want to record a route without carrying your phone, check whether the exact model you're considering has built-in GPS. If you mainly want to track your sessions and progress, also look at how run data is presented and how easy the watch is to use.

Apple Watch, Garmin Forerunner and Samsung Galaxy Watch suit different habits. Your choice doesn't depend only on the number of features listed on a product page: a watch that's pleasant day to day can get in the way on a run if its strap slips, holds sweat or is hard to fasten. Conversely, a watch built for running may include features you don't need if you only run occasionally.

This guide helps you compare the main watch families without assuming that every generation has the same features. You'll find the criteria to check before you buy, compatibility points and advice on choosing a running strap that suits your wrist.

Our selection of running smartwatches

Apple Watch, Garmin Forerunner and Samsung Galaxy Watch each deserve your attention for running, depending on your phone and your priorities. Always compare two specific models before settling on a watch family.

Apple Watch: for combining running and everyday use

The Apple Watch is a sensible option if you use an iPhone and want to wear the same watch during your sessions and the rest of the day. Before choosing a generation, read its spec sheet to check the running features, the GPS and the stated battery life in the conditions that matter to you. A general estimate is no substitute for the specifications of the model being sold.

The strap deserves a separate check. For running, look for an adjustment that holds the case against your skin without squeezing too tight. A soft strap that's easy to clean can make wearing the watch more comfortable when you sweat. If you already own the watch, our guide to Apple Watch straps for running helps you compare materials.

Garmin Forerunner: for putting your sessions at the centre of the choice

Garmin Forerunner is a family of watches to look at if you want to build your purchase around running. The models differ: on the page for the one you're considering, check the data visible during the activity, the navigation options that matter to you and the battery life in the GPS mode you plan to use. Wanting simple tracking and training regularly with structured sessions don't necessarily lead to the same choice.

Also look at how it handles during effort. An interface that's easy to use when you're stationary can demand more attention when you're running, wearing gloves or reading the screen at a glance. For the strap, note the width and attachment mechanism given for the exact reference: the Forerunner name alone doesn't establish compatibility.

Samsung Galaxy Watch: for connected use with Android

Samsung Galaxy Watch can suit you if your phone runs Android and you want to combine run tracking with everyday features. Still, check the conditions of use for the model you choose, because some features depend on the paired phone, the app or the generation of the watch. For running, focus your comparison on the GPS, the activity screens and how well the watch stays in place on your wrist.

Strap attachment varies between references. Note the full model name and look up the width and the type of attachment before buying a replacement. A width that seems to match doesn't, on its own, guarantee that the ends of the strap will fit into the case correctly.

How do you choose a smartwatch for running?

A running watch should match your real sessions: a recorded route, readable information and a comfortable fit. Check each feature on the reference you're considering, because the Apple Watch, Garmin Forerunner and Samsung Galaxy Watch families keep evolving.

Start by describing an ordinary run: do you take your phone, do you check your pace during the run, and do you use a recorded route? This short list helps you separate the features you need from those you'll rarely use. If you run in town, a quick-to-read screen and an easy way to start an activity can weigh more in your decision than a long list of sport modes.

Next, look closely at battery life. A figure quoted for everyday use doesn't necessarily describe an activity with GPS on. Screen settings and the features you use can also change consumption. So compare the figures given for the models you're considering, in a mode of use close to your runs, without extrapolating from one generation to another.

Finally, if you can, try the watch with an adjusted strap. The case should stay stable while you move without creating a pressure point. For running, comfort depends on your skin, the shape of the case, the material and the adjustment. A strap that suits someone else, whatever their gender, can be uncomfortable on your wrist.

Compatibility: phone, case and strap

A smartwatch's compatibility concerns both the phone and the strap. Check the software requirements of the model you've chosen, then its size and attachment system before ordering an accessory.

For an Apple Watch strap intended for running, the name of the watch isn't enough: find the size listed for your case and the wrist-circumference range the strap is designed for. Case dimensions change between generations. A “compatible with Apple Watch” listing without a clear list of sizes should therefore be approached with caution.

For a Garmin Forerunner or a Samsung Galaxy Watch, a width in millimetres is a first reference point, but it doesn't describe the whole attachment. A strap can have the right width while having ends or a mechanism that don't fit. Compare the exact watch model with the strap's compatibility list and look at the attachment already fitted.

Searches such as “women's running strap” and “men's running strap” mostly come down to size and comfort. Choose based on your wrist circumference, the adjustment range and how it feels during effort, rather than a label. As for “running strap phone”, the phrase can refer to a smartphone arm holder: that product doesn't replace the strap fitted to a watch. If you want to run without a phone, first check the capabilities of the watch you've chosen.

Caring for a watch strap used for running

A clean, securely fitted running strap stays more comfortable to wear during sessions. After each run, adapt the cleaning to its material and inspect the fastening and the attachment points.

• Rinse a washable strap after a session that left you sweating, following the instructions for its material and from the manufacturer.
• Dry the strap and the areas near the case before putting the watch back on, especially if moisture remains under the attachment.
• Clean the openings and recesses where sweat, dust and sun-care residue can build up, without using an abrasive tool.
• Check that the attachments engage properly and the condition of the fastening before you run; replace a strap whose attachment has play.
• Adjust the tightness before you set off: the case should stay in place without leaving a painful mark on your skin.

Silicone and some synthetic materials lend themselves to regular cleaning, subject to the product's own instructions. Leather generally needs more care against repeated moisture. If you alternate between sessions and everyday wear, having a strap dedicated to sport can simplify care. To compare options suited to the Apple Watch, see our article on Apple Watch running straps.

Frequently asked questions

Choosing a running smartwatch mostly raises questions about GPS, a compatible phone and how well the watch stays on your wrist. Here are answers you can use before comparing specific references.

• i-Run, “Quelle montre connectée choisir pour faire du running ? Nos conseils”
• Le Plaisir de Courir, “Comment choisir sa montre connectée de running : guide complet et comparatif”