2026 Canada: Top 6 Performance Analytics Smartwatches for Serious Athletes

Bright, beautiful AMOLED display

Two new training metrics

Accurate heart rate monitoring

Excellent Garmin Connect app

Like the newly released Forerunner 265, which also got the upgraded AMOLED screen, Garmin has made the start/stop button slightly bigger on the top right — handy if you struggle to remember which button to press to pause your run at a stop light.

One area where Garmin excels compared to other sports watches on the market is its battery life. Despite its brighter screen, the battery life of the Forerunner 965 is pretty similar to that of the Forerunner 955. I’ve put all the key stats in a table below:

The strap comes in three options Amp Yellow/Black, Black/Powder Grey, or Whitestone/Powder Grey. In all cases, there is a double clasp, malleable and comfy silicone strap and it can be swapped out as it uses the Garmin 22mm QuickFit system.

Long, long battery life

New training metrics ideal for runners

This is the watch that takes one of the best Apple watch features and adds it to Garmin – that stunning AMOLED display. Yet, this manages to offer at least five days more battery life than almost any of the other competition with the same display.

For what you get this justifies that cost, as this review will clarify. In short, it's got astonishing battery performance, a beautiful display, super accurate location and heart rate tracking plus lots of other smart metrics including new running dynamics without the need...

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is all about that superb 1.4-inch AMOLED display which looks superb. It's not only rich with colors and crisp definition between light and dark, but it also has a fantastic 454 x 454-pixel resolution, plus it's super bright.

All that equates to a screen you can read in any light or situation – including underwater – with lots of data at a glance. You can also activate the always-on display and since this is super low energy consuming that won't even affect battery life much.

Plus it's all coated in a Gorilla Glass DX outer layer which should mean it stays scratch-free too. In our months of using this, including throwing it in bags, there's not a mark on it.

Upgraded from the previous generation is the bezel too, which is now made of lightweight and hardy titanium. This is the metal they put in your body if you have an operation – as it's so nonreactive and won't be affected by moisture – meaning this should stay in perfect...

Since everything is waterproof to 50 meters it's also super simple to give it a clean by washing under the tap or in the shower – which in reviewing for months was found to keep it looking as good as new.

Workouts drain the battery especially hard, because of GPS, and the always-on display that shows your major metrics at all times.

Having a more accurate heart rate measurement has a cascading impact on all of your training data and Garmin's data analysis features, which help optimize your variability, recovery, and your performance on the whole. When this watch tells you to take it easy, you should listen.

The up-ahead turn-by-turn navigational system is also responsive and easy to follow. As someone who falls into a sort of directional fugue when I run, often forgetting my plan, this is a huge help.

Beyond the core running metrics, the Forerunner 965 tracks some very specific things that can be very useful for competitive runners in training looking to optimize their performance.

As I don’t have a fancy running coach, I decided to give Garmin’s suggested workouts on the Garmin Forerunner 965 a go. And you know what? They were quite helpful.

Each race became a personal vendetta against the digital projections, and fueled by sheer stubbornness (and caffeine), I beat those times.

Fortunately, the 965's ability to download maps from secondary apps and store music on the device largely mitigates your need to interact with Garmin Connect.

The watch has an accurate multi-band GPS tracking system and is chock a block with fitness and health metrics, performance tracking, and lifestyle upgrades that turn this from just a running watch into something truly special for serious runners.

We really like the physical design of the Forerunner 965, and it even looks better now with the metal bezel. The model looks more elegant and premium without changes to its weight or feel on the wrist.

The removable, toolless straps are great, provide good comfort, and are made of high-quality materials. The dual colorway adds a nice touch of style. This slim model works well with a variety of clothes; mainly, we had no issues with gloves or jackets because of the thin profile.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is one of the most-accurate GPS watches we've reviewed. To test the distance and pace, we ran pre-measured routes in a variety of areas with various levels of potential GPS disruption.

To measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (Sp02) tracking, Cat ran on the treadmill wearing both the 965 and a hospital-grade pulse oximeter with a built-in heart rate monitor.

The up-ahead turn-by-turn navigational system is also responsive and easy to follow. Haptic and audible notifications effectively alert you of upcoming turns, so you don't need to check your watch to follow its directions.

Beyond the core running metrics, the Forerunner 965 tracks some very specific things that can be very useful for competitive runners in training looking to boost their performance.

For those without a running coach, we used Garmin’s suggested workouts on the Garmin Forerunner 965 and they were surprisingly helpful.

The 965 also has a feature called PacePro. We used this feature to great effect during a few test races, trusting race-day strategy to the watch and it managed to guide Ben on both a trail race and a city race, where GPS interference from tall buildings can often scupper a...

The battery life is sizeable in smartwatch mode, with Garmin claiming you can get up to 23 days of use under ideal conditions. With regular runs and workouts, we averaged about a week between charges.

Workouts do seem to drain the battery quite quickly, because of GPS, but especially if you have the always-on display (we switched it off pretty much right away).

Track intervals: 0.02 mile variance over 10 × 800m

Trail run: Matched surveyed distance within 50m over 12 miles

City running: No major dropouts, smooth tracking through tall buildings

Best-in-class GPS accuracy and training metrics

AMOLED display is a game-changer for readability

Battery life destroys competition

Works without smartphone (built-in music storage)

Comprehensive recovery and training load data

Battery life: Exceptional. I could go several days without thinking about charging.

Display: Sharp and vibrant. The AMOLED screen looks modern and performs great in sunlight.

Stamina & recovery insights: Actually useful. Real-time stamina tracking during longer rides or runs gave me more awareness than I expected.

Integration with Edge 1040: Great combo for outdoor workouts. It felt like a full training dashboard.

The AMOLED display changes how I use this watch every day. Colours pop, and it’s easy to read data fields in sunlight.

The most eye-catching thing about the Forerunner 965 is that bright AMOLED display. It’s vibrant and crisp, even outdoors in full sunlight.

Build quality feels solid for something so light. The titanium bezel adds a bit of class without making it heavy.

The buttons have a satisfying click—definitely improved from older models. Each press feels clean and responsive.

The 47mm case sits comfortably on my wrist, not bulky at all. The silicone strap breathes well and doesn’t irritate, even after hours of wear.

The watch face sits flat, and the curved edges mean it doesn’t snag on sleeves. Small but thoughtful detail.

Accurate GPS and comprehensive maps

Vibrant, high-resolution AMOLED display

Extensive sports & outdoor activity features

Outstanding comfort and lightweight design

Exceptional multi-week battery life

Impressively, Apple has made these upgrades without increasing the size or weight of the watch, and while maintaining the same battery life.

The two main differences are an upgraded display, which is 50% brighter, and a new processor that makes the whole experience of using the watch that little bit smoother, and enables a new gesture control for one-handed operation.

Even brighter AMOLED display

Double-tap gesture works well

Great new Modular Ultra watch face

Supports the double tap gesture

Easier to find iPhone with watch

Brighter display than before

Apple’s brightest display ever

It has a brighter screen (Apple’s brightest screen ever, in fact) but Apple’s new S9 SiP chip and the watchOS 10 operating system are what’s bringing most of the changes.

The key differences to look out for concern the screen and the bands. First off, the screen is even more beautiful than on the first version, capable of putting out an impressive 3,000 nits of brightness at full blast.

The Ultra 2 also one-ups the Series 10's IP6X dust resistance rating with the addition of an MIL-STD 810H certification, the standard used for military equipment, meaning it has been tested to survive high altitude, extreme temperatures, freezing/thawing, blowing sand, and...

Before testing the Ultra 2, I worried that its brighter screen would come at the expense of battery life, but that's not the case.

Conversely, when using Sleep Focus mode in a dark room, the Ultra 2 will now dim to a single nit (from 2 nits last generation) to reduce disturbance for light sleepers. Regardless of the ambient lighting, I never have a problem reading the Ultra 2's display.

To test its depth gauge, I took the Ultra 2 for a dip in the nearby Gulf of Mexico. I raved over the Depth app last generation, and it works just as well on the Ultra 2, automatically displaying your depth, underwater time, and more when submerged about three feet.

The biggest change for the second-generation Ultra is a 50% increase in screen brightness to 3,000 nits, Apple's brightest display ever. The Series 10 retains its predecessor's 2,000-nit maximum brightness, matching the Galaxy Watch 7 ($299.99) and the original Apple Watch Ultra.

An increase in brightness makes the display easier to read outdoors in bright sunlight. Between its size and brightness, the Ultra 2's display is phenomenal.

Safety features: The emergency SOS, fall and crash detection safety features are largely the same across both watches. However, the Apple Watch Series 10 doesn’t offer the safety siren you get on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Battery life: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 staying power is perhaps the biggest lure. It offers 36 hours of everyday use while the Apple Watch Series 10 stretches to 18 hours. When you fire up the GPS, both watches cover a marathon.

Size, comfort & durability: Both the 42mm and 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 case sizes are dainty by comparison to the Ultra 2. The Ultra 2’s 49mm case size has a big, hench build, with a larger brighter display (3,000 nits vs 2,000 nits).

Controls: It may seem like a small thing, but you don’t get the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s customisable action button on the Series 10. This shortcut button makes it a doddle to launch straight into runs and workouts. And when you don’t have it, you miss it.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 screams premium quality, with a slick, sophisticated case made from 95% recycled titanium. It’s a design that’s well finessed and looks great on the wrist – in a confidently hench, adventure-ready way.

The 50% brighter display – up to 3,000 nits from 2,000 on the first-gen – is excellent. When you put them side by side, the screen brightness is notably improved over the first-gen Apple Watch Ultra.

Despite Garmin, Coros and Suutno all getting in on the AMOLED game, when it comes to brightness, crispness and clarity and visibility in all lights, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 still packs the best screen we’ve seen on a smartwatch – and a better screen than you’ll find on any...

Leave your phone behind with cellular

Best-in-class heart rate accuracy

Rugged titanium build resists scratches

Extremely accurate for pool and open water swimming

The dual-frequency GPS (L1/L5) with support for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS is a massive step forward for Polar. In open terrain and mountain trails, positioning accuracy is excellent and tracks closely match established trail routes and known distances.

The curved Gorilla Glass gives the display a slightly premium feel, and the touchscreen is responsive whether navigating menus, scrolling through maps, or swiping between data screens during a workout.

Nightly Recharge combines sleep quality data with autonomic nervous system recovery measurements to produce a daily recovery score. SleepWise maps how your sleep quality affects your predicted alertness throughout the following day.

Polar's sleep tracking is a genuine strength. Sleep Plus Stages tracks sleep phases (light, deep, REM) with impressive accuracy. Fell-asleep and wake-up times are typically within a couple of minutes of reality.

After years of squinting at Polar's dim MIP screens, the 1.39-inch AMOLED display on the Vantage V3 is a revelation. The 454 x 454 resolution at 462 PPI produces sharp, vivid data screens and smooth map rendering.

The headline feature is offline maps. The 32 GB of storage can hold detailed topographic maps with contour lines, trails, roads, rivers, and points of interest. Maps are free and global – no subscription required.

This is where Polar separates itself from the pack. Training Load Pro breaks your training stress into Cardio Load, Muscle Load, and Perceived Load – giving you a nuanced picture of how different types of training are taxing different systems.

FitSpark provides daily workout suggestions tailored to your recovery status, training history, and fitness level. The orthostatic test – previously requiring a chest strap – can now be done with the wrist-based ECG, which lowers the friction of doing daily readiness assessments.

Over 150 sport profiles are supported, with dedicated metrics for running (including wrist-based running power), cycling, swimming (with stroke detection), triathlon, and more.

Switch from MIP to AMOLED while keeping good battery life

Useful orthostatic/ VO2 Max tests

Offline maps and Komoot routes

Fitspark workout and Recovery Pro suggestions

Accurate GPS and very accurate HR data

Jam-packed with health sensors

Sleep and recovery insights

With an aluminum case and thin bezel, this is a smart-looking and lightweight watch, tipping the scale at just 57g including the silicone band (approximately the same as the Garmin Forerunner 965).

Many sports watches have silicone straps that tend to trap sweat against your skin, but the Vantage V3's band is perforated throughout its length to allow moisture to escape.

The Vantage V3 provides a vast array of indoor and outdoor activity tracking modes, including some I've never seen on a sports watch before like options for Les Mills workout classes.

On the back you'll find Polar's latest biometric sensor suite, plus the connectors for the magnetic USB charging cable, which attaches securely.

The circular case features five textured metal buttons that are easy to operate with cold or gloved hands, and provide handy shortcuts to commonly used features.

The Polar Vantage V3 has clearly been designed by people who love running, and it shows in smart touches like the countdown timer that requires you to hold a button for a few seconds to end and save your current training session.

Another particularly nice feature is the sensor that allows the screen brightness to adapt to ambient light levels, striking a balance between power-saving and visibility. Battery life is excellent, even with the screen on a high brightness setting.

Lightweight but solidly built

Bright, clear AMOLED display

Biometric data clearly explained

Added dual-band and offline maps

The Vantage V3 is Polar’s performance watch, so unlike its Grit series, it’s offering high grade materials, all while keeping things relatively light and comfortable to wear day and night.

Around that aluminium case lies five physical buttons and they still have that nicely textured finish that makes them nice to press, even with sweaty or wet fingers.

It's a great AMOLED panel, with deep blacks, good max brightness and I’ve had no issues viewing it indoors, outdoors or in a swimming pool. The screen can be kept always-on with the raise to wake gesture support not as responsive as I’d have liked.

Battery Life — IRONMAN-ready battery life means 10+ hours in full GPS mode. The Vantage V3 offers up to 43 hours in standard GPS mode — more than enough for any race distance.

GPS Accuracy — Multi-constellation GPS (GPS+GLONASS+Galileo) dramatically improves accuracy in urban canyons, dense forest routes, and open water — all environments triathletes encounter regularly.

Swim Tracking — Pool and open water swim modes should accurately count lengths, record SWOLF, pace per 100m, and stroke rate. Open water GPS trace quality is a key differentiator.

Support for outdoor sports has been greatly improved with powerful 2-band GPS that picks up the signal quickly and accurately, and offline maps that show you where you are.

One important fact about all these training features: they are all included in the price of your watch. There is no Polar premium plan, no Polar+. If there is a feature, you can use it. Forever. For free.

One feature I love compared to my Vantage V is the use of standard 22mm straps. The standard ones are fine, but after fitting my Vantage V3 with the magical “Hirsch James” strap, I have a beautiful leather strap watch that works as a sports watch (OK, it cost me €100, but it...

Another feature I like and use regularly is Polar’s sleep tracking. I track every night (easy as I only need to recharge once a week) and it gives me insights into my sleep quality that I wouldn’t have without it.