Garmin Forerunner 965
The Forerunner 965 is positioned as a best-in-class running watch for dedicated runners who want advanced training metrics, full-color maps and long multisport features in a relatively lightweight package. Compared with the pricier Epix Pro (Gen 2) it delivers most performance and mapping capabilities at a lower price and with slightly better weight and comfort for long runs, while still outpacing budget options like the COROS Pace 3 on coaching and ecosystem integrations.
AMOLED sparkle
Featherlight fit
AMOLED sparkle
Featherlight fit
Review Summary
"Users praise the Forerunner 965 for its accurate GPS, bright AMOLED screen, and rich training features, though some note the battery life is shorter than non-display competitors. Overall it's seen as a top running watch for serious runners who want smartwatch polish."
Race-ready maps
AMOLED display with full-color maps and combined touchscreen and button controls.
Race-ready maps
AMOLED display with full-color maps and combined touchscreen and button controls.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
The Forerunner 965 is positioned as a best-in-class running watch for dedicated runners who want advanced training metrics, full-color maps and long multisport features in a relatively lightweight package. Compared with the pricier Epix Pro (Gen 2) it delivers most performance and mapping capabilities at a lower price and with slightly better weight and comfort for long runs, while still outpacing budget options like the COROS Pace 3 on coaching and ecosystem integrations.
AMOLED sparkle
Featherlight fit
Race-ready maps
AMOLED display with full-color maps and combined touchscreen and button controls.
Advanced training metrics including built-in running power, coach features, and recovery insights.
AMOLED sparkle
Featherlight fit
Race-ready maps
AMOLED display with full-color maps and combined touchscreen and button controls.
Advanced training metrics including built-in running power, coach features, and recovery insights.
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
The Epix Pro (Gen 2) is the market-leading premium multisport GPS watch thanks to its top-tier AMOLED display, rugged materials and expanded battery and mapping performance for ultra-distance athletes. It stands above the Forerunner 965 and competitors by offering a more luxurious build and superior screen clarity for navigation at the cost of higher price and slightly greater weight, making it the choice for athletes who prioritize display and durability over value.
Sapphire tough
Topo master
Sapphire tough
Topo master
Review Summary
"The Epix Pro Gen 2 is admired for its premium build, excellent GPS accuracy, and long battery modes, but many buyers call out the high price and occasional software rough edges. It's regarded as a market-leading multisport watch for those wanting premium materials and maps."
Ultra battery
Sapphire AMOLED screen with topographic mapping and onboard music.
Ultra battery
Sapphire AMOLED screen with topographic mapping and onboard music.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Epix Pro (Gen 2) is the market-leading premium multisport GPS watch thanks to its top-tier AMOLED display, rugged materials and expanded battery and mapping performance for ultra-distance athletes. It stands above the Forerunner 965 and competitors by offering a more luxurious build and superior screen clarity for navigation at the cost of higher price and slightly greater weight, making it the choice for athletes who prioritize display and durability over value.
Sapphire tough
Topo master
Ultra battery
Sapphire AMOLED screen with topographic mapping and onboard music.
Extended battery modes and multi-band GNSS for highly accurate positioning.
Sapphire tough
Topo master
Ultra battery
Sapphire AMOLED screen with topographic mapping and onboard music.
Extended battery modes and multi-band GNSS for highly accurate positioning.
COROS Pace 3
The Pace 3 stakes its claim as the best value running GPS watch, offering excellent battery life, very light weight and core training metrics at a significantly lower price than flagship Garmins or Polar’s premium models. While it may not match the breadth of advanced coaching features or mapping of the Epix Pro or Forerunner 965, its technical advantage is a focused, efficient feature set and battery performance that appeals to budget-conscious runners and those who prize minimal weight.
Featherweight champ
Marathon battery
Featherweight champ
Marathon battery
Review Summary
"The COROS Pace 3 is widely appreciated for its exceptional value, lightweight design, and long battery life, with most users happy with core training metrics despite some missing advanced smartwatch niceties. Reviewers call it a standout budget-to-midrange running watch."
Value-packed smarts
Extremely lightweight design with excellent battery life focused on runners.
Value-packed smarts
Extremely lightweight design with excellent battery life focused on runners.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The Pace 3 stakes its claim as the best value running GPS watch, offering excellent battery life, very light weight and core training metrics at a significantly lower price than flagship Garmins or Polar’s premium models. While it may not match the breadth of advanced coaching features or mapping of the Epix Pro or Forerunner 965, its technical advantage is a focused, efficient feature set and battery performance that appeals to budget-conscious runners and those who prize minimal weight.
Featherweight champ
Marathon battery
Value-packed smarts
Extremely lightweight design with excellent battery life focused on runners.
Accurate GPS tracking and core training metrics at an affordable price.
Featherweight champ
Marathon battery
Value-packed smarts
Extremely lightweight design with excellent battery life focused on runners.
Accurate GPS tracking and core training metrics at an affordable price.
Polar Vantage V3
The Vantage V3 is a performance-oriented watch that emphasizes physiological accuracy and recovery insights, making it a smart pick for runners who prioritize training science and long-term load management. Compared with Garmin and COROS models it brings deeper heart-rate and recovery analytics and a research-backed approach, though it typically comes at a premium and with fewer third-party app integrations than the market-leading Garmin ecosystem.
Recovery guru
Precision HR
Recovery guru
Precision HR
Review Summary
"Owners like the Vantage V3 for its accurate sensors, strong training insights, and comfortable fit, though some feel Polar's app and ecosystem lag behind competitors. It's favored by athletes who prioritize training metrics and recovery data over broad smartwatch features."
Training-load pro
Detailed training load, recovery, and individualized training guidance.
Training-load pro
Detailed training load, recovery, and individualized training guidance.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
The Vantage V3 is a performance-oriented watch that emphasizes physiological accuracy and recovery insights, making it a smart pick for runners who prioritize training science and long-term load management. Compared with Garmin and COROS models it brings deeper heart-rate and recovery analytics and a research-backed approach, though it typically comes at a premium and with fewer third-party app integrations than the market-leading Garmin ecosystem.
Recovery guru
Precision HR
Training-load pro
Detailed training load, recovery, and individualized training guidance.
High-quality optical heart rate sensor and robust GNSS support for precise tracking.
Recovery guru
Precision HR
Training-load pro
Detailed training load, recovery, and individualized training guidance.
High-quality optical heart rate sensor and robust GNSS support for precise tracking.
Suunto Race
The Suunto Race is a race-focused, rugged GPS watch designed for runners who need reliable navigation, durable construction and straightforward race-day features without the highest-end price tag. It competes by offering a solid balance of accuracy and build quality—often at a mid-tier price between COROS and Garmin—making it attractive for trail and road racers who want dependable hardware and clear navigation over extensive coaching ecosystems.
Track-hungry design
Rugged accuracy
Track-hungry design
Rugged accuracy
Review Summary
"The Suunto Race is praised for rugged build quality, reliable GPS, and clear training screens, but reviewers mention the ecosystem and app experience can be less polished than Garmin's. It's favored by outdoor runners and multisport users seeking durability and accurate tracking."
Quick-lap brain
Lightweight yet durable construction tailored to road and trail racing.
Quick-lap brain
Lightweight yet durable construction tailored to road and trail racing.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Suunto Race is a race-focused, rugged GPS watch designed for runners who need reliable navigation, durable construction and straightforward race-day features without the highest-end price tag. It competes by offering a solid balance of accuracy and build quality—often at a mid-tier price between COROS and Garmin—making it attractive for trail and road racers who want dependable hardware and clear navigation over extensive coaching ecosystems.
Track-hungry design
Rugged accuracy
Quick-lap brain
Lightweight yet durable construction tailored to road and trail racing.
Accurate GPS navigation and race-focused performance metrics.
Track-hungry design
Rugged accuracy
Quick-lap brain
Lightweight yet durable construction tailored to road and trail racing.
Accurate GPS navigation and race-focused performance metrics.