For a beginner, running is a very good cardio exercise that helps in keeping your body fit and agile. But if you are one of those women runners who aim to be the best at running, then only running will not help.
While you are running without knowing about your current body status like heart rate, pace, body oxygen level then you cannot differentiate between your previous run or the most recent one.
Therefore it becomes impossible to bring improvements in your running.
To keep track of your running statistics you will need a smartwatch that can monitor every step you take while you are hitting your limits.
And as there are thousands of smartwatches in the market right now, so how will you select the best running watch for yourself?
That’s why we have performed thorough research and narrowed down our list to just 7 best running watches for women.
While selecting the watches, factors like weight, size, budget, features are taken into consideration. So without saying further, let us present to you our recommendations!
Here are the quick links for easily navigating to different sections in the article:
- Women Runners Watches Comparison Table
- Best Running Watches For Women
- Which Women Running Watch Is Best For You?
- Women Running Watch Buying Guide
- FAQs
Women Runners Watches Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Overall  | Garmin Forerunner 935 |
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Best Budget  | Garmin Vivoactive 3 |
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Best For iOS  | Apple Watch 3 |
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Best For Android  | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active |
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Best Running Watches For Women
1. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music (Best Overall Runners Watch Non-Touch)
Do you prefer listening to music while working out? If yes, then Forerunner 245 Music is going to be a good companion for your marathons, cardio training, or strength workout!
Forerunner 245 Music can download and store up to 500 songs offline on the watch itself. So you don’t need to carry your smartphone all the time!
Display
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music has a 1.2-inch display that is a color display. The display is very bright. Visibility will never be an issue be it indoors or outdoors. To prevent the watch from getting scratches, Gorilla Glass 3 is provided for better protection.
Since it’s a non-touch device it features 4 buttons on each side for operations that will help you access the features easily while you are sweating and running.
Size and Dimensions
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is just 1.38 ounces (39 grams) in weight making it as ideal runners watch for a thin to medium wrist size. With such a sleek form factor performing workouts or monitoring sleep will not be an issue.
Features
If you want to set fitness goals and conquer them then Garmin Forerunner 245 Music can be the choice for you. All your important information from your running like step count, distance traveled, calories burnt, heart rate is available.
And for an avid or a pro runner, there’s so much more for you!
It comes with an inbuilt GPS tracker as well as GLONASS that will provide you with your precise running pace and the location where you run. For your endurance training, it comes with auto-pause, auto lap, manual lap, blood oxygen levels, etc.
Moreover, it has wrist-based heart rate monitoring that will provide you updates every second. With all the accumulated data it will also tell you the range in which your heart rate fluctuates.
So with all the statistics keeping track of your progress will come in handy.
Based on your workout, Garmin Forerunner 245 Music will provide you with tasks or challenges so that you can level up your fitness.
This women runners watch is water-resistant by up to 50 meters. So, with this wearable tech all your statistics related to swimming like lengths, distance, pace, calories, swim count, SWOLF is also monitored.
Forerunner 245 Music will provide all your notifications related to text messages, calls, social accounts, directly on your wrist! If you have an Android phone then replying to notifications and rejecting calls with messages will enhance your overall experience.
Along with being a runner, if you are a health-conscious person then you are gonna like this Garmin Forerunner 245 Music.
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music women runners watch offers women’s health feature like a menstrual cycle. With the Garmin Connect app, you can keep track of your periods, log the details, predictions from Garmin, and daily updates of your current menstrual cycle, and much more.
Device Compatibility: Android (6.0 or above) iOS (12 or above)
2. Garmin Vivoactive 3 (Best Running Watch On A Budget)
Are you looking for a budget-friendly running smartwatch for women with a touch display? If yes, then Garmin Vivoactive 3 can cater to your choice!
Display
Vivoactive 3 features a 1.2-inch touch screen display that has corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection so that the watch can handle a little beating!
Just like Garmin Forerunner 245 Music, Vivoactive 3 also has a very vibrant display that will leave you with no disappointments even under direct sunlight.
Size And Dimension
Garmin Vivoactive 3 weighs only 1.52 ounces (43 grams) and with its form factor, it will look and feel good on your wrist.
If you feel like changing the way this watch looks on your wrist, then that’s even possible. Garmin Vivoactive 3 supports swappable bands (20MM). There are plenty of customization options available from Garmin as well as from some 3rd party companies on Amazon.
Features
Vivoactive 3 comes with internal GPS along with GLONASS that will help the watch collect accurate results of your recent run like steps count, calories burned, floors climbed, distance traveled, pace, etc. All this information will come in handy when you are willing to perform in marathons and want to make improvements in your workouts.
With Vivoactive 3 you can set up laps (manual and auto laps) and even cadence that will allow you to work upon the areas where you are lacking.
Along with that, you can download other running profiles from Garmin servers that will even provide you with indoor track running, indoor treadmill running!
This fitness watch is 50 Meters water-resistant so taking it into the pool and tracking your water skills like lengths, distance, stroke count, stroke type i.e. freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, etc is possible!
Garmin Vivoactive 3 is a versatile fitness watch that can help you track not just running but swimming, golfing, gymming (strength, cardio, stair steeping, indoor rowing, etc).
Therefore calling it a complete package will not be wrong!
With Garmin Vivoactive 3 monitoring of heart rate, every second is possible. It will keep track of your heart rate data and provide you with notifications if something is wrong with your heart rate fluctuations.
Stress is very common among working individuals. It is so because they are occupied 24×7 in their business or jobs that they tend to ignore body symptoms.
Out of all the symptoms of stress, the most crucial one is stress eating. Because of which you might be gaining weight.
With Garmin Vivoactive 3, taking care of your stress levels can be controlled. To achieve this, Garmin provides you with breathing and other calming activities that will help you stay healthy and productive.
For a woman having a smartwatch that can record her up to date information regarding her menstrual cycle is important. On Garmin Vivoactive 3 you can log in your symptoms, get health patterns, and various exercises for releasing pain.
Device Compatibility: Android (6.0 or above) iOS(12 or above)
3. Apple Watch 3 (Best For Beginners)
If you happen to have an iPhone and looking for a watch that can cater to your weekend runnings and other physical activities then Apple Watch 3 will be an appropriate choice.
The reasons for selecting Apple Watch 3 instead of Apple Watch 5 are the price difference and for a beginner, such features of Apple Watch 5 will be overwhelming.
Display
Apple Watch 3 offers a 1.66-inch touch screen OLED display that is very bright and no visibility issue can be seen whatsoever. The display is made up of sapphire glass so it will be less likely to get scratches easily.
Size and Dimensions
Apple Watch 3 comes in two dial sizes – 38MM and 42MM. So if you have a small wrist then 38MM will be more ideal. The weight of the smartwatch will range from 0.9 ounces (26 grams) to 1.97 ounces (56 grams) grams depending upon your strap/band type.
So, Apple Watch 3 is light on weight and comfortable on your wrist!
Features
Apple Watch 3 is a multi-purpose smartwatch that can monitor your steps count, calories burnt, and the list goes on. With inbuilt GPS tracking and GLONASS all your accurate stats like pace, beats per minute, elevation, distance covered are shown.
The smartwatch features a few modes like outdoor walk, outdoor running, indoor walk, indoor running, outdoor cycling, elliptical, stair stepper, high-intensity interval training, etc. so yes it can cater to your running goals even if you are a beginner or at an intermediate level of being an avid runner.
With the help of the App Store, you can download even more apps for challenges and activities.
Setting up your fitness goals on Apple Watch 3 is easy. On the basis of the target you have set, it will recommend you workouts that will help you in achieving targets.
This smartwatch is certified for swimming along with that it can resist water up to 50 meters. So all your states in water like laps, length, strokes (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly) are tracked.
Apple Watch 3 will share your average heart rate in the water, based on your activities.
And if we talk about women’s health, keeping track of your menstrual cycle is also possible with Apple Watch 3. Based on your current health condition, Apple will recommend workouts for your relief.
So if you are a beginner or an avid runner then Apple Watch 3 will be a better pick.
Device Compatibility: iOS (13 or above)
4. Fitbit Ionic
Fitbit watches don’t need an introduction. Their watches are meant for health and fitness. So how does their Fitbit Ionic stack up in terms of being the best running GPS watch for women? Let’s find out!
Display
Fitbit Ionic brings a 1.42-inch square touch screen display. The screen is very bright and you will not have any visibility issues in the night as well as under direct sunlight.
To prevent the watch from getting scratches, Gorilla Glass 3 protection is provided. So it can take on a few falls when you are running!
Size and Dimensions
Fitbit Ionic weighs 1.65 ounces (47 grams) In the photos it looks heavy but it’s quite comparable with Apple Watch 3 and Vivoactive 3.
Because of its square display, it feels a little bigger than Apple Watch and Vivoactive 3. But on the plus side, the display is better on Fitbit Ionic! So if you like the square form factor then Fitbit Ionic can be your ideal choice.
Features
Fitbit Ionic has an inbuilt GPS tracker along with GLONASS. It can monitor some of the statistics related to running like the duration of the run, steps, calories burnt, constant heart rate, elevation, distance, interval timer, a map view (on the app), speed/pace. Moreover, on the Fitbit app, you will find more details.
This smartwatch will also provide you with a reminder to move so that you don’t sit very long in one stretch in front of the computer!
With Fitbit Ionic, you can access multiple training plans and workouts using the Fitbit Coach on the Fitbit app.
With all the above statistics, heading in the direction of achieving your milestones will become easy. If you have friends using Fitbit fitness trackers or watches then you can even challenge them or check out their workouts for motivation.
Do you know what helps in achieving your running goals? It’s music! On Fitbit Ionic, you can keep all your favorite songs on the smartwatch that can be loaded on 2.5 GB of dedicated memory storage. So you don’t need to carry a smartphone for the purpose of listening to music.
Apart from running, Fitbit Ionic has numerous other fitness modes like cycling, weights, treadmill running, hiking, and the list goes above 20 activities!
Being a 50 meters water-resistant smartwatch, you can take it to the waters be it open water or swimming pool. It will be able to record time, laps, calories burnt. So if you are also an occasional swimmer then the above stats will help you track and improve.
Fitbit Ionic has also taken women’s health into account. With this smartwatch, you can monitor and keep track of your menstrual cycling and periodically update your body symptoms to track your current health condition.
As it’s a smartwatch it can do a couple of other things. To start with, receiving notifications of messages or social accounts can be reverted if you have connected this watch with an Android device.
Do you need a more advanced fitness app on your Fitbit Ionic or need a Starbucks app to order coffee while you are on a run? If yes, then it’s also possible.
With Fitbit Ionic, you can install multiple 3rd party apps on your smartwatch!
And if you need to pay at Starbucks or any store you can do that with Fitbit Pay even if you are not carrying your smartphone!
Device Compatibility: Android (7.0 or above) iOS (12.2 or above)
5. Garmin Forerunner 935 (Best Non-Touch Runners Watch)
Garmin Forerunner 935 can be the ideal choice if you aim to be an athlete level performer and every statistic that can bring improvement matters to you!
Display
Forerunner 935 has a bright 1.2-inch non-touch color display. Even in direct sunlight, you will not find any issue with it.
As it’s not a touch screen smartwatch, it features 4 buttons 2 on each side for using the watch.
Size and Dimensions
Weighing just 1.72 ounces (47 grams) makes it a lightweight running watch comparing to its competition. Not just lightweight, it’s also slimmer than the competition.
Features
Every watch that we have discussed above so far doesn’t stand anywhere near this marvelous piece of running gear!
All the above watches have inbuilt GPS and GLONASS. But on this smartwatch, you get multiple other sensors like GALILEO, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, to name a few. So rest assured all your statistics will be monitored more precisely.
Do you want to know how was your last run and how did it affect your performance? Then Garmin Forerunner 935 can help you out!
When we talk about running, it packs all the necessary features to shatter your previous running record! To start with it can track VO2 max.
VO2 max is an essential feature that tracks how much oxygen your body can intake while your heart is performing at its peak level while you are running.
With all the data from the VO2 max and training effect, training status will let you know whether you are making improvements, or you are maintaining your performance or achieving peak performance and so many more scenarios.
The training load feature will show you the average of your 7 days running stats and then present to you how your workouts were based on EPOC.
EPOC is excess post-workout oxygen consumption that will let you know how much the workout will affect your body after the workout. In simple language, its the amount of oxygen your body needs to consume for recovery.
The recovery advisor is a very important feature. Based on your previous workout it will update you with the recovery time so that on your next run you can perform at your maximum potential.
All the above performance and endurance related features can be helpful even if you perform other activities like cycling, golfing, straight training, cardio training, and others.
Even if you are a swimmer you are gonna love Garmin Forerunner 935.
As this smartwatch is water-resistant up to 50 meters you can take it to the open waters as well as a swimming pool to track your strokes, laps, duration, pace, and other important vitals.
With Garmin Forerunner 935 all your fitness dreams and features are well taken care of.
And if we talk about women’s health then also it doesn’t disappoint. Garmin has made sure that women can keep track of their menstrual cycle, record logs, and symptoms so that you can schedule your workout accordingly.
Being the best Garmin fitness smartwatch for women runners it can also take care of your daily smart features like Bluetooth connectivity, replying to notifications, weather forecasts, controlling music all from the easy access of your wrist!
Device Compatibility: Android (6.0 or above) iOS (12 or above)
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
Do you want to have super lightweight and small runners watch that you can wear to casual runs a few times a week? Then Samsung Galaxy Watch Active can be your companion.
Display
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active offers a 1.1-inch super AMOLED display. That is moderately bright for outdoor activities. For better protection from scratches, you don’t need to apply any screen protector as it has Gorilla Glass protection out of the box.
Size and Dimensions
This smartwatch weighs just 0.9 ounces (25 grams approx) making it the lightest watch in our top 7 runners watch list!
It is a very attractive and small looking smartwatch and it will fit your wrist very easily if you have a dainty wrist. Additionally, a longer band is also provided in the box so that you can select as per your liking and comfort.
Features
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active just not only has in-built GPS, GLONASS but also comes equipped with Beidou and Galileo for better GPS tracking.
With all those trackers this smartwatch can monitor time, distance covered, average and maximum page, heart rate, elevation, splits, calories burnt, cadence on your runs.
These stats are more than sufficient for a beginner or an intermediate fitness-oriented person.
Additionally, it has 39 modes for fitness. The watch is so smart that it can even automatically detect what kind of workout you are performing ie jogging, running, cycling, etc.
Samsung Active watch is 50-meter water-resistant therefore taking it to the pool and breaking your previous lap time is possible!
While in the pool, monitoring of total strokes, stroke types, total length, distance, average, and best SWOLF, average and maximum pace, heart rate is monitored.
This smartwatch even keeps an eye on your stress levels and based on the stress, it recommends a few breathing tips and activities to calm your nerves down. Along with that, keeping track of women’s health is also taken care of.
You can add your menstrual cycle logs and symptoms with which keeping track of your recent health condition is possible. On the basis of the statistics, suggestions for workouts will be updated to ensure relief.
So with all the above fitness and wellbeing features, we think it’s the best watch for a woman who is a beginner runner that uses an Android smartphone.
Because if paired with an Android device you get additional features like replying to the text messages and social accounts notifications, greater collection of watch faces (paid as well as free), etc.
Device Compatibility: Android (5.0 or above) iOS (9 or above)
7. Fitbit Versa Lite
Are you a beginner and looking for a Fitbit watch but don’t feel like spending much? If yes then Fitbit Versa Lite comes to the rescue!
Display
Fitbit Versa Lite features a 1.4 inch LCD display that is very bright and will not disappoint you outdoors in the afternoon. Even though it’s an economical choice it still manages to offer a Gorilla Glass 3 protection for accidental falls and slips while running.
Size and Dimensions
The weight of this smartwatch is just 1.41 ounces (39.97) and with such form factor, it feels sleeker than the Apple Watch 3.
In the box, you will find an additional strap/band, so you can make a selection as per your comfort and convenience. Just like Apple Watch 3, Fitbit Versa Lite supports numerous other bands from Fitbit as well as other 3rd party companies that sell via Amazon.
So if customization is in your mind then you can without a doubt opt for Fitbit Versa Lite.
Features
Fitbit watches are always known for their accurate fitness tracking and build quality. This smartwatch also holds the same trophies!
Even though it misses on inbuilt GPS tracker or GLONASS it utilizes the GPS from the smartphone that most likely you will carry while going out. By doing so, Fitbit also managed to reduce the price of the watch.
While running Fitbit Versa Lite will be able to track accurate speed, distance traveled, calories burnt, steps taken, etc. It is not as informative as Fitbit Ionic but it can be okay for a beginner who is just starting the habit of hitting the road.
With Fitbit Versa Lite, monitoring of indoor, as well as outdoor running, cycling, jogging, is also possible. To enhance your capacity you can always check out Fitbit Coach that will provide you with more exercises and even you can challenge your friends for a quick sprint or cycling!
Keeping track of your sleep is very vital for your daily productivity. Be it for office or your personal goals for fitness.
Fitbit Versa Lite will take care of your sleeping patterns and will share the details with you so that you can make necessary changes to your sleeping habits for waking up fresh and healthy. With this feature, you will be ready to accomplish the daily tasks designed by Fitbit Coach or your friends!
Keeping all the features in mind and such a price tag from a reputed company does make it the choice of many!
Which Women Running Watch Is Best For You?
Out of all the watches above, recommending one is a risky affair as we don’t know your likes and preferences. Therefore based on our research we will break it down for you so that you know what to expect from the watches.
If you have just started running, then selecting either Fitbit Ionic or Fitbit Versa Lite can be your choice.
For an iPhone user, nothing works as good as Apple Watch on an iPhone. So Apple Watch 3 will be an ideal choice for you.
These 3 watches have basic essentials like steps counter, calorie burnt, distance covered, heart rate monitoring along with a bunch of other fitness and health-related features. If you don’t feel like investing money in Apple Watch 3 and Fitbit Ionic then Fitbit Versa Lite will be a better alternative.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active can be chosen if you are a beginner and looking for a super lightweight smartwatch that can take care of your casual running as well as day to day activities.
If you need a smartwatch that has a touch screen display along with that can be a companion for your runs then Garmin Vivoactive 3 is for you. Furthermore, Garmin Vivoactive 3 is our choice for the best budget runners watches for women.
Do you prefer a non-touch display smartwatch for your running needs? If yes then you have two options – Forerunner 245 Music and Forerunner 935 for you.
Forerunner 245 Music offers a great variety of features to turn you into an avid runner who aims to be fit and healthy. As it’s is music-oriented runners watch, you can load your songs and hit the road while the watch is keeping up to date stats of your pace, VO2 intake, and so on.
If you are an athlete level performer who aims to break your previous records, Then Forerunner 935 is your choice. With this watch, you can make improvements to your training patterns based on your body’s EPOCS, VO2 intake, performance reports, and so many other top-of-the-line features.
Have You Done Your Homework Before Buying Your Next Watch? : Women Running Watch Buying Guide
In this article, we only covered 7 watches based on our preferences. But still, there are so many other runners oriented smartwatches which are available on Amazon that have the potential to be among the list.
Therefore, below we are sharing a few pointers that you should keep in mind before grabbing yourself a women runner’s watch!
Odds of a running watch having all the features are very thin. So if your desired watch meets half of the parameters even then you should give it a try.
So without saying anything further, let us present to you the buying guide for running watches for women.
1. Lightweight
Can you run at your potential when you have 20 kgs in your backpack? The same way when we talk about runner’s watch it has to be lightweight for your wrist.
If your watch is heavy then it will not let your hand move at its peak capacity resulting in high lap times and lower speed. Which is not good if you’re planning to win a 500-meter race! Therefore always prefer a runner’s watch that is light for your wrist.
2. Women’s Health
Women’s health features on a smartwatch are very important. Some of the manufacturers are taking the health of females very seriously.
Most of the smartwatches can log your menstrual cycle updates and based on your body symptoms they provide you with your current health status. Depending upon your health the smartwatch provides you with tips and activities to help you relieve pain.
So, before buying your next tech wearable make sure it can cater to your running as well as health conditions.
3. Check Out For Sensors
For starters having a smartwatch that uses GPS of your smartphone or has an in-built GPS tracker is more than enough. It will let you keep track of your distance, calorie burnt, steps, heart rate, etc.
However, if you are an avid runner or an athlete level performer then you should make sure it has all the basic and recommended trackers.
Some of the running watches include GLONASS, Galileo, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, to name a few. These trackers/sensors can track so much about your workout that only GPS based smartwatches cannot do.
Therefore if you need correct statistics that can help you achieve your goals, then you should keep an eye on the choice of sensors and trackers available on your desired watch.
4. Battery
How good is your sports car when it goes out of fuel within a few miles and there’s a long way to go home? Just the same way, your smartwatch with so many features will be nothing without the juice to run it.
So keeping in mind sensors like GLONASS, Galileo, compass, gyroscope, etc. can consume a big chunk of battery if you are using those features all the time.
Also, keep in mind that battery backup is entirely based on usage. If ABC is getting 3 days of battery backup doesn’t ensure you’ll get the same.
Therefore, if your preferred watch has all the above sensors and still manages to offers a full working day or even 2 days, then you definitely give it a shot!
5. Features
In a running watch, you should look for some essential monitoring features like lap track, auto lap, blood oxygen level, interval training, advance workouts, etc. All these features can help you do different types of runs and keep track of your runs.
If along with some of the above features, a watch offers smart features like replying to notifications, installing apps, digital payment, etc. then it makes the deal more promising. That said, they are not really necessary for your running but an added bonus to do your day-to-day tasks right from your wrist.
For the beginner runners, a watch that can track most of the running-related statistics like pace, distance covered, calories burnt, etc. is equally good. With such data, one can track their workouts and bring improvements based on the statistics.
FAQs
Which Running Watch Should I Get?
If you are on a budget and an avid runner then you can go with Garmin Forerunner 245 Music.
What Is The Best Garmin Watch For Running?
According to us, Garmin Forerunner 935 can be an ideal choice for an athlete level performer.
Best Running Watch For A Beginner?
For beginners, Fitbit Versa Lite and Fitbit Ionic are the best choices.
What Watch Do Professional Runners Wear?
Garmin Forerunner 935 is the most ideal choice for the professional runners.
Is Garmin Better Than Apple Watch?
If you take factor-like running into consideration then Garmin watches are better than Apple Watch.
What Is The Best Fitbit For Women?
If you are new to running and fitness then either of Fitbit Versa Lite or Fitbit Iconic can be your choice.
Which Running Watch Should I get?
If you are looking for a touch screen watch then Garmin Vivoactive 3 and for non-touch, Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a good option.
Which Fitbit Is Best For Small Wrist?
Fitbit Versa Lite is thin and lightweight which is appropriate for someone who has a small wrist.
Do I Really Need A GPS For Running?
If you are a beginner then you are better off with any phone-based GPS watches. If you are an avid runner then GPS + GLONASS should be the basic requirement.
What Is The Best Running Watch With Music?
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a running smartwatch that is a music-centric watch.
Is The Garmin Vivoactive 3 Worth it?
Yes, Garmin Vivoactive 3 is the choice of many who aim for a touch screen smartwatch with running centric features.
