10 Best Cheap Gps Running Watch 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a lightweight and affordable running smartwatch designed for those who want solid GPS tracking and health monitoring without extra bulk. Its built-in GPS and wrist-based heart rate sensor offer reliable pace and distance tracking, which fits well for casual runners and fitness enthusiasts. The watch’s 1.2-inch colorful AMOLED touchscreen is bright and easy to navigate, combined with physical buttons for added convenience, making it comfortable to use even on the move.

Battery life is strong for its category, giving you up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and about 19 hours with continuous GPS use—enough for multiple runs or long workouts without frequent recharging. It supports music storage and playback, allowing you to download playlists from popular streaming services and connect wireless headphones for phone-free listening, a nice feature not always found in budget models.

Garmin includes personalized training plans and recovery insights that adapt to your performance, helping you improve safely. Safety features like incident detection add peace of mind during outdoor runs, but they require a smartphone connection and coverage to work fully. The watch also offers smart notifications and contactless payments, which enhance daily usability beyond just running. The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music combines comfort, essential fitness tracking, and handy extras in a compact design, making it a great choice for runners seeking a versatile, budget-friendly smartwatch.

The Garmin Forerunner 265S is a strong contender in the affordable GPS running watch category, especially for those with smaller wrists thanks to its lightweight 42mm design. Its standout AMOLED touchscreen delivers clear, colorful visuals combined with traditional button controls, making it easy to use even during intense workouts. The built-in GPS uses multi-band technology, which means you get reliable and accurate location tracking even in tricky environments like dense urban areas or forests. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and around 24 hours when using GPS continuously, which is more than enough for daily runs and longer sessions.

Heart rate monitoring is wrist-based and paired with advanced metrics like HRV (heart rate variability), training readiness, and recovery insights. These features help you understand when your body is ready for a hard workout or needs rest, which is great for runners eager to improve safely. The watch also offers 30+ sports profiles, including running, cycling, and swimming, making it versatile for triathletes or those who cross-train.

Smart features such as notifications for calls and texts, morning reports with sleep and recovery summaries, and safety tools like incident detection add convenience and peace of mind. However, some of these smart features require your smartphone to be nearby and connected. Water resistance is suitable for swimming and outdoor activities, though exact ratings aren't highlighted here. The 1.1-inch screen might feel small to some, and while the watch is packed with features, the complexity of advanced training data might be overwhelming for beginners. The battery capacity seems modest but is optimized well by the device. If you want a stylish, reliable watch that balances smart features with serious training tools, especially if you prefer a smaller size, the Forerunner 265S fits the bill nicely without a high price tag.