10 Best Running Watch For Teens 2025 in the United States

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a promising option for teens looking for a running watch. It excels in key areas like GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring, essential for fitness enthusiasts. The watch's heart rate tracking is enhanced by Galaxy AI, providing more precise readings by filtering body movements. This is particularly useful for young athletes keen on monitoring their cardiovascular health during workouts.

Its sleep monitoring capabilities, coupled with insights for more restful nights and detecting sleep apnea, can be beneficial for teens who want to improve their sleep habits. Additionally, the Energy Score feature might motivate them by assessing daily readiness based on past activities, helping them understand their physical limits and potentially improving their performance over time.

The watch offers a decent battery life and water resistance can be advantageous for those engaging in water sports or running in unpredictable weather. In terms of comfort and fit, the watch is lightweight, which is crucial for daily wear, especially during physical activities. The inclusion of a touch screen and smartphone connectivity adds convenience, allowing teens to sync their data easily and receive wellness tips tailored to their goals.

The Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch offers a robust package for teens looking for a running watch that helps them track their fitness and stay connected. The inclusion of built-in GPS is a major strength, allowing users to accurately track their runs without needing a smartphone. The heart rate monitor works around the clock, providing valuable insights into exercise intensity and overall fitness. Its water resistance to 50 meters means it can handle sweat and rain, making it a dependable companion for active teens. The battery life extends over six days, which is convenient for those who prefer infrequent charging.

Additionally, smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth allows for calls, texts, and notifications directly from the wrist, making it simpler for teens to stay in touch while on the move. However, the smartwatch's square design might not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more traditional round watch face. Despite its lightweight build, at 6.3 ounces, some teens might find it slightly bulky for smaller wrists. The Versa 4's user interface might be complex for teens who are new to smartwatches, potentially making initial setup and navigation a bit challenging.

Furthermore, while the color options such as Pink Sand/Copper Rose could be attractive, they may not cater to all stylistic preferences. The smartwatch's advanced features like sleep tracking and stress management are excellent for holistic health monitoring but might require some guidance to fully utilize. The Fitbit Versa 4 is a well-rounded choice with strong fitness tracking capabilities, although its design and complexity might require consideration for teen users.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a well-rounded running smartwatch that is especially suitable for teens. It boasts a built-in GPS for tracking pace and distance, and a wrist-based heart rate monitor to keep track of exercise intensity. The vibrant AMOLED touchscreen display, complemented by traditional button controls, makes it both stylish and easy to use. With a lightweight design, it promises comfort during long runs or workouts.

It offers an impressive battery life, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode, ensuring it won’t die out mid-run. Additionally, its water resistance is a plus for sweaty workouts or unexpected rain showers. The watch also includes various training metrics and recovery insights, which can help young athletes improve their performance and understand their fitness better. It features 25+ activity profiles, including running and cycling, making it versatile for different sports.

Safety is enhanced with incident detection and assistance features that send real-time location to emergency contacts when needed. The smartwatch also supports smart notifications, allowing teens to stay connected without checking their phones constantly. Garmin Pay is an added convenience for quick transactions on the go. Some potential drawbacks include the necessity for a compatible smartphone for certain features, which might be a limitation for some users. The relatively small 1.2-inch screen might not appeal to users who prefer larger displays. Despite these minor concerns, the Garmin Forerunner 165 provides a comprehensive set of features that cater specifically to the needs of teen runners, making it a strong contender in the running-watch category.