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10 Best Running Watch For Teens 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch with Daily Readiness, GPS, 24/7 Heart Rate, 40+ Exercise Modes, Sleep Tracking and more, Pink Sand/Copper Rose, One Size (S & L Bands Included)

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,364
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitor
Smartphone Connectivity

Most important from
14336 reviews

Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting up to seven days even with regular use.
Heart Rate Monitor
It excels as an activity tracker, effectively monitoring steps, heart rate, and overall fitness.
Smartphone Connectivity
Syncing issues can arise, often resolved by ensuring the old device is not nearby during setup.

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.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,364
Battery Life
Heart Rate Monitor
Smartphone Connectivity

Most important from
14336 reviews

Battery Life
The battery life is impressive, lasting up to seven days even with regular use.
Heart Rate Monitor
It excels as an activity tracker, effectively monitoring steps, heart rate, and overall fitness.
Smartphone Connectivity
Syncing issues can arise, often resolved by ensuring the old device is not nearby during setup.
#2

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 40mm Bluetooth AI Smartwatch w/Energy Score, Wellness Tips, Heart Rate Tracking, Sleep Monitor, Fitness Tracker, 2024, Cream [US Version, 1Yr Manufacturer Warranty]

Rating
9.8
GPS Tracking
Heart Rate Monitor
Battery Life

Most important from
2199 reviews

GPS Tracking
Advanced health tracking includes heart rate, calories, and VO2 max, with precise GPS for outdoor activities.
Heart Rate Monitor
Advanced health tracking includes heart rate, calories, and VO2 max, with precise GPS for outdoor activities.
Battery Life
Impressive battery life lasts several days, even with extensive use of features.
Smartphone Connectivity
Seamless integration with smartphones makes accessing calls, messages, and notifications effortless.

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.

Rating
9.8
GPS Tracking
Heart Rate Monitor
Battery Life

Most important from
2199 reviews

GPS Tracking
Advanced health tracking includes heart rate, calories, and VO2 max, with precise GPS for outdoor activities.
Heart Rate Monitor
Advanced health tracking includes heart rate, calories, and VO2 max, with precise GPS for outdoor activities.
Battery Life
Impressive battery life lasts several days, even with extensive use of features.
Smartphone Connectivity
Seamless integration with smartphones makes accessing calls, messages, and notifications effortless.
#3

Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Amp Yellow and Black

Rating
9.6
GPS Tracking
Battery Life
Comfort and Fit

Most important from
250 reviews

GPS Tracking
The vibrant screen and perfect GPS accuracy make this watch a standout upgrade, especially for those familiar with previous models.
Battery Life
The watch offers exceptional battery life, lasting longer than previous models, even with a week's worth of GPS usage.
Comfort and Fit
The round bezel design enhances both the aesthetic appeal and comfort on the wrist, making it a stylish choice for fitness enthusiasts.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is a running smartwatch that might appeal to teens seeking a high-performance fitness device. Its standout feature is the vibrant AMOLED display, which, alongside traditional button controls, offers an intuitive user experience. The watch is lightweight with a titanium bezel, making comfort and fit suitable for long-term wear, which is important for active teens.

A major strength is its robust GPS tracking with full-color maps, helping teens confidently navigate running routes. The multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology ensure accurate tracking even in challenging environments. This is complemented by impressive battery life—up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode, reducing the need for frequent charging.

The heart rate monitor and wrist-based running dynamics offer detailed fitness insights, including cadence and stride length, which can be helpful for monitoring and improving performance. It also provides personalized training metrics and recovery insights, making it easy for teens to track their fitness journey and understand their training readiness.

In terms of connectivity, the watch pairs well with smartphones via Bluetooth, allowing seamless syncing of data and easy access to apps and notifications. The water resistance feature ensures durability, essential for teens involved in various sports and outdoor activities.

However, some teens might find the wealth of features overwhelming, especially if they are new to fitness tracking. Additionally, while the watch is versatile with multisport capabilities, those focused solely on casual running might not fully utilize all features, potentially making it seem over-engineered for their needs. Yet, for those who enjoy a comprehensive fitness experience with future-proof capabilities, this smartwatch is a solid choice.

Rating
9.6
GPS Tracking
Battery Life
Comfort and Fit

Most important from
250 reviews

GPS Tracking
The vibrant screen and perfect GPS accuracy make this watch a standout upgrade, especially for those familiar with previous models.
Battery Life
The watch offers exceptional battery life, lasting longer than previous models, even with a week's worth of GPS usage.
Comfort and Fit
The round bezel design enhances both the aesthetic appeal and comfort on the wrist, making it a stylish choice for fitness enthusiasts.

Buying Guide for the Best Running Watch For Teens

Choosing the right running watch for teens can be a bit overwhelming with so many options available. The key is to focus on the features that will be most beneficial for their needs and preferences. A good running watch can help track their progress, set goals, and stay motivated. Here are some key specifications to consider when selecting a running watch for teens.
GPS TrackingGPS tracking is a feature that allows the watch to accurately track the distance, pace, and route of a run. This is important for teens who are serious about their running and want to monitor their progress over time. Watches with built-in GPS are more accurate but can be more expensive. For casual runners, a watch that connects to a smartphone for GPS data might be sufficient.
Heart Rate MonitorA heart rate monitor measures the wearer's heart rate in real-time. This is important for tracking fitness levels and ensuring that the teen is training in the right heart rate zone for their goals. Basic models might only offer wrist-based heart rate monitoring, which is convenient but can be less accurate than chest strap monitors. Teens who are more focused on fitness and performance might benefit from a more accurate heart rate monitor.
Battery LifeBattery life refers to how long the watch can operate before needing to be recharged. This is important for ensuring that the watch can last through long runs or multiple days of use. Basic models might offer a few days of battery life, while more advanced models with GPS and heart rate monitoring might need to be charged more frequently. Teens who are active and use their watch frequently should look for a model with longer battery life.
Water ResistanceWater resistance indicates how well the watch can withstand exposure to water. This is important for teens who might wear their watch while swimming or in the rain. Basic models might be splash-proof, while more advanced models can be fully waterproof and suitable for swimming. Teens who participate in multiple sports or activities should consider a watch with higher water resistance.
Smartphone ConnectivitySmartphone connectivity allows the watch to sync with a smartphone to receive notifications, download apps, and upload workout data. This is important for teens who want to stay connected and track their progress over time. Basic models might offer limited connectivity, while more advanced models can provide a wide range of smart features. Teens who are tech-savvy and enjoy using apps might prefer a watch with robust smartphone connectivity.
DurabilityDurability refers to how well the watch can withstand wear and tear. This is important for teens who are active and might subject their watch to rough conditions. Basic models might be made of plastic and less durable, while more advanced models might use materials like stainless steel or reinforced glass. Teens who are rough on their gear should look for a more durable watch.
Comfort and FitComfort and fit are crucial for ensuring that the watch is worn regularly. This is important for teens who might be sensitive to how a watch feels on their wrist. Basic models might offer adjustable straps, while more advanced models might provide a range of sizes and materials for a better fit. Teens should try on different models to find one that feels comfortable and fits well.

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