10 Best Stopwatches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is more than a basic stopwatch; it’s a full-featured running smartwatch that offers precise GPS tracking and wrist-based heart rate monitoring, which help accurately measure pace and distance during workouts. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display is easy to read even in bright sunlight, and you can control it via touchscreen or traditional buttons, adding convenience whether you’re running or resting. The watch supports lap and split times through its multiple built-in activity profiles, including running, which makes tracking different segments straightforward.

Battery life is strong, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours with GPS active, so it can handle long training sessions without needing frequent charges. It’s lightweight and comfortable for daily wear, which is great for continuous use and monitoring recovery. Garmin also adds value with smart features like personalized workout suggestions, music playback without your phone, and safety tracking to alert contacts in emergencies. While not specifically highlighted as rugged for extreme conditions, it is durable enough for fitness use.

This watch is best suited for runners and fitness lovers who want accurate timing plus a range of training insights and smart conveniences all in one device. Some features like music streaming require subscriptions and a compatible smartphone, which adds extra steps to setup, and the many additional features may be more than what users looking for a simple stopwatch need.

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is a versatile GPS smartwatch designed primarily for runners and triathletes, offering much more than a basic stopwatch. It provides highly accurate time tracking with built-in GPS and advanced sensors, making it reliable for lap and split timing during training or races. The 1.2-inch bright AMOLED touchscreen coupled with button controls ensures easy readability and operation in various lighting conditions. Durability is enhanced by its aluminum bezel, suitable for outdoor use and daily wear.

Battery life is solid, lasting up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and 18 hours with GPS active, which is great for long training sessions or multi-day use. It also stands out with personalized coaching plans and training insights based on heart rate variability, recovery, and VO2 max, helping users train smarter and prevent overexertion. Additional features like phone call handling, voice assistant support, and safety tracking add convenience and security, although these depend on smartphone pairing.

However, its complexity and range of features might be overwhelming if you just want a simple stopwatch without extra bells and whistles. The device is designed more for fitness tracking and training support than a pure stopwatch function, so if your focus is solely on timing events without GPS or fitness metrics, simpler models might offer a more user-friendly and cost-effective solution.

The SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro is a premium GPS sports watch that functions effectively as a stopwatch for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Its standout feature is GPS accuracy, utilizing multiple satellite systems to track your position precisely, even in challenging environments like mountains or cities with tall buildings. This ensures reliable lap and split times during running, cycling, or hiking. The watch features a bright, 43 mm touchscreen display that is easy to read and customizable through its app.

Durability is impressive—constructed with titanium, stainless steel, and sapphire glass, it is water-resistant up to 100 meters and designed to withstand harsh conditions, making it ideal for rough outdoor use. The battery life ranges from 40 to 300 hours depending on GPS usage, and it charges quickly, minimizing downtime between workouts. With 97 sport modes and additional features such as weather alerts, navigation, heart rate monitoring, and music controls, the watch extends beyond the capabilities of a standard stopwatch.

This watch is best suited for serious athletes and outdoor adventurers who want precise timing, training insights, and robust durability. For those seeking a simple, easy-to-use stopwatch, the SUUNTO 9 Peak Pro might feel complex due to its many functions and touchscreen interface. Additionally, it is a more expensive and heavier option compared to basic stopwatches.