10 Best Strava Watch 2026 in the United States

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a strong contender for anyone looking for a smartwatch to support fitness activities, especially running and health tracking. It features built-in GPS, which is essential for tracking routes accurately on apps like Strava. While precise GPS accuracy is generally good in Samsung watches, some users might notice minor variations compared to specialized GPS devices. Battery life is improved over previous models, allowing for a full day of tracking, heart rate monitoring, and notifications without frequent charging, although heavy GPS use could shorten this duration.

The watch excels in heart rate monitoring, offering real-time feedback and additional health insights like vascular load and energy scores, which can help runners understand their overall condition better. Its lightweight and snug design make it comfortable to wear during workouts, and the 1.3-inch round screen provides clear information at a glance. Water resistance is designed to handle sweat and rain, making it suitable for general fitness activities rather than deep-water swimming. Smart features such as sleep coaching, a personal AI assistant, and a user-friendly interface add value for daily use beyond workouts.

Running Wear OS powered by Samsung ensures compatibility with popular apps including Strava, making syncing your runs straightforward. One potential downside is that the Galaxy Watch 8 may not be as rugged as some sports-focused watches, so those seeking extreme durability might want to consider other options. This watch is well-suited for runners and fitness enthusiasts who want a blend of health tracking, smart features, and decent battery life in a stylish, comfortable package.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) is a solid choice if you're looking for a smartwatch to complement your Strava activities. It comes with built-in GPS that should give you reliable tracking for your running and cycling routes, which is essential for accurate workout data on Strava. Battery life is decent, with a 425 mAh battery that can last through a full day of activity tracking, though very long outdoor adventures might require a recharge sooner than some specialized sports watches. Heart rate monitoring is advanced and includes vascular load insights, helping you understand how your body handles stress, which can be useful for training recovery.

The watch has a lightweight, comfortable design that fits snugly on your wrist, making it easy to wear all day and night. Samsung offers advanced sleep coaching features that can help improve your rest, indirectly supporting your fitness goals. It uses Wear OS powered by Samsung, giving you access to smart features like notifications, a personal AI assistant, and a user-friendly interface, which add convenience but may not be as focused on sports as some other fitness watches. Water resistance is typical of Samsung watches, allowing for swimming and sweat exposure, making it suitable for most water-related activities. Durability is good for everyday use thanks to a modern, sturdy design, though it may not be as rugged as some dedicated outdoor watches.

Compatibility with Strava is strong since the Wear OS ecosystem supports Strava apps and syncing, ensuring your workouts upload smoothly. However, for users primarily focused on ultra-long battery life or highly specialized sports metrics, there might be better options. The Galaxy Watch 8 blends fitness tracking and smartwatch features well, making it a good all-around device for casual to moderate Strava users who want health insights and smart features in one sleek package.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a strong choice for runners and triathletes who want a watch that pairs well with Strava. Its standout feature is a sharp, colorful AMOLED touchscreen combined with traditional button controls, making it easy to navigate during workouts. The GPS is highly accurate thanks to multi-band GNSS and SatIQ technology, which also helps extend battery life. You can expect up to 20 hours of GPS use, which should cover long runs or races, and up to 13 days in smartwatch mode.

Heart rate monitoring is detailed, offering insights into training readiness, recovery, and overall effort, which helps you train smarter and avoid overexertion. The watch supports over 30 activities, including running, cycling, and swimming, and includes safety features like incident detection when connected to your smartphone. It also offers smart features like smartphone notifications and Garmin Pay for contactless payments, adding convenience beyond fitness tracking. While the watch is lightweight and durable, Garmin typically designs their running watches to handle sweat and rain. With 8 GB of storage, you can also keep music on your wrist, enhancing your workouts. Compatibility with Strava is seamless through Garmin Connect, allowing easy syncing of your activities.

The Forerunner 265 balances advanced training tools and daily smart features in a user-friendly design, making it a great companion for serious runners who want reliable data and connectivity. One minor drawback is that some advanced metrics are estimations rather than exact measures, but this is common in many fitness trackers.