10 Best Trackers For Runners 2026 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 265S is a great choice for runners, especially those with smaller wrists, thanks to its lightweight 42mm size and comfortable fit. It features a bright and colorful AMOLED touchscreen combined with physical buttons, making it easy to use both in motion and at rest. One of its standout features is the accurate multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, which ensures reliable location tracking even in challenging environments, a big plus for outdoor runners.

Heart rate monitoring is solid and comes with advanced insights like HRV status and training readiness, helping you understand your recovery and when you're ready to push harder. The watch offers up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and around 24 hours with GPS active, so it can handle long training sessions or multiple days without a charge. It supports over 30 activity profiles, including running and triathlons, and provides personalized daily workouts that adapt based on your performance and recovery. Safety features like incident detection and live location sharing add peace of mind during runs.

It syncs smoothly with both Android and Apple phones, delivering smart notifications so you won’t miss calls or texts. While water resistance details are not explicitly provided here, Garmin watches typically offer good water protection, suitable for sweaty workouts and rain. This watch effectively balances detailed training metrics with user-friendly features, making it a smart companion for runners who want both performance tracking and daily fitness guidance.

The Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker offers a comprehensive suite of features that cater well to runners. Its built-in GPS provides accurate tracking of your runs, and the 24/7 heart rate monitoring helps you keep an eye on your fitness levels. The tracker also includes 40+ exercise modes and automatic exercise detection, making it versatile for various types of workouts. The battery life is decent, though not exceptional, and should last through several workouts or days of use before needing a recharge. Its water resistance is another plus, ensuring it can withstand sweat and unexpected rain showers during runs.

Comfort and fit are well-considered with the inclusion of both small and large bands, ensuring a secure fit for most wrist sizes. The device's lightweight design adds to its comfort, making it easy to wear all day. Smart features like Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions, Google Wallet for contactless payments, and YouTube Music controls enhance the user experience by integrating smoothly with daily activities. Data syncing and compatibility are robust, supporting both iOS and Android devices, and allowing you to link with popular exercise equipment for real-time heart rate monitoring.

However, the screen size is relatively small at 1.04 inches, which might not be ideal for those who prefer larger displays for easier readability. The product also comes with a 6-month premium membership, offering advanced health and fitness insights, which could be particularly valuable for those serious about their training. The Fitbit Charge 6 is a strong contender for runners seeking a reliable and feature-rich fitness tracker, though its smaller screen and moderate battery life might be points to consider depending on individual preferences.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a lightweight, comfortable running smartwatch with a sharp and colorful 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, making it easy to glance at important data during your runs. It has built-in GPS that reliably tracks distance and pace, plus wrist-based heart rate monitoring that helps you keep an eye on your effort without needing a chest strap. One of its biggest strengths is battery life, lasting up to 11 days in regular mode and up to 19 hours when using GPS continuously — great for long training sessions or multi-day use without frequent charging.

The watch also offers useful training features like personalized workout suggestions that adapt based on your performance and recovery, which is handy if you want guided help improving. It supports over 25 sports profiles, which is versatile beyond running alone. Safety features like incident detection and live location sharing add peace of mind when running outdoors, though these require your phone to be nearby with network coverage, which may limit their usefulness in remote areas. The Forerunner 165 syncs well with smartphones for notifications and Garmin’s Connect app, making data management straightforward. Additionally, Garmin Pay allows contactless payments, so you can leave your wallet behind.

While the watch excels in key running functions, its 4GB storage and Bluetooth connectivity reflect standard specifications. Water resistance is a feature to verify for those who swim or run in wet conditions. This watch suits runners who want accurate GPS, solid heart rate tracking, long battery life, and smart training support in a stylish yet simple package.