10 Best Cheap Watch For Running (2024 Update)

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As a runner, you need a watch that can keep up with your pace and help you track your progress. However, not everyone can afford a high-end sports watch with all the bells and whistles, and that's where a cheap watch for running comes in handy. But, before you start your hunt for the perfect budget-friendly running watch, there are a few key points you should keep in mind.

Firstly, make sure the watch has a GPS tracker to accurately measure your distance and pace. Secondly, look for a watch with a heart rate monitor to help you monitor your intensity level and avoid overexertion. Thirdly, consider the battery life of the watch, especially if you plan on using it for longer runs. Fourthly, check the watch's water-resistant rating if you run in rainy conditions or sweat a lot. And finally, make sure the watch has a user-friendly interface that allows you to easily navigate through its features while on the go.

In summary, when looking for a cheap watch for running, prioritize a GPS tracker, heart rate monitor, battery life, water-resistant rating, and user-friendly interface. With these key points in mind, you can find a budget-friendly watch that can help improve your running performance without breaking the bank.

10 Best Cheap Watch For Running

1. Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar: Gps Smartwatch For Triathletes With Solar Charging, Long Battery Life – Black.

The Garmin 010-02638-00 Forerunner® 955 Solar is a GPS running smartwatch with solar charging capabilities and is tailored to triathletes. It features an always-on, full-color display that is easy to read even in direct sunlight, making it perfect for outdoor activities. The watch has a long-lasting battery life of up to 20 days in smartwatch mode and up to 110 hours in UltraTrac mode with solar charging.

The Forerunner 955 provides full-color, built-in mapping to keep you on track whether you're running on city streets or riding densely covered trails. It also offers access to multiple global navigation satellite systems and multiple frequencies sent by navigation satellites for improved accuracy in areas where GNSS signals are reflected, weak or typically don't penetrate. This gives you superior accuracy for how far and how fast you’ve run, even in challenging environments.

The watch also features a training readiness score based on your sleep quality, recovery, training and more, so you can determine whether it’s a good day to go hard or take it easy. The race widget provides training tips, personalized daily suggested workouts, and completion time predictions based on course details, weather, and performance to help you prepare for your next race.

With new indicators such as HRV status, your recent exercise history and performance, the Forerunner 955 offers an easy insight into your overall effort with training status, and lets you know whether you’re training productively, peaking or strained. The morning report offers an overview of your sleep, recovery, and training outlook as soon as you wake up, alongside HRV status, training readiness, and weather, and you can even customize your report to show what you want to see.

The Forerunner 955 also boasts HRV status, which gives you a deeper understanding of your overall health, recovery, and training performance through heart rate variability while you sleep, based on technology developed by the Firstbeat Analytics team. This device is intended to give an estimate of your activity and metrics.

In summary, the Garmin 010-02638-00 Forerunner® 955 Solar is an advanced GPS running smartwatch that is perfect for triathletes. It offers solar charging capabilities, full-color, built-in mapping, multiple global navigation satellite systems, and a long-lasting battery life. The watch features training readiness score, race widget, training status, morning report, and HRV status to help you understand your overall health, recovery, and training performance.

2. Garmin Forerunner 55 Gps Running Watch With Daily Workouts And 2-Week Battery Life In Aqua.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a GPS running watch designed for fitness enthusiasts who want to track their workouts and improve their performance. With an easy-to-use interface, this watch monitors heart rate at the wrist and uses GPS to track distance, speed, and location. It has a battery life of up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, making it perfect for marathon runners and long-distance athletes.

One of the standout features of the Forerunner 55 is its PacePro technology. This feature offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance, allowing runners to plan their race day strategy and run their best. The watch also includes helpful training tools, such as race time predictions and finish time estimates.

The Forerunner 55 offers built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork, and more. This means that no matter what type of workout you prefer, the watch can track it. Advanced wellness features, such as intensity minutes, fitness age, and all-day respiration, allow users to tune in to their bodies and track their progress over time.

Customization is key with the Forerunner 55. Users can personalize their watch with free watch faces, data fields, apps, and widgets from the Connect IQ Store. This requires the Garmin Connect app and Connect IQ app to be loaded on a compatible smartphone.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Forerunner 55 is its suggested workouts feature. This feature takes the guesswork out of training by offering workouts of varying intensities based on the user's training history, fitness level, and recovery time. This means that users can take their workouts to the next level without having to worry about planning their own routines.

Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a top-of-the-line GPS running watch that offers a wide range of features for fitness enthusiasts. Its customizable interface, advanced wellness tracking, and suggested workouts make it a must-have for anyone looking to improve their performance and reach their fitness goals.

3. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music, Gps Running Smartwatch With Music And Advanced Dynamics, White

The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a GPS running smartwatch that comes with advanced training features and the ability to play music. It has a battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours in GPS mode with music. The smartwatch evaluates the user's current training status to indicate whether they are undertraining or overdoing it. Additionally, it offers additional performance monitoring features for a more comprehensive workout experience.

With the Garmin Coach feature, users can get free adaptive training plans or create their own custom workouts on the Garmin Connect online fitness community. The smartwatch also provides advanced running dynamics, including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio, and more. However, when used with Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Run or HRM-Tri monitors (sold separately), the user can access more advanced features.

The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music also comes with safety and tracking features such as incident detection during select activities. This feature sends the user's real-time location to emergency contacts through their paired compatible smartphone. This feature brings peace of mind to the user and their loved ones.

With the ability to sync with music streaming services such as Spotify, the user can easily store and play their favorite songs right from their watch. The smartwatch comes in a sleek white design that is suitable for any outfit or occasion.

Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a versatile smartwatch that provides a comprehensive workout experience. With its advanced training features, safety and tracking features, and the ability to play music, it is perfect for anyone who wants to stay fit and connected on the go.

4. Garmin Forerunner® 255, Gps Running Smartwatch, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Slate Gray

The Garmin Forerunner® 255 is a GPS running smartwatch that offers advanced insights into your health and training. Available in two sizes (46 mm and 41 mm), it features a slim design and an always-on, full-color display that is easy to read even in direct sunlight.

The Forerunner 255 provides up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, making it an ideal device for tracking your health and fitness around the clock. It offers a morning report that summarizes your sleep, HRV status, and daily workout suggestion in one place as soon as you wake up. This device is intended to give an estimate of your activity and metrics.

In addition to tracking your daily activities, the Forerunner 255 helps you prepare for your next race with training tips, personalized daily suggested workouts, and completion time predictions based on course details, weather, and performance. It also allows you to view your entire week of daily suggested workouts, which adapt after every run to match your performance and recovery.

The device's HRV status tracks your heart rate variability while you sleep, giving you greater insight into your overall wellness, recovery, and training performance. This device is intended to give an estimate of your activity and metrics.

The Forerunner 255 also offers free adaptive training plans from Garmin Coach for a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon, or you can create your own custom workouts in the Garmin Connect smartphone app. It evaluates your current training status to indicate if you're undertraining or overdoing it and offers additional performance monitoring features, including recovery time after your workouts.

For even more advanced insights, you can use a Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Pro monitor (sold separately) to get a continuous measurement on your wrist of how much power you're applying to the road as you run, so you can manage your effort. You can also get advanced running dynamics, including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio, and more.

In summary, the Garmin Forerunner® 255 is a powerful GPS running smartwatch that offers advanced insights into your health and training. With its slim design, always-on display, and long-lasting battery, it's the perfect device for anyone looking to take their fitness to the next level.

5. Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Gps Running Watch With Contactless Payments, Heart Rate & Music – Rose Gold.

The Garmin Forerunner 645 Music is a GPS running watch that comes in a stylish rose gold color. One of its standout features is the ability to download up to 500 songs to the watch and connect with Bluetooth headphones for phone-free listening. The watch also syncs music from select streaming services for offline listening, making it a great option for runners who want to enjoy their favorite tunes on the go.

Another convenient feature of the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music is Garmin Pay, which is a contactless payment solution that allows users to make payments with their watch. This means users can leave their cash and cards at home and still make purchases on the go.

The watch also provides advanced running dynamics, including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio, and more. This feature is particularly useful for runners who want to analyze their performance and improve their training. Additionally, the watch uses wrist-based heart rate to offer performance monitoring features, including evaluating the user's current training status.

In terms of battery life, the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music offers up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 5 hours in GPS mode with music. This means users can wear the watch all day without worrying about running out of battery.

Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music is a great option for runners who want a GPS watch that offers advanced features like music storage, contactless payments, and performance monitoring. Its stylish rose gold color also makes it a fashionable accessory for everyday wear.

6. Polar Vantage M – Gps Multisport Watch With Wrist-Based Hr (Lightweight & Advanced), White, Small.

The Polar Vantage M is an advanced running and multisport watch that is designed to provide athletes with the latest technology and a lightweight design. The watch comes in a white color and is available in a small size. It is a durable and waterproof watch that can withstand even the toughest training sessions and grueling races.

One of the most notable features of the Polar Vantage M is its ultra-long battery life. The watch can last up to 30 hours of training time with GPS active, making it perfect for athletes who need to track their progress during extended training sessions. The watch also features Polar Precision Prime Sensor Fusion Technology, which provides accurate optical heart rate monitoring for over 130 sports, including swimming and cycling.

The Polar Vantage M also includes Training Load Pro and Recovery Pro features, which make it the ultimate fitness and biking activity tracker. These features help separate cardio, muscle, and perceived load, allowing athletes to get a comprehensive view of how their training sessions strain their body. The Recovery Pro feature helps athletes follow their recovery level and get insights into their sleep to avoid overtraining or injuries.

Athletes can personalize their Polar Vantage M with customizable fitness band options. The watch comes with replaceable wrist bands of multiple colors, allowing athletes to tailor the watch to their own style.

The Polar Vantage M is more than just a swim/bike/run watch. Together with the whole Polar ecosystem, the Polar Vantage M forms a complete training solution for a pro athlete's training. The watch can automatically sync training data to Strava, TrainingPeaks, and more, making it easy for athletes to track their progress and share their achievements with others.

Overall, the Polar Vantage M is an excellent choice for athletes who are looking for an advanced running and multisport watch that combines the latest technology with a lightweight design. With its ultra-long battery life, Polar Precision Prime Sensor Fusion Technology, and Training Load Pro and Recovery Pro features, the Polar Vantage M is the ultimate fitness and biking activity tracker.

7. Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch, Black (Renewed)

The Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch in Black is a renewed version of the popular fitness tracker that boasts a range of features to help users monitor their health and fitness levels. One of the standout features of this device is its 24/7 heart rate monitoring, which means that users can track their heart rate throughout the day and night without the need for an additional strap. This is a great way to keep an eye on your overall health and fitness levels, as well as monitor your progress over time.

In addition to heart rate monitoring, the Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch also offers vibration alerts to help users stay on track with their fitness goals. These alerts notify you of running prompts, activity tracking milestones, smart notifications, and virtual pacing progress. This is a great way to stay motivated and focused on your fitness goals, as well as track your progress as you work towards your desired outcomes.

The updated high-resolution display on the Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch is another standout feature of this device. The new display is perfect for indoor/outdoor viewing and offers a clear and easy-to-read interface that makes it easy to access all of your fitness data at a glance. This is a great way to stay on top of your fitness goals and track your progress over time, whether you're working out at the gym or outdoors.

Smart connectivity is another key feature of the Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch. The device offers auto uploads, smart notifications, live track, music controls, and automatic software updates. This makes it easy to stay connected and informed about your fitness progress, as well as stay motivated and focused on your goals. Whether you're looking to track your running progress, monitor your heart rate, or stay on top of your daily activity levels, the Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch is a great choice for anyone looking to improve their health and fitness levels. With its range of advanced features and sleek design, this device is sure to help you achieve your fitness goals and stay on top of your health and wellness.

8. Polar Vantage M: Gps Multisport Watch With Hr & Lightweight Design (Small, Black, Wireless)

The POLAR VANTAGE M is an advanced running and multisport watch that features GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitoring. It is designed for athletes who demand the latest technology and a lightweight, durable design that can withstand even the toughest training and races.

One of the standout features of the Vantage M is its ultra-long battery life, which provides up to 30 hours of training time with GPS active. This means that athletes can focus on their training without worrying about running out of battery life, even during their most grueling workouts or races.

Another key technology featured in the Vantage M is the Polar Precision Prime Sensor Fusion Technology, which provides accurate optical heart rate monitoring for more than 130 sports, including swimming and cycling. This technology helps athletes track their heart rate and adjust their training accordingly, ensuring that they are getting the most out of their workouts.

In addition to heart rate monitoring, the Vantage M also features a range of other advanced training tools, including Training Load Pro and Recovery Pro. These tools help athletes track their training sessions and understand how they are affecting their bodies, allowing them to avoid overtraining or injuries.

One of the unique features of the Vantage M is its ability to be personalized with different wristbands, giving athletes the ability to customize their watch to their own style. The watch comes in black, small, and wireless, and can be paired with wristbands of multiple colors.

Finally, the Vantage M is designed to be more than just a swim/bike/run watch. It is part of the wider Polar ecosystem, which provides a complete training solution for professional athletes. With its advanced technology and range of features, the Vantage M is an ideal choice for athletes who demand the best in performance and functionality.

9. Garmin 010-N2156-00 Forerunner 45 Gps Heart Rate Monitor Running Smartwatch White (Renewed)

The Garmin 010-N2156-00 Forerunner 45 GPS Heart Rate Monitor Running Smartwatch White (Renewed) is a fantastic tool for those who are looking to track their fitness and health goals. This Certified Refurbished product has been manufacturer refurbished and shows limited or no wear, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget.

The smartwatch comes with all the original accessories, including a charging cable, and a 90-day warranty. The Garmin Forerunner 45 GPS Heart Rate Monitor Running Smartwatch White is equipped with 24/7 heart rate monitoring, which means that it can track your heart rate throughout the day and night, providing you with valuable information on your overall health.

The smartwatch is designed with runners in mind, and it is packed with features that cater to their needs. It has a GPS tracking system, which means that it can track your location and provide you with accurate running statistics such as distance, pace, and time. This feature is particularly useful for those who like to run outdoors and want to keep track of their progress.

The Garmin 010-N2156-00 Forerunner 45 GPS Heart Rate Monitor Running Smartwatch White (Renewed) is also equipped with a range of other useful features. It has a built-in activity tracker, which can track your steps, calories burned, and distance traveled. It also has a sleep tracker, which can monitor the quality of your sleep and provide you with insights on how to improve it.

The smartwatch is designed to be user-friendly, and it has a simple interface that is easy to navigate. It has a large, easy-to-read display, and it is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. This means that you can sync your smartwatch with your smartphone and receive notifications, such as text messages and phone calls, directly on your wrist.

Overall, the Garmin 010-N2156-00 Forerunner 45 GPS Heart Rate Monitor Running Smartwatch White (Renewed) is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a reliable, feature-packed smartwatch that can help them achieve their fitness and health goals. With its 24/7 heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking system, and range of other useful features, it is sure to become an essential tool for any runner or fitness enthusiast.

10. Garmin Forerunner 745: Gps Running Watch With Detailed Stats And On-Device Workouts.

The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a GPS running watch designed for multi-sport athletes who want to track their workouts accurately. This smartwatch uses multiple satellite systems to ensure that your data is accurate, whether you are swimming, cycling or running. With up to one week of battery life in smartwatch mode, this watch will keep up with even your longest races.

The Garmin Forerunner 745 is equipped with daily workout suggestions based on your current training load and VO2 max. You can receive on-device run and cycling workout suggestions that are tailored to your fitness level. You can also sync structured indoor or outdoor workouts to your device from Garmin Connect or other apps when paired with a compatible smartphone, including TrainingPeaks and TrainerRoad.

The Garmin Forerunner 745 also offers advanced training guidance, allowing you to analyze more data to help you reach your race potential. This watch provides advanced running, cycling, and swimming dynamics, so you can monitor your performance in real-time. With this data, you can make adjustments to improve your performance and reach your goals faster.

The Garmin Forerunner 745 is also designed for music lovers. You can easily store and play up to 500 songs from your wrist by syncing with music streaming services such as Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, and more. This feature is perfect for those who want to bring music along for every mile.

With Garmin Pay contactless payments, you can leave your cash and cards at home. This feature allows you to pay for purchases on the go, making it easy to grab a post-workout snack without having to carry a wallet.

In addition to its many features, the Garmin Forerunner 745 is also versatile. This watch has preloaded activity profiles for running, triathlon, multisport, cycling, pool swimming, track running, and more. You can switch up your workout routine whenever you like, making this watch the perfect companion for multi-sport athletes.

Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 745 is an essential smartwatch for anyone serious about tracking their workouts and improving their performance. With its advanced features, accurate tracking, and long battery life, this watch is the perfect companion for all your training needs.

Best Cheap Watch For Running FAQs

Are there any good, low-cost GPS watches for running?

Yes, there are several good options for low-cost GPS watches designed for running. One of the most popular choices is the Garmin Forerunner 35, which offers accurate GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and basic smartwatch features at an affordable price point. Another option is the Polar M200, which provides GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and access to Polar's training program. The Fitbit Ionic is also a popular choice for runners on a budget, offering GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and a variety of fitness tracking features. Other notable options include the TomTom Spark 3 and the Suunto Spartan Trainer, both of which offer advanced GPS tracking and training features at a lower price point than many high-end GPS watches. Ultimately, the best low-cost GPS watch for running will depend on individual preferences and needs.

Can you recommend a reliable and affordable watch for runners?

As a content writer, I can certainly suggest some reliable and affordable watches for runners. One of the best options out there is the Garmin Forerunner 35. It is a budget-friendly watch that offers accurate GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and other useful features like pace, distance, and calorie tracking. Another great option is the Polar M200. It is a stylish and affordable watch that has all the essential features a runner needs, such as GPS, heart rate monitoring, and a long battery life. Additionally, the Timex Ironman GPS watch is an excellent choice for runners who are looking for a reliable and affordable watch. It is equipped with GPS and heart rate monitoring features, and it is water-resistant, making it perfect for runners who train in different weather conditions. In summary, these watches are some of the best options for runners who are looking for reliable and affordable watches that can help them track their performance accurately.

What are the best cheap watches for running?

One of the most affordable options is the Timex Ironman Classic 30, which offers essential features such as a stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm, and 100-meter water resistance. Another budget-friendly choice is the Casio G-Shock DW5600E-1V, which has a durable design, multiple time zones, and a 10-year battery life.

For runners who want more advanced functions, the Garmin Forerunner 35 is a reliable option with GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and smart notifications. The Polar M200 is another option that combines GPS and optical heart rate sensors, along with personalized training plans and sleep tracking.

Overall, the best cheap watches for running depend on your specific needs and preferences, but these models offer a balance between affordability, quality, and functionality.

What features should I look for when buying a cheap watch for running?

When buying a cheap watch for running, there are several features to consider. Firstly, the watch should have accurate timekeeping and stopwatch functions, allowing you to track your pace and time your runs. It should also be lightweight and comfortable to wear, with a durable and sweat-resistant strap. A clear and easy-to-read display is important, with large digits and a backlight for use in low light conditions. GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring are more advanced features that may be available in higher-end models, but are not typically found in cheaper watches. Water resistance is also a useful feature to consider, especially if you plan on running in wet conditions. Ultimately, the best cheap running watch for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences, but keeping these features in mind can help you make an informed decision.

Where can I find the most affordable watches for runners?

If you're looking for the most affordable watches for runners, there are a few options to consider. One option is to check out online retailers such as Amazon or Walmart, which typically offer a wide range of affordable watches for runners. You can also visit sports stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods or REI, which often have sales or clearance events where you can find discounted watches for runners.

Another option is to consider purchasing a used or refurbished watch from websites such as eBay or Craigslist. While buying used products can be risky, you can often find high-quality watches for runners at a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Ultimately, the best way to find affordable watches for runners is to do your research and compare prices and features of different models. Keep in mind that while price is important, you also want to look for a watch that has the features you need to track your runs and improve your performance.

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