Fitness tracker company Whoop has upset some long-time customers by ending an upgrade system that promised free hardware upgrades to anyone who had a subscription with the company for at least six months.
Whoop makes fitness tracker bracelets that let users access things like sleep tracking, menstrual tracking, and electrocardiograms (ECGs) via a subscription companion app. Since the first Whoop wearable came out in 2015, the Boston-based companyβs business has been built on subscriptions. Whoop has traditionally lured customers in by giving its hardware away for βfreeβ to Whoop app subscribers. Further, customers who subscribed to the Whoop app for at least six months got access to free hardware upgrades.
βInstead of purchasing new hardware every time an updated model is produced, WHOOP members receive the next-generation device for free after having been a member for six months or more,β said a webpage on Whoopβs website that is no longer active but was accessible as recently as March 28, as reported by The Verge and confirmed via the Internet Archiveβs Wayback Machine.
OnePlus undoubtedly hoped the release of its newest smartwatch had gone smoother. After delaying the launch, the company released the watch right at the peak of tariff drama. The watch debuted at a higher $500 price in the US, but OnePlus now says that after some adjustments, it is able to bring the price down by $150, and it's staying there.
OnePlus, which is part of the Chinese megacorp Oppo, announced the OnePlus Watch 3 in early 2025. The first batch of units to roll off the line went out to reviewers, who promptly noticed that the underside featured a prominent typo, reading "Meda in China" instead of "Made in China." OnePlus delayed the release to fix the issue.
That brings us to early April and the onslaught of tariffs, which are still hanging over the US economy. OnePlus finally released the watch, but it did so with a $500 price tag "due to the current market conditions."
After modest success with its first two smartwatches, OnePlus was poised to release a third-generation smartwatch early this year. Unfortunately, the company had to delay the Watch 3 from February to April, and now the previously announced $330 price tag is nowhere to be seen. Instead, the OnePlus Watch 3 has launched at an eye-watering $500 in the US, and you can probably guess why.
The OnePlus Watch 3 was all set for release a few months ago, but early reviewers spotted an embarrassing typo on the device. Like most smartwatches, OnePlus printed the watch's key specs on the bottom of the housing. Part of that text was supposed to read "Made in China," but instead, it said "Meda in China." Oops.
OnePlus delayed the launch so it could correct the mistake on retail units. However, the US-China trade relationship has deteriorated dramatically in the intervening weeks. Since the watch is meda made in China, it is subject to tariffsβthe amount of Trump's China tariffs is changing on an almost daily basis, but it's currently 145 percent.
Even if it's just pretending, the novel simplicity of a watch with a few buttons and a small screen is a welcome respite from the complicated hell we live in.
Whether youβre a casual jogger or a serious trail runner, having the right GPS watch on your wrist can make all the difference. The best GPS running watches do more than just track your pace β they offer real-time metrics, advanced training features to help you hit your goals and, of course, GPS tracking for precise distance measurements. Some models go even further, with offline maps for navigation, sleep tracking for recovery insights and smart features like notifications and contactless payments.
For those who need extra durability and lasting battery life, higher-end sport watches β like some of the best Garmin watches β are built to handle intense workouts, harsh weather and long runs. If you're training for a marathon, triathlon or just want a multisport option that can keep up with your lifestyle, these watches have the tech to support you.
With so many options available, from entry-level models to the best running watches packed with advanced running metrics, it can be tricky to find the right fit. Thatβs why weβve rounded up our top picks to help you choose the perfect GPS watch for your training needs.
Best GPS running watches for 2025
Other GPS running watches we tested
Polar Pacer Pro
The Polar Pacer Pro looked and felt quite similar to our top pick, and it mapped my outdoor runs accurately. However, Polarβs companion app is leagues behind Garminβs with a confusing interface and a design that feels very much stuck in the past. Itβs also $100 more expensive than our top pick.
Amazfit Cheetah Pro
The Amazfit Cheetah Pro tracked my outdoor runs accurately and Zeppβs companion app has a coaching feature much like Garminβs adaptive training plans that can outline a routine for you to complete in preparation for a race or to achieve a specific goal. My biggest issue with it was that its touchscreen wasnβt very responsive β it took multiple hard taps on the display to wake it, and often the raise-to-wake feature didnβt work, leaving me staring at a dark screen.
What to consider before buying a GPS running watch
GPS speed and accuracy
The most important thing for a GPS running watch to have is fast, accurate GPS tracking. That might seem obvious, but itβs quite easy to get distracted by all of the other smart features most of these devices have. Since most of them can be worn all day long as standard sport watches, thereβs a lot of (possibly unnecessary) fluff that looks good on paper but wonβt mean much if the core purpose if the device is left unfulfilled. To that end, I paid particular attention to how long it took each deviceβs built-in GPS tracking to grab my location before a run, if it ever lost my spot and the accuracy of the generated maps. Also, the device should be smart enough to let you start tracking a run while the GPS looks for your location.
Workout profiles and trackable metrics
You may not be able to suss out GPS accuracy just by looking at a spec sheet (thatβs where this guide can help), but you can check for features like supported workout profiles. Thatβs something youβll want to look into, even if your one and only activity is running. Check to make sure the best running watches youβre considering support all the kinds of running activities you like to do (outdoor runs, treadmill runs, etc) and any other workouts you may want to track with it.
Most fitness wearables today arenβt one-trick ponies; youβll find a healthy number of trackable exercise modes on any sport watch worth its salt. That said, the number of workout profiles can be directly proportional to a deviceβs price: the higher-end the product, chances are the more specific, precise workouts it can monitor.
In a similar vein, youβll want to check the trackable metrics of any watch youβre considering before you buy. Since weβre talking about the best GPS running watches, most will be able to track the basics like distance, heart rate and pace, and those are bare minimums. Some watches can monitor additional stats like speed, cadence, stride length, advanced running dynamics, aerobic and anaerobic training effect, intensity minutes and more. If youβre already a serious runner who trains for multiple races each year, or if you're a trail runner who needs elevation and navigation features, youβll want to dig into the spec sheet of the watch youβre considering to make sure it can track all of your most necessary metrics.
Size and weight
Itβs worth checking out a watchβs case size and weight before going all-in on one. GPS running watches, and standard smartwatches as well, can have a few different sizes to choose from so youβll want to make sure youβre getting the best fit for your wrist. I have a smaller wrist, so I tend to avoid extra-large cases (anything over 42mm or so), especially if I intend on wearing the device all day long as my main timepiece. Weight, on the other hand, is a little less controllable, but typically smaller case sizes will save you a few grams in overall weight.
For those who need durability, particularly trail runners or those tackling extreme conditions, devices like Garmin watches offer rugged builds that can handle rough terrain, impact, and extreme weather.
Battery life
Unlike regular smartwatches, GPS running watches have two types of battery life youβll need to consider: with GPS turned on and in βsmartwatchβ mode. The former is more important than the latter because most GPS running watches have stellar battery life when used just as a smart timepiece. You can expect to get multiple days on a single charge, with some surviving more than two weeks (with all day and night wear) before they need a recharge.
Battery life with GPS turned on will be much shorter by comparison, but any GPS running watch worth its salt should give you at least 10-15 hours of life with the GPS being used continuously. The more youβre willing to spend, the higher that number typically gets, with some GPS running watches lasting for 40 hours while tracking your location.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/best-gps-running-watch-141513957.html?src=rss
Google released the Pixel Watch 3 last fall alongside the Pixel 9 family, sporting the same curvy look as the last two versions. The Pixel Watch 3 came with a new feature called Loss of Pulse Detection, which can detect impending death due to a stopped heart. Google wasn't allowed to unlock that feature in the US until it got regulatory approval, but the Food and Drug Administration has finally given Google the go-ahead to activate Loss of Pulse Detection.
Numerous smartwatches can use health sensors to monitor for sudden health events. For example, the Pixel Watch, Apple Watch, and others can detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat that could indicate an impending stroke or heart attack. Google claims Loss of Pulse Detection goes further, offering new functionality on a consumer wearable.
Like the EKG features that became standard a few years back, Loss of Pulse Detection requires regulatory approval. Google was able to get clearance to ship the Pixel Watch 3 with Loss of Pulse Detection in a few European countries, eventually expanding to 14 nations: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It noted at the time more countries would get access as regulators approved the feature, and the FDA was apparently the first to come through outside of Europe, boosting support to 15 countries.
Imagine heading out for a run on a cold winter day clad in athletic gear with sensors and microelectronics woven into the very fiber to constantly monitor your vital signs, even running the occasional app. MIT scientists have manufactured a single fiber computer embedded with all the components to do just that, according to a new paper published in the journal Nature.
βOur bodies broadcast gigabytes of data through the skin every second in the form of heat, sound, biochemicals, electrical potentials, and light, all of which carry information about our activities, emotions, and health," said co-author Yoel Fink, a materials scientist and engineer at MIT. "Unfortunately, most if not all of it gets absorbed and then lost in the clothes we wear. Wouldnβt it be great if we could teach clothes to capture, analyze, store, and communicate this important information in the form of valuable health and activity insights?β
As previously reported, consumers scooped up more than 100 million units of such wearable devices as smartwatches, fitness trackers, augmented reality glasses, and similar tech in the first quarter of 2021 alone. Sales in the category increased 34.4 percent in the second quarter from Q2 2020, making it one of the fastest-growing categories of personal electronics. But while these devices do produce useful data, there are drawbacks. They can be heavy, uncomfortable when worn for long periods, and inaccurate since they usually only measure bodily signals from one spot (e.g., the wrist, chest, or finger).
After launching its AI Pin in April 2024 and reportedly seeking a buyout by May 2024, Humane is shutting down. Most of the people who bought an AI Pin will not get refunds for the devices, which debuted at $700, dropped to $500, and will be bricked on February 28 at noon PT.
At that time, AI Pins, which are lapel pins with an integrated AI voice assistant, camera, speaker, and laser projector, βwill no longer connect to Humaneβs servers,β and βall customer data, including personal identifiable information... will be permanently deleted from Humaneβs servers,β according to Humaneβs FAQ page. Humane also stopped selling AI pins as of yesterday and canceled any orders that had been made but not yet fulfilled. Humane said it is discontinuing the AI Pin because itβs βmoving onto new endeavors.β
Those new endeavors include selling off key assets, including the AI Pinβs CosmOS operating system and intellectual property, including over 300 patents and patent applications, to HP for $116 million, HP announced on Tuesday. HP expects the acquisition to close this month.
The Garmin Fenix 8 is a great smartwatch that excels at tracking numerous activities. It just needs some minor improvements to make it a truly special.
The dream of battery-free devices has taken an unlikely turn, as Carnegie Mellon researchers debuted Power-Over-Skin. The technology allows for electrical currents to travel through human skin in a bid to power things like blood sugar monitors, pacemakers, and even consumer wearables like smart glasses and fitness trackers. Researchers note the tech is still in [β¦]
My Oura Ring tracks my movement and rest across the day, and it is subtle enough to wear on any occasion.
Rachel Hosie
The Oura Ring is a fitness tracker popular among athletes, business execs, and celebrities.
Fitness reporter Rachel Hosie has used one for four years and was originally attracted by its look.
Oura ``Rings provide sleep data, step counts, and menstrual cycle tracking.
When I first learned about a new fitness-tracking smart ring four years ago, it wasn't the promise of high-tech features that most piqued my interest, it was the look.
As someone who enjoys both fashion and fitness, I didn't think the wrist-worn devices I'd encountered as a health reporter, such as the Whoop strap, Apple Watch, and Fitbit, were attractive enough for me to wear all day every day, to everything from the gym to a wedding.
But the Oura Ring, which just looks like a chunky band (mine is gold but other colors are available), was different.
Four years later, the look is still important to me, but it's the increasingly clever features that mean I still wear an Oura Ring.
Launched in 2013, the Oura ring's popularity has soared in recent years and can be spotted on the hands of athletes, business execs, and celebrities. Last December, the Finnish company announced that its valuation had doubled to $5.2 billion since 2022, thanks to $200 million in new funding. Various brands have launched their own smart rings in recent years β but Oura still leads the pack.
At $349 to $399 for the latest Oura 4 model, plus a $5.99-a-month subscription, it's not cheap, but neither is an Apple Watch, which can cost as much as $799 for the top model.
A few years ago, people were always surprised when I told them my ring was an activity tracker. Now everyone from the saleswoman at a jewelry counter to my sports teammates ask me if I'm wearing an Oura Ring and what it's like.
Here are the pros and cons of the Oura Ring that I've found after four years of wearing one.
The Oura Ring shows all the data it collects on the app.
Oura
Con: You can't really wear an Oura Ring while weightlifting
While the look of an Oura Ring is a big selling point to me, a wrist strap would be better for strength training, which is the bread and butter of my exercise.
For movements like deadlifts and pull-ups, I take my ring off as it pinches my skin.
However, I'm only interested in tracking the weights I use and reps in workouts, which trackers can't do and so I log separately.
Pro: The Oura Ring tracks my daily movements
I love that my Oura Ring picks up all my movement throughout the day, including my steps (a metric the Whoop strap, for example, doesn't track). And it's perfectly comfortable to wear, say, on a run, which is when I like to know my heart rate.
The Oura Ring can track various activities, and it's remarkably good at knowing what you've done, from cycling to rowing. It even picks up housework as an activity, which I think is a fantastic way to remind people that all daily movement, not just formal exercise, is important.
It also picks up restful moments, including naps if I were much of a napper.
Although my ring's battery life has slightly worsened with time, I only have to charge it for about an hour every few days.
While some people like having a screen on their device, data collected by the Oura Ring is shown on an app. I like being able to check mine when it suits me.
Jennifer Aniston has been spotted wearing an Oura Ring.
James Devaney/GC Images
Pro: Oura Rings provide detailed sleep data
Oura Rings are generally considered to be among the most accurate wearables for tracking sleep, and it's really interesting to see not just how long I've slept in total but also the split between sleep phases, how long it took me to fall asleep, and the overall quality.
Research by the University of Oulu in Finland found that the Oura Ring measures resting heart rate at 99.9% reliability compared to a medical-grade electrocardiogram. Oura supported the study by providing equipment and software, and some of the authors were employed by Oura. However, the company was not involved in the study's design or collection and analysis of the results.
Shortly after waking up, I find myself reaching for the Oura app to see how I slept, rather than checking in with my body and seeing how I actually feel, which I don't think is a great thing.
The sleep data is clever and interesting, but arguably unnecessary for the average person. Wearing a smart ring won't improve your sleep, but it can help you change your habits.
Pro: The Oura Ring encourages you to rest
Rachel Hosie likes being able to wear her Oura Ring with any outfit.
Rachel Hosie
Like the Whoop strap, the Oura Ring was one of the first smart devices not just to push people to move more but to help users balance recovery with activity. If you're not well rested, Oura will suggest taking it easy.
I like that it promotes balance, but most people can only exercise at certain times and don't necessarily have the luxury of waiting for the next day when their Oura Ring might say they're in a better place to train.
That said, it's no bad thing to factor in that perhaps you should do a slightly lighter session.
Pro: The temperature sensors can tell you if you're sick
Oura Rings are very sensitive to body temperature, and this is one of the methods they use to determine when you're feeling tired and where you are in your menstrual cycle.
These features are really smart β I've heard various Oura users say their rings know they're going to get ill before they do, and studies support this. Similarly, mine has alerted me when my period is going to be a few days late based on my temperature.
I take Oura Ring data with a pinch of salt
While I do believe the Oura Ring is one of the most accurate wearables available, I also know to take all the data with a pinch of salt, and I won't live or die by what it tells me.
This is what Livvy Probert, a personal trainer, sports scientist, and head of science at personal health assessment company Hawq Score, previously told me. Wearable tech like Oura Rings are great for monitoring your own sleep and activity trends and progress, but because accuracy can't be guaranteed, you shouldn't necessarily read too much into the numbers.
Walk up to someone wearing a pair of Hallidayβs smart glasses, and you might not notice theyβre looking at smartphone notifications, live language translations, or advice from an AI assistant. The only giveaway is the tiny green dot of light on their eyeball. Wearables startup Halliday launched a pair of smart glasses at CES 2025 [β¦]
After studying burn victims and war veterans, entrepreneur Ran Ma hand-made a sock that contained sensors to detect foot ulcers. Now, her company, Siren, has secured $9.5 million, with an $8 million check from lead investor MΓΆlnlycke Health Care to further the development and adoption of its diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) prevention product. Itβs now [β¦]
Smart ring maker Circular announced its next-gen Ring 2 with ECG (electrocardiogram) functionality and AFib (atrial fibrillation) detection at CES 2025 Unveiled on Sunday in Las Vegas. The wearable is set to go on sale in February or Mach for $380. The ringβs ECG capability and FDA-cleared AFib detection will gives users the ability to [β¦]
At TechStartups, we keep a close watch on how technology reshapes lives and industries worldwide. Without a doubt, artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the headlines this year. From ChatGPT outperforming students on standardized tests to Soralβs viral AI-generated videos, AI has [β¦]
People with chronic kidney disease or those at risk of heart failure are greatly affected by potassium imbalances in the body. These can even be life-threatening. While wearable glucose monitors are now commonplace and have transformed the lives of diabetes patients, potassium monitoring is in its infancy, as itβs hard to do. Now startups are [β¦]
