Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply tracking your daily steps, having the right sport smartwatch can greatly enhance your fitness journey. In 2024, the latest smartwatches are equipped with advanced health features, rugged durability, and tools tailored for various sports.
These compact yet powerful devices offer many of the same functions as smartphones, all accessible from your wrist. You can quickly launch your favorite apps without needing another device. With hundreds of Android and iOS apps available, each smartwatch is packed with essential tools to monitor heart rate, steps, activity levels, and more. Here is a look at the top sport smartwatches for this year, along with tips to help you find the perfect one for your lifestyle.
Top Fitness Watches Right Now
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 – Dual-frequency GPS, Seamless Apple ecosystem
- Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar – Solar charging, VO2 max tracking
- Coros Vertix 2 – 140-hour GPS battery life, Dual-frequency GPS
- Suunto 9 Peak Pro – 170-hour battery, Altimeter & Barometer
- Fitbit Sense 2 – ECG sensor, Stress & sleep tracking
- Polar Grit X Pro – Running power metrics, Military-grade durability
1. Apple Watch Ultra 2
Price: $799
Best For: Apple enthusiasts looking for advanced fitness tracking
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 builds on the success of the first Ultra model, offering dual-frequency GPS, depth sensing for divers, and ECG monitoring. It’s perfect for those integrated into the Apple ecosystem, with features like Apple Fitness+ and seamless iPhone pairing. However, while its fitness features are top-notch, the battery life of up to 36 hours may still be limiting for extreme adventurers or ultra-endurance athletes, especially compared to competitors.
Opinion: The Ultra 2 is an excellent fitness companion for those in the Apple ecosystem, but for the price, other options provide better battery life for hardcore athletes.
2. Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar
Price: $899
Best For: Outdoor adventurers and triathletes
The Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar leads in battery life, thanks to solar charging, which extends the battery up to 37 days. Its features like VO2 max, multi-sport tracking, and topographic maps are great for athletes who spend a lot of time outdoors. However, its bulky size may not appeal to those who prefer something lighter and more comfortable for everyday use.
Opinion: If you’re serious about multi-sport training and outdoor adventures, the Fenix 7X Pro is hard to beat, but its large size and price tag may be overkill for casual athletes.
3. Coros Vertix 2
Price: $699
Best For: Ultra-runners and endurance athletes
If you’re an ultra-endurance athlete, the Coros Vertix 2 offers unbeatable battery life—up to 140 hours in GPS mode—and dual-frequency GPS for precision tracking in the wildest environments. Its rugged build can handle extreme weather, but the interface can feel a bit clunky compared to more user-friendly brands like Garmin and Apple.
Opinion: The Vertix 2 shines in battery life and durability, but its software experience lags behind more polished competitors.
4. Suunto 9 Peak Pro
Price: $499
Best For: Endurance athletes looking for durability
The Suunto 9 Peak Pro is renowned for its lightweight but durable design, and its 170-hour battery life is great for long-distance runners and hikers. Its minimalistic design appeals to those who want a durable watch that’s not too bulky. However, GPS accuracy can occasionally be a weak point, making it less ideal for those who need pinpoint precision in tracking.
Opinion: The Suunto 9 Peak Pro is perfect for endurance athletes who need durability and long battery life, but it’s held back slightly by GPS inconsistencies.
5. Fitbit Sense 2 By Google
Price: $299
Best For: Casual athletes and fitness enthusiasts
The Fitbit Sense 2 offers impressive health-tracking features, including ECG, stress management, and skin temperature monitoring, all for a reasonable price. It’s an excellent option for casual athletes or those looking for a wellness-first smartwatch. However, it lacks the advanced metrics and GPS capabilities found in higher-end models, making it less suitable for serious athletes.
Opinion: The Fitbit Sense 2 is a strong wellness-focused smartwatch, but its fitness tracking features fall short for more dedicated athletes.
6. Polar Grit X Pro
Price: $499
Best For: Multi-sport athletes and outdoor enthusiasts
The Polar Grit X Pro is built for athletes who train in extreme environments, with military-grade durability and features like running power metrics and turn-by-turn navigation. While its durability is a plus, the interface can feel sluggish, and its battery life (up to 40 hours in GPS mode) isn’t the best in its class for ultra-endurance athletes.
Opinion: The Polar Grit X Pro is ideal for those seeking rugged performance, but it could benefit from smoother software and longer battery life for the price.
SmartWatch Features Comparison
| Smartwatch | Key Features | Price (USD) | Battery Life |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Dual-frequency GPS, Seamless Apple ecosystem | 799 | 36 hours |
| Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar | Solar charging, VO2 max tracking | 899 | Up to 37 days (with solar) |
| Coros Vertix 2 | 140-hour GPS battery life, Dual-frequency GPS | 699 | 140 hours in GPS mode |
| Suunto 9 Peak Pro | 170-hour battery, Altimeter & Barometer | 499 | 170 hours |
| Fitbit Sense 2 | ECG sensor, Stress & sleep tracking | 299 | 6+ days |
| Polar Grit X Pro | Running power metrics, Military-grade durability | 499 | Up to 40 hours in GPS mode |
How to Choose the Right Sport Smartwatch for You
Choosing the right smartwatch depends on your personal fitness goals and lifestyle. For adventurers and serious athletes, watches like the Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar or Coros Vertix 2 offer unbeatable performance, while casual users might prefer the Fitbit Sense 2 for wellness tracking. Each of these watches brings something unique to the table, so make sure to pick one that fits your needs, whether it’s top-tier battery life, extreme durability, or seamless software integration.
When choosing a smartwatch, consider the following factors:
- Battery Life: Watches like the Coros Vertix 2 excel in this category, offering the longest battery life for extreme endurance athletes. However, if you’re using it mainly for daily fitness, models like the Fitbit Sense 2 with shorter battery life may suffice.
- Activity Tracking: Watches like the Garmin Fenix 7X Pro or Polar Grit X Pro provide advanced tracking for specific activities like running, swimming, and multi-sport events, while others focus more on general wellness and health.
- Durability: If you’re into extreme sports, watches like the Suunto 9 Peak Pro or Polar Grit X Pro are ideal, while more casual users might prefer the lighter Fitbit Sense 2 or Apple Watch Ultra 2.
- Software and App Integration: Apple’s software is intuitive and integrates well with iPhone apps. Garmin’s ecosystem also supports popular third-party fitness apps like Strava, while Coros and Suunto apps, though functional, aren’t quite as polished.
