Sports watches have become a necessity for most physical activity enthusiasts because of their impressive set of features.
While most sports watches are tailored to runners, numerous models can support other outdoor activities such as triathlons, hiking, and cycling.
Besides telling you the time, the best sports watches nowadays track your activities and monitor your heart rate.
They also have GPS functionality, sleep trackers, real-time coaches, music, and more.
Some models even have barometers, compasses, and altimeters, which are perfect for outdoor adventurers.
With the increasing demand for this type of watch, you’ll find several brands and models in the market.
That makes it challenging to choose what works for your needs and lifestyle.
Thus, we’ll review five models to help you determine which one is the best sports watch for cycling and running.
Comparison Chart
Best Sports Watch for Cycling and Running: A Review
1. Blackview SW01 Smart Watch
Blackview is a company that primarily focuses on fitness wearables such as headphones, smartwatches, and clothing.
As one of their featured models, the SW01 Smart Watch offers several functions needed by anyone who maintains an active lifestyle.
Review
This fitness watch from Letsfit monitors your daily activities. The pieces of information it records are the steps you have taken, total distance, calories burned, and other related data.
It can give you assistance on how to improve your activity level by analyzing the data you provided.
As a standard feature by most sports watches today, the SW01 Smart Watch is also capable of tracking your heart rate and sleep quality.
Monitoring the data provided by the watch, the watch can aid you in understanding the status of your overall health and wellness.
However, it is worth mentioning that you shouldn’t treat it as a timemachine05-20nt for medical consultation.
You can set the SW01 Smart Watch into eight sports modes, such as running, hiking, riding, yoga, and cycling.
If you’re someone who wants to get reminders for your various tasks, the SW01 is capable of setting up to 10 alarm clocks.
As such, you can use it not only for fitness but for other activities like medicine intake, wake-up time, meetings, and appointments.
This sports watch is IP68 waterproof-rated, which means you can wear it while taking a shower or washing your hands.
That’s why you don’t have to worry about the watch getting damaged even if you’re drenched in sweat.
Among the highlights of this item is the 10-day battery life with regular use and 40 days on idle mode.
With this feature, you can enjoy multiple days of strenuous workouts without thinking if your watch will run out of power while in the middle of such activities.
Once you activate the smart mode in the phone you synced with the SW01 Smart Watch, you’ll receive SMS notifications and social media updates.
To keep you in the zone, you can easily control the music that plays on your watch with a simple tap.
The biggest drawback for the SW01 is the lack of built-in GPS, so you cannot hope to get many of its features without a connection from your smartphone.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Fast charging time
- Multiple color options
- Compact, slim design
- Compatible with iOS and Android devices
Cons:
- No swimming mode
- Cannot make or receive calls
2. Samsung Galaxy Fit2
It’s no surprise that the tech giant Samsung also offers a variety of sports accessories, apart from their other electronic devices.
The Galaxy Fit2 is one of their recent additions to its comprehensive collection of gadgets.
Review
By tracking your daily steps, water intake, calories burned, and sleep patterns, the Galaxy Fit2 is designed to help maintain your health and wellness.
It features a 1.1″ AMOLED 3D glass which accentuates the sophisticated design.
Besides the sleek aesthetic, you can expect high-quality visibility from this type of material.
With a single full charge, you can rely on the Samsung Galaxy Fit2 for 15 days to keep you on point.
This quality is very convenient if you’re going to be outdoors for several days without access to an electrical outlet or portable charger.
Despite its compact build, this smart band is resistant to up to 50 meters of water with a 5ATM rating.
You can essentially bring it anywhere regardless if you’re running, swimming, or showering.
There are five different types of exercises that the Samsung Galaxy Fit2 can automatically detect.
It will track your heart rate, burned calories, and other data without requiring you to adjust the watch manually.
You can set handwashing reminders via the Samsung Galaxy Fit2 sports watch.
Once set, you’ll receive alerts with a handy countdown to ensure that you are doing it correctly.
The device logs your sleep patterns. By measuring various factors related to your sleep, the watch provides recommendations to improve your quality of rest.
Once you have installed the Samsung Health app on this sports watch, it can track your stress level.
It will also suggest breathing exercises to alleviate some of the stress.
To boost the capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Fit2, pair it with a Galaxy smartphone.
Some of the features you can take advantage of are controlling your playlist remotely, responding to calls and messages, check notifications, and more.
You can choose from over 70 different types of watch faces. While this is not a necessary feature, it is still nice to add style and personalization to your watch.
Similar to the Letsfit watch, the Samsung Galaxy Fit2 has no GPS.
This aspect could inconvenience those who don’t want to bring their phone with them during workouts.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Stylish design
- Inexpensive
- User-friendly
- Compatible with Android and iOS devices
Cons:
- Limited color options
- Possible tracking inaccuracies
3. Apple Watch Series 3
Undoubtedly, Apple is one of the most famous names in technology today.
Their iPhones have continuously dominated the competition, especially in North America.
The Apple Watch Series 3 was first released in 2017, and many updates came after it.
Still, many people consider buying one due to its set of features.
Review
Compared to the first two watches we reviewed, the Apple Series 3 sports watch has built-in cellular connectivity.
You can stream music, send texts, call, and other related functions without the need to connect to an iPhone.
The device has a dual-core CPU that enables the Apple Watch 3 to perform multiple functions without sacrificing speed and quality.
Unlike the last two watches, this has a built-in GPS, which means you can navigate your route seamlessly without bringing your phone.
Many will find this feature extremely convenient since the watch allows them to temporarily escape the need to check their phones for a certain period.
To fully use its connectivity capabilities, you must make sure that your Apple Watch Series 3 and your iPhone are on the same cellular service provider’s network.
Like many sports watches on the market, the Apple Watch Series 3 is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
As such, you can swim, shower, and get soaked with this gadget without worrying that you’ll damage it.
You can challenge your family and friends to up their game easily because you can share your level of activity via its “competition mode.”
The Apple Watch Series 3 also has a built-in automatic exercise detection.
This feature enables you to immediately start working out without worrying that your watch might not record your session.
The Apple Watch Series 3’s Retina OLED brings high-level visibility.
Even if you’re in an area with direct sunlight, expect to see the information on the watch with ease.
A heart rate sensor is built into this watch. You will get notified about updates to your heart rate whenever it detects any changes.
Siri, the signature AI assistant from Apple, is also available. Ask about any information you need at the moment, and let Siri handle it for you.
The Apple Watch Series 3 has a 16 GB built-in memory. This storage space will allow you to install many apps and store data, which could be convenient depending on how you use it.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Wireless charging
- Lightweight build
- Built-in barometric altimeter
Cons:
- Unimpressive battery life
- Pricier than other sports watches
- Not compatible with Android handsets
4. Garmin Vivoactive 3
The company Garmin has built a reputation for delivering high-quality sports watches with a reasonable price tag.
To continue this trend, Garmin released the Vivoactive 3. It has an impressive set of features that fits the needs of today’s fitness enthusiasts.
Review
Like other smartwatches, this item counts every step, heart rate, calories burned, stress levels, and other body functions.
Fifteen workouts are programmed into the Garmin Vivoactive 3.
Once you have chosen your type of exercise, the watch will ask you if you’re going to label it as one of your favorites.
Your favorite workouts are easily accessible with a couple of taps.
While there are many pre-programmed exercises available, you also have the option to make your own.
This makes the Garmin Vivoactive 3 more flexible than others when it comes to the types of activity it can track.
You can personalize the alerts the way you want them to, from the order to the text color.
This way, you can prioritize what notification should appear first, which is a feature that the other models on this list couldn’t match.
The Garmin Vivoactive 3 uses HRV or heart rate variability readings to monitor stress levels.
Since it provides you with such data, you get prompted to do something to reduce the stress that your body has.
Some users might find that the Garmin Vivoactive 3 relies on wired charging.
While not exactly a deal-breaker, it could be a deterrent for those who prefer a more sophisticated recharging method.
Once your phone is paired into the Vivoactive 3, you will be able to receive all types of notifications from it.
Since the watch has Garmin Pay, you can make purchases without bringing your wallet.
Pros:
- Versatile design
- Compact build
- Long battery life
- Compatible with Android and iPhone smartphones
Cons:
- No music storage
- Unimpressive display quality
5. Willful SW021 Smartwatch
As a manufacturer of smartwatches and other related gear items, Willful has gained a solid consumer base.
That is because of their dedication to developing products with great functionality and quality but without a heavy price tag.
The Willful SW021 offers several features that accommodate the needs of today’s active lifestyle.
Review
The Willful SW021 Smartwatch features up to nine different activities, such as walking, running, and cycling.
Like most smartwatches, it records your data and progress to help you maintain and improve your activity level.
It can track your heart rate in real-time and provides an in-depth analysis of your sleep quality.
The Willful SW021 Smartwatch has IP68 water-resistant rating, so you can swim and dive into the pool while wearing it.
You can save up to 10 vibration alarm clocks to either wake you up or remind you of important, urgent events.
The company claims that a fully-charged SW021 could last up to 10 days with regular use.
You can adjust the Willful SW021 watch’s brightness level to see the screen clearly or to save power.
Like the others, this device can sync your phone notifications to it, from SMS messages to social media updates.
This sports watch is equipped with a Deep Breath Guide that aids you in getting better relaxation from intense workouts.
To optimize and improve your stats, the Willful SW021 Smartwatch has a stopwatch and timer feature.
By incorporating it into your exercise routine, you will constantly challenge yourself to make strides in getting better results.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Magnetic charging
- Compatible with Apple and Android handsets
Cons:
- Cannot track swimming data
- Can’t answer calls and texts
Which Sports Watch Should You Choose?
There are many similar features that these five devices share, but we believe that the best sports watch for cycling and running is the Apple Watch Series 3.
Its connectivity features make this device superior to others.
The built-in GPS, GSM, and LTE connectivity allow you to run and ride without your phone nearby.
Overall, the enhanced mobility, high-quality display, hassle-free charging, internal storage, and several other features make the Apple Watch Series 3 the top choice for your running, cycling, and other fitness activities.