Best Sports Watches for Athletes (2024 Buying Guide)

"Sports watch" can mean a $40 Casio for casual jogging, a $1,000 Garmin Fenix for ultra-marathons, or a $9,800 Breitling chronograph for the pit lane. This guide covers each use case with our top pick and runner-up.

Best for Running & Multisport: Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar

Multi-band GPS, preloaded topographic maps, training metrics depth that puts smartphone apps to shame, and 37 days of battery with solar. The Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is the watch serious runners and triathletes wear.

Best for Daily Sports Wear: Casio G-Shock GW6900

Solar power, atomic timekeeping, 200m water resistance, indestructible. The Casio G-Shock GW6900 is the watch you wear when you don't want to think about whether your watch will survive what you're about to do.

Best Sports Chronograph: TAG Heuer Carrera

If you want mechanical sports watch heritage, the TAG Heuer Carrera at 39mm is the right size, has the right history (motorsport, 1963), and the new TH20-00 movement is excellent.

Best Value Sports Watch: Garmin Fenix 5

The Garmin Fenix 5 is now several generations old but offers most of the Fenix 7X's sport modes at half the price on the used market. Strong choice for runners on a budget.

Premium Sports Choice: Tudor Black Bay Pro

If you want a luxury sports watch that handles 200m water and METAS-level accuracy, the Tudor Black Bay Pro at $4,000 is unbeatable. Wears under a suit, survives the gym.

How to Choose

By Sport

• Running/multisport: Garmin Fenix 7X
• Crossfit/gym: Casio G-Shock
• Cycling: Garmin Fenix 7X with HR strap
• Swimming: Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Garmin Fenix 7X
• Motorsport (look): TAG Heuer Carrera

Verdict

For pure athletic capability, the Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar wins. For tough-as-nails reliability, the G-Shock GW6900. For mechanical chronograph charm, the TAG Heuer Carrera.