Which running watch should you choose in 2020?

January 07, 2020

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Running has almost become a national sport in France. 50,000 people participated in the Paris Marathon last year. According to a study carried out in 2020, France has 7.8 million runners and 1.56 million of them participated in at least one of the 5,971 road races organized in 2013. Consequently, from a point of view economic the market is exploding. We are talking about shoes, textiles, health products and of course a running watch! But, to meet business estimated at 1 billion euros in France, manufacturers offer new products every year, with always more features. So what do you really need? Which running watch best meets your needs? Whether you are an occasional runner, a regular sportsman or a professional, we have selected the best running watch models for you.

A running watch for what?

The first thing you need to define is what will you be using your running watch for? Do you only want to be able to compare the distance traveled and your time from one week to the next? Or would you like to be able to know more data like altitude, your heart rate, your average speed? Once you have answered these questions, there remains the problem of the budget. Most running watches cost between € 70 and € 400. It's up to you to see how much you want to invest and make your choice accordingly. Dozens of models are available on the market. Here is our small selection covering most of the profiles.

Sigma RC 14.11, the running watch for regular practitioners

It is one of the favorite running watches of runners. Easy to handle, it has a neat design and many features. Among those : current, average and maximum heart rate and speed, number of calories burned and of course distance traveled in kilometers. As a bonus, this running watch above all cardio focused allows you to automatically calculate your target heart rate zone based on your data. The watch also has a accelerometer and zone alarm. It also allows you to transfer the data to your computer to compare over time. Note the backlight which allows you to use it also at night. It will also delight accomplished athletes with the possibility of recording up to 99 split times and viewing them each lap from the watch.

You can find it less than 100 euros on Amazon. If you want to invest a little less, you can opt for the Sigma RC 12.09, available at 70 euros on Amazon. It has fewer features but retains the ease of use specific to Sigma products.

Garmin Forerunner 230, the best GPS running watch

That is sure one of the best value for money for a mid-range running watch. On its large screen, it indicates the distance traveled, the running time and the pace or the speed. It also offers additional functionalities such as VO2 Max calculation, race preacher or recovery assistance. But it has two advantages that really differentiate it from the others. First of all, the Garmin Connect app which provides many other details in the form of graphs and tables. Above all, it can connect to your phone via bluetooth to notify you in the event of calls, emails or SMS.

You can find it from € 250 on the Garmin website.

Suunto Ambit 3 Peak, the autonomous running watch

Up to 100 hours of battery life! If this lifespan is of course at the expense of precision (1 point per minute and not per second), this watch can be perfect for long-term races, ultra-trail or trek. Suunto products are generally among the most successful on the market and above all have a robust design. If it is the model mainly intended for running, it can also be used for cycling or swimming (waterproof up to 50 meters). In terms of functionality, this watch is has a GPS and indicates the altitude, time, pace, distance, elevation, heart rate (with the cardio belt), the rhythm (measured by the internal accelerometer), time … It is also possible to add new functions from your computer thanks to MoveScount.

You can find it right now on the Suunto website from € 170. If you want more autonomy, the Peak version can go up to 200 hours but costs 350 €.

Tom Tom Spark, the running watch for beginners

Do you find it difficult to motivate yourself and you have that you will not necessarily last over time? Then this watch is definitely made for you. Sfirst price makes it very affordable. Above all, its built-in MP3 function allows you to run music without having to carry your phone. It combines the functions of an activity sensor with that of a sports tracker. Easy to use, it should however be able to convince you thanks to its discretion and its versatility.

You can find it from 70 € on the ehealth website or on Amazon.

Are you not convinced ? Take a look at our selection of running watches specially equipped with GPS. You can also play complementarity with smart shoes or another special running accessory.

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