Best budget running watches to make you fitter for less

Pace, heart rate, distance - track it all without breaking the bank








Once upon a jog the wonder of running watches, with their new-fangled GPS smarts, was reserved for the rich. Now advances in tech mean running watches are smaller, more advanced and - crucially - more affordable than ever before.


Now you can now run with goals and actually see progress thanks to data analysis offered by even the most basic and cheap of running watches. With metrics like heart rate and GPS location anyone can train like a pro.



There are plenty of running watches out there, including offerings for beginners to start out, regulars to push themselves and athletes to redefine the limits of running possibilities (but on a budget), with the following the best of the affordable bunch.


Note: we've ranked these from cheapest to most expensive according to prices at time of writing.











1. Sony SmartWatch 3





2. Garmin Forerunner 25


A lot of features for a low price




3. TomTom Runner 3


Never get lost again with this GPS watch




4. Polar M200


A watch that tracks almost everything




5. Fitbit Charge 2


Slim, attractive and easy to use




6. Garmin Vivosmart HR+


More than meets the eye




7. Epson Runsense SF-810


A watch that puts substance ahead of style