A GPS watch with a built-in heart rate monitor is one of the best accessories you could own if you want to take your fitness to the next level.
Whether you’re planning to run your first marathon or simply desire to push your body to extreme fitness, running can’t be ignored.
These GPS watches are the most accurate gadgets for piecing together your running stats while the integrated heart rate monitor reports on your pulse, target heart zones, and calories burned.
It simply gives you every bit of information required to track and analyze progress in order to push your body towards increased stamina.
Contents
Best GPS Watch with Integrated Heart Rate MonitorComparison Table
Model | Rating | Price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband
| 4.3 | $ | |
Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch
| 4.1 | $ | |
Garmin Vívoactive Black
| 4.0 | $ | |
Garmin Forerunner 225 GPS Running Watch with Wrist-based Heart Rate
| 4.5 | $$$ | |
Polar M400 GPS Smart Sports Watch
| 4.0 | $ |
Top 5 GPS Watches with Built-In Heart Rate Monitor
For those who desire superior levels of accuracy with respect to their running distance and other core workout performance data, these are the best GPS watches money can buy right now.
Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband
The Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband lets you get fit in style. It is designed for not just workouts but tracking your all-day activity levels and beyond.
The SmartTrack feature automatically records select workouts so every user gets vital performance figures even when you forget to log it in. The integrated Sports model records and supplies accurate performance data on your screen in real-time.
This feature can be effective in inspiring you to greater heights while serving as a source of motivation.
Sporting a large OLED display, you never have to miss calls, text messages, and emails from important people. The Reminders feature can also be taken advantage of to prevent long periods of inactivity by reminding yourself to get moving.
Finding moments of calm even when having a tough day is possible via the built-in Personalized Guided Breathing Sessions. With a wide range of personalized clock skins and interchangeable wrist bands, everyone finds a look that fits their style and mood.
The AutoSleep Tracking feature is another highlight of this Fitbit GPS smartwatch with built-in heart rate monitor. When powered on, it tracks duration as well as intensity of your sleep to determine how restful it was.
With up to 5 days of battery life, this smartwatch can be a delight to own. It gives accurate performance data at a great price and requires low maintenance. What more could anyone ask for?
Buy the Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate+ Fitness Wrist Band here.
PROS
- Stylish design with interchangeable bands that transforms from a regular fitness watch into a trendy timepiece for a night out
- Great battery life
- Accurate readings and easy to use
- Personalized breathing sessions are great for stressful work environments
CONS
- Pressing on the band on each side could be a struggle for senior citizens to figure out
- Vibrations are relatively weaker when compared to earlier models from Fitbit
Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch
If you want to make every heartbeat count in your journey to supreme fitness, this GPS watch could be perfect for you. The integrated wristband is suitable for all-day workouts and more.
The Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch comes with PurePulse Heart Rate which tracks every performance metric including calorie burn rate and pulse.
In fact, getting a no-nonsense picture of the state of your health so you can maximize workouts to suit your goals has never been easier.
Are you curious about how each workout adds up to the quality of your health? The All-Day Activity and Auto Sleep Tracking functionality built into the Fitbit Blaze allows you to do just that.
The Multi-Sport Tracking and GPS modes also give you the flexibility to record your workout sessions in real-time so you can track performance levels.
Additionally, the Smart Tracking feature automatically samples a couple of exercises and prepares data stats for you to review whenever you want.
Staying connected with friends, family, and professional colleagues is easy thanks to the large OLED display.
The Reminders feature is another great functionality for beginner fitness enthusiasts. It keeps you moving from time to time via timely prompts when you have been inactive for too long.
The Fitbit Blaze is powered by Bluetooth 4.0 technology which allows complete synchronization with iOS and Android Smartphone devices.
The Connected GPS and FitStar Workouts on your wrist helps transform your fitness to levels you could only imagine in your wildest dreams.
Thanks to the Workout Goals + Summaries feature, everyone gets to set their own exercise goals at the beginning of each week.
Then you can crosscheck how each workout session is adding up on the Blaze.
PROS
- AutoTrack feature means workout sessions are logged even when you forget to do it manually
- Excellent battery life
- Exceptionally accurate heart rate monitor with no strap requirement
CONS
- Watch needs to be removed from frame every time you need to charge
- Hexagonal design may not be the coolest on the market
Garmin vívoactive Black
The Garmin vivoactive is an ultra thin GPS watch with built-in heart rate monitor that can revamp your fitness and overall health. It packs a high-resolution color touch screen that is easy to read even in blazing hot sunlight.
Featuring a wide range of built-in sports apps, nothing should bar you from tracking performance stats. With a simple tap, you get to choose between GPS-enabled apps encompassing running, golfing, biking, swimming, and activity tracking.
The built-in running app captures fundamental performance data that gives you the necessary feedback to achieve your goals. Whether you are running to stay fit or training for a marathon, the data made available allows you to gain maximum benefits.
The freedom to set vibration alerts for running/walking intervals, pace, and heart rate also helps keep your eyes on the ball. This prevents easy distractions especially when working out on an indoor bike or elliptical trainer at home with family members around.
The Vivoactive keeps tabs on your progress in everyday life by learning your daily steps to get an idea of your activity level. It then gives you a daily step count goal based on your activity level.
Every time you meet a pre-set milestone, your goals for the following day are automatically adjusted. After inactivity for more than an hour, a red bar appears on your screen urging you to move.
If you want an idea of how much restful sleep you get, just turn on the sleep mode and the Vivoactive will work silently in the background to get you accurate feedback.
PROS
- Built-in sports apps tracks anything from running to biking as well as golfing and swimming
- Replaceable wristband
- Excellent battery life that can last over 8 days
- Fast charging when connected to USB port
CONS
- Display is a little bit low contrast in dim light environments
- Manual isn’t the most helpful as you have to figure out most of the advanced functionality on your own
Garmin Forerunner 225 GPS Running Watch with Wrist-based Heart Rate
The Garmin Forerunner 225 GPS Running Watch remains one of the most popular advanced GPS running watches you could buy at the moment.
It is built on the mantra that everyone who wants to leverage exercise sessions in order to boost fitness needs an exceptional running companion with the latest functionality.
With a colorful high-resolution display and a top-notch lightweight design, how can anyone pass it up?
Like a training coach at your beck and call, the Garmin Forerunner 220 gives wearers the necessary feedback required while working out. It keeps tabs on essential running metrics such as distance and pace flawlessly with the aid of the built-in accelerometer.
Whether you are running up and down an indoor track or treadmill, distance and speed data is transmitted via the watch without the need for a separate pod.
When you find yourself in an area where GPS tracking isn’t available such as a cave or tunnel, the accelerometer still measures your performance stats.
For real-time coaching, just sync it to the free Garmin Connect program for instant feedback generation as you continue running.
Interpreting performance data at a glance is made possible by the Colored display design integrated into the watch. This saves you time and prevents distractions as you continue to kick ass during runs.
Users also get access to additional training features including target heart zones and pace. This alerts you whenever you deviate from pre-set targets so you can leverage workouts to achieve goals quicker.
PROS
- Automatically uploads performance data to Garmin Connect even when you have no access to a computer
- Built-in accelerometer tracks running stats even when GPS is turned off
- Easy navigation with intuitive design
- Color display with excellent resolution makes quick glancing your data easy
CONS
- Establishing connection between the GPS and satellite for the first time takes forever
- Battery life isn’t the longest out there
Polar M400 GPS Smart Sports Watch
The Polar M400 GPS Smart Sports Watch is one of the best GPS watches with heart rate monitor available for sale at the moment. Armed with powerful GPS technology, keeping track of your pace, distance, and altitude will no longer be a headache for you.
The built-in Fitness Tracker keeps an eye on the intensity levels of your workouts. It delivers data ranging anywhere from your number of steps to distance as well as calories burned and even sleep quality.
If you want a comprehensive activity tracker that never misses a beat, falling in love with the Polar M400 is inevitable. This impressive fitness tracking watch is designed for all weather conditions.
Thanks to its exceptional waterproof capabilities, keeping an eye on your running cadence to keep you in tip top condition is possible, come rain or shine.
The Polar M400 is one of the most social GPS watches out there at the moment. It allows you to sync and share your performance information with buddies via the Polar Flow App and Web Service.
Users continue to improve daily with help from the individual training target programs. This involves predetermining your targets for each run so you can time yourself and determine the right intensity levels for success.
With loads of preset running programs to choose from, what could stand in your way of achieving your desired fitness?
It can be perfectly used as an everyday watch with its long battery life. Just switch off the GPS tracker whenever you feel like conserving your batteries.
PROS
- Pretty good battery life (depending on how you use it, of course)
- Synching and connecting to the computer is pretty flawless
- Running Index feature gives information about your heart fitness
CONS
- Synching to Smartphones and other mobile gadgets takes about 5 minutes to complete
- Poor lighting environment can make the display hard to read
Why a GPS Watch with Built-in Heart Rate Monitor is Perfect for You
It’s no secret that heart rate monitors are now available in different styles, and shapes. However, after detailed studies, fitness industry players and experienced exercisers have come to the conclusion that the GPS watch models are the best for overall fitness.
Here are a few reasons as to why.
Accuracy
Heart rate monitors in the form of watches have been found to be more accurate. Whether they are used in conjunction with straps or as stand-alones, they can give wearers a great deal of information about their current cardiovascular health.
During the course of exercises, they measure user pulse as well as a myriad of variables to determine vital information such as maximum heart rate.
Convenience
GPS watch-style heart rate monitors are more convenient to wear. They can be worn during the most intense workouts without worrying about breaking it.
Additionally, since most of us have worn one type of watch or another at some point in life, wearing it shouldn’t be a challenge at all.
Trendy
From the Polar FT40 to the Garmin Vivoactive, these watches can redefine your style. Most of them come with interchangeable wristbands so they can double as classic watches for an evening out or everyday activities.
Conclusion
Our top picks outlined here are the best GPS watches with heart rate monitors anyone could purchase right now.
They come with lots of integrated functionality to ensure fitness enthusiasts gain accurate insights into their regular routines to boost results.
However, a heart rate monitor by itself will not power your body into fitness. Make sure you undertake the necessary exercise routines at the right levels of intensity in order to get maximum benefits.
We continue to update our reviews as and when new information is made available to us so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or experiences with any of our 5 models chosen here.