Recommendations for a running watch

[Oranges2]

Update: lots of really helpful replies. Thank you.

HI - all is going well with the 5K running - nearly finished (week 9 next). Looking to the future.... please can you let me have any recommendations for a running watch that does not cost a fortune - but shows the right amount and combination of data - pace etc. Thanks

[Oranges2]

I'm replying to my own post - apologies that I did not read the previous related posts. It looks like Garmin Forerunner 10 is the winner with most people - is that the case?

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Oranges2]

That’s a very very old style. I wouldn’t get it.

[Hidden]

I own a Garmin VivoActive 4S due to having thin wrists. But it does all it needs to do. I think any garmin is good, just check out which one you like the view odf and what it does.

[Oranges2 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks !

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I’d go for a garmin 45 (45s for a slim version)

[Oranges2 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks - and I think the slim version is a good idea

[Pugwash Graduate]

The three big brands are, of course, Apple, Garmin and Fitbit. I'm sure they're excellent but they command premium prices too. I took a punt on what became a globally best selling but very keenly priced Amazfit Bip. These are made by the 'sports wearables' division of Xiaomi, called Huami. I've been delighted with it.The watch does everything I want and has built in GPS (important of you don't want to run with your 'phone) and is very keenly priced (although popularity has nudged this up a bit). If you search for an Amazfit watch you'll be faced with a bewildering range, all with slightly different specs. The Amazfit Bip itself has been upgraded and is now the Amazfit Bip S. Be careful with this additional letter - there's also a Bip U and a Bip Lite and I'd say they're not aimed at runners. For the Bip S expect to pay around £65-£75, although you may get discounts, especially whilst the sales are on. There are loads of review videos on YouTube. Good luck! (Top tip - if you go for a Bip S, do invest in a protective cover - not a film, but a clear silicone one).

[Oranges2 in reply to Pugwash]

Thanks for your insight - really helpful

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

I have a Garmin 35, it has GPS and it can link to my phone, also has decent battery life. It's got a squarish shape, which feels quite chunky, and I'm thinking of upgrading to the 45s. I compared the features of lots of watches, (so many tabs open on my laptop!) then decided how much the extra features were worth to me, and at the time the 35 was much cheaper than the 45.

[Oranges2 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thank you - really helpful

[Mikew84 Graduate]

I've got teh Garmin Forerunner 45, and it's great. I briefly owned a Fitbit Charge 4, which is at a similar price point and spec, but the Garmin is better in a number of ways in my opinion. Firstly the display is passive so you can see it at a glance without having to wake the display up, secondly the battery life is much better than the Fitbit (which drained around half the battery on a C25k session using GPS), and thirdly the GPS itself locks on much more quickly than the Fitbit did.

[Oranges2 in reply to Mikew84]

Thank you - really helpful