10 Best Gps Watches 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS 46mm) is a strong choice if you want a versatile smartwatch that goes beyond just tracking your location. It offers reliable built-in GPS supported by multiple satellite systems, ensuring accurate positioning during outdoor activities. Battery life reaches up to 24 hours with typical use, covering a full day but possibly requiring daily charging for heavy users. A quick charge feature is handy, providing up to 8 hours of use from just 15 minutes of charging.

In terms of durability, it’s swimproof with a 50m water resistance rating and dustproof (IP6X), plus the glass is twice as scratch-resistant as the previous model, helping it hold up well under daily wear and active use. Heart rate monitoring is advanced, with notifications for irregular rhythms and signs of hypertension, alongside other health metrics like ECG and blood oxygen levels, making it well-suited for health-conscious users. Connectivity is solid with Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and LTE options, allowing calls, texts, and app use even away from your phone.

The user interface is intuitive with an always-on bright Retina display, easy controls, and voice assistant support, which makes navigation smooth for beginners. Activity tracking covers a wide range of workouts with detailed metrics and integration with Apple Fitness+, though mapping and turn-by-turn navigation features are somewhat limited compared to specialized hiking or outdoor GPS watches. If you want a smartwatch with strong health features, good GPS accuracy, and daily activity tracking wrapped in a sleek design, the Series 11 fits well. However, if you need extended battery life for multi-day adventures or highly detailed offline maps, this might not be the best fit.

The Apple Watch Series 11 GPS 42mm is a solid choice for anyone looking for a stylish and versatile GPS watch with strong health and fitness features. Its built-in GPS uses multiple satellite systems (L1 GPS, Galileo, etc.), which should provide accurate location tracking for typical outdoor activities like running or hiking. Battery life is decent, offering up to 24 hours of normal use or longer in low power mode, although heavy GPS use will drain it faster than some specialized GPS watches. Durability is excellent with water resistance up to 50 meters and dust resistance rated IP6X, plus a scratch-resistant glass, making it suitable for swim workouts and everyday wear. Heart rate monitoring is very advanced, including ECG, blood oxygen, and irregular rhythm notifications, providing more health insights than basic models.

Connectivity is robust, featuring Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and LTE options when paired with an iPhone, allowing calls, texts, and music streaming on the go. The user interface is intuitive and responsive, thanks to the always-on Retina display and the Digital Crown control, which makes navigation easy even during exercise. Activity tracking goes beyond simple step counting, with detailed workout metrics, sleep scoring, and even hypertension and sleep apnea alerts, which are uncommon in many GPS watches. Mapping and navigation features are basic compared to dedicated outdoor GPS watches; it relies on your iPhone for detailed maps rather than offering full onboard map navigation. The battery life, while good for a smartwatch, may not satisfy ultra-endurance athletes who need several days of GPS tracking.

If you want a smartwatch that balances everyday health tracking, smart features, and decent GPS accuracy, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a great pick, especially if you already use an iPhone.

The Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS 44mm) is a solid choice for those wanting a fitness-focused smartwatch with good health and connectivity features. It offers accurate GPS through multiple satellite systems (L1 GPS, Galileo, QZSS), which is reliable for most outdoor activities, though it may not provide the advanced mapping details found in specialized GPS watches. Battery life stands at about 18 hours per charge, enough for daily use, and it supports fast charging for quick top-ups.

Durability is decent with a tough Ion-X glass that resists cracks better than previous models, and water resistance means it can handle sweat and splashes but isn't designed for deep water sports. Heart rate monitoring is strong and supplemented by temperature sensing, sleep tracking—including sleep apnea notifications—and other health alerts, making it a good partner for overall wellness. Connectivity-wise, the watch shines with Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and seamless integration with an iPhone, allowing calls, messages, music, and Siri voice control directly on the wrist.

The always-on Retina display is bright and easy to read outdoors, with a user-friendly interface that’s simple to navigate even if you’re new to smartwatches. While it tracks many activities well and offers safety features like fall and crash detection, it does not include detailed offline mapping and navigation tools available on specialized GPS watches. This model suits casual fitness enthusiasts and Apple users seeking a well-rounded smartwatch that balances health tracking, connectivity, and style rather than hardcore athletes needing advanced GPS navigation.