This Is the Most Affordable Running Watch With Maps.
Maps are a great feature for any watch you plan to use for running or hiking. Unfortunately, they’re typically a premium feature, and until recently, offline maps on watches required a hefty price tag. But that’s changing, and we now have several excellent options in the mid- and even entry-level price ranges.
In this list, I’m only reviewing current watch models—you might be able to find some great deals on older models. All of these watches have been tested by me or Meredith Dietz of Lifehacker.
Why are maps important on a watch?
Let me clarify what having maps on a watch means. It’s an additional feature , in addition to navigation and GPS tracking. Here’s the difference between these three:
GPS Tracking: Where You Are
GPS (or GNSS) tracking means the watch can communicate with satellites to know your location. All modern running watches have this capability. (Some wearables, such as the Whoop and Fitbit Air, use the phone’s built-in GPS rather than having this feature built in.)
This GPS data tells the watch how far and how fast you ran during a workout, and allows you to view that data on a map after the workout—for example, when you view a workout on your phone, you’ll see the route tracked by the watch overlaid on a map the phone built using data downloaded from the internet.
Breadcrumb trail: where you’ve been
The breadcrumb navigation feature allows the watch to track your movements while running. You’ll see a line representing your path on a blank background.
You can usually also load a “route” or “course” onto your watch, and it will display a line showing your intended destination, superimposed on the actual route you’ve taken. Many watches can even provide turn-by-turn directions based on these routes, but they don’t know where the route intersects with other roads or trails.
Offline maps: what else exists?
Today, we’ll talk about this very feature. In addition to showing where you are and where you’ve been, a watch with a map can also display the world around you. Instead of a line in the air, your watch will clearly show you running down a main street and about to cross a bridge over a stream.
Maps make following a route easier because they let you see when you’re turning at an intersection or crossing a road, as well as your location relative to easily visible map features like lakes and highways. Some watches can plan navigation directly on the watch itself (for example, more expensive Garmin and Amazfit models), but most simply display the map as a background image behind your route markings.
Maps take up space on your watch, so the available storage can be important, especially if you also want to store music on your watch. Furthermore, you may have to download maps from your phone at home with a good internet connection, rather than while hiking. Fortunately, once you download maps for a specific area, you won’t need to do this again; the maps remain on your watch, ready for use again and again.
Best watch: Garmin Forerunner 970, $750.
Let’s start with Garmin because it’s the most well-known running watch brand and because their maps are truly well-designed. Garmin reserves maps for its higher-end models, including the Fenix series, which can easily cost $1,000 or more. The cheapest watch with maps in Garmin’s current lineup is the Forerunner 970, which retails for $750. If you can get past the price shock, it’s a really good watch (and it has a flashlight).
Maps can also be found on older models that start with a 9, such as 965, 955, and so on. (Confused? I have an explanation of Garmin model numbers here .) If the first digit is a 9, you can expect maps. If it’s something else—like 165 or 570—you’ll only get breadcrumbs.
My favorite, and one of the most affordable: Coros Pace 4, $249.
The Pace 4’s software update added maps , turning my favorite watch for most runs into a favorite watch for all types of runs, including those where I explore new routes. The Pace 4’s small memory means you can only store maps for a relatively small area. I can store most of Pennsylvania on my watch, but certainly not the entire United States.
Best mid-range watch: Suunto Run 2, $399.
Suunto also has several affordable watches with maps, including the Run 2 for $399 and the Race 2 for $499. I like Suunto’s clear direction arrows when following a busy route, and the maps work well.
Tell me the cheapest option: Amazfit Active Max, $170.
Zepp’s Amazfit brand specializes in bringing premium features to budget watches. This includes maps: the $170 Active Max model offers offline maps on a large, bright screen, an incredible value compared to other brands’ watches.
The Amazfit watch is quite functional. In my tests with Meredith, it proved to be quite accurate and offers all the necessary features for a running watch. However, it never feels as polished as other brands, with somewhat clunky app features and sometimes slow response times from the watch itself. Meredith will explain in more detail why she doesn’t like it. Nevertheless, if you’re looking to buy your first running watch and need maps, the Amazfit is a good choice.