Score
8.8 / 10Rankings · Under $500
Best running watches under $500 (2026)
27 watches that list under $500 MSRP. Ranked by our weighted meta-score. Updated Nov 3, 2026.
Questions
Frequently asked
Which is the highest-rated running watch under $500?
COROS Nomad leads this list at 8.8/10 on our weighted watch meta-score (GPS, battery, training, build, value).
Which running watch under $500s have offline maps?
17 of 27: COROS Nomad, COROS Apex 4, COROS Pace 4, COROS Pace Pro, Suunto Race 2, Suunto Race S, COROS Apex 2 Pro, Suunto Run 2 and 9 more.
What is the cheapest running watch under $500 here?
Amazfit Active 2 lists from $149 MSRP, then Amazfit Active 3 Premium from $169.99. Street prices change — confirm before you buy.
How is this list ranked?
By our editorial meta-score only: GPS 25%, battery 20%, training 25%, build 15%, value 15%. No brand pays for position. Outside reviews inform the score; they are cited on each watch page.
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Index
Watches on this list
- COROS Nomad
- COROS Apex 4
- COROS Pace 4
- COROS Pace Pro
- Suunto Race 2
- Suunto Race S
- COROS Apex 2 Pro
- COROS Pace 3
- Garmin Forerunner 265
- Garmin Instinct 3
- Suunto Run 2
- Amazfit T-Rex 3
- Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro
- Suunto 9 Peak Pro
- Polar Vantage M3
- Garmin Forerunner 170
- Suunto Run
- Amazfit Active 3 Premium
- Garmin Forerunner 70
- Polar Pacer Pro
- Amazfit Cheetah Pro
- Garmin Forerunner 165
- Amazfit Balance
- Garmin Venu 3
- Amazfit Active 2
- Apple Watch Series 11
- Apple Watch SE 3
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Types