9 Best GPS Watches with Map Display + Buyer’s Guide (2025)

When you’re out exploring, whether hiking, running, or cycling, a GPS watch with a map display is crucial for navigation and safety.

These watches help you stay on track and make decisions by giving you a clear visual of your surroundings. However, with so many options, choosing the best GPS watch on the market can be overwhelming.

In this guide, we’ve done the research for you! Here’s a list of the 8 best GPS watches of 2025 with map displays, covering a variety of needs, from rugged outdoor watches to advanced smartwatches with health monitoring. Plus, check out our Buyer’s Guide at the end to help you make an informed decision.

Quick Preview of the Best GPS Watches with Map Display

Product Name	Review
Garmin Fenix 7	Best Solar Watch
Garmin Forerunner 955	Best for Running
Garmin Quatix 7X Solar	Best for Boating
Polar Grit X	Best Multisport
SUUNTO 9 Peak	Best for Trail Running
Garmin Enduro	Best Battery Life
Garmin MARQ Adventurer	Best Luxury Watch
Apple Watch Ultra 2	Best Smartwatch
Garmin Epix (Gen 2)	Best AMOLED Display

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1. Garmin Fenix 7 – GPS Watch with Map Display

Best for: Adventurers needing long battery life and solar charging

Feature	Description
Screen Size	1.3 inches
Touch Screen	Yes
Lens Material	Power Sapphire
Bezel Material	Titanium
Strap Material	Silicone
Weight	73 g
Health Monitoring	Heart Rate, Pulse Ox, Stress, Sleep Tracking
Navigation	Multi-band GNSS, 3-axis compass, Gyroscope, Barometric Altimeter
Maps	Preloaded TopoActive maps, Golf Courses, Ski Resorts
Battery Life	Up to 18 days (smartwatch mode), up to 22 days with solar;
Battery Life in GPS mode	Up to 57 hours indoors or up to 73 hours with solar charging

The Garmin watch, Fenix 7 is an advanced GPS running watch, with many amazing features. To name a few, these include solar charging, which is said to prolong its battery life way longer than expected.

With a 1.3-inch touch display, this solar-powered GPS smartwatch has topped off more than 30 built-in watch faces and sports apps for hiking, running, or even snorkeling.

The Fenix 7 is amongst the finest watches available in the market, offering support for Global Positioning Systems such as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo-with high positioning precision-become equipped with top-notch WLAN and ANT+ connectivity.

Advanced health monitoring through the heart rate monitor and Pulse Ox is supported along with sleep tracking, making it perfect for fitness enthusiasts.

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2. Garmin Forerunner 955 – GPS Watch for Running

Best for: Runners and triathletes

Specification	Details
Screen Size	1.3 Inches
Lens Material	Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX
Bezel Material	Fibber-Reinforced Polymer
Touchscreen	Yes
Strap Material	Silicone (durable and lightweight for comfort during workouts)
Weight	53 g
Battery Life	Up to 15 days in smartwatch mode; 42 hours in GPS mode; 80 hours in UltraTrac mode
Health Features	Wrist-Based Heart Rate Monitor, Pulse Ox Sensor, Sleep Monitoring ,Stress Tracking, Body Battery
Map Type	North America
Navigation Features	Multi-GNSS Support: Access to multiple global navigation satellite systems for enhanced accuracy. Advanced navigation features including turn-by-turn directions.

The Garmin Forerunner 955 is a lightweight GPS watch with a 1.3-inch touchscreen display protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX. It supports multiple satellite navigation systems, ensuring accurate map displays no matter where you run. With 15 days of battery life, you won’t have to worry about frequent charging.

The training readiness score and heart rate monitor help you manage your fitness levels and performance. This watch is also water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it perfect for swimming and water-based activities. It’s the best GPS running watch.

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3. Garmin Quatix 7X Solar Edition – Best Solar GPS Watch for Boating

Best for: Boating and marine adventures

Specification	Details
Screen Size	1.4 Inches
Touch Screen	Yes
Lens Material	Power Glass
Bezel Material	Fiber-Reinforced Polymer
Strap Material	Silicone and Titanium
Weight	89 g
Battery Life	Up to 28 days (solar charging)
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
Map Type	North America
Sport Type	Boating, Swimming, Outdoor Fitness
Navigation Features	Multi-band GPS, compass, gyroscope, tide data, waypoint marking, BlueChart g3 support
Health Features	Heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, Body Battery
Special Features	Smart notifications, activity profiles, Garmin Pay

The Garmin Quatix 7X Solar Edition is for lovers of the sea. It’s supposed to have a 1.4-inch always-on display with a touchscreen and a scratch-resistant Power Glass lens.

This Garmin watch has solar charging for extended use, making it perfect for very long days out on the water.

It features satellite routing and includes support for BlueChart g3 maps, making it ideal for boating with features like alerting for tide changes or anchor drag.

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4. Polar Grit X – Best Multisport GPS Watch

Best for: Athletes engaging in multiple sports

The Polar Grit X is a rugged multisport GPS smartwatch with built-in GPS, GLONASS, and a heart rate monitor. Additional tools include an altimeter and compass, making this the perfect sports watch for the outdoorsy athlete. The FuelWise feature helps you track calorie intake and hydration during long runs or hikes.

It runs for as many as 40 hours in GPS mode but can be extended to 100 hours with power-saving options. Lightweight, this rugged outdoor watch is part of comfort during very long workouts.

Feature	Details
Screen Size	1.2 Inches
Special Features	Sleep Monitor, Accelerometer, GPS, Elevation Tracker, Heart Rate Monitor
Connectivity Technology	GPS
Map Type	Worldwide
Sports Supported	Motor Sports, Running, Hiking
Battery Life	GPS and HR Tracking: Up to 40 hours
	Power Save Mode: Up to 100 hours
	Watch Mode with 24/7 HR: Up to 7 days
Weight	64 grams
Durability	MIL-STD-810G tested
	Water resistance: 100m / 10 ATM
Navigation Features	Real-time turn-by-turn route guidance
	Route import from Komoot
	Compass and barometric altitude (in training mode)
	Hill Splitter for uphill and downhill performance analysis
Recovery and Sleep Tracking	Nightly Recharge feature for recovery measurement
	Sleep tracking
Sport Profiles	130+ sport profiles

Get the most out of your adventure, Polar Grit X is for outdoor enthusiasts and endurance athletes.

Expect exceptional battery life, Pols advanced training tools, and military-grade durability in an extremely robust smart watch built to elevate your performance.

Ready to conquer new trails? Get your Polar Grit X today and take your adventures to a whole new level.

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5. SUUNTO 9 Peak – Best Budget GPS Watch for Trail Running

Best for: Trail runners needing a lightweight watch with navigation

The SUUNTO 9 Peak ranks among the lightest-feathered GPS running watches available, at just a total of 52 grams.

This watch features up to 170 hours of battery life in GPS track mode and features sapphire glass for durability.

This will be ideal for runners who require advanced tracking of heart rate monitoring, altitude data, and route planning.

It features Hill Splitter, which helps to track uphill and downhill sections and thus provides more specific information to trail runners.

Feature	Details
Special Features	Touchscreen, Waterproof
Battery Capacity	600 mAh Lithium Ion
Battery Life	40 hours (Best GPS mode)
	70 hours (Endurance mode)
	300 hours (Tour mode)
	Quick charge: 10 minutes for 2 hours of GPS training
GPS	GPS-enabled with support for 4 satellite systems
Screen Size	43 mm
Durability	Military-grade: Titanium, Stainless Steel, Sapphire Glass; Waterproof (100m)
Sport Modes	97 Sport Modes
Navigation	Turn-by-turn navigation
Additional Features	Weather alerts
	Avalanche maps
	Music controls
	Customizable watch faces via the Suunto app
Suunto App Integration	Structured workouts, real-time guidance
	Sleep and recovery analysis
	Sync with apps like Strava, Training Peaks, and 200+ other apps

Conquer the Impossible with the Suunto 9 Peak Pro: The hardy GPS watch is destined for the most challenging athletes and adventurers-precise, durable, and versatile in every kind of travel.

Want to take on new challenges? Arm yourself with the Suunto 9 Peak Pro today and discover peerless tracking, military-grade durability, and features designed to unlock peak performance.

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6. Garmin Enduro – GPS Watch for Ultra-Endurance

Best for: Ultra-endurance athletes

Garmin Enduro is the solar-powered version for ultra-endurance events. The new smartwatch gives up to 46 days of battery life on a single charge with a 1.4-inch display in smartwatch mode.

Special features of the watch include next-fork map guidance, grade-adjusted pace, and satellite navigation.

Feature	Details
Screen Size	1.4 inches
Special Feature	Solar charging, Bluetooth connectivity
Battery Life	Up to 80 hours in GPS mode
Build	DLC-coated titanium or steel bezel, buttons, and rear case
Sport Modes	Training, ultrarun with rest timer
Advanced Features	Trail run VO2 max, ClimbPro enhancements, run/walk detection
Display	Always-on, rugged design
Map Type	North America

Meet your ultimate activity partner: the Garmin Enduro, a rugged, high-performance smartwatch that stays with you through the most intense workouts and longest explorations.

It’s built for those who go the farthest with an unmatchable battery life and solar charging.

Never compromise on second best. Upgrade now and unleash the highest performance with every piece of gear that is premium, cutting-edge, and more advanced than anything ever offered.

Exclusive Deal: Get your Garmin Enduro and supercharge your fitness to a whole new level.

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7. Garmin MARQ Adventurer (Gen 2) – Best Luxury GPS watch map display

Best for: Luxury lovers who want top-tier performance

The Garmin Adventurer MARQ-Gen 2 is an offering in the luxury segment, with a domed sapphire crystal lens, bezel, and strap made of titanium and laced with leather.

This should be one of the most feature-packed PERepi watches available, replete with multi-frequency positioning and SATIQ technology, among others, plus adding outdoor maps for the ultimate adventurer who wants nothing but the greatest in style and performance.

Pros:

• Sleek, stylish design with premium materials
• Top-notch satellite navigation accuracy

Cons:

• High price tag

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8. Garmin Epix (Gen 2) – Garmin watch with mapping

Rating: 9.3
Best for: Those who want high-performance with a bright AMOLED display

The Garmin Epix (Gen 2) features a 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen wrapped in sapphire crystal. It supports multi-band GPS – GNSS, offering excellent GPS accuracy and long battery life.

This rugged GPS watch is packed with sports apps, heart rate monitoring, and even music apps. It’s perfect for athletes looking for both high performance and style.

Pros:

• AMOLED display with vibrant colors
• Long battery life and accurate GPS

Cons:

• Bulky for those with smaller wrists

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9. Apple Watch Ultra 2 – Best Overall GPS Smartwatch

Rating: 9.1
Best for: Adventure and fitness enthusiasts seeking advanced features

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a 49mm rugged titanium case and offers advanced health tracking, dual-frequency GPS, and a super bright always-on Retina display.

It’s suitable for various activities, from swimming to hiking. Up to 35 hours of outdoor workout with GPS and LTE in Low Power Mode with fewer GPS and heart rate readings

Pros:

• Extremely rugged design with water resistance up to 100m
• Advanced health and safety features
• Precision dual-frequency GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou)

Cons:

• High price point compared to standard smartwatches

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Also Read:- Comprehensive Guide to Smartwatch Care and Maintenance.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best GPS Watch with Map Display, 2025

Owning a GPS watch with mapping in 2025 can be one of the most thrilling and difficult choices presently, thanks to a variety of options. Not only will outdoor enthusiasts benefit from such devices, but people interested in high-tech tracking of their activities and health also stand to gain.

All you have to do is peruse some of the key features with the help of this buyer’s guide for GPS watches so that you’re informed about exactly what will suit your lifestyle and activities.

1. Battery Life: Go the Distance Without Constant Charging

Speaking of watches, one of the most critical deciding factors comes into play: the battery life. Some activities do indeed require a watch that can function using a single charge for several days, even weeks at times.

Because GPS tracking will always tend to drain the batteries of any GPS watch, it is very important to choose a model with a long battery life, especially if using one during or on extended outdoor adventures like multi-day hikes or ultra-marathons.

Some of the watches have solar charging options, enabling you to prolong the battery life by capturing the power of the sun.

For instance, with Garmin Fenix 7, one gets up to 22 days in smartwatch mode, whereas battery life in GPS mode, goes even beyond with the aid of solar charging.

This is, in turn, very good for an adventurer who spends most of his time outdoors, perhaps where charging options are not that easy.

Consider this:

• When hiking, trail running, or doing other long-duration activities, long battery life is indispensable.
• If you’re going off-grid, look for a watch that features solar charging to keep it powered up even when you’re away from civilization.
• It’s true that some models, such as the Garmin Enduro, do provide batteries with a very long battery life indeed the tune of up to 46 days when in a smartwatch which makes them quite suitable for ultra-endurance events.

2. Ruggedness: Durability for the Outdoors

Be the kind of person who relishes roughing it out in the great outdoors, you undoubtedly do need a watch that can stand up to you. In terms of selecting one rugged GPS watch, durability is considered critical.

Many of these rugged watches have been built and designed to resist extreme conditions like dust, water, high altitude, or uneven terrain.

Look for water-resistant watches, most models going up to 100 meters, and rugged materials such as sapphire glass and titanium bezels. The two components are scratch-proof and will stand firm in heavy environmental conditions.

The Garmin Quatix 7X Solar Edition is fitted with a scratch-resistant Power Glass lens and fibber-reinforced polymer, making it structurally suitable for boating or marine activities where durability may be a critical factor in its overall performance.

Consider This:

• If you plan on hiking, mountaineering, or snorkeling, for instance, then get a rugged smartwatch made to withstand the elements.
• For example, Mil-spec watches, such as the Polar Grit X, represent durability standards to MIL-STD-810G to undertake extreme temperatures, shock, and even water exposure.
• Get a watch that’s dust-proof and waterproof, mainly if it’s going to take you to the most challenging environments.

3. Navigation Features: Stay On-Course Anywhere

Your GPS watch is supposed to navigate you through your work, either running in the heart of a city or deep in the woods.

The better and high-end advanced GPS watches have multi-satellite navigation such as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo that assure them of accuracy in areas where normal GPS signals might be weak, like dense forests and mountainous areas.

Features such as multi-band GNSS or SATIQ technology reinforce location tracking with precision.

For instance, the Garmin Epix, Gen 2 uses SATIQ GPS technology to deliver wide-area satellite coverage and location tracking with greater accuracy for metropolis centers or remote areas.

Some of those GPS sport watches, such as the Garmin Fenix 7, include topographic maps with turn-by-turn guidance and preloaded courses for a variety of activities, including hiking, cycling, and skiing.

Such features make finding your route quite easy without carrying any extra equipment, like a handheld GPS.

Consider this:

• Topographic maps identify important features necessary to safely and efficiently navigate trails when hiking or running.
• Turn-by-turn guidance helps a lot, especially for runners and cyclists to navigate direction, seamlessly while on a run or ride.
• Prefer watches that support several satellite systems to make wayfinding more reliable, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.

4. Health and Fitness Tracking: Stay on Top of Your Performance

But the modern GPS watches are no longer for wayfinding alone; they have grown to be powerful means for health and fitness tracking.

These fitness watches can track everything from one’s heart rate to the patterns of one’s sleep important asset for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.

The best GPS watches contain features such as:

• Heart rate monitors that track your heart rate 24/7.
• Advanced sleep tracking continues to analyze your sleep patterns so that you can improve rest and recovery.
• Stress monitoring to help you manage your mental wellbeing.
• Two recommendations for VO2 max and recovery time permit the monitoring of performance by athletes and avoid overtraining.

We find some pretty high-end fitness metrics on trackers like the Garmin Forerunner 955, which includes a training readiness score to decide if today was an intense workout day or a rest day.

More unusual features can be found on timepieces like the Polar Grit X, which has FuelWise for tracking calorie intake during extremely long workouts, and Hill Splitter for in-depth insights into your uphill and downhill performance.

Consider this:

• If you’re focused on cardiovascular health or endurance training, a heart rate monitor is a huge essential.
• Sleep and stress tracking can turn into virtual assistants in yielding many valuable insights about one’s overall well-being to perform optimally.
• Other features an athlete should look out for in a unit are VO2 max estimations, recovery time recommendations, and fitness tracking applications that give insight into their performance.

5. Screen and User Interface: Easy to use, even on-the-go

The display and user interface of your GPS watch make a big difference in usability- especially when in the middle of a workout or on an adventure.

While most premium GPS watches offer touchscreen displays, some also have button controls for use in wet conditions or with gloves.

Garmin fēnix 7 tries to pull a balance between touchscreen and physical buttons for guidance, whether in arid or wet conditions.

Garmin Epix seems to be a highlight on many virtues, with its AMOLED display giving clear and vibrant visuals-one makes easy readings of maps and stats even under direct sunlight.

Then there’s the screen size, which also influences your experience. Larger screens-the 1.4-inch display on the Garmin quatix 7X Solar Edition, for example-provides extra real estate for maps and data, but those models with smaller wrists will feel bulkier.

Smaller screens, like that 1.2-inch display on the Polar Grit X, provide a more compact feel without sacrificing critical information.

Consider This:

If you’re going to be using the watch in wet environments all, or cold ones, definitely look for one featuring button controls in addition to a touchscreen.

Larger screens are always easier to read, but sometimes larger and bulkier; consider size and weight according to watch preferences.

A watch would be clearer and more resistant when made from AMOLED or sapphire displays.

6. Connectivity and Smartwatch Features: Pair with Your Devices

Many of today’s GPS watches incorporate smartwatch functionality and boast some or all of the following connectivity options:

• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features that let you connect with and sync to your smartphone and computer.
• Music plays for exercise without the need to carry a phone.
• The notifications for calls, messages, and social media.

Some watches, like the Garmin Forerunner 955 and Garmin Epix (Gen 2), even support apps such as Spotify and Deezer; these let you stream or download music directly to your watch.

While this kind of facility can be handy in staying connected during workouts or adventures, this may also eat up more battery, so consider whether to make such facilities a priority.

Consider This:

• If you want easy data syncing or use music apps, look for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi watches.
• If music is important to you, this watch also needs to include a quantity of storage that would accommodate offline playback.
• Smartwatches can keep you connected, but if you use the connected features, you understand the limits of your device’s battery life.

7. Price: Finding a Balance of Features in Your Budget

The price will, of course, also be a significant factor in choosing one’s GPS watch. GPS watches run the spectrum from entry-level ones like the SUUNTO 9 Peak at about $289 to high-end luxury timepieces like the Garmin MARQ Adventurer, Gen 2, which costs over $2,000.

When you’re selecting a budget, consider exactly which features are going to work for your needs. If you need basic navigation and fitness tracking, then a mid-range option such as the Polar Grit X would suit you perfectly.

You could get more advanced features, such as solar charging, topographic maps, and multi-band GNSS, by going for something a bit pricier, like the Garmin Fenix 7.

Consider This:

• Establish a budget and determine what features are most important to your activities.
• Mid-range models can offer great value with a load of features for most users.
• The high-end models feature a range of premium materials, advanced wayfinding tools, and longer battery life, but the prices can be a little higher.

Your perfect GPS watch with map display could be casual hiking, professional athletics, or even long-distance running exact needs would dictate which.

Again, the essential deciding points include battery life, durability, GPS, and monitoring health.

Consider how and where you’ll be using a watch, then pick the best available model offering features and reliability to best fit outdoor adventures or fitness goals.

Conclusion: Picking Up the Correct GPS Watch for Your Needs

The best GPS watches with mapping will make your next outdoor experience a whole lot better, be it hiking, running, or building a sense of place.

These are timepieces that embrace reliable navigation while packing in great features for tracking fitness and heart rate to even solar charging to extend your adventure opportunities.

Some of the best options are the Garmin Fenix 7, with its solar-powered features and long battery life, which is tailored for the hard-core outdoorsman, while the Garmin Forerunner 955 is made to order for runners and triathletes looking to improve performance.

And if marine activities are more your game, then you have the Garmin Quatix 7X Solar Edition with options like specialized features and Polar Grit X that delivers rugged robustness for multisport athletes.

From the high-end models, like the Garmin MARQ Adventurer, to ultra-durable ones, such as the Garmin Enduro, each best suits different needs.

Consider what’s most important to you, whether that be battery life ruggedness, or even health monitoring, and select the best smartwatch that fits your needs the most for 2025.

Also Read : –

• AMOLED vs. MIP Displays in Garmin Devices: A Comprehensive Analysis.
• When Does the Garmin 975 Come Out? Everything You Need to Know.
• Overview of Materials in Garmin Watches: Stainless Steel vs Titanium.
• Garmin Race Predictor: What You Need to Know.

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