Best Running Watches Under $500: Garmin vs Coros vs Suunto

Why the Garmin Forerunner 170 is the best pick for most runners

Running watches under 500 are affordable GPS smartwatches that track pace, distance, heart rate, and training load while offering long battery life and easy-to-read workout metrics for everyday runners.

If you want one affordable GPS smartwatch that will suit most runners, pick the Garmin Forerunner 170. Garmin offers watches from USD 200 (approx. RM920) to USD 2,000 (approx. RM9,200), so the Forerunner 170 stands out because it “gets back to the basics with an affordable, USD 300 (approx. RM1,380) watch focused on providing what most recreational runners need to track their performance.” You get reliable GPS tracking, solid battery life, and Garmin’s established ecosystem for training history, VO2 max estimates, and recovery insights.

Mid-range watches now include features once reserved for flagships, and the Forerunner 170 proves it by adding a brilliant AMOLED touchscreen that gives you the kind of colorful experience you normally see on high-end devices. It’s the best balance of price, comfort, and features for anyone from couch-to-5K runners to those training for their first marathon.

Key things to look for in a running watch under $500

Before you decide between a Garmin running watch, a Coros smartwatch, or a Suunto, focus on the essentials rather than every niche feature. In the USD 300–500 (approx. RM1,380–RM2,300) range, all three brands offer competitive devices that “can do just about everything a runner might dream of.” That means you should compare how they execute the fundamentals instead of chasing minor spec differences.

• Accurate GPS and GNSS: Every watch on this list tracks location accurately with multiple GNSS systems, and some add dual-band GPS for even better accuracy.
• On-run data screens: These devices show detailed metrics while you run and let you customise what appears on screen, from pace and heart rate to lap averages.
• Route following and breadcrumb navigation: They show where you’ve been as a line and can guide you along pre-loaded routes if you upload them from your phone.
• Training analysis: Each platform syncs your history and gives metrics like VO2 max, training readiness, and more, helping you manage fatigue and progression.
• Sleep and recovery tracking: They track sleep duration and use overnight heart rate and HRV to inform recovery, even if stage-level accuracy is imperfect.

In this price segment, all three brands meet these essentials; your choice comes down to which ecosystem and interface you prefer, plus which watch nails battery life and comfort for your wrist.

Garmin: Best ecosystem and premium features under $500

If you care about training tools and an extensive app ecosystem, a Garmin running watch is the safest bet. Garmin’s line-up spans from USD 200 (approx. RM920) to USD 2,000 (approx. RM9,200), so the brand has long experience building affordable GPS smartwatch options alongside its flagships. The Forerunner 170, at USD 300 (approx. RM1,380), sits in the sweet spot as a budget fitness tracker that still feels modern.

The Forerunner 170 benefits from the same core platform as more expensive models: accurate GPS, customisable data screens, route guidance, and detailed training analytics. Mid-range watches now include features previously found only in flagship models, and Garmin’s AMOLED display on a USD 300 (approx. RM1,380) watch is a clear example. If you want the richest training metrics and plan to stick with one brand for years, Garmin gives you the most complete path.

Coros and Suunto: Strong battery-first challengers

Coros and Suunto both belong on any shortlist of running watches under 500 because they match the fundamentals of GPS accuracy, detailed metrics, route navigation, training analytics, and sleep tracking that define this category. According to one roundup, “Garmin, Coros, and Suunto each have at least one great watch in this price range.”

While specific model names and specs are not detailed in the source, Coros smartwatches are known for long battery life and simple, athlete-focused software, while Suunto tends to emphasise durability and outdoor navigation. In the USD 300–500 (approx. RM1,380–RM2,300) band, both brands compete by offering dual-band or multi-GNSS accuracy on select models, customisable run screens, and strong route-following features. If you already use their apps or prefer their hardware designs, you will still get the core experience you need for marathon training or trail running without stepping into four-figure pricing.

Still, their ecosystems are not as widely used as Garmin’s, and the lack of more detailed spec information in the source makes it harder to recommend a single Coros or Suunto model as confidently as the Forerunner 170. Treat them as strong alternatives if you prioritise ultra-long battery life or a simpler interface over ecosystem depth.

Buy if / Skip if

• Buy the Garmin Forerunner 170 if you want a budget fitness tracker with an AMOLED display and Garmin’s training tools at USD 300 (approx. RM1,380), giving you premium-style visuals at a mid-range price.
• Skip the Garmin Forerunner 170 if you need advanced outdoor features like LTE or satellite SOS, which are reserved for pricier models such as the Fenix 8 Pro.
• Buy the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro if you are an outdoor-focused runner who also hikes, skis, or adventures off-grid and needs LTE plus satellite connectivity with long GPS battery life.
• Skip the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro if you want to stay under USD 500 or dislike paying an inReach subscription for satellite emergency features.
• Buy the Coros smartwatch option in this price band if you prioritise battery life and a lean, athlete-first interface over a massive app ecosystem.
• Skip the Coros smartwatch option if you want the deepest ecosystem, widest app support, and a long history of running-specific features, where Garmin currently leads.
• Buy the Suunto option if you value durable hardware and reliable GPS navigation while still meeting the five essentials of a good running watch under 500.
• Skip the Suunto option if your friends or coach are already deeply invested in Garmin’s platform and you want to share data and training plans easily across that ecosystem.