Top 7 Best Smartwatches For Strava – A Comprehensive Guide

Best Smartwatches For Strava – Struggling with how to pick the best smartwatch for Strava? In this post, I will help you choose the best smartwatch for Strava.

Strava is an app embraced by athletes around the world, providing you the ability to track and share your performances, enjoy the community for inspiration and support, and discover new races, training, and gear.

A smartwatch compatible with Strava is a vital tool for tracking your speed, distance, and elevation while cycling or running. 

But with the plethora of models on the market, how do we choose the best? Dive in as we explore these top-notch smartwatches that provide seamless integration and support for Strava. 

I’ve compiled my Top 7 picks that provide excellent functionality, convenience, and aesthetic appeal based on customer reviews and experts’ take.

Garmin Forerunner 945 – Top Pick for Runners and Triathletes

Garmin Forerunner 945 Review:

The Garmin Forerunner 945 is a powerhouse among sport-specific smartwatches, designed to meet the needs of serious athletes, particularly runners and triathletes. 

This smartwatch takes you to the next level by offering features including advanced physiological metrics and performance monitoring tools.

The Forerunner 945 seamlessly syncs with Strava, providing real-time notifications and segment races to your wrist. 

Loaded with advanced running features, the watch tracks training status, training load, and more, helping you prepare thoroughly for your big race day.

The watch is praised for its detailed performance tracking across many sports, including swimming and cycling. The long battery life and overall reliability are what serious athletes appreciate about it. 

Plus, it offers onboard music storage, a welcomed feature for those users who prefer to leave their phones at home while training.

For those looking to buy an all-in-one sports watch, the Garmin Forerunner 945 will most definitely meet if not exceed their expectations. However, with great features comes a higher price tag, which may be a significant consideration.

Apple Watch Series 6 – Best for Apple Users

Apple Watch Series 6 Review:

The Apple Watch Series 6 presents itself as a premier smartwatch that provides a seamless experience for Strava users. 

Its robust processing power guarantees a smooth usage of the Strava app, while its onboard heart rate monitor and GPS offer accurate data for your performance tracking.

The always-on Retina display is a praise-worthy feature allowing users to glance at the watch for quick info, and it notably includes an ECG and Blood Oxygen app, which are critical for monitoring health parameters.

The smartwatch performs exceptionally well when tracking different forms of exercise – all you need to do is select your desired workout, and it’ll start recording data that syncs with the Strava app.

Although the Apple Watch Series 6 has a shorter battery life compared to other smartwatches, frequent users have adapted to the nightly charge routine. 

Although the cost is on the higher end, for many, the amalgamation of a sleek design, health-focused features, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem justifies it.

Fitbit Ionic – Best for Fitness and Wellness Enthusiasts

Fitbit Ionic Review:

The Fitbit Ionic offers a comprehensive solution for fitness and wellness tracking. As far as Strava goes, it not only integrates with the app but also offers a built-in Strava app. 

You start the Strava app from your watch, and all of your exercise data is recorded and available on your Strava account at your fingertips.

In addition to the standard tracking for running, cycling, and swimming, the Ionic also provides in-depth fitness metrics. This can include personalized workouts that take into account the user’s activity history, cardio level, and personal preferences.

What sets the Ionic apart is its great emphasis on wellness. It provides detailed sleep tracking, can monitor oxygen levels in your bloodstream, and offers personalized meditation sessions. Its durability and reliable battery life make it a favored device for many wellness enthusiasts.

Suunto 9 Baro – Best for Long-duration Athletes

Suunto 9 Baro Review:

The Suunto 9 Baro is designed to endure – just like you. Made for long, arduous training and racing, the multisport GPS watch is built to last just like you.

It provides a staggering battery life of up to 120 hours, making it an excellent choice for ultra-endurance athletes.

With over 80 sports modes, athletes have the flexibility to get precise readings regardless of their sport. It also provides navigation, storm alarms, and many more features that are beneficial for adventurers.

Making it all more worthwhile, the Suunto App displays your training data in detail and enables smooth integration with Strava, which includes the Strava Live Segment functionality.

Slight downsides include a complex user interface and a hefty price tag. However, for athletes who require a durable watch for extensive training sessions and races, the Suunto 9 Baro stands

Polar Vantage V – Best for Pro Athletes

Polar Vantage V Review:

The Polar Vantage V is a premium multisport and running watch designed specifically for professional athletes and anyone training like a pro. 

With advanced metrics to elevate performance, recovery monitoring to prevent overtraining and seamless Strava integration, it’s a favorite among top-tier athletes.

One key highlight is the “Strava Live Segments” feature, which provides a real-time comparison of your record and even the fastest Strava segments, making the race more fun, competitive, and interactive.

Despite being on the pricier side, the Polar Vantage V is worth the consideration given its extensive sports profiling, accurate heart rate monitoring, and reliable GPS. 

It might serve the best value for pro athletes who want to get the most out of their training sessions.

Coros Apex – Best Battery Life

Coros Apex Review:

The Coros Apex is an impressive GPS watch that boasts incredible battery life, which can last up to 100 hours in UltraMax GPS mode. This is excellent for long-endurance activities where charging the device isn’t an option.

The Apex watch is easily integrated with Strava through the Coros app, and it offers detailed tracking data for activities like running, cycling, and swimming. 

It is designed with a lightweight and comfortable build, which can be worn during various outdoor and fitness activities.

Built with an assortment of sensors, the Apex provides accurate and reliable tracking data, helping athletes make informed decisions on their performance and progress.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 – Best for Android Users

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 Review:

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is a reliable choice for Android users looking for a versatile smartwatch that integrates seamlessly with Strava. Offering a sleek design and customizable watch faces, it caters to those who want both style and functionality.

The Active2 is equipped with accurate GPS and heart rate tracking features, ensuring precise performance data during various activities like running, swimming, and other fitness exercises. 

It also offers automatic workout detection, making tracking workouts even more convenient for users.

Besides Strava compatibility, the Galaxy Watch Active2 is packed with a wide range of health-tracking features and smartwatch functions, making it a solid option for those who want an all-in-one device.

FAQs About Best Smartwatches For Strava

Conclusion

So there you have it, my Top 7 smartwatches for Strava. These models not only integrate seamlessly with Strava but offer a range of features to enhance your performance. 

Whether you’re casual, serious, or professional, there’s a Strava-compatible smartwatch for you.

Remember, the best smartwatch for Strava is not just about the features. It’s about what helps you become better, faster, and stronger. It’s about a tool that pushes you to reach your athletic goals.

So, choose a watch that assists in your athletic endeavors, capitalizes your workouts, and helps you stay connected with the Strava community.

If you found this post helpful, or if you end up buying one of the smartwatches I recommend, please share this guide with your buddies on social media.

Please feel free to leave any suggestions or feedback in the comments. Thank you for reading, and keep striving for your goals every day. Peace.