Best Triathlon Watches 2026
GPS watches built for swim-bike-run: tested for Ironman, 70.3, and Olympic triathlon
Our Top Picks
TL;DR: Our Verdict
The Garmin Forerunner 965 ($599) is the best triathlon watch for most athletes. It has everything you need: AMOLED display, 31-hour GPS battery, open water swim tracking, cycling power support, and Garmin's unmatched training ecosystem. If budget is tight, the COROS Apex 2 Pro ($499) delivers 90% of the features at a lower price.
Garmin Forerunner 965
The Forerunner 965 is Garmin's flagship triathlon watch. Gorgeous AMOLED display, multi-band GPS for pinpoint accuracy, and all the training metrics serious triathletes need. Battery lasts 31 hours in GPS mode—enough for even the slowest Ironman.
- ✓ 1.4" AMOLED touchscreen display
- ✓ Multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology
- ✓ Open water swim with GPS tracking
- ✓ Cycling dynamics + power meter support
- ✓ Training readiness, HRV status, race predictor
- ✓ 31 hours GPS / 23 days smartwatch
COROS Apex 2 Pro
COROS brings serious competition to Garmin. The Apex 2 Pro offers dual-frequency GPS, titanium bezel, and incredible 75-hour GPS battery—all for $100 less than the Forerunner 965. Training features rival Garmin's ecosystem.
- ✓ Sapphire glass + titanium bezel
- ✓ Dual-frequency GPS
- ✓ 75 hours full GPS battery
- ✓ Open water swim tracking
- ✓ Running power (no pod needed)
- ✓ EvoLab training metrics
Polar Vantage V3
Polar pioneered heart rate training, and the Vantage V3 shows it. Best-in-class recovery metrics with Sleep Plus, Nightly Recharge, and detailed HRV analysis. AMOLED display and dual-frequency GPS round out a compelling package.
- ✓ 1.39" AMOLED display
- ✓ Dual-frequency GPS
- ✓ Industry-leading recovery metrics
- ✓ Open water swim tracking
- ✓ Running & cycling power
- ✓ 53 hours GPS battery
Garmin Enduro 2
For ultra-distance athletes and double/triple Ironman, the Enduro 2 is unmatched. Solar charging extends already incredible battery life. 150 hours in GPS mode means you'll never worry about dying mid-race.
- ✓ 150 hours GPS (with solar)
- ✓ Solar charging lens
- ✓ Titanium construction
- ✓ Multi-band GPS
- ✓ All Forerunner 965 features
- ✓ Built for ultra events
Triathlon Watch Comparison
| Watch | Price | GPS Battery | Display | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin FR 965 | $599 | 31 hrs | AMOLED | Most triathletes |
| COROS Apex 2 Pro | $499 | 75 hrs | MIP | Budget conscious |
| Polar Vantage V3 | $599 | 53 hrs | AMOLED | Recovery focus |
| Garmin Enduro 2 | $1,099 | 150 hrs | MIP | Ultra/double Ironman |
Triathlon-Specific Features Explained
Multisport Mode
One-button transition between swim, bike, run. Tracks T1/T2 times separately. All watches above support this.
Open Water Swim
Uses GPS to track distance, pace, and stroke rate in lakes/ocean. Critical for Ironman swims where pool-based estimates fail.
Power Meter Support
Connect to cycling power meters for watt-based training and racing. Essential for pacing the bike leg.
Race Predictor
Garmin's race predictor estimates finish times for different distances. Helpful for goal setting and pacing strategy.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best triathlon watch for 2026?
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is the best triathlon watch for most athletes. It offers exceptional GPS accuracy, AMOLED display, open water swim metrics, cycling dynamics, and 31-hour GPS battery life—all for $599.
Can I use my triathlon watch in the pool and open water?
Yes, all watches in this guide are water-resistant to at least 50 meters and track both pool and open water swimming. Open water mode uses GPS to track distance and stroke data.
Do I need a triathlon watch for sprint triathlon?
For sprint and Olympic distance, any GPS running watch with basic swim tracking works fine. Triathlon-specific watches become more valuable for 70.3 and Ironman where detailed pacing, nutrition alerts, and long battery life matter.
COROS vs Garmin for triathlon: which is better?
Garmin has more triathlon-specific features and larger ecosystem. COROS offers better battery life and value. For serious Ironman athletes, Garmin's training load, recovery metrics, and race predictor are hard to beat. COROS is excellent for budget-conscious triathletes.
Affiliate Disclosure: RunBikeCalc earns commissions from qualifying Amazon purchases. This doesn't affect our recommendations—we only recommend products we'd use ourselves. Prices and availability subject to change.
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