10 Best Smartwatch For Cycling 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch Series 11 is a strong contender for cyclists looking for a smartwatch that combines fitness tracking with health monitoring. Its built-in GPS supports multiple satellite systems, so it offers reliable location tracking—a must-have for cycling routes and navigation. You can expect up to 24 hours of typical battery life, which covers a full day of riding but might require daily charging if you use GPS extensively. The watch’s fast charging helps make that easier. Heart rate monitoring is advanced, with both optical and electrical sensors, providing accurate and detailed health insights including ECG and blood oxygen levels, which benefit anyone serious about performance or wellness.

The display is bright and always-on, making it easy to glance at information without stopping. It also has a tough, scratch-resistant glass and is water resistant up to 50 meters, so it can handle sweat, rain, and even swimming. Navigation features are enhanced by a compass, altimeter, and safety tools like fall and crash detection, which add peace of mind on challenging rides. Connectivity with your iPhone and Wi-Fi ensures calls, messages, and music are accessible on the go, though it lacks built-in cellular in this GPS-only version. Training metrics and workout tracking are powered by Apple’s intelligent software, including heart rate zones and training load, useful for cyclists wanting to improve their fitness.

Battery life might be short for multi-day or very long rides without access to charging. The watch’s rectangular design and software ecosystem work best if you already use an iPhone. Also, while the screen is bright, it may be harder to read in direct sunlight compared to some outdoor-focused smartwatches. The Apple Watch Series 11 delivers excellent health and fitness features, solid durability, and reliable GPS for most cyclists, especially those who want a versatile smartwatch that supports more than just cycling activities.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is a solid choice for cyclists who want a smartwatch that covers a broad range of health and fitness tracking alongside smart connectivity. Its built-in GPS supports multiple satellite systems (L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou), which helps provide accurate location tracking on rides. However, it lacks multi-frequency GPS, which some premium cycling watches offer for even better precision. Battery life lasts up to 24 hours under typical use, enough for daily rides, but may require daily charging for longer cycling tours or multi-day trips. Quick charging is a plus, offering 8 hours of use after just 15 minutes. Heart rate monitoring is reliable with both electrical and optical sensors, plus it alerts you about irregular rhythms and possible hypertension, adding valuable health insights.

The watch is water-resistant to 50m and dust-resistant (IP6X), making it sturdy enough for outdoor cycling in various weather conditions. The always-on Retina display is bright and clear, though its rectangular shape might not suit those who prefer round dials. Navigation features include basic route tracking and backtrack, but it lacks advanced cycling-specific navigation tools like turn-by-turn bike route directions found in specialized GPS bike computers. Training and performance metrics are comprehensive, offering detailed workout data, heart rate zones, and integration with Apple Fitness+, which is useful for cyclists aiming to improve fitness.

Connectivity via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE keeps you connected to calls, messages, and music, but it relies on an iPhone for full functionality. To sum up, the Apple Watch Series 11 blends smart features with solid fitness tracking and good durability, making it ideal for cyclists who want a versatile everyday smartwatch rather than a dedicated cycling computer.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm) offers a lightweight, comfortable design that's great for wearing all day, including during cycling sessions. It features built-in GPS that supports accurate tracking of your routes, which is essential for cyclists who want reliable navigation and performance data. The watch runs on Wear OS powered by Samsung, providing smooth connectivity via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to stay synced with your smartphone apps. Battery life is decent, powering you through a full day of activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and notifications, though heavier GPS use might require daily charging.

Its heart rate sensor and advanced health tracking, including sleep coaching and stress monitoring, give you valuable insights to optimize your training and recovery. The 1.47-inch round display offers clear visibility, making it easy to glance at stats mid-ride, even though it’s not the brightest in direct sunlight compared to some specialized sports watches. While the watch is designed to be water resistant and durable enough for everyday use, it may not meet the highest ruggedness standards that some outdoor cyclists seek.

Navigation features like turn-by-turn directions and running coaching are helpful, but if you want cycling-specific training metrics and detailed bike computer integrations, you might find this watch less specialized than dedicated cycling devices. The Galaxy Watch 8 serves as a versatile, stylish smartwatch with solid fitness and navigation features suitable for casual to intermediate cyclists who want an all-around health tracker with smart features, though serious cyclists looking for in-depth cycling data might consider more specialized options.