There was a point a few years ago when, if you needed an accurate wrist-worn device for running – especially trail running – you had to get a Garmin watch. The brand started as a GPS company and became one of the biggest players in wearable technology, and definitely the main brand when it comes to performance smartwatches.
Lucky for us, things look different in 2026. Challenger brands such as Coros and Amazfit aren’t just for people who can’t afford Garmins; they also put out genuinely impressive wearables for beginners and enthusiasts alike. And while Coros is happy to cater for the MIP crowd (for now), Amazfit has been putting out some seriously impressive AMOLED watches over the past.
