Best Smartwatches for running power support

running power support Decision Dashboard

Best for running power support

Polar Grit X

4.8 feature score

Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.

Safest pick

Polar Vantage M2

4.8 feature score

Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.

Most evidence

Polar Pacer Pro

6 supporting reviews

Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.

Best overall product

Garmin Forerunner 955

4.0 overall score

Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.

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#1 Polar Grit X
4.8

Running power support was repeatedly praised as useful, convenient, and unusually strong without a separate footpod.

Pros: materials quality, recovery insights

Cons: contactless payments, music controls

#2 Polar Vantage M2
4.8

Running power support was praised for external STRYD-style support and native handling, despite the lack of wrist-based power.

Pros: running power support, fitness tracking accuracy

Cons: contactless payments, smartphone notifications

#3 Polar Grit X Pro
4.5

Running power support was strongly praised, especially by triathlon and trail-focused reviewers who value native power for pacing and power-zone training.

Pros: water resistance, health tracking accuracy

Cons: contactless payments, onboard music storage

#4 Polar Vantage V2
4.4

Running power support was positive where tested, with reviewers finding wrist-based running power usable and trend data well aligned.

Pros: workout tracking variety, build quality

Cons: blood oxygen tracking, onboard music storage

#5 Polar Pacer Pro
4.3

Running power support was broadly positive because wrist-based power appears at this price, though one reviewer still preferred STRYD for accuracy.

Pros: workout tracking variety, activity auto-detection

Cons: onboard music storage, blood oxygen tracking

#6 Garmin Forerunner 255S
3.0

Running power support was useful in concept but limited by the need for an external Garmin sensor.

Pros: step counting accuracy, fit

Cons: blood oxygen tracking, charging convenience

#7 Garmin Forerunner 955
2.5

Running power was criticized because the feature still falls short of expectations without wrist-native support.

Pros: outdoor visibility, charging speed

Cons: LTE connectivity, call handling

#8 OnePlus Watch 2R
2.5

Running power support was mixed because the Watch 2R reported a much lower running-power value than the comparison watch.

Pros: software smoothness, charging speed

Cons: ECG functionality, safety features

#9 Polar Pacer
1.9

Running power support is a limitation because reviewers wanted it or noted that the Pacer requires an external sensor while rivals or the Pro offer more.

Pros: third-party app support, comfort

Cons: contactless payments, onboard music storage

#10 Polar Ignite 2
1.5

Running power support was weak because a reviewer noted that wrist-based running power is absent compared with higher-end Polar watches.

Pros: wellness insights, coaching features

Cons: mapping and navigation, contactless payments

#11 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
1.5

Running power support was weak because a sports-focused reviewer explicitly said the watch lacks advanced running metrics such as running power.

Pros: pairing reliability, outdoor visibility

Cons: ECG functionality, running power support