10 Best Triathlon Watches 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS 42mm) is a strong contender for triathletes who want a versatile smartwatch that balances fitness tracking with everyday health monitoring and connectivity. Its battery lasts up to 24 hours with normal use and can stretch to 38 hours in low power mode, which should comfortably cover even long training days or races, although ultra-endurance athletes may want to recharge daily. The watch offers solid water resistance rated at 50 meters, making it suitable for swim sessions without worry. GPS accuracy is enhanced by support for multiple satellite systems (L1 GPS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou), helping track your routes and pace across running, cycling, and swimming.

Heart rate monitoring is comprehensive, including high/low alerts, ECG, and blood oxygen levels, valuable for monitoring exertion and recovery. Multisport mode is supported with advanced workout metrics and integration with Apple Fitness+, though the watch’s multisport app might be less specialized than some dedicated triathlon watches. Durability is good, with a super durable glass display twice as scratch resistant as the previous generation and dust resistance, which adds to its resilience in outdoor conditions.

Connectivity is robust, pairing seamlessly with iPhones via Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi, enabling calls, texts, music, and safety features like fall and crash detection. This watch is best for users already invested in the Apple ecosystem and may be overkill if you only want a basic triathlon watch focused purely on sport metrics. Its rectangular design may also feel less sporty compared to traditional round watches. The Apple Watch Series 11 is a high-tech, health-focused smartwatch that fits well for triathletes who value detailed health insights and smart features alongside solid multisport tracking.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a strong choice for triathletes thanks to its bright 1.3-inch AMOLED display and a comfortable, lightweight design. It offers solid battery life, lasting up to 13 days in regular smartwatch mode and around 20 hours with GPS active, which is great for long training sessions or races. Its multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology improves GPS accuracy, especially in tricky environments, helping you track runs, cycling, and open-water swims more reliably.

The watch covers essential triathlon needs with over 30 sport profiles, including triathlon mode, and offers detailed training insights like recovery status, heart rate variability, and training readiness, which can help you train smartly without overdoing it. Heart rate monitoring is well integrated and works alongside other data to give a rounded view of your fitness and effort. Connectivity features include notifications, music control, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and safety tools like incident detection, but some require your phone nearby and network coverage.

The mix of button and touchscreen controls balances ease of use during active moments. One limitation could be the battery life when GPS is used for very long events, as 20 hours might require charging for ultra-distance triathletes. The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a reliable, feature-rich triathlon watch that combines accurate GPS, useful multisport modes, and smart training tools, making it well-suited for athletes looking to improve performance with detailed insights.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a strong contender for triathletes thanks to its rugged design and comprehensive features. Its titanium case and sapphire crystal display make it highly durable and able to withstand tough conditions, including water resistance up to 100 meters—ideal for swimming and water sports. Battery life is solid, offering up to 42 hours of regular use and up to 72 hours in a low power mode, which is beneficial for long training sessions or races. GPS accuracy is top-notch with dual-frequency support, helping athletes track routes precisely across running, cycling, swimming, and other multisport activities.

The watch also excels in heart rate monitoring, using advanced sensors to provide detailed insights and alerts for unusual heart rhythms or high blood pressure, which can be valuable for health-conscious triathletes. Its multisport mode covers a wide range of exercises, making it versatile for triathlon training and other workouts. Connectivity is excellent, with cellular capabilities allowing calls, music streaming, and emergency satellite messaging even without a phone nearby—great for safety during outdoor adventures.

The watch’s large 49mm size might feel bulky on smaller wrists, and its tight integration with the Apple ecosystem means it works best with an iPhone, which may limit usability for non-Apple users. While the battery life is good, it may still require daily charging for heavy users. This is a premium multisport watch offering robust features and durability, especially suited for athletes who want deep health tracking and reliable connectivity in demanding environments.