What is the best watch for running?

For running, Garmin is the most trusted brand among dedicated runners, particularly the Forerunner range for its pace, heart rate, and training metrics. Runners who want running features alongside everyday smartwatch functions tend to choose the Apple Watch SE or Samsung Galaxy Watch. At Back Market, refurbished models from all three brands are tested by professional sellers and available at prices significantly below new retail.

What is the best running watch for beginners?

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is the most recommended running watch for beginners. It tracks pace, distance, heart rate, and cadence, has up to 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode, and is straightforward to use from the first run. It's also one of the most affordable Garmin models when bought refurbished.

What watch do most marathon runners wear?

Most marathon runners wear Garmin, with the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 955 among the most popular models. Their appeal lies in advanced training metrics: VO2 max estimates, race predictor, and recovery advisor, alongside long GPS battery life for events lasting several hours. Coros and Polar also have a strong following at the competitive end of the market.

What is the best budget running watch?

The Garmin Forerunner 55 offers the best combination of GPS accuracy, running features, and price in the budget category. Buying it refurbished from Back Market means you get a tested device backed by a 1-year commercial warranty, at a significantly lower price than buying new, without compromising on the core features that matter to runners.

Refurbished Running watches

Name: Best budget refurbished running watches
Brand: Back Market
Price: 209 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.39 (75869 reviews)

Race entries are expensive enough. Refurbished running watches from Garmin, Apple and more, backed by a 12-month warranty. Track everything, spend less....

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24 products applies (starting at £0.49)

Trade in to get it for less

Today’s purchase could set you back a lot less when you trade in an old device at the same time.

Apple Watch Series 10

(4,850)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£209.00

Versus £508.66 new

+2 more colours

Apple Watch Series 11

(959)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£299.00

Versus £391.93 new

+3 more colours

Apple Watch Series 9

(5,399)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£158.00

Versus £607.73 new

+3 more colours

Apple Watch Series 8

(5,055)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£134.00

Versus £539.00 new

+2 more colours

Samsung Galaxy Watch7

(643)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£117.00

Versus £418.43 new

+4 more colours

Samsung Galaxy Watch8

(211)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£156.00

Versus £376.00 new

+1 more colours

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

(301)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£233.00

Versus £592.89 new

+2 more colours

Garmin Forerunner 55

(35)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£103.00

Versus £179.81 new

Garmin Forerunner 165

(6)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£149.00

Versus £300.02 new

+1 more colours

Garmin Fenix 7

(6)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£409.99

Versus £999.99 new

+3 more colours

Garmin Forunner 255

(17)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£199.00

Versus £349.99 new

+1 more colours

Garmin Forerunner 245

(18)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£135.00

Versus £259.00 new

Garmin Fenix 6

(7)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£249.00

Versus £800.00 new

+7 more colours

Garmin Forerunner 965

(12)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£398.00

Versus £589.34 new

Garmin Forunner 45

(10)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£149.00

Versus £199.00 new

+2 more colours

Garmin Fenix 5

(2)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£195.00

Versus £450.00 new

+6 more colours

Garmin Forerunner 745

Starting at

Refurbished price:£199.00

Versus £399.99 new

Garmin Forerunner 935

(2)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£219.00

Versus £335.47 new

Polar Pacer

(1)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£298.00

Garmin Forunner 265

(1)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£298.00

Versus £427.37 new

Polar Ignite 3

Starting at

Refurbished price:£309.00

Polar Grit X2 Pro

Starting at

Refurbished price:£532.00

Versus £642.44 new

Garmin Fenix 8

(10)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£549.00

Versus £899.00 new

Garmin Forerunner 945

(8)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£680.00

+1 more colours

Apple Watches

Apple Watch Series 11 colours guide: find the perfect match for your personal style | Back Market

Explore the Apple Watch Series 11 colours and learn which finishes Apple offers, why certain colours are popular, and get the best shopping tips.

Customer reviews for Refurbished Running watches

Overall rating

75,869 verified reviews

Rating details

Appearance
4.4/5
Overall performance
4.3/5
Packaging
4.4/5
Shipping
4.6/5

Reviews

Chukwugekwu charles U.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 23/04/2026, United Kingdom.
Bought the premium refurbished Apple Watch series 10. Was delivered 2 days earlier than expected, packaged neatly, like new. Got me wondering why people would pay more for new ones lol Guess I’m yet to find out and I don’t think I will coz I have had mine for about a month now and it’s been amazeballs. Battery life and everything. Can’t fault it at all.
Apple Watch Series 10 (2024) GPS 46 mm - Aluminium Jet Black
Apple Watch Series 10 (2024) GPS 46 mm - Aluminium Jet Black
See item
Condition
Premium
Close to perfection. The body may have tiny micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will be flawless.
Purchased
08/04/2026
France M.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 01/04/2026, United Kingdom.
I bought my Apple Watch Series 11 from Back Market in Excellent condition, and I’m really impressed with it. The watch arrived looking like new — no visible scratches or marks at all. It feels and works exactly like a brand-new device. The battery life is excellent and lasts a long time, easily getting through the day without any issues. Setup was quick and everything functions perfectly. Overall, it was a great purchase and very good value for money. I would definitely recommend buying from Back Market if you’re looking for a high-quality refurbished device.
Apple Watch Series 11 (2025) GPS 42 mm - Aluminium Rose Gold
Apple Watch Series 11 (2025) GPS 42 mm - Aluminium Rose Gold
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
19/03/2026
Christina E.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 24/06/2026, United Kingdom.
This was my first Apple Watch and it’s been the perfect introduction. The watch arrived very quickly and was in immaculate condition – honestly, I wouldn’t have known it was refurbished if I hadn’t been told. Everything works exactly as expected, the battery is great, and it looks brand new. I’m really pleased with my purchase and wouldn’t hesitate to buy refurbished again. Highly recommended!
Apple Watch Series SE 2 (2022) GPS 40 mm - Aluminium Midnight
Apple Watch Series SE 2 (2022) GPS 40 mm - Aluminium Midnight
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
10/06/2026
Mary W.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 11/08/2026, United Kingdom.
I received the watch, and if I hadn’t known it was reconditioned, I’d have thought it was brand new. Sent in perfect packaging, and with a years guarantee, I will and have already recommended back market to other people
Apple Watch Series 8 (2022) GPS 41 mm - Aluminium Midnight
Apple Watch Series 8 (2022) GPS 41 mm - Aluminium Midnight
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
15/07/2026
Grace C.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 18/07/2026, United Kingdom.
Absolutely brilliant. Looks like it is brand new, no scratches, marks or anything to suggest it was refurbished. Buttons, touchscreen, sensors and other features all work. Very happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend if anyone is thinking of buying a watch but doesn't want the heavy price tag when bought new. As an ex Apple user, this watch is amazing. I wear it everyday and alike the samsung phones its very customisable. Thank you! Also, box was sealed like it would be when bought brand new!!!
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 Bluetooth + Cellular 44 mm - Silver
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 Bluetooth + Cellular 44 mm - Silver
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
06/07/2026
Giles B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 14/07/2026, United Kingdom.
Good price + arrived on time. It came sealed in a brand new box. Setting it up showed that it was originally aimed at a different global region ("the middle east") as there was no option to select the UK as a country. The only countries listed were middle eastern ones. After checking with google, I resolved this by doing a fully reboot. It looked like a brand new product. The new box + different global region, made me think this was new product rather than their claim to be selling "refurbished tech". Good choice of screen designs. Recharges quickly. Very happy
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic Bluetooth 46 mm - Black
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic Bluetooth 46 mm - Black
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
05/07/2026
Samuel H.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 03/05/2026, United Kingdom.
I’ve used Back Market a couple of times before and regularly recommend it to anyone looking for a refurbished watch or phone. This time, though, I was tempted by a cheaper option elsewhere. After some consideration, I bought a second-hand Apple Watch from Amazon. Unfortunately, it was a pretty poor experience. The battery wouldn’t last a full day, the microphone didn’t work, the screen had lost its coating, and the back looked like it had been used as a skateboard. I guess when they say you can’t see signs of use from 30cm away, they mean when it’s strapped to your wrist. To be fair, it was listed as “Good” condition but even so, it was very disappointing. I returned it and came straight back to Back Market. I paid a bit more, upgraded to a newer model, and chose “Excellent” condition, and I’m really glad I did. While it’s not a like-for-like comparison, the difference was night and day. The watch I received is practically perfect. The battery health at 98% and the overall condition is excellent. Lesson learned! I won’t be straying again. Back Market will be my go to from now on.
Apple Watch Series 9 (2023) GPS + Cellular 45 mm - Stainless steel Graphite - Sport band Midnight
Apple Watch Series 9 (2023) GPS + Cellular 45 mm - Stainless steel Graphite - Sport band Midnight
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
20/04/2026
Ann K.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 02/06/2026, United Kingdom.
After a little getting acquainted with the new interface I can honestly say I love my new smart watch! It arrived quickly and in original packaging. It's in excellent condition and you would never now it was a refurbished item.
Smart Watch Garmin HR GPS Lily - Gold
Smart Watch Garmin HR GPS Lily - Gold
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
12/05/2026
Andrew L.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 15/05/2026, United Kingdom.
My watch arrived a day earlier than planned and love it. Was a little awkward to set up but the watch needed a few updates and now works even better. The Watch 7 does so much more than any other Smartwatch has done that I've purchased before. Came in original box and looks brand new not refurbished or second hand. Would highly recommend buying one and from Back Market
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 Bluetooth 44 mm - Green
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 Bluetooth 44 mm - Green
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
11/05/2026
Dawid W.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 10/05/2026, United Kingdom.
Absolutely loving the Apple Watch Ultra 2 so far. The build quality feels incredibly premium, and the Natural Titanium finish looks even better in person. Battery life has been excellent — easily lasting through heavy daily use, workouts, notifications, and sleep tracking without stress. The larger display is super clear and bright outdoors, and the performance is fast and smooth across everything. I also really like the Ocean Band in Blue — comfortable, secure, and perfect for both workouts and everyday wear. What makes it even better is knowing it’s a more environmentally conscious choice. Overall, it feels like the perfect combination of durability, functionality, and style. Definitely one of the best Apple products I’ve owned.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023) GPS + Cellular 49 mm - Titanium Natural Titanium
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023) GPS + Cellular 49 mm - Titanium Natural Titanium
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
26/04/2026

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AirTag Accessories Baby monitors Apple Watch Series 8 Garmin Forerunner Drone Apple Watch Series 3 DJI Drone Amazfit Garmin Vivoactive

For running, Garmin is the most trusted brand among dedicated runners, particularly the Forerunner range for its pace, heart rate, and training metrics. Runners who want running features alongside everyday smartwatch functions tend to choose the Apple Watch SE or Samsung Galaxy Watch. At Back Market, refurbished models from all three brands are tested by professional sellers and available at prices significantly below new retail.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is the most recommended running watch for beginners. It tracks pace, distance, heart rate, and cadence, has up to 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode, and is straightforward to use from the first run. It's also one of the most affordable Garmin models when bought refurbished.
Most marathon runners wear Garmin, with the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 955 among the most popular models. Their appeal lies in advanced training metrics: VO2 max estimates, race predictor, and recovery advisor, alongside long GPS battery life for events lasting several hours. Coros and Polar also have a strong following at the competitive end of the market.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 offers the best combination of GPS accuracy, running features, and price in the budget category. Buying it refurbished from Back Market means you get a tested device backed by a 1-year commercial warranty, at a significantly lower price than buying new, without compromising on the core features that matter to runners.

Best budget running watches at Back Market

Running watches track the same distance, pace, and heart rate whether they're brand new or refurbished. The difference is the price. At Back Market, you'll find Garmin, Apple Watch, and Samsung Galaxy Watch models inspected and graded by professional sellers, each one backed by a 1-year commercial warranty.

GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring are the features most runners actually use day to day, and both work exactly as expected on a refurbished device. The Garmin Forerunner range, in particular, suits runners who want dedicated running metrics: pace, cadence, VO2 max estimates, and training load. If you want a device with a broader set of everyday features, our refurbished smartwatches cover a wider range of wearables beyond dedicated running.

And because these devices are being kept in use rather than replaced, choosing refurbished is also the more sustainable choice.

Every purchase on Back Market comes with a 30-day window to change your mind. You've got time to decide if it fits your stride.

Best for beginner runners: Garmin Forerunner 55

The refurbished Garmin Forerunner 55 is the most approachable entry point in Garmin's dedicated running watch range. It tracks pace, distance, heart rate, and cadence, with up to 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode. Simple to set up, durable, and available refurbished for significantly less than new retail. If you're new to GPS running watches, this is the one to start with.

Best for data-focused runners: Garmin Forerunner 265

The Garmin Forerunner 265 brings an AMOLED display and a deeper training toolkit: VO2 max estimates, training load, race predictor, and recovery advisor. It's the kind of watch that helps you train smarter, not just harder, which matters as your mileage builds. Available refurbished at a meaningful saving over new retail.

Best for iPhone users: Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)

The refurbished Apple Watch SE is not a dedicated running watch, but it covers the essentials for casual runners already in the Apple ecosystem: GPS, heart rate, and workout tracking. The practical advantage is that it doubles as your everyday watch, so you're not buying a separate device just for your runs.

Best value smartwatch-runner combo: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

The refurbished Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 suits Android users who want running metrics alongside more comprehensive health tracking. Sleep monitoring, body composition analysis, and GPS run data all sit within the same interface. A practical option if you want one device that works as hard off the track as it does on it.

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Apple Watch Series 11 colours guide: find the perfect match for your personal style | Back Market

Reviews

Chukwugekwu charles U.

France M.

Christina E.

Mary W.

Grace C.

Giles B.

Samuel H.

Ann K.

Andrew L.

Dawid W.

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What is the best running watch for beginners?

What watch do most marathon runners wear?

What is the best budget running watch?