Suunto Run 2 review: a mid-range sports watch with a price hike

Suunto Run 2 review: a mid-range sports watch with a price hike

  • Test
  • 8/ 10
  • Rocks on Galaxy
  • Tech
  • 10 Sep, 2026
  • 0
8/ 10£265Suunto

An excellent mid-range sports smartwatch: dual-band GPS and heart-rate tracking up there with the best, plus offline maps and smooth software. The trade-off: a higher price (£265) and smartwatch features that still trail Garmin and Coros.

The Suunto Run 2 is the update to the Finnish brand's most affordable sports watch. It keeps the first Run's compact, runner-first recipe while adding features that tracking-focused users have been asking for: dual-band GPS, a reworked heart-rate sensor and offline maps.

What's new

  • Dual-band GPS for improved accuracy in tricky environments (tall buildings, dense woodland);
  • Free full-colour offline maps on both storage models;
  • A 1.32-inch AMOLED display peaking at 2,000 nits, easily readable in bright sunlight;
  • A refined 12-channel optical heart-rate sensor on curved glass for better reliability.

The trade-offs

The price climbs to £265 (UK RRP), noticeably more than the original Run: the watch is no longer the budget buy it once was. Daily battery life also dips slightly despite a 29% larger battery, due to the brighter display.

Our verdict

The Run 2 stands out as one of the best mid-range sports smartwatches: GPS and heart-rate tracking are up there with the best, the software finally runs smoothly, and offline maps are a welcome addition. It still lacks polish on smartwatch features and training-insight presentation. A strong pick for athletes who prioritize tracking above all — if you accept the higher entry price.

Sources

Specs

Brand
Suunto
Display
1.32" AMOLED (2,000 nits)
GPS
Dual-band
Heart-rate sensor
12-channel optical
Case
46mm polymer + stainless steel bezel
Water resistance
50 m (5 ATM)
Battery
up to 10 days (watch) / 24 h (GPS)
Storage
4 GB or 64 GB
Price
£265 (UK RRP)
Compatibility
Android and iOS
8/ 10

An excellent mid-range sports smartwatch: dual-band GPS and heart-rate tracking up there with the best, plus offline maps and smooth software. The trade-off: a higher price (£265) and smartwatch features that still trail Garmin and Coros.

Pros

  • Accurate dual-band GPS, even in tough environments
  • Free full-colour offline maps
  • Smooth-running watch software
  • Reliable optical heart-rate sensor at high intensity

Cons

  • More expensive than the original Suunto Run (£265)
  • Training-analysis presentation needs simplifying
  • Slight drop in daily battery life