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Best Smartwatches for Beginner Triathletes in 2025

Preparing for your first triathlon? A good smartwatch can help you train smarter, track performance across all three disciplines, and make sense of your progress — without spending a fortune.

📅 Last updated: October 2025

🎯 Quick Picks

Best Overall

COROS Pace 3

The best value pick for beginner triathletes. Full triathlon mode, excellent bat...

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Best Ecosystem

Garmin Forerunner 165

Perfect for athletes already in the Garmin ecosystem. Beautiful AMOLED display a...

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Best Budget

Amazfit Cheetah Pro

Budget-friendly option with solid GPS and multisport tracking. Best for athletes...

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🧠 What Features Matter

🏊‍♂️

Multisport Mode

Seamless transitions between swim, bike, and run without stopping your watch

📍

GPS Accuracy

Reliable outdoor tracking for training runs and race day navigation

🔋

Battery Life

Enough power to last through long training sessions and race day

💪

Durability

Comfortable for daily wear and tough enough for intense training

📊

Platform Sync

Works with Strava, TrainingPeaks, or your preferred training app

💷

Value

Pro-level features without the flagship price tag

🥇 Products Compared

#1

COROS Pace 3

COROS Pace 3
💷 Price £199.00
⭐ Rating 4.5/5
🏊 Tri Mode Yes
🔋 Battery 24 days

Specifications

Weight 30g
Water Rating 5 ATM
Display 1.2" Memory LCD
Storage 4GB

The best value pick for beginner triathletes. Full triathlon mode, excellent battery life, and accurate GPS tracking without breaking the bank.

✅ Pros

  • Outstanding battery life (24 days)
  • Full triathlon mode included
  • Best value for features offered
  • Lightweight and comfortable

❌ Cons

  • Basic smartwatch features
  • Smaller display than competitors
  • Limited third-party app support
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Price checked: 24/10/2025

#2

Garmin Forerunner 165

Garmin Forerunner 165
💷 Price £169.99
⭐ Rating 4.6/5
🏊 Tri Mode Yes
🔋 Battery 11 days

Specifications

Weight 39g
Water Rating 5 ATM
Display 1.2" AMOLED
Storage 4GB

Perfect for athletes already in the Garmin ecosystem. Beautiful AMOLED display and seamless integration with Garmin Connect.

✅ Pros

  • Beautiful AMOLED display
  • Excellent Garmin Connect integration
  • User-friendly interface
  • Strong training features

❌ Cons

  • Shorter battery life than COROS
  • More expensive than competitors
  • Requires Garmin ecosystem for full value
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Price checked: 24/10/2025

#3

Amazfit Cheetah Pro

Amazfit Cheetah Pro
💷 Price £185.53
⭐ Rating 4.4/5
🏊 Tri Mode Limited
🔋 Battery 14 days

Specifications

Weight 32g
Water Rating 5 ATM
Display 1.39" AMOLED
Storage 2.3GB

Budget-friendly option with solid GPS and multisport tracking. Best for athletes who prioritize value over advanced features.

✅ Pros

  • Most affordable option
  • Good GPS accuracy
  • Nice design aesthetic
  • Decent battery life

❌ Cons

  • Limited triathlon-specific features
  • Basic training metrics
  • Smaller app ecosystem
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Price checked: 24/10/2025

🏁 My Recommendation

For most new triathletes, the COROS Pace 3 remains the best all-round pick in 2025, thanks to full triathlon support, excellent battery life, and unbeatable value.

Garmin fans might prefer the Forerunner 165 for its polish and Garmin Connect integration, especially if you're already invested in the ecosystem.

The Amazfit Cheetah Pro is perfect if you're on a tight budget and don't need advanced tri-specific features.

🧩 Final Thoughts

Start with a smartwatch that motivates you to train, track, and improve. Remember, the best watch is the one you'll actually wear and use consistently.

As your fitness evolves, your tech setup can evolve too — and Smart Athlete Lab will help you stay on top of the latest gear updates.

Related Guides

⌚ Garmin Forerunner 165 Review ⌚ COROS Pace 3 Review ⌚ All Watch Reviews ⚖️ Compare More Watches