Not long ago, it seemed you had to pay a fortune to get one of the most advanced features among running and fitness watches, offline maps.
This is where map data is downloaded to the watch’s own internet memory. No internet connection required. No phone connection required.
It’s ideal for hiking, or for following a pre-planned route where you want to be able to improvise in the moment. The cost barrier for entry is now much lower than it once was. And you can get watches with offline maps for under $100. Garmin does not have a monopoly on this one.
However, not every implementation of offline maps in a watch is equal. Here are the current fitness watch models out there that have downloadable offline maps, and some notes on how each of the systems actually work.
Amazfit
Chinese manufacturer Amazfit has done amazing work in lowering the cost bar for on-watch maps, having built the feature into the $79 Bip 6. It’s a fairly simple take on the concept, though. You can’t work out routes on the watch itself or browse around the map, the idea being you’ll get a map view within supported tracked exercise modes. Some of these watches also have very limited internal memory, limiting how much map data it’s possible to fit:
- Amazfit Active 2
- Amazfit Bip 6
- Amazfit Cheetah
- Amazfit T-Rex 3
- Amazfit T-Rex Ultra
Apple
Offline maps came to Apple Watch in 2023 as part of WatchOS 10. And they were improved in 2024’s WatchOS 11 with turn-by-turn guidance. It’s still quite limited and clumsy, though. If you want to make a route you have to do so in the Apple Maps app on your phone, and then sync it to the watch.
- Apple Watch (all current models)
Coros
The Coros implementation of maps is most notable for its inclusion of maps in more affordable models, compared to Garmin. How maps work on Coros isn’t hugely impressive at present, though. You use the phone app to choose the chunk of map you want sync’d to the watch, and can sync over pre-planned routes for navigation. However, the system is not as advanced as Garmin’s, and advise when you stray off the route is basic. Still, it’s a useful system.
Garmin
The latest higher-end Garmins have great downloadable map features, and they’ve never felt slicker than on the OLED screen models. Routes can be made on the Garmin app, third-party apps, or the watches themselves. And there’s even a rerouting feature, which can suggest a route back should you go off course. The stinger with Garmin’s maps is they are only available on quite expensive watches.
Google Wear OS
A basic form of offline maps was added to Google Wear OS watches in 2024. How it works is much like how you save a portion of a map on the Google Maps phone app. Areas you save on your phone will be sync’d automatically, or you can manually pick areas to download on the watch app. These are part of Google Maps, though, and won’t be available within whatever app you use to track your exercise.
Huawei
There’s a basic but serviceable offline map option in Huawei’s Watch GT 5 Pro. It will appear in certain exercise tracking modes, and can be used for basic navigation when a route file is sent to the watch. The map features contour lines too, handy for hiking. And you can use the crown to zoom in and out.
Polar
There’s a certain retro feel to Polar’s implementation offline maps, but more features are supported than most. The map data is downloaded from the Polar Flow portal on a PC, and then sync’d to the watch. However, you can pan across maps, and zoom in and out. And there’s a good chance the map areas you need will be preinstalled anyway. Routes can be sent to the watch, and there’s breadcrumb “back to start nav.” The maps also include “points of interest” data, making the them far more useful for hiking than some of the other examples here. Only a few Polar models have the feature, though:
- Polar Grit X2 Pro
- Polar Vantage V3
- Polar Vantage M3
Suunto
Maps are downloaded to compatible Suunto watches using the Suunto phone app. There’s a decent explainer article over at the manufacturer’s website. They can be used in tracked exercise modes, there’s turn-by-turn navigation if you supply the watch with a route file. And there’s support for points of interest and waypoints. Maps can be zoomed into and panned across too. We’re on a similar level to Polar here, just a rung or two below Garmin’s best.
- Suunto Ocean
- Suunto Race
- Suunto Race S
- Suunto Vertical
