Best Smartwatches for Interval Training: Timing Your Sweat and Your Excuses

Smartwatches are everywhere now, tracking steps, heart rate, and even bossing us around with “stand up” reminders when we’d rather stay put.

But interval training? That’s a different beast. Not every smartwatch can handle those short, intense bursts followed by recovery. If you’ve ever tried to count rounds in your head after the third set, well, you know how that ends.

We can’t say all smartwatches are ready to be our interval hype squad. The best ones give us an easy timer, fast repeat options, and clear alerts—so we’re not just staring at our wrists, lost, wondering if we’re supposed to be moving or resting.

Battery life, water resistance, and comfort matter too. Who wants a dead battery mid-workout or a sweaty gadget flinging droplets on the neighbor?

Since sorting through all those features while gasping for air sounds like a bad joke, we did the work for you. We tested a bunch of smartwatches to see which ones actually keep up when the intervals get wild.

Best Smartwatches for Interval Training

Let’s be honest, timing sprints with a kitchen timer is a little tragic. We found the best smartwatches for interval training, so you can spend less time fiddling and more time sweating.

Our wrists have never felt so clever.

Garmin Forerunner 165

If you want a no-fuss smartwatch for interval training that doesn’t freak out after a sweaty run, this one’s a strong contender.

Pros

• Screen stays bright, even when the sun’s out
• Interval features are so simple, we barely have to think
• Battery sticks around longer than our motivation sometimes

Cons

• Heart rate tracking drifts a bit when things get extra sweaty
• Not every feature works with every phone
• Slightly chunky—so if you want something super subtle, maybe not

Out on a run, we could actually see the Forerunner 165’s AMOLED screen without doing that awkward hand-shading move.

Setting up interval timers is almost laughably easy, even before coffee. The lightweight feel is a plus; by the end of HIIT, it’s like it’s barely there—though we do wish it looked a tad slimmer.

Vibration alerts keep us focused during sprints and recoveries, which is honestly a relief. We like the morning health report too, since it tells us if we should push hard or just binge-watch something instead.

Recovery insights help us dodge burnout—our couch is grateful. The battery lasts well over a week, no drama.

Not every phone pairs up perfectly, so double-check if you’re using something unusual. After a tough session, heart rate readings sometimes seem a bit optimistic—good for bragging, maybe not for strict training.

If you want a sturdy, smart training buddy that doesn’t nag you to charge all the time, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is a top pick.

Odsslgw Smartwatch 2.01”

If you want an interval training smartwatch that won’t drain your bank account or require a computer science degree, this one’s worth checking out.

Pros

• Bluetooth calls and alerts make us feel like secret agents
• Big, bright display is easy to read mid-burpee
• Tracks a ton of exercises, and shrugs off sweat or water

Cons

• Companion app is confusing (who designed this thing?)
• No way to reply to messages from the watch
• Setup instructions could use a rewrite…and maybe a little patience

Honestly, taking a call while tying your shoes feels pretty futuristic, and the Odsslgw Smartwatch lets us do just that—even if we’re barely holding it together.

The display is huge and clear, so we don’t have to squint between intervals. We appreciate that it’s unfazed by rain or, let’s be real, our own sweat.

This watch nags us to drink water and move, which is probably for the best. Interval tracking feels accurate, and it doesn’t get thrown off if we suddenly switch from running to, I don’t know, questionable yoga.

Battery life is solid—we forget to charge it for most of the week, and it still hangs in there. That’s good, because we’re usually forgetting something else, like socks.

The “HanFit” app isn’t exactly intuitive. We had to guess our way through a few things.

No message replies from the watch, which is a bummer if you’re the witty type. Still, for the price and the features, especially if your main goal is to move and sweat, the Odsslgw is a solid choice.

Polar Pacer Pro Smartwatch

If you want a watch that keeps up with intervals without dragging down your wrist, the Polar Pacer Pro is a great fit.

Pros

• So light we forget it’s there—even during those endless repeats
• Heart rate tracking is impressively accurate (which is more than we can say for our counting)
• Buttons are simple—no fumbling, even with sweaty hands

Cons

• Getting the hang of the menus takes patience
• Battery’s good, but not marathon-level
• App layout could be prettier (though, maybe that’s just us)

Right from the first run, we noticed the Polar Pacer Pro’s comfort. Sometimes we forget to take it off after cooling down—oops.

The button grip makes it easy to cycle through workouts, no missed beats. Keeping up with splits is simple, and the color display is bright enough for those too-early sprints.

Heart rate data seems super accurate. Now we can finally prove our hearts are working overtime.

Polar Flow app gives us a mountain of stats, but it takes a bit to find what we want. After a few sessions, it’s nice seeing progress and recovery stats together.

We’ll just say the battery needs a break as often as we do.

Amazfit Active Edge

If you want to train like a superhero but still need to keep an eye on work emails, this watch is a solid pick.

Pros

• Survives more abuse than our gym bags
• Tracks a wild number of workouts, even the walk to the fridge
• Battery lasts two weeks, which honestly feels unfair

Cons

• Display isn’t super bright in harsh sunlight
• App is clunky when setting up intervals
• Looks a bit bulky if your wrists are on the slim side

We put the Amazfit Active Edge through some rough stuff—sweat, pool dips, and yes, even a dog nibble (don’t ask). It just kept going.

The activity options surprised us. Most watches stick to running and cycling, but this one tracks almost anything.

Syncing to Apple Health and Strava is easy, so we can brag about interval progress from the comfort of the couch.

Battery life? It’s like it feeds on our stubbornness, lasting over a week, even if we ignore power saver mode.

A couple gripes: the screen hides in bright sunlight, and it took a few tries to get the interval timer set up smoothly. If your wrists are more spaghetti than breadstick, it’ll look chunky—but hey, at least people notice you’re wearing it.

xinwld H30 Fitness Smartwatch

Looking for a budget smartwatch that almost does it all (except maybe make coffee)? The xinwld H30 might just deserve a spot on your wrist.

Pros

• More sport modes than we know what to do with—scrolling through them is a workout
• The screen is bright enough to see outdoors (finally, a win against the sun)
• Connects easily and handles calls—ignoring spam calls just got easier

Cons

• Battery life ends quicker than our last juice cleanse
• No SMS texting, so “Running late!” won’t get through
• Call sound is iffy—sometimes it’s like talking to a potato

Every time we strap on the xinwld H30, we feel a bit like we’ve joined the smartwatch big leagues.

It tracks intervals for almost any exercise—running, biking, rowing, and even sports we can’t pronounce.

The watch face is huge and bright, which helps when we’re deep in squats and questioning life choices.

Pairing it with our phones feels quick and painless.

We like swapping out the watch face just for fun, and those social media notifications are a nice distraction during a tough set.

Taking a call from the watch? It’s a little spy-movie moment, even if the mic isn’t the best.

But yeah, the battery drains fast and missing out on texts is a bummer.

For the price and all those sport modes, though, it’s a lot of gadget for not much cash.

Just keep the charger handy and don’t expect it to replace your phone.

Amazfit Active 2 Smart Watch

The Amazfit Active 2 is our go-to for interval training—stylish enough for a night out and smart enough to time our sprints.

Pros

• The display is crisp and stays visible even in bright sunlight
• Tons of workout modes for nearly any activity
• Battery lasts for days—no nightly charging ritual

Cons

• Notifications can pile up and get a bit distracting
• The Zepp app feels clunky at first
• No third-party music support (so that embarrassing playlist stays on the phone)

We’ve really put the Amazfit Active 2 through its paces, and it holds up better than our dessert-table willpower.

The stainless steel case and readable screen make checking stats mid-run a breeze.

We don’t have to squint, and it looks good at work or at parties.

When it comes to interval tracking, the workout options make us feel almost Olympic.

Customizing intervals is simple, so switching between sprints and jogs doesn’t slow us down.

The GPS locks in fast, and the heart rate tracker keeps us honest when we want to slack off.

The battery almost feels magical—it actually lasts up to ten days, even with daily workouts.

That means less charging and more time chasing new PRs.

Sure, the Zepp app takes some getting used to, but after a couple runs we found all the stats and maps we wanted.

TYKOIT Smart Watch

If you want a feature-packed smartwatch that won’t empty your wallet, the TYKOIT is a solid pick for interval training (and for realizing how little you actually sleep).

Pros

• Customizable watch faces—we change them up all the time
• Loads of sports modes and waterproof, so sweat and swims are no problem
• Battery lasts long enough that we forget about charging

Cons

• Sleep tracking gets confused if we’re up at 3 AM
• No built-in GPS, so the phone still tags along for outdoor runs
• No call feature, so ignoring unknown numbers isn’t as fun

Starting an interval workout on this watch feels effortless.

The touch controls are simple, and the big screen means no squinting between sets.

We get a kick out of changing the watch face, though there’s no “already tired” option.

During sweaty runs and pool laps, the TYKOIT just keeps tracking.

It reminds us to pace ourselves and even survived a cannonball.

Syncing with our phone is quick, though sometimes notifications buzz a bit too much mid-burpee.

Battery life is great—it lasted a week, and we honestly forgot where the charger was.

For the price, the TYKOIT keeps up with pricier watches, though GPS fans will want their phone nearby.

If most of your intervals happen in the gym, this is a wallet-friendly pick.

Bestinn Fitness Tracker Smartwatch

Want more out of interval workouts than just sweat and heavy breathing? The Bestinn might be your new gym buddy.

Pros

• Curved display is sleek and easy to read on the move
• Tracks more interval types than we can count (seriously, 120+ sports modes)
• Battery life sometimes outlasts our motivation

Cons

• The band comes loose sometimes—makes us double-check the fit
• Screen scratches show up faster than post-workout hunger
• No built-in GPS, so bring your phone for route tracking

Right away, the Bestinn Smartwatch catches the eye with its bright curved screen.

Even mid-sprint or in burpee mode, it stays clear and easy to swipe.

Switching timers or tracking modes is quick, so we’re not stuck fiddling when we should be moving.

We love the endless options for interval tracking—honestly, we couldn’t name 120 sports if we tried.

Heart rate and health stats feel reassuring during tough sessions, though for perfect accuracy, you’ll want to cinch the band tight (and check it doesn’t pop open).

Notifications show up on our wrist, so there’s no need to grab the phone mid-circuit.

It’s light, and the battery lasts through several gym days.

We wish it had GPS, but as long as you don’t mind carrying your phone, it’s a stylish, solid partner for intervals.

Garmin vívoactive 5

If you want a smartwatch that makes interval training less of a patience test, Garmin’s vívoactive 5 is a sharp pick.

Pros

• Battery lasts so long, we forget what charging is
• Interval timer is simple and works every time
• Tracks a bunch of workouts—including naps (finally)

Cons

• Looks a bit chunky on smaller wrists
• AMOLED screen is tough to see in direct sunlight
• Custom workout setup can be a little confusing

We’ve worn this watch for everything from HIIT sprints to nap “recovery sessions” (our favorite interval, honestly).

Finding the interval features is easy, even for those of us who think “menu navigation” should be a sport.

The vibrating alerts are strong enough to snap us back to reality mid-workout, which happens more often than we’d like to admit.

Battery anxiety? Not an issue—between workouts, workdays, and the occasional “where’s my charger?” moment, we get over a week of use.

The health data actually makes sense; we know when to push or just grab a snack (thanks, Body Battery™).

People with smaller wrists might find it a bit chunky.

Outdoor interval folks should know the AMOLED display isn’t the brightest in direct sun, so yes, sometimes we squint.

Setting up custom intervals takes some patience, since the system isn’t always obvious.

But for most of us wanting a no-nonsense interval watch with reliable tracking and no battery drama, the vívoactive 5 nails it.

Garmin vívoactive 6

Want interval training without being outsmarted by your own watch? This one’s tough to beat.

Pros

• Super bright screen—even when we’re dripping sweat
• Tracks so many activities we’re out of excuses to skip
• Battery life is impressive—won’t quit before we do

Cons

• Only likes Garmin smart scales (sorry, everyone else)
• Some advanced features take a while to learn (what’s with all the graphs?)
• Music storage isn’t endless, so we finally had to delete those embarrassing playlists

Strapping on the Garmin vívoactive 6 feels like having an eager little coach on your wrist.

It makes interval sessions easier to manage and even nags us about energy, sleep, and recovery.

The Body Battery feature quickly shows us how much earlier we should go to bed.

During HIIT, the bold AMOLED display keeps timers and stats super clear, so we can’t blame “bad light” for missing an interval.

Swapping between the huge list of sports options makes us wonder if we should finally try indoor rowing, or just appreciate the variety from the couch.

Notifications come through at the right times, so we don’t miss anything (even if it’s just a group chat roasting our workout face).

We love not having to charge it all the time, but wish the music storage held our full guilty-pleasure collection.

And unless your smart scale is Garmin, syncing weight tracking is a no-go.

If you’re serious about intervals and like a hands-on fitness watch, this one’s easy to recommend—as long as you don’t mind poking through a few menus.

Buying Guide

When we’re shopping for the best smartwatch for interval training, we want more than just a pretty screen on our wrist.

We need features that actually help us sweat smarter, not harder.

Key Features to Look For:

• Customizable timers: Let’s not rely on our questionable memory to count seconds.
• Heart rate tracking: The watch should actually know if our heart is racing or just bored.
• Water resistance: Sweat happens. Some of us even run in the rain.

A smartwatch should also feel comfortable.

If it feels like a medieval torture device, it’s a hard pass.

Here are a few features to compare:

Feature	Why It Matters
Timer Setup	Setting up intervals easily is a must
Battery Life	Who wants to charge after each workout?
Screen Brightness	We want to see stats, not our reflection
Sync with Apps	Tracking progress keeps us motivated!

Style matters too.

Honestly, nobody wants a watch that clashes with their running shoes.

It’s helpful to test button placement and touch controls.

Our sweaty hands don’t always cooperate, and we don’t want to accidentally set an eight-hour timer.

Always check compatibility with your phone.

Your smartwatch shouldn’t act like it’s too cool to talk to your phone.