12 Best Outdoor Smartwatches For Hunting in 2021 [With GPS, Altimeter, Barometer & Compass]

Are you looking for the best outdoor GPS smartwatch for hunting?

I’m not a hunting expert, but to make this list, I got in touch with 17 professional hunters who spend most of their hunting at the outdoors. Based on their inputs and hunting needs, I’ve made a list of 12 best smartwatches that can be used for outdoor purposes such as hunting, fishing, etc.

In the past few years, smartwatches have become an essential part of our lives. They’re not just devices to know time, but they can be used for tracking activities, GPS navigation, monitoring blood pressure (using Dexcom G6), heart rate, etc. Not only that can also be used for purposes such as hunting, swimming, playing golf, etc.

Since this article is about hunting, I’ll be talking more about the watches are that suitable for it. Well, there are two categories: smartwatches with features that would help you in hunting and smartwatches with specific programs for hunting.

In both cases, one thing that matters is that a smartwatch can make your hunting experience easier and smoother. For instance, it can be your best bet if you happen to get stuck on a trail or when you want to keep track of things you hunt. Won’t it?

However, choosing the best watch hunting is like just like choosing any other gadget — Confusing. It’s because there are variety of options from different brands.

So how do you know which one is perfect for your needs? Well, that’s where my research shall help you, but how? Well, I’ve interacted with hunting enthusiasts and have in-depth knowledge about smartwatches.

Things To Consider While Choosing a Smartwatch For Hunting

• GPS Connectivity: The watch must have standalone GPS/GLONASS connectivity for navigation
• Compass: Digital compass is your best shot when it comes to making your way out.
• Durability: Smartwatches for hunting should be more durable than your regular smartwatch pick
• ABC: Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass is a set of features that can help you a lot while hunting or fishing.
• Weather Alerts: More of a software feature, the watch should warn you about weather updates
• Comfort: You should be comfortable in wearing this watch for a long period of time.
• Utility Features: You should also look for features like stopwatch, timer, calendar, moon phase tracker, etc.
• Water & Dust Resistance: It’s good to have a watch that can easily handle some splash of water and dust.
• Health Features: It’d be great if the watch can track your distance, calories burnt, and heart rate.

Please make sure that you consider your specific purpose before prioritizing the pick. For instance, if you are going to spend several days in the wild habitat, you need a smartwatch that offers an excellent battery life.

At the same time, the smartwatch should be rugged-built if you are into adventure sports and running. Now that you know about the selection process, shall we go ahead and check out those cool smartwatches for hunting?

12 Best Smartwatches For Hunting in 2021

Just so you know, a smartwatch without standalone GPS is not recommended for hunting purposes. Like mentioned-above, I’ve spent huge time interacting with professional hunters (I also got all these watch options approved by them.) So that other budding hunters like you don’t have to struggle at the outdoors.

1. Best For Hunting: Suunto Core All Black Military

First things first, Suunto Core All Black Military men’s outdoor watch does not belong to the typical smartwatch category in the market. Instead, it’s an outdoor, adventure-focused watch with some smart features. Talking about the design, the watch comes with an attractive matte black finish and the band is made of silicone. This means you can have a good amount of comfort all day long.

Because it’s not a smartwatch per se, there aren’t many health features in the package. On the other hand, you have access to almost all the utility features like alarm, stopwatch, timer, and sunrise/sunset tracking as well. Almost similar is the case of connectivity. While it does not have GPS or GLONASS, it does have necessary sensors like Altimeter, Barometer, Compass.

What makes this smartwatch an amazing choice is the smart features. The custom-made software is capable of offering you weather & storm alerts, and other data-centric metrics.

Judging the data from altimeter and barometer, the watch can detect upcoming storms and even assist you in finding a suitable place to set up your camp. The accuracy of these weather predictions is also really impressive.

SUUNTO does not specify the battery life of this watch, but reviews say the battery lasts for 7-14 days. This factor alone makes the SUUNTO Core Men’s Outdoor Watch a suitable choice for those who spent weeks or months in the wild, trying to make the best hunt. When we bring in the water-resistance of up to 100ft, it becomes one of the best watches for hunting on any day.

2. Best Solar Powered Hunting Watch: G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400

G-Shock Rangeman is easily one of the most well-built smartwatches you can buy for your hunting needs. Designed to go through unforeseen circumstances, the resin-made band and stainless case add much to the weight and comfort. We should also note that the G-Shock Rangeman watch is resistant to shock and water, thereby being the ideal choice for adventure enthusiasts.

Once again, we are seeing a lack of health features. In fact, all the sensors in the watch are made to track environmental data. That having said, the thermometer may help you at times. Although the package offers all the necessary utility features like timer, calendar, alarm, and stopwatch, the lack of GPS/GLONASS could be a problem for some users.

Although not as great as our first pick, the custom-made software on the G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 does a great job indeed. You have access to features like one-touch time recording and elapsed time tracking – with native support. The system even has different audible signs for different sensors. So, even if you aren’t looking at the dial, you can navigate with ease.

Probably the best thing about this rugged-build watch is that it’s solar-powered. On a single charge, it lasts for seven whole months and you don’t have to worry about charging the device as long as you get sunlight once in a while. As you could guess, this comes as a blessing for survivalists and professional hunters. It also comes with water resistance up to 200M deep.

3. Best Garmin Hunting Watch: Garmin Fēnix 5X Plus

Garmin Fēnix 5X Plus Multisport GPS Watch is the first true smartwatch on the list. Powered by a tailor-made software, it is designed to help hikers, campers, adventure enthusiasts and hunters like anything. Garmin is also doing a great job of making the watch aesthetically pleasing. The carbon-based bezel and the silicone-based band add much comfort and visual appeal to this snappy gadget.

As expected, the smartwatch comes with the standard heart rate sensor. More importantly, it is equipped with something called the Pulse Ox Acclimation sensor, which can give you alerts on saturation levels of O2 in blood.

This is a truly useful feature when you are exploring high-altitude areas. For hunters who spend a lot of time in wild spaces, the body data tracking features from Garmin are just awesome.

Matt Williams, Hunting For Years

Because this is a smartwatch, you can do everything that a normal watch allows you to do. In addition, you are getting GPS/GLONASS/Galileo support along with Altimeter, Barometer and Digital Compass.

Combined with the proper tracking apps from the software side, this makes the Garmin Fēnix 5X Plus Multisport GPS Watch a perfect choice for most hunters. The fact that you can track your metrics effectively is just superb.

As said, the watch runs on a custom-made OS and it comes with support for custom apps, watch faces and other utilities. There are certain apps that bring a variety of data onto the watch screen, allowing you to plan things with ease.

Last but not least, this Garmin watch offers water resistance up to 10 ATM, which is great. And, when it comes to battery, the watch can last 13 hours with GPS and 20 whole days in normal mode.

4. Best Titanium Hunting Watch: Casio Men's PAG240T

Coming from the trusted watchmaker — Casino, this outdoor watch will impress you by its looks even before you see what’s inside. The Titanium-made band and stainless steel-made body are just remarkable on any day.

As you can probably guess, it is shock resistant and is supposed to last for years. So, as a hunter, this is a watch that you can get used to in a few years.

There aren’t any health-oriented features, but the thermometer module may help you at the worst times if that may be a case. As you can see from the image, there are dedicated buttons for each utility and controls.

You will be able to use features like alarm, calendar, timer, stopwatch and sun timing through the easy ways. But, the real deal with the Casio PAG240T Pathfinder Steel Watch starts when we check out connectivity.

Going in line with the standards, the Casio PAG240T Pathfinder is a triple-sensor watch. This is a comprehensive way of including Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and Thermometer. The programming has been done in a way that you can know everything you want about the place you are. This comes in handy a lot of times. There are also options to customize how you are alerted and the dedicated buttons help a lot.

Unlike the other hunting watches that we have listed above, this one does not have many software features. You can still enjoy some options like World Time and sunrise/sunset tracking, but that’s it.

When it comes to water resistance, the watch offers survival up to 100M deep. Because it’s a solar-powered watch, you do not have to worry about recharging. Yet, it’s good to know that a single charge would last 5-23 months.

5. Best For Beginners: Suunto Traverse Alpha

Suunto Traverse Alpha is undoubtedly the best smartwatch for hunting out there. From the vantage point of design and aesthetics, the Suunto Traverse Alpha watch is more than pleasing the eye. The nylon textile finishes and the well-built case and watch face are just amazing on any day. SUUNTO has done a great job of providing a clear display module as well.

Because it’s a watch designed for hunting, there aren’t many health features in the package. However, you’d have access to all the necessary utility features like calendar and stopwatch. On top of that, there is also an option to enable weather updates and customizable vibrations. On the positive note, the watch comes with support for GPS/GLONASS and it has an integrated barometer for metrics as well.

But, the real deal about the SUUNTO Traverse Alpha is the set of software features — mainly the Automatic Shot Detection. That is, the watch can detect when you fire a shot and record the time and location. This is where accurate GPS location options come in.

This smartwatch also has a moon phase calendar, which helps you choose the right time for hunting. The barometer in the watch gives you timely storm alarms as well.

Another awesome feature in the package is Location marking. You will be able to mark major spots in your trail so that returning won’t be tough. Ruggedness is also a strong forte of the SUUNTO Traverse Alpha.

For instance, it comes with a water resistance of up to 100M. Now, when it comes to battery, the watch can last 100 Hrs with GPS on and up to 14 days with the Time Mode.

6. Best with Rugged Finish: Garmin Instinct Smartwatch

Garmin Instinct Smartwatch is another true smartwatch that can become your hunting companion in no time at all. Designed to last tougher conditions, when you are hiking or camping, the rugged design is just superb. You can also choose your desired finish from the eight available options. In all cases, the band is silicone but most of the watch body is made of metal, adding some weight and class to the whole deal.

To start with, the Garmin Instinct watch comes with a heart-rate sensor. In addition to tracking what it’s meant to do, the software in the watch also enables an analysis of your stress levels. As it goes without saying, the watch has every utility feature you would expect, be it stopwatch, timer, calendar, or the option to track sunset and sunrise.

Connectivity options are what make this smartwatch the perfect companion for most hunters. In addition to its support for GPS/GLONASS/Galileo, it has a pretty powerful ABC module as well. So, even when you are on a pretty long hike, you can keep track of the upcoming weather among other things. In fact, the watch uses data from all these sensors to enable an accurate experience of navigation.

As you can see, Garmin has done a commendable job in creating software for these features. The options to monitor stress and know about upcoming weather add so much value to the package when you think of being stuck in the forest. Last but not least, in addition to its water-resistance of up to 100M, the watch can offer up to 14 days’ backup in smartwatch mode, 16Hrs in GPS mode and 40Hrs in battery saver mode.

7. Best From Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung Galaxy series belongs to the normal category of smartwatches in the market. However, thanks to its quality build and ergonomic design, the Samsung Galaxy Watch becomes a great choice for hunters as well. When it comes to design, this watch is pretty cool, and the silicone-made strap looks good enough. Also, the watch face has a premium look and so do the bezels.

Because it’s a regular Samsung smartwatch, you have the added benefit of health features like heart-rate monitoring and stress monitoring. If you intend to spend a lot of time in the wild, these may come in handy. The watch would also keep track of your activities, effectively measuring calories burnt and other metrics. Indeed, via apps and otherwise, you can expect almost every utility feature like timers, stopwatch, and beyond.

It is an exception when it comes to connectivity. In addition to GPS, the watch has support for NFC and Wi-Fi along with a microphone and a speaker. This means you can use the watch for a variety of purposes including multimedia. So, when you are not hunting, you can use it as a standard smartwatch with plenty of other regular features.

Although you are getting so many software-based features, the watch does not have options like an altimeter or barometer. So, accuracy would be a problem and you have to depend on an internet connection. Having said that, the water-resistance of the Samsung Galaxy Watch is amazing at 5ATM.

Last but not least, the watch offers a battery backup of up to 4 to 5 days — which makes a lot of sense. However, if you’re planning to stay in the woods for more than that many days, consider getting any of the above options.

8. Best Under Budget: EZON Digital Sports Watch

There are people who look for budget-friendly smartwatches in the market. If you are one of them, you can consider what EZON Digital Sports Watch has to offer. This is an affordable watch that comes with the basic set of features you need for hunting. As expected though, the build quality isn’t anything extraordinary, but the PU-made band does the job very well.

According to the budget, you should not even think about health features. At the same time, you get a bunch of utility options like World Time and Alarm. Following the standard design of sports watches, there are dedicated buttons for managing these options. Also, we found the build quality to be pretty standard for the most part. Of course, you won’t have trouble in tough weather conditions.

The connectivity and tracking section of the EZON Digital Sports Watch is pretty important. It has a module that accommodates an Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and Thermometer. Data collected from all these sources are accurate and provide a good understanding of the surroundings. Although there aren’t any features for alerts, the cumulative weather idea is impressive enough.

The rest of the things stick to the standard of what you expect from a sports watch. It’s powered by customized software, but it doesn’t do any magic. Similarly, we wish if the manufacturer had mentioned the battery life of the device. On the bright side of durability, however, the device is water-resistant to up to 5ATM. So, in the long run, you’re missing out on some software features at the best.

9. Best Value For Money: Garmin Descent Mk1

Garmin Descent Mk1 is definitely the most expensive smartwatch on this list. So, you can consider this only if you are willing to spend more than a thousand dollars on a watch. On the bright side, though, you can pick one of the three materials for the strap – Silicone, Titanium, and Silver. The pricing may vary a little, but all the three options look good on your wrist.

As we come to health features, a heart-rate sensor is a good one to have. Of course, when combined with the other data from sources, this gives a good estimate of your current health. As you can guess, you can extend the possibilities by bringing in every utility you need. Garmin has done a great job of accumulating apps that you may need in the long run. Of course, you would find some options dedicated to hunting as well.

It would have been lovely to see automatic shot detection in the watch, but that’s not the case now.

Once again, we find the trusty combination of GPS/GLONASS and ABC in the connectivity sector. In addition, however, Garmin has also added a dedicated thermometer module in the system. It helps you accurately point your destinations and points while traveling — thereby giving you peace of mind.

The Garmin Descent Mk1 also impresses us when it comes to the software. There are even pre-built options to manage your dives. In addition, you can connect the watch to a smartphone and analyze data with extra ease. One problem we found with the watch is that it does not specify the details of water resistance. There is also no confirmation on the battery life.

10. Best For Rough Use: Sunroad Men's Smartwatch

SUNROAD Smart Watch is another worthy consideration if you are looking at a sharp budget. Designed to be an affordable pick for most people, this smartwatch has made some serious compromises too. For instance, it comes with a nylon strap that is okay but not-so-great. While the build quality is good and can resist a good amount of dust and water, the looks aren’t that impressive.

As you would have thought already, there are no health-based features in the package. That having said, its pedometer doubles as a way to track your steps during the workout. On the bright side, the watch provides you good access to utility capabilities like calendar, stopwatch and sunrise/sunset tracking. For most people, the features are enough for basic levels of hunting. As you go further, not so much.

So, as we said, there is a combination of Altimeter, Pedometer, Barometer and Compass in the system. The pedometer system helps you in keeping track of health while others are for gathering weather data. The fact that the watch has dedicated buttons for each of the functions is pretty cool. When you are in a rush, you’d not have to worry about the right combination or anything.

As you could guess, the watch runs on custom software and it does not do much per se. Of course, you get to use the available connectivity options, such as weather predictions, but that’s it. Coming to hardware, it’s fairly well-built and offers a water resistance of up to 5ATM. Last but not least, the SUNROAD Smart Watch does not specify the battery life, but it seemingly runs for a few years.

11. Best For Hunting Apps: Casio Pro Trek Smartwatch

Casio Pro Trek Smartwatch is the truly awesome choice when you are looking for a well-built watch for the various adventure needs. Although it’s specifically designed for trekking, most of the features are useful for hunters.

Let’s start with the Resin-made band, which looks pretty cool. It should also be noted that the watch itself is bigger than most on the list. That’s kind of reasonable when we look at the features though.

It was a turn off to find out that the watch does not have any health-oriented features. On the bright side, though, you have an amazing list of utility features that you can check out. The watch even has a dedicated option to know about weather and sunrise/sunset tracking. It should be noted that you can install hunting-based apps on the watch if you want to.

There are also some other software-based features like custom app support and tide info. You can also set reminders and automated triggers for a superb hunting/trekking experience.

Connectivity features are pretty standard in this device. You get GPS, ABC and Accelerometer and Wi-Fi – for a complete experience. Wi-Fi comes in handy when you are downloading maps for later use. Well, yeah. The smartwatch allows you to download and store full-sized maps that you can use in treks. This alone makes the watch a wonderful choice for most hunters. The LCD screen helps in location memory as well.

The watch, which has a water resistance of up to 165ft, also comes with a battery that can last 25Hrs in GPS and 1 month in Timepiece. All things considered; this is the best watch for adventurists ever.

12. Cheapest Hunting Watch with Compass: SKMEI Army Watch

We conclude this list with yet another affordable smartwatch that you can use for hunting. You might have understood that affordable means compromise here. Starting with the build, the strap is made using PU – which is just okay. Surprisingly, though, you can enjoy enough comfort and stability while using the watch, and it’s a good place to start.

As we go further, we can see the lack of health features and advanced control. Keeping the same old story of smartwatches, you get to use all the necessary utility features like stopwatch and timer. We also wished there were dedicated buttons for each sensor, instead of having to push the Mode button several times. When it comes to features, however, the SKMEI Outdoor Watch does a decent job.

Connectivity is a troubled forte and the sensors include Altimeter, Barometer, Compass and Pedometer. It means you have an option to track the metrics of your activities and get timely alerts. It is impressive that the LCD screen of the device provides a good look at every metric at once. When you are busy in the forest and don’t have time, such a watch makes sense.

Once again, there is a scarcity of software features. However, it allows you to manage weather data with an intuitive UI and that’s good for most people. As to the hardware side, the watch has a water resistance of up to 50M. As we had guessed earlier, the SKMEI Outdoor Watch does not specify the battery life you can expect from the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Verdict

As promised in the beginning, we have tried to create the most diverse list of smartwatches for hunting. But, as we have mentioned in some areas, some of these are normal watches with smart modules.

When you do think about it, it makes more sense to have a watch with ABC and GPS instead of spending resources for not-so-useful options like Music Playback and Smart Notifications. But, if you happen to come across a watch with all these options, all the more reasons to buy it.