TomTom Runner 3 review

Verdict

The TomTom Runner 3 is a strong exercise-tracking watch that doesn’t cost too much but still provides good results. There are niggles, but nothing that upsets what is a substantial, fun-to-use device.

There’s a lot of depth hidden behind its innocuous face, TomTom’s multi-sport tracking is great and very easy to use, and thanks to its low-power screen the Runner 3 can act as a basic watch and step counter for a few weeks instead of a few days.

Who’s this for?

The TomTom Runner 3 is a decent-looking watch that doesn’t have the “fitness freak” or dumpy looks of some of its rivals. You can get away with wearing it as a normal watch, making it ideal if you want one wearable for all occasions.

GPS tracking and heart rate accuracy are both fairly good, cementing this brand’s reputation as a good choice for athletes.

However, if you’re after smartwatch features this isn’t for you, as there are no phone notifications to the TomTom Runner 3.

One important-to-some fitness feature is missing too: open water swimming. Its one swim mode is designed for indoor swimming only.

More a niggle than a full-blown complaint, the Runner 3’s control pad could be finessed a little. It works well but its feel could be improved, and while the device looks good for a running watch, it’s still far from stylish – so don’t buy this if you value form over function.

Should you buy it?

It doesn’t have the smartwatch features of some of Garmin’s watches, but the TomTom Runner 3 is a compelling combination of rich features, fairly good looks and ease of use.

Music streaming is a killer extra, particularly if you like to like to run with as little as possible weighing you down but get bored with just the scenery to keep you entertained.

This generation’s new compass feature adds a hiking angle previously absent, but those serious about the pastime might be better off with a proper mapping watch like the Garmin Fenix 5X. Though that is up to six times the price: ouch.

The TomTom Runner 3 is easy to recommend, particularly as, being shallow for a moment, it’s better-looking than the Garmin alternative.

We’re fans of the TomTom Runner 3, but it’s not the only well-rated watch in this space. Here are three alternatives you might want to consider.

TomTom Spark 3

There’s very little difference between the Spark 3 and the Runner 3 other than where you’ll find these watches sold. So if you like the sound of the Runner 3 but find the Spark on sale, go right ahead.

You’ll get a very similar experience to that described in this review, complete with the same selection of models - some with heart rate monitoring, some with music, some with neither and some with both.

• Read our full TomTom Spark 3 review

Garmin Forerunner 35

Looking like the TomTom Runner 3’s tubby friend, the Forerunner 35 is a lot uglier than the TomTom. This may matter if you want a watch you can wear 24/7. However, there’s a big advantage to the Garmin: phone notifications. It has a hint of smartwatch flavor absent from the Runner 3.

The Garmin is also more expensive, though, and they are otherwise fairly evenly-matched.

Fitbit Surge

Coming at the GPS watch from the lifestyle fitness tracker angle, the Surge’s Fitbit app isn’t quite as well-prepped to crunch lots of data as TomTom’s. Fitbit’s modus operandi is to get you moving more, not necessarily to help you train for a marathon.

Despite this, the Surge doesn’t quite have Fitbit’s signature good looks, and isn’t anywhere near as stylish as the non-GPS Fitbit Blaze, which you might also want to consider. It lacks music streaming too. However, it’s a good watch in its own right, with full GPS tracking and basic call/text notifications.

• Read our full Fitbit Surge review

First reviewed: May 2017