Garmin is making it easier (and cheaper) to track heart rate while running. The fitness company on Monday announced a new entry-level GPS watch with a built-in optical heart-rate sensor. At $200 (£160, AU$259), the Forerunner 35 is the company's cheapest running watch to offer the technology.

The Forerunner 35 is the cheapest Garmin sports watch to offer a built-in optical heart-rate sensor.

For $199.99, the Garmin Forerunner 35 certainly isn't the least expensive fitness tracker on the market. If you're looking for built-in GPS and heart rate monitoring, however, it's one of the best values you'll find.

Built-in GPS and heart rate monitor; Always-on display; Waterproof; Long battery life; Controls music playback on phone; Interval training

No access to Connect IQ app store; Can't track swimming

For $199.99, the Garmin Forerunner 35 certainly isn't the least expensive fitness tracker on the market. If you're looking for built-in GPS and heart rate monitoring, however, it's one of the best values you'll find. It allows you to track bike rides, walks, and runs, and view your resting and continuous heart rate, as well as your heart rate zones. It's all wrapped up in a waterproof design that has long battery life, push notifications, and the ability to control music playback on your phone. It's a great option if you need GPS, but if you can live without that feature, look at the Fitbit Charge 2 ($149.95 at Fitbit) . It costs a bit less and remains our Editors' Choice. Design and DisplayWith its square shape and display, the Forerunner 35 ($99.00 at Amazon) resembles Garmin's original Vivoactive ($297.95 at Amazon) more than the newer Vivoactive HR ($231.00 at Amazon) . It's essentially a watch, with a case made of hard plastic that measures 1.4 by 1.6 by 0.5 inches (HWD) an...

The Garmin Forerunner 35 is a premium fitness tracker, and it includes the GPS and heart monitoring features not found in lesser-priced models.

Built-in GPS and heart rate monitor; Always-on display; Waterproof; Long battery life; Controls music playback on phone; Interval training

No access to Connect IQ app store; Can't track swimming

The Forerunner 35 is a lightweight, attractive, water-resistant smartwatch that is near-perfect for runners.

Lightweight; Stylish design; Smart Notifications; Vibration alarms; Waterproof

Only one scroll button

The Garmin Forerunner 35 is a good, but unexceptional, running watch. It has a safe design, connects fairly quickly to GPS satellites, and lasts a while on a charge. However, if you want a GPS watch with more features, I would suggest spending an extra $30 for the TomTom Spark 3 Cardio + Music.

Affordable; Bright display; Smartphone notifications

Limited fitness tracking; Slow heart rate monitor

We've almost reached the point where not owning a fitness tracker is as taboo as loudly answering your phone in a train's quiet carriage or breaking out a selfie stick, well, anywhere.

Accurate fitness tracking; strong battery life; reliable heart rate sensor; elegant app with strong data breakdown

Basic and boxy design; sleep tracking fooled by removing the watch; GPS connection not the fastest

Heart rate very accurate

None

to any and all consumers looking for basic run tracking. You will have access to the important data fields while on the go, and be able to sort through the data post-event with one of Garmin's proprietary services or any of a whole host of data management services.

This is really an excellent watch. It is a smaller size so not so bulky on the wrist as other GPS watches. It acquires satellites quickly and has a lot of options including receiving text messages from a linked phone. Really a great watch and highly recommend it.

Perfect size Garmin quality Some smart functions such as receiving text messages Long battery life

I bought this for my son who is training for a marathon. He has been using it in earnest for his build up to a half marathon the other week.