Are you a passionate runner looking for the perfect companion to track your progress and enhance your running experience? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the best Garmin watches for running, designed to help you reach your fitness goals and take your performance to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, these watches are packed with features that will make every run count. Get ready to lace up your shoes and discover the top Garmin watches that will revolutionize your running routine!
When it comes to running watches, Garmin is a trusted name in the industry, known for its accuracy, durability, and advanced technology. With a wide range of options to choose from, finding the best Garmin watch for your running needs can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the research for you! In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the top Garmin watches, highlighting their key features and benefits, so you can make an informed decision and find the perfect watch to accompany you on your running journey. Whether you’re training for a marathon or simply looking to improve your fitness, these watches are designed to help you achieve your goals and unleash your full potential as a runner. Get ready to elevate your running experience with the best Garmin watches on the market!
Best Garmin Watch for Running – Comparison Review
| No | Product Name | Rating | Total Rating | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Garmin 010-02120-20 Forerunner 245 Music, GPS Running Smartwatch |
4.6 | 8,087 | Check on Amazon |
| 2 |
Garmin 010-02156-05 Forerunner 45, 42mm Easy-to-use GPS Running Watch |
4.5 | 6,641 | Check on Amazon |
| 3 |
Garmin Forerunner 55, GPS Running Watch |
4.7 | 1,652 | Check on Amazon |
| 4 |
Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel Bezel |
4.6 | 412 | Check on Amazon |
| 5 |
Garmin Vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music |
4.5 | 15,683 | Check on Amazon |
| 6 |
Garmin 010-01689-00 Forerunner 35; Easy-to-Use GPS Running Watch, Black |
4.5 | 14,925 | Check on Amazon |
| 7 |
Garmin 010-01614-00 Forerunner 735XT, Multisport GPS Running Watch With Heart Rate, Black/Gray |
4.5 | 3,350 | Check on Amazon |
| 8 |
Garmin Forerunner® 955, GPS Running Smartwatch |
4.5 | 872 | Check on Amazon |
| 9 |
Garmin 010-02063-00 Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch |
4.6 | 1,987 | Check on Amazon |
| 10 |
Garmin Forerunner 265S Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Light Pink and Powder Gray |
5.0 | 3 | Check on Amazon |
1. Garmin 010-02120-20 Forerunner 245 Music, GPS Running Smartwatch with Music and Advanced Dynamics, Black
The Garmin 010-02120-20 Forerunner 245 Music is a GPS running smartwatch with advanced training features. It is equipped with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens and a fiber-reinforced polymer bezel, making it durable for outdoor activities. The strap is made of silicone, ensuring a comfortable fit during workouts. With a battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and 6 hours in GPS mode with music, you can rely on this smartwatch for long-lasting performance.
One of the standout features of the Forerunner 245 Music is its ability to evaluate your current training status. It provides insights on whether you’re undertraining or overdoing it, helping you optimize your workouts. Additionally, the smartwatch offers additional performance monitoring features, allowing you to track your progress and make improvements over time.
Garmin also provides access to free adaptive training plans through Garmin coach. Alternatively, you can create your own custom workouts on the Garmin Connect online fitness community. This smartwatch is not only a reliable training companion but also a source of motivation and guidance for your fitness journey.
- GPS running smartwatch with music and advanced training features
- Durable construction with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens and fiber-reinforced polymer bezel
- Long battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and 6 hours in GPS mode with music
- Provides advanced running dynamics for in-depth performance analysis
- Safety and tracking features for added security during activities
- Running Dynamics Pod or HRM Run or HRM Tri monitors are sold separately
- Limited storage capacity for music streaming
Specifications:
- Lens Material: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
- Strap Material: Silicone
- Battery Life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, 6 hours in GPS mode with music
- Advanced running dynamics including ground contact time balance, stride length, and vertical ratio
- Safety and tracking features with incident detection and real-time location sharing
- Sync with music streaming services like Spotify
Final Thought:
The Garmin 010-02120-20 Forerunner 245 Music is a feature-packed GPS running smartwatch that offers advanced training features and performance monitoring. With its durable construction and long battery life, it is a reliable companion for your workouts. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting your fitness journey, this smartwatch provides the tools and motivation to help you reach your goals.
2. Garmin 010-02156-05 Forerunner 45, 42mm Easy-to-use GPS Running Watch with Coach Free Training Plan Support, Black
PRODUCT_NAME is a Garmin Forerunner 45, a 42mm easy-to-use GPS running watch that offers a range of features to enhance your running experience. With Garmin Coach training plan support, you can access personalized coaching right on your wrist. The watch also includes GPS tracking to accurately measure your pace, distance, intervals, and more.
One of the key benefits of this watch is its easy-to-use interface, making it simple to navigate through different features and settings. It also features wrist-based heart rate monitoring, eliminating the need for a separate heart rate monitor. With its wireless connectivity technology, including Bluetooth, you can easily connect the watch to your smartphone for smart notifications, music control, and automatic uploads to the Garmin Connect online community.
In terms of safety and tracking, the Forerunner 45 includes incident detection during select activities. In the event of an incident, your real-time location will be sent to emergency contacts through your connected smartphone. Additionally, the watch offers a variety of sports apps for different activities, such as running, cycling, yoga, and more. With a battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and 14 hours in GPS mode, you can rely on the Forerunner 45 for extended use.
- GPS running watch with Garmin Coach training plan support
- Estimates heart rate at the wrist
- Connected features including smart notifications and music control
- Incident detection for safety and tracking
- Long battery life for extended use
- 42mm size may be too small for some users
- Limited storage for music
Specifications:
- Supported Application: GPS, Fitness Tracker, Heart Rate Monitor, Sleep Monitor, Music Player
- Connectivity Technology: GPS, Bluetooth
- Wireless Communication Standard: Bluetooth
- Sports Apps: Running, Cycling, Indoor Track, Treadmill, Elliptical, Cardio, Yoga, and more
- Battery Life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode; 14 hours in GPS mode
Final Thought:
The Garmin Forerunner 45 is a reliable and user-friendly GPS running watch that offers a range of features for runners of all levels. With its Garmin Coach training plan support, you can receive personalized coaching to help you reach your running goals. The watch’s connectivity features, safety and tracking capabilities, and long battery life make it a great companion for your running adventures.
3. Garmin Forerunner 55, GPS Running Watch with Daily Suggested Workouts, Up to 2 weeks of Battery Life, Aqua
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is an easy-to-use running watch that allows you to monitor your heart rate at the wrist and track your running activities with GPS. It provides information on how far you’ve run, how fast you’re going, and the route you’ve taken. With a battery life of up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, you can rely on this watch for long-lasting performance. In addition, the PacePro feature helps you plan your race day strategy by offering GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance. It also provides helpful training tools such as race time predictions and finish time estimates to help you perform your best.
What sets the Garmin Forerunner 55 apart is its versatility. It offers built-in activity profiles for various sports and activities, including running, cycling, swimming, Pilates, and more. This means you can track all types of workouts and stay motivated to move in different ways. The watch also includes advanced wellness features that allow you to tune in to your body, such as intensity minutes, fitness age, and all-day respiration tracking. With the ability to customize your watch with free watch faces, data fields, apps, and widgets from the Connect IQ Store, you can personalize your device to suit your preferences and needs.
One of the standout features of the Garmin Forerunner 55 is its suggested workouts. The watch takes the guesswork out of training by providing suggested workouts of varying intensities based on your training history, fitness level, and recovery time. This ensures that you are always pushing yourself appropriately and making progress towards your fitness goals. Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a reliable and feature-packed running watch that can help you improve your performance, track your progress, and stay motivated to achieve your fitness goals.
- Monitors heart rate at the wrist
- Long battery life
- PacePro feature for race day strategy
- Helpful training tools
- Built-in activity profiles for various sports and activities
- Not a medical device, heart rate monitoring is not medical-grade
- PacePro feature is not compatible with on-device courses
Specifications:
- GPS running watch
- Heart rate monitoring at the wrist (not medical-grade)
- Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- PacePro feature for GPS-based pace guidance
- Built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, swimming, Pilates, etc.
- Advanced wellness features like intensity minutes and fitness age
- Customizable with free watch faces, data fields, apps, and widgets
- Suggested workouts based on training history, fitness level, and recovery time
Final Thought:
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a reliable and feature-packed running watch that offers accurate heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and a variety of training tools. It is versatile, allowing you to track various activities and customize your watch to suit your preferences. The suggested workouts feature takes the guesswork out of training, ensuring you make progress towards your fitness goals. With a long battery life and advanced wellness features, this watch is a great companion for any runner or fitness enthusiast.
4. Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel Bezel with Black Case and Silicone Band (Renewed)
The Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch in Slate Stainless Steel Bezel with Black Case and Silicone Band (Renewed) is a versatile smartwatch that offers a wide range of features to enhance your daily life. It keeps track of various health metrics such as energy levels, respiration, stress, sleep, and heart rate, providing valuable insights into your overall well-being.
With the ability to download songs directly to the watch, including playlists from popular music platforms like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, you can enjoy your favorite tunes while on the go without needing your phone. The watch also supports wireless headphone connectivity for a truly phone-free listening experience.
In addition to its health and music capabilities, the Garmin vivoactive 4 offers over 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, allowing you to track and record your workouts whether you’re into yoga, running, swimming, or other activities. The watch even provides animated workout routines right on its screen, making it easy to follow along and stay motivated.
- Comprehensive health tracking features
- Ability to download songs and connect with headphones
- Wide range of preloaded GPS and sports apps
- Animated workout routines for easy follow-up
- Long battery life for extended use
- Not a medical device, limited medical monitoring capabilities
- Requires a premium subscription for some music features
Specifications:
- Color: Slate Stainless Steel Bezel with Black Case and Silicone Band
- Battery Life: Up to 8 days in smartwatch mode, up to 6 hours in GPS and music mode
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Water Resistance: Yes, suitable for swimming
- Compatibility: Works with compatible devices
Final Thought:
The Garmin vivoactive 4 GPS Smart Watch is a feature-rich and stylish smartwatch that offers a wide range of health tracking, music, and workout capabilities. It is a great companion for those who want to stay on top of their fitness goals and enjoy music on the go. While it may not be a medical device, it provides valuable insights into your overall well-being. With its long battery life and customizable features, it is a reliable and versatile choice for anyone seeking a smartwatch that keeps up with their active lifestyle.
5. Garmin Vivoactive 4, GPS Smartwatch, Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors and More, Black
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a feature-packed GPS smartwatch that offers a wide range of functionalities to help you stay on top of your health and fitness goals. With its ability to keep track of your energy levels, respiration, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep, hydration, and more, it provides comprehensive insights into your overall well-being. You can easily download songs to the watch from popular music platforms like Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer, allowing you to enjoy your favorite tunes while on the go. The watch also comes with over 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, making it suitable for various activities such as yoga, running, swimming, and more.
One of the standout features of the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is the animated workouts that are displayed directly on the watch screen. Whether you’re into cardio, strength training, yoga, or Pilates, you’ll find a variety of guided workouts to choose from. The battery life is also impressive, with up to 8 days in smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours in GPS and music mode, ensuring that the watch lasts through your most active days. Additionally, you can personalize your watch with thousands of free watch faces, apps, and widgets from the Connect IQ store. Stay connected with smart notifications for incoming calls, text messages, calendar reminders, and more when paired with a compatible device.
With a water rating of 5 ATM, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is suitable for swimming and water-based activities, providing peace of mind even in wet conditions. Overall, this smartwatch offers a wide range of features and functionalities to help you lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
- Ability to download songs and connect with headphones
- Wide range of preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps
- Animated workouts for various exercise types
- Long battery life in both smartwatch and GPS/music mode
- Requires premium subscription for certain music platforms
- Limited availability of certain apps and widgets
Specifications:
- Keeps track of energy levels, respiration, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep, hydration, and more
- Ability to download songs from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer
- Over 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps
- Animated workouts for cardio, strength, yoga, and Pilates
- Battery life: Up to 8 days in smartwatch mode, up to 6 hours in GPS and music mode
- Water rating: 5 ATM
Final Thought:
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a versatile GPS smartwatch that offers an array of features to help you monitor your health and fitness. With its comprehensive tracking capabilities, ability to download songs, and preloaded workout apps, it’s a great companion for staying active. The long battery life and customizable watch faces further enhance its appeal. However, some users may find the need for a premium subscription for certain music platforms and limited availability of apps and widgets as drawbacks. Overall, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a reliable and stylish choice for anyone looking to take their fitness journey to the next level.
6. Garmin 010-01689-00 Forerunner 35; Easy-to-Use GPS Running Watch, Black
The Garmin 010-01689-00 Forerunner 35 is an easy-to-use GPS running watch that tracks your running activities. With its GPS feature, it accurately measures the distance and speed of your runs. It also has a special feature – Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect it to your compatible smartphone. This watch is water-resistant, ensuring that it can withstand sweat and rain during your workouts.
One of the key features of this watch is its ability to estimate your heart rate at the wrist, using Garmin’s elevate wrist heart rate technology. This means you don’t need to wear a separate chest strap to monitor your heart rate. Additionally, the Forerunner 35 offers connected features such as smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, live tracking, and music controls when paired with a compatible smartphone. It also tracks your all-day activity, estimating your steps, calories burned, and intensity minutes. It even reminds you to move if you’ve been inactive for a while.
With the Forerunner 35, you can easily upload your data to Garmin Connect, a free online fitness community. Here, you can join challenges, receive insights, and share your progress as you work towards your fitness goals. This watch is a reliable companion for both casual runners and serious athletes.
PROS:
- Accurate GPS tracking of distance and speed
- Estimates heart rate at the wrist, eliminating the need for a chest strap
- Bluetooth connectivity for smart notifications and music controls
- All-day activity tracking with reminders to move
- Easy data uploads to Garmin Connect for tracking progress and joining challenges
