5 Best Garmin Watches for Running | Forerunner 945/245/55, fenix 6 Pro, & Venu 2

Find your perfect running partner ...

In this article, we're featuring 5 Garmin watches for running—and we're confident that one will align perfectly with your running goals!

So what makes an exceptional running watch? Our criteria is a combination of health monitoring, training & tracking features, battery life, cost, versatility, and style. Garmin excels in all these areas, but what's more: Garmin knows no two runners are the same. So they package their incredible features into different GPS smartwatches and price points!

The PlayBetter picks for 5 best Garmin watches for running include:

• • Forerunner 55
  • Forerunner 245 Music
  • Forerunner 945
  • Venu 2/2S
  • fēnix 6 Pro

Plus, we'll show you any options you may have with each watch. For example, if phone-free music isn't your priority while you train, you can get the Forerunner 245 without on-watch music for $50 less. So come run with us through this list and find the Garmin running watch that was created for you!

Short on Time? Jump to the Garmin Running Watch Comparison Table.

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You need functionality, precision, and options when chasing down your insane goals, and the Forerunner 945 has all this and more to help you analyze and optimize your performance. Here's why and how you're going to love this premium multisport watch as your new marathon and triathlon training partner:

• • It's lightweight, doesn't feel bulky
  • Made with premium, durable materials
  • Stream your music and podcast to your bluetooth headphones; store up to 1,000 songs
  • Stores up to 200 hours of activity data, allowing you to go back and analyze your past several workouts without needing an app
  • Sensors galore for heart rate, temperature, elevation, weather, compass, and more
  • Garmin Coach and built-in sports apps, running dynamics on your cadence, stride, contact time, balance, and more offers insight on your form so you can adjust and improve
  • The most Firstbeat metrics (18), which are advanced performance analytics for stress, recovery, and exercise
  • More navigation features like full color mapping, ClimbPro, Turn-By-Turn navigation, and roundtrip routing
  • Stay safe and connected with Assistance and Incident Detection features
  • Sports modes and training for running, biking, swimming, and much more

More Options with the Forerunner 945 LTE

• • Stay safer! With the Forerunner 945 LTE, you get all of this plus (with an LTE subscription) you can leave your phone at home and get Assistance Plus, which automatically sends your name and location from your watch alone to the Garmin IERCC, a 24/7 staffed professional emergency response coordination center that can contact and communicate with local emergency services.
  • Stay more connected! Also with the Forerunner 945 LTE running watch, get midrace motivation with audio and text messages from your family and friends with Spectator Messaging.

If you're ready to do it all, give it all, and take it all ... get the watch that has it all!

Compare all the Forerunner 945 features side-by-side in our comparison chart below!

Get high-end features for a midrange price with the 245 Music running watch. You can get to know yourself as a runner and go next level with this feature-loaded GPS smartwatch. And go even further with your most motivating tunes—the Forerunner 245 Music gives you on-watch music so you can go phone-free!

This super savvy sports watch for runners is stuffed with performance-enhancing features, including:

• • Garmin Coach for free adaptive training plans
  • Built-in sports apps (cycling, pool swimming, track running, elliptical, stair-stepper, etc.)
  • Wrist-based heart rate
  • Built-in GPS for accurate location, distance, pace, and intervals
  • Running Dynamics (with a compatible accessory) for crucial running metrics like cadence, stride length, ground contact time and balance
  • VO2 MAX can tell you how you might expect to perform with heat or altitude factors
  • The Pulse Ox sensor can help gauge how your body is absorbing oxygen—even while you sleep
  • Training Status let you know if you’re training productively, peaking, or overreaching
  • Training Load compares your most recent stats to your optimal and historical fitness stats
  • Recovery Time advises you on how long to rest be for your next big run, factoring in stress, sleep, and activity outside your workouts
  • Body Battery Energy Monitor lets you know the best times to be active and rest
  • Women’s Health Tracking (in app) lets you track your menstrual cycle or pregnancy
  • Receive text messages and view social media updates, emails, and more from this best Garmin smartwatch
  • Get built-in assistance and incident detection and manually or automatically send a message with your real-time location to emergency contacts
  • Automatically upload activities to the Connect community, and you can download custom watch faces, data fields, and apps from the Connect IQ™ Store
  • Store up to 500 songs on your watch, no phone needed while you run!

More options with the Forerunner 245

• • Don't need an elaborate play list while you run? Get the standard Forerunner 245—the exact same watch minus on-watch music for $50 less, and you can still control the music on your phone!

Compare all the Forerunner 245/245 Music features side-by-side in our comparison chart below!

The Forerunner 55 is an easy-to-use running watch perfectly designed for new runners. At an ultra attractive price, it's loaded with tools that will help you achieve your fitness goals, take your training to the next level, and keep you in tune with your health and wellness.

But don't get us wrong—the simplicity of this watch is in the user experience. It's still loaded with features that runners at every level will love, like:

• • Built-in tracking for how far, how fast, and where you run. Includes multi-GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS) for tracking in the most challenging environments, like tall buildings and heavy tree cover.
  • Wrist-based heart rate provides data all day and night
  • All-day activity tracking counts steps, calories, sleep, and more
  • Daily Suggested Workouts take the guesswork out of training by offering personalized run workouts tailored to your training history, fitness level, and recovery time
  • Garmin Coach training plans offer on-screen guidance from expert coaches and free 5K, 10K, or half marathon training plans that adapt based on your goals
  • Safety features let you send a message with your location to family and friends
  • PacePro provides guidance to help you tailor your efforts to a selected course or distance
  • The finish time estimator lets you select a run distance and get an estimated finish time right on your wrist
  • Cadence alerts let you know when you’ve gone outside your target cadence range, helping to improve your running form
  • Built-in activity profiles, including track or virtual running, pool swimming, Pilates, HIIT, and more
  • Built-in recovery advisor lets you know how long to rest before your next big effort
  • Body Battery™ energy monitor tracks your energy levels to find the best times for activity and rest
  • Women can track their menstrual cycle or pregnancy and log symptoms, receive exercise and nutrition education, and more through the free app
  • Receive text messages and view social media updates, emails, and more
  • Automatically upload activities to Garmin Connect (a free app and global community of Garmin users), and you can download custom watch faces, data fields, and apps from the Connect IQ™ Store.

Compare all the Forerunner 55 features side-by-side in our comparison chart below!