11 Best Garmin Running Smartwatches: Which One Is Best For You?

There are so many different running watches out there, and which Garmin running smartwatch is right for you depends heavily on what you want to achieve.

So we’ve covered the entire range of Garmin running GPS smartwatches that any Runner could want. We’re going to take you through them one by one in a whirlwind tour so that you can make a better decision.

Okay, we split the watches into three broad sections. We will start with specialist running watches, then outdoor running watches in the middle, and then move on to what would be classed as Fitness or lifestyle-focused running watches.

We will increase the price as we go in each section. Here are some of our recommendations for the Best Garmin Smartwatch in 2024.

Best Garmin Running Smartwatch in 2024

Let’s start with the specialist running Smartwatches with GPS. The first one I will talk about is the Forerunner 45 Series. 

1. Garmin Forerunner 45

The Forerunner 45 Series has two models: the Forerunner 45 and the Forerunner 45S. They’re the same watch with slightly different case sizes. The 45 has a slightly larger case size, and the 45S is slightly smaller. We’ll discuss the reasons for that in a moment.

The Forerunner 45 Series is Garmin’s entry-level running watch. It has built-in GPS and Garmin Coach built-in, so it will give you some training plans and other things like that if you’re starting out.

It also has race prediction times. If you’re doing your first 5k or 10k race, you can get an indication of what sort of time you might be expected to run.

The 45 Series has a pretty solid battery life. So it’s between 7 and 13 hours with GPS turned on, depending on your watch model.

So, who’s this watch for? If you’re new to running or getting back into running after some time off, then the Forerunner 45 Series is an excellent choice.

It’s got everything you need to get started, including training plans and so on. And because it can predict race times, you can use it to plan your training towards a particular goal as well.

Garmin Forerunner 45 Spec

Garmin Forerunner 45 Pros and Cons

9.6

Check Price (Amazon)

POSITIVES

• Accurate GPS Tracking
• Reliable Heart Rate Monitoring
• Comfortable Design
• Seamless Integration with Garmin Connect
• Smart notifications directly on the wrist, including calls, texts, and other alerts

NEGATIVES

• Step tracker may register false steps in certain situations
• Delayed GPS Activation

2. Garmin Forerunner 55

The watch I’m going to discuss is the Forerunner 55. In many ways, it’s similar to the Forerunner 45 Series that we just discussed.

So it’s aimed at the same entry-level or returning to running audience. It’s got built-in GPS, Garmin Coach, and race prediction times. It has a slightly different form factor, though, as you can see.

It has a five-button setup instead of the two-button setup we discussed earlier. So, there’s a learning curve if you’ve never used a Garmin watch. The other difference is that the battery life is improved slightly.

So, in the case of the Forerunner 55, you’re looking at between 8 and 20 hours with GPS turned on.

So, who’s this watch for? If you’re new to running or returning to running, consider pushing yourself a little further than a 5k or 10k race. If you’re looking towards a half marathon or even a marathon, consider the Forerunner 55 instead of the Forerunner 45 Series we discussed earlier.

Specifications for Garmin Forerunner 55

Garmin Forerunner 55 Pros and Cons

9.5

Check Price (AMAZON)

POSITIVES

• User-friendly interface
• Up to 2 weeks battery life in smartwatch mode
• PacePro Feature
• Comprehensive Training Tools
• Customization Options

NEGATIVES

• Limited Compatibility
• Dependency on Smartphone Apps

See Aslo:- Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. Forerunner 55: Which is right for you?

Read In-depth review :-Garmin Forerunner 55 Review: A Closer Look at the Best Running Watch

3. Garmin Forerunner 245 

The next Garmin Running Smartwatch I’m going to discuss is the Forerunner 245 Series. There’s the Forerunner 245 and the Forerunner 245 Music. As the name suggests, the Music version has music built-in, whereas the standard 245 does not.

They both have built-in GPS. One key feature is that you can use the built-in GPS to track your runs. Still, you can also use it to give you an indication of how well your training is going.

One of the things that it does is called training status. It will look at your running for the last seven days and give you an indication as to whether you’re training productively, whether you’re maintaining, or whether you’re overreaching or overtraining.

And then, in the case of the Music version, as I said, you can stream music from your wrist, so you don’t need to take your phone with you. You can also sync playlists from Spotify, Deezer, or your preferred music streaming service.

So, who’s this watch for? If you’re a more serious runner or someone starting to get into your running and want a little bit more feedback on how your training is going, then the Forerunner 245 Series is a good choice for you.

Specifications for Garmin Forerunner 245

Garmin Forerunner 245 Pros and Cons

9.3

Check Price (AMAZON)

POSITIVES

• Simple and light-weight design
• Fall detection and assistance features
• Comfy, even in bed
• Up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode
• Customization Options

NEGATIVES

• Tracking sleep could be more precise.
• No Garmin Pay or triathlon mode

Read in-depth Review:- Garmin Forerunner 245 GPS Watch Review

4. Forerunner 745

The next Garmin Running Smartwatch I will discuss is the Forerunner 745. This watch is aimed at a more severe or advanced runner.

So, if you’re training for a particular race or you’re interested in things like VO2 max, performance condition, and load monitoring, then the Forerunner 745 could be a good choice.

It has built-in GPS, as you would expect, and it has a slightly different form factor than the watches we’ve discussed.

It’s got a five-button setup rather than the two-button setup of the cheaper watches. It also has built-in music so you can stream from different music services and has a pretty solid battery life.

It’s between 7 and 16 hours with GPS turned on. As I said, it’s aimed at a more severe or advanced runner. It has built-in performance conditions, training status, and load monitoring.

So, who’s this watch for? If you’re a more serious runner or if you’re training for a particular race and want more feedback on how your training is going, the Forerunner 745 could be a good choice.

Here is a table summarizing the key specifications of the Garmin Forerunner 745:

Garmin Forerunner 745 Spec

Forerunner 745 Pros and Cons

9.1

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POSITIVES

• Store music directly on the watch
• Run history is stored on the watch.
• Surprisingly lightweight and comfortable to wear
• Up to 6 hours of battery life with GPS and music
• Comprehensive Training Metrics

NEGATIVES

• Limited Customization
• Lacks a touchscreen interface

Also See:- Garmin Forerunner 745 vs Forerunner 945 : sports watch Comparison

5. Garmin Forerunner 945

The last watch I’m going to discuss in the running specialist category is the Forerunner 945.

It is Garmin’s top-of-the-range running watch. It has built-in GPS, of course, and it also has a slightly different form factor than the previous watches we’ve discussed. It has a five-button setup rather than the two-button setup of the cheaper watches.

It also has built-in music to stream from different music services. And it has an excellent battery life. It’s between 10 hrs with music and 36 hours with GPS turned on, and then up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode. The reason that it has such a good battery life is that it has a different chipset. 

It has what’s called the Sony GPS chipset, which is much more efficient than the chipset in the cheaper watches.

So, who’s this watch for? If you’re a serious or advanced runner and you want all the bells and whistles, then the Forerunner 945 could be a good choice for you. Or, if you’re interested in things like mapping and navigation, it could also be a good choice for you.

Forerunner 945 Spec

Forerunner 945 Pros and Cons

9.2

Check Price (Amazon)

POSITIVES

• Built-in Maps and Navigation
• Wide range of customizable data screens for various sports categories
• Download playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer, users
• Accurately predicts performance and recovery like VO2 Max and training load
• Lightweight Design

NEGATIVES

• Limited Battery Replacement Options
• Limitations with features like Garmin Pay or regional map support

Also See:- Garmin Forerunner 945 vs 245: In-Depth Comparison

Let’s move on from those specialist running watches; we’re going to start with the outdoor and adventure watches. And the first one I’m going to talk about is the Garmin Instinct 2

6. Garmin Instinct 2

There are lots of excellent different versions of this. It’s made for people who like being outdoors, getting an overall picture of their health and wellness, tracking activities, and taking on an adventure because it’s bulletproof and broadly protected from the elements with the way that it’s made with this rugged casing and the lovely outdoor aesthetic. 

That approach to the outdoors and adventure is reflected in the different versions you can get.

There’s a camo version, surf versions, a dedicated tactical Edition for those who work in sensitive areas or in the military, which has things like a kill switch where you can press one button to completely erase all the data on the watch, stealth mode so that doesn’t record your data to the watch, it just shows your live stats, and then things that help you jump out of aeroplanes and find target zones if you’re parachuting. 

So, I haven’t tested any of those features. Not only does the watch feel bulletproof, but it’ll also last forever. So there are four weeks of use out of this in Smartwatch mode, but longer than that and potentially forever if you also use the solar version. And we’re outside enough. 

Keeping it simple has allowed them to focus on making the core features amazing, particularly battery life. For people who live a pretty adventurous lifestyle and don’t just stick to running and take on more exciting activities, potentially more dangerous activities as well, than the fact that it’s more or less indestructible. 

It’s built to a military standard for thermal and shock resistance, and the fact that it has fantastic features for things like mountain biking called grits and flow measurements, which measure how difficult a trail might be or how smoothly you descend to give you a score to beat next time. Then, if that’s you, you should take a look. 

Specifications of the Garmin Instinct 2 0utdoor Smartwatch:

Garmin Instinct 2 Pros and Cons

9.5

Check Price (amazalso on)

POSITIVES

• Rugged design with a fiber-reinforced polymer case
• Scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass
• Impressive battery life
• Equipped with multiple global navigation satellite systems
• Comprehensive health monitoring features
• Built-in sports apps for various activities

NEGATIVES

• Mono audio output
• Pulse Ox is not available in all countries

Also see:-Garmin Instinct Solar Review: Top 5 Reasons to Buy in 2024ust

7. Garmin Fenix 7

Next up, we got the Fenix 7. This is my watch. I’ve already selected it out of this lineup. Broadly, it’s a very, very similar watch to the Forerunner 955. So, in terms of the feature set, it’s almost identical. It has a touchscreen, navigation, all of the mapping, and so on.

But I prefer its aesthetic from a personal perspective. I wear it almost every day. It has a metal bezel, so it’s made from different materials, and it has a slightly longer battery life. 

So, I’m taking 57 hours in GPS mode for all those massive ultramarathons and 57 days in battery-saver mode. And that’s in the non-solar version. 

So, like the 955, there are solar and non-solar versions of this as well, as Sapphire versions with different protection to the screen in terms of the glass they use.

But with that battery life, it’s ultimately heavier. So, if you want a lightweight running watch with the same features as this, then the 955 should be the one you choose. 

If you like this aesthetic, the additional battery life, and the idea of the outdoor lifestyle that it speaks to, this is a great choice, too. But it’s also worth noting that there are different sizes, too.

So there’s the Fenix 7s, a smaller, lighter version, but you lose a little bit of battery life when they’re smaller and lighter.

There’s also a Fenix 7x version, which is the larger version and comes with things like a built-in flashlight to see when it’s dark out on the trails or if you’re roosting around on a campsite or something.

Specifications and features of the Garmin Fenix 7 Solar:

Garmin Fenix 7 Pros and Cons

9.4

Check Price (AMAZON)

POSITIVES

• Suitable for outdoor activities and ensuring longevity
• Offers a wide range of health features
• Provides detailed breakdowns and analysis of various measurements without requiring a premium subscription
• Supports numerous activities with detailed tracking capabilities
• Provides 24/7 health and wellness monitoring

NEGATIVES

• Size and Weight
• The initial cost may be high for some users
• Connectivity issues were reported when syncing with other devices, such as the Renpho scale

Also See:-

• Garmin Fenix 7 vs Garmin Tactix 7: Which is the Better Choice
• Garmin Fenix 7 Review– Standard Edition | Multisport GPS Smartwatch

8. Garmin Epix Gen 2

Then we’ve got the Epix, or technically what’s called the Epix Gen 2, because there was an older version of the Epix that looked very different from this. In this case, Generation 2 of the Epix has the same features as the Fenix 7. It’s the same size as the regular Fenix 7.

The big difference is that this has an AMOLED screen. It’s a beautiful, phone-like screen that’s bright and bold, and it does make a massive difference if you’re navigating the maps out on the trails or trying to follow along with one of the guided strength workouts.

That screen has a slight battery life penalty because running that beautiful screen takes longer. But because the battery life is already so long on the Phoenix, you still get a firm battery life number out of this watch.

Specifications of the Garmin Epix Gen 2

Garmin Epix Gen 2 Pros and Cons

9.3

Check Price (Amazon)

POSITIVES

• Vibrant and clear screen with excellent readability
• Versatile for various activities, including running, biking, and professional settings
• Robust build quality and durability suitable for outdoor use
• Accurate sleep tracking and insightful metrics
• Exceptional battery life

NEGATIVES

• Size may not be subtle for those preferring smaller watches.
• Limited compatibility with third-party devices

You may also like:- Garmin Epix 3: Rumors and Predictions for 2024 Release

So, moving on from those outdoor and adventure watches, we will start with the Fitness or lifestyle-focused running watches. The first one I will discuss is the Garmin Vivosmart 5.

9. Garmin Vivosmart 4

The Garmin Vivosmart 4 is the only watch we will discuss that doesn’t have built-in standalone GPS functionality. That’s the main difference here: You must take your phone with you to get active.

You get wrist-based optical heart rate on this watch and get things like rep counting if you’re in the gym.

It will automatically count the reps for you as you perform a particular activity. A nice feature is that you can pop it out and change the colour of the strap if you want to accessorize it differently.

So, who’s this watch for? Ultimately, suppose you’re looking for something with a particular aesthetic, like a fitness tracker rather than a sports or running watch. In that case, it might go more effectively with what you wear during the day. It’s very capable of being used in the gym.

If you’re not too worried about really accurate running data, about having your phone with you, or about playing music or anything else separately from the watch, then this could be a good option for you.

For example, if you’re starting your running journey, look for something that will track your sleep and stress levels and things like that, as well as other activities. If you occasionally run, for example, a park run on a Saturday morning, then this is a good choice.

Garmin vivosmart 4 Spec

9

Garmin Vivosmart 4

Activity and Fitness Tracker w/ Pulse Ox and Heart Rate Monitor

AMAZON

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You may also like:- Garmin Vivosmart 6: Release Date, Features We Want to See in 2024

10. Garmin Vivoactive 4

Still, in the fitness category, this is Garmin’s Vivoactive 4. It’s an immediately different watch to look at. It has a traditional watch form factor with two buttons on the side. It has built-in music to stream from various music services like Spotify and Deezer.

And it has built-in GPS like all the other watches we’re going to talk about, so you don’t need to take your phone with you for that additional accuracy and functionality in terms of tracking.

It has a touchscreen, which, actually, as one of the more affordable watches in Garmin’s range, is a nice addition. You can swipe through the menus and tap to confirm your choice and swipe to move back again, as well as use the buttons to navigate if you choose to.

So, who’s this watch for? Essentially, it’s a really good all-rounder. It doesn’t have some of the advanced running-specific details and features that we’re going to talk about later on, so things like performance condition, training status, or load monitoring.

But, like me, a few years ago, I decided to get back into running just for fun. The two things that were most important for me were tracking my runs and being able to listen to music. In that case, this is a great choice.

Garmin Vivoactive 4 Spec

9.3

Garmin Vivoactive 4

GPS Smartwatch Features Music, Body Energy Monitoring, Animated Workouts, Pulse Ox Sensors

AMAZON

cHECK pRICE

Also see:- Is Garmin Vivoactive 6 Coming Soon? What We Know 

11. Garmin Venu SQ2

The last watch that I’m going to talk about in the fitness category is the Venu Series, the Venu SQ2. I’m not just going to talk about this watch; I’m going to talk about the Venu 2 Series as a whole.

There’s also the Venu 2 and the Venu 2 Plus. And broadly, as a category, those watches aim to give you a more complete picture of your health.

So rather than being focused on one particular sport, if you’re interested in going to the gym, running, swimming, doing lots of different activities, and just staying healthy, then these watches are aimed at helping you to keep track of that.

One of the critical features of the Venu 2 Series is that they all have an AMOLED screen. So it’s bright, really vibrant. That’s an

This is an upgrade from some of the previous watches we’ve talked about that had an LCD screen. There’s a downside to that, though.

That is, it reduces the battery life. So, in the case of the Venu SQ2, you’re looking at between 6 and 14 days, depending on your usage. So there’s quite a lot of variation there.

And in the case of the Venu 2 Series, it’s between 5 and 11 days of battery life. You can use the built-in GPS for between 6 and 22 hours in the Venu 2 Series and up to 50 hours in the Venu 2 Plus.

So again, there’s quite a lot of variability depending on what you’re doing with it. But as I said, the idea is to get a complete picture of your health.

So, who’s this watch for? It’s similar to the Vivoactive 4 we just discussed, except with a slightly different screen.

Suppose you’re looking for a fitness watch that does a bit of everything, including streaming music from your wrist. If you like that vibrant screen, the Venu 2 Series is a good choice.

Specification for the Garmin Venu Sq 2

8.5

Garmin Venu Sq 2

GPS Smartwatch, All-Day Health Monitoring, Long-Lasting Battery Life, AMOLED Display

AMAZON

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So we’ve gone through the entire range, starting with running specialist watches onto the outdoor watches, and then the Fitness watches

Conclusion

In conclusion, Garmin’s range of outdoor watches offers a diverse selection of options to suit every adventure enthusiast’s needs. Whether you’re a dedicated runner, an outdoor explorer, or an ultra-runner pushing your limits, there’s a Garmin watch designed to support your journey.

From the flagship Forerunner 955 with its advanced training metrics to the rugged Instinct 2 built for outdoor adventures, each watch combines cutting-edge technology with durability and functionality.

The Fenix 7 offers versatility and style, while the Epix Gen 2 provides enhanced navigation with its AMOLED display. Meanwhile, the Enduro 2 caters to ultra-runners with its exceptional battery life and advanced tracking features.

No matter which Garmin running Smartwatch you choose, you can trust that you’ll have a reliable companion on your adventures, providing valuable insights and performance metrics to help you reach your fitness goals.

With Garmin, you can confidently explore, knowing that your watch is built to withstand the most challenging conditions and deliver unmatched performance every step of the way.