Garmin - Forerunner 245 Music
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 15, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
32
3
"it has a lot of additional activity features I like (e.g. tracking outdoor swimming, biking , training plans etc)"
"the load tracking and suggested workout feature alone is worth it. ... The battery of data signals you get to tailor and improve your training is worth the switch alone"
"it fully replaced all the recovery metrics I was using whoop for"
7
0
"I have a 245 music and it is a game changer. So easy to grab watch, shoes, headphones and go."
"I can use Spotify in the Garmin and it hasn't glitched on me once."
"It holds music so I can run with just the watch."
1
0
"Other than that it was perfect, and I still miss how it was disappearing on my wrist in terms of weight, bulkiness and band size."
20
4
"Oh, and the battery lasts days even when exercising a lot (weeks without excercise)."
"Battery good enough to withstand long run in winter (AW tended to have problems in 30+ km runs in cold, not Garmin) ... Forerunner asks me if to go to power saving mode, when there are "just two days left" :)"
"I get close to a month from my forerunner on standby - about 2 weeks with daily workouts. ... the battery life lasts a really nice length of time ... As a fitness wearable Garmin... destroys Apple on battery life. ... There’s really no sensible person running Tris or Marathons using an Apple Watch. The battery life is too poor to last reliably. If you go to the starting like of a marathon you’re really only going to see actual fitness brands on wrists due to battery life alone."
8
0
"My 245 music has lasted me since 2016 without issues."
"only needs to be charged every week or two."
"Personally I’m still using my FR245 that I got in December 2021, and it’s still working great."
Disliked most:
1
3
"lack of altimeter is deal breaker for me."
"Only 945 series and newer (and Fenix) support maps"
"If you want it for hiking I would get the one with an altimeter. ... When I upgrade I’m going to make sure it has it."
2
3
"Only reason I upgraded was screen size"
"Only reason I upgraded was screen size e possibility to have 5 fields on the screen."
"no more dealing with cracked glass protectors lol."
1
6
"the Garmin is far worse from a smartwatch perspective ... my AWU2’s cellular connectivity is above and beyond the thing I care most about on long, remote runs."
"if you have to take your phone anyway, there's a much better device on you for making calls. ... apple watches can have sim cards and place calls *without* having your cellphone on you. that's a real use case -- go for a run, leave the bulky phone at home."
"I missed it's smart capabilities"
0
6
"I used to find that wrist HR sucked for rowing"
"when I’d swim in pools it would so often double count my lengths…"
"a forerunner is not great for swimming, cycling, heavy trail running etc."
0
1
"It just expands on so many data points that I wasn't getting with my forerunner."
bicycleroad 1.0Seconded. I have the music version so I don't have to carry my phone on short runs.
BlackMagic05 1.0I wear my Garmin 245 Music for working out and running, otherwise it’s my Explorer for everything else life has for me.
Garmin Forerunner 245M. Then I wear my Explorer for any other occasion. I used to use an Apple Watch to workout but I prefer having physical buttons for when I’m sweating and/or it’s raining out or something. Before I became interested in mechanical watches, I wore an Apple Watch exclusively, but I wanted to disconnect from constant notifications and such. We get enough of that on our phones as it is.
Capable_Tip7815 1.0I have a Forerunner 245 with Music. It does the job. I have it in aqua blue. It also doesn't cost a gazillion pounds to buy.
I have a FR 245 with Music. It does what I need it to do. It can be a bit judgemental if I have a rest day and/or go for a walk (I have been knocked down from Productive to Recovery - so audacious). I like not having to take my phone with me, especially if it's raining.
CheapRentalCar 1.0I use a 245 music for biking, running, weights and swimming. It's great. Has more than enough features, and only needs to be charged every week or two. GPs is fine. HR is fine, though I use a hr chest strap, as they are more accurate. Even without the strap, though, the watch did a good job.
ClassUnited 1.0I have a venu 3 and love it! Had the forerunner 245 music for several years prior to making the switch to my venu 3 this year. I workout everyday and it has tons of tracking options as well as being touch screen and having all the smart watch capabilities.
Commercial_Glass6736 1.0I also have the 245 Music, but the battery life is decreasing and am looking to upgrade. Not sure what I should go for. I love the Fenix design and functionality, but it’s a bit pricey. I mainly run, bike and walk/hike. Any feedback is welcome :)
dbfowlersf 1.0Been very happy with my Forerunner 245 Music - though I rarely play music through the watch since I carry my iPhone for live tracking anyway. It’s only a few dollars more or less, but if you’re gonna carry another device, you could do without the music part of a 255 forerunner
Disastrous-Wonder153 1.0I recently upgraded from the Forerunner 245 Music to the 265 after I broke the strap bracket thingamajig while wrestling with my son. It's taken some time to organize various screens how I like them, but I've really liked the upgrade. The watch has new virtual Garmin coach plans, which I'm using for a 5K race in March. I like that it's mixing in some non-running workouts, which I've always been concerned would interfere with my running. But since "coach" suggests them as part of the plan, I'm ok with it. The 965 has some extra features that were appealing, but I felt like it wasn't worth the additional cost and it was a little big for my wrist.
Few_Aside5151 1.0I second this. I have a 245 music and it is a game changer. So easy to grab watch, shoes, headphones and go.
Gerties-Northrnlight 1.0I use a Garmin 245 music and it works good. The Garmin connect app links with my fitnesspal
I have a garmin 245 and am happy with it. If you want it for hiking I would get the one with an altimeter. When I upgrade I’m going to make sure it has it. To select, go through the versions and see what features you want, you don’t need the fanciest one. I do bring a battery to recharge on multi day hikes and don’t use my gps on them.
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