Garmin Forerunner 945

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Overall

#38 in

Fitness Trackers

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Sentiment score63% positive
22
8
5

Top Pros

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Last updated: Apr 28, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit IconItsMeRPeter
6 months ago

After my M2's 2 buttons died, I had a Forerunner 954 for a week. The watch was excellent, but the backend (ecosystem) was too complicated for me. First, I wanted to set my maximum HR. I couldn't find an option for it in the app, nor on the watch, only on the web UI, hidden somewhere. Then I thought I set a custom watchface. To do it, you need to install another application. Not a problem, I did, found one, downloaded. Configuring it was again a negative experience, because I wasn't able to set up completely in the app, only the basics (like the main and secondary colors) and the fine-tuning, for example what data I want to see on the screen can be set only on the watch. On a 45 mm screen. Crazy, I spent a good amount of time to complete it. Then I checked the collected data. Body battery? Charge +34, drain -63. Take and understand whatever and however you want. How useful it is? Once I had a very exhausting day and the body battery counter went down to 5 at 5 PM and didn't decrease. Meaning, I had more time at the peak, otherwise I'd be dead, I guess. The app is loaded with screens and data. My feeling was they just added newer and newer features without thinking where that should be, how logical that is. The training feedbacks are good and correct, but if you pay a lot of cash, you want more than only that. In the end I bought the V3.

Reddit IconMackerelponi
9 months ago

nah not 945 ha, i upgraded from it to the 970. So much better in every way, especially the quality of gps tracking

Reddit IconakaSovereign
3 months ago

Fenix 8 47mm Sapphire. I've had a range of Garmins (Forerunner range: 35, 235, 935, 945, 955) but the 970 didn't appeal to me (accent colour on side and domed glass) so I got my first Fenix and first AMOLED watch (solar was thicker than my 955 which was already a bit thick under clothing). Love the look of the Fenix a lot more, plus better battery life

Reddit IconAnonymousMiddleName
11 months ago

I have been a Whoop wearer for 4 years. I have had a Garmin 945 for 5. This is exactly my use case—run and strength (and whatever else) with the Garmin and whoop for the overall experience.

Reddit Iconb00mshaw
7 months ago

Garmin Forerunner. I have the 945 and it still going strong. Does a great job with running, swimming and biking. Add in a Garmin Edge eventually for your bike. I do know several people that are quite happy with their Coros though. Not sure what they offer for cycling computers though.

Reddit Iconbamaroon
3 months ago

I have the Forerunner 945. The battery is eternal, watch face isn’t too big (small female wrist here), and it doesn’t everything I could want a watch to do. It interacts with and displays my varia radar and power meter pedal data as well as with my Wahoo trainer without issues. It has pool and open water tracking and uploads workouts. The HR is pretty spot on even in the water. The only time it fails me is when I’m climbing out of the saddle and put a sharp bend in my wrist. Watches use a different algorithm to measure gain than the computers, so I believe my Edge between the two, but if you yse Strava you can have it elevation-correct after the fact.

3 months ago

This location seems like it would chafe like the dickens swimming and running. Jelenew makes a bra with an hrm hole to help keep it in place. I upgraded to the FR945 from my 2-series when I got into triathlon because it has openwater and triathlon activity tracking modes and a massive battery life to get me through an IM. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty darn good in open water. Also, Form 2 goggles use a HR sensor on your temple. They work best with an open water GPS-compatible watch for tracking, but the HRM is independent. I just got a pair so too soon for me to give my own review

Reddit Iconbj0rnl8
2 months ago

My Garmin Forerunner 945 has really inaccurate (underreported) heart rate when skiing, especially skate, unless I use a chest strap. I'm not sure if the newer 9x5 models are better. But it does has activities for both.

Reddit Iconblood_bender
7 months ago

Can't speak for the Instinct, but I got my Garmin Forerunner 945 in 2019 and it's still going strong. Passive battery life a week+, GPS battery is still close to 24h (I think, haven't done a race that long in a bit). No issues with connectivity, bluetooth, charging, nothing. Some of their newer models are a little bloated and they're adding a ton of features at the cost of battery life, which is the only disappointing part. For ultras the only thing I _really_ care about is battery, and their out of the box battery life says 26 hours or something now, instead of 32+. Either way though, they make really good devices.

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