Which running watch is right for you depends on two things: what do you want it to do for you and what you are willing and able to pay for it. Garmin has several lines of watches, the main ones suitable for running are:
- Vivoactive/Venu. This series contains more lifestyle focused watches and has standard options for tracking running and some other activities. They’re designed for every day use.
- Forerunner. There are many different models, ranging from low to high budget. All models are focused on running, though some models are suitable for triathlon as well. Depending on the model range these watches will have more advanced running statistics.
- Fenix. The Fenix series are complete, allround watches. They combine the lifestyle focus of the Vivoactive serie and the running/activity focus of the more high end Forerunners.
- Instinct. The Instinct watches are rugged, outdoor adventure watch. Great for most outdoor activities.
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Page overview
Garmin Vivoactive 4 or Venu
The Vivoactive series are GPS smartwatches with excellent run tracking capabilities. The design of the series makes the watches more suitable for everyday wear. The Garmin Venu is a recently released watch that has the same options as the Vivoactive 4, but with a better display and, as a result, shorter battery life. More details on that in the link below.
Battery life
Vivoactive 4: Smartwatch mode: 8 days, GPS: 18 hours, GPS with music: 6 hours
Vivoactive 4S: Smartwatch mode: 7 days, GPS: 15 hours, GPS with music: 5 hours
Venu: Smartwatch mode: 5 days, GPS: 20 hours, GPS with music: 6 hours
Specifications for runners - Vivoactive / Venu
| GPS, Galileo and GLONASS | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Wrist based heart rate monitor | Yes |
| Body Battery | Yes |
| Live tracking and incident detection | Yes |
| Footpod compatible | Yes |
| External HR compatible | Yes |
| Garmin Courses | Yes |
| Maps and navigation | No |
| Music | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes |
| HRV stress test | No |
| Battery power modes | No |
| Training status | No |
| Training load | No |
| Training focus | No |
| Training effect | No |
| Multisport activities | No |
| Strava/Garmin Live Segments | No |
| Advanced running dynamics | No |
| Lactate threshold | No |
| PacePro | No |
| Race predictor | No |
Garmin Forerunner 45 / 245
The Forerunner series is just that, made for runners. The Forerunner 45 is a great entry level model with basic functionality, while the Forerunner 245 provides more running data to analyze and use for improvement. The Forerunner 945 has everything you need and is described in more detail below. The Forerunners have a sporty look, making them appear to be more of a sports watch, even though the smartwatch capabilities are similar to the Vivoactive series.
Budget
Garmin Forerunner 45: $ 200
Garmin Forerunner 245: $ 230
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: $ 350
Battery life
Garmin Forerunner 45: Smartwatch mode: 7 days, GPS: 13 hours
Garmin Forerunner 245: Smartwatch mode: 7 days, GPS: 24 hours
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: Smartwatch mode: 7 days, GPS: 24 hours, GPS with music: 6 hours
Specifications for runners - Forerunner 45 / 245
| GPS, Galileo and GLONASS | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Wrist based heart rate monitor | Yes |
| Body Battery | Yes |
| Live tracking and incident detection | Yes |
| Footpod compatible | Yes |
| External HR compatible | Yes |
| Garmin Courses | 245 only |
| Maps and navigation | No |
| Music | 245 Music only |
| VO2 Max | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | No |
| HRV stress test | No |
| Battery power modes | No |
| Training status | 245 only |
| Training load | 245 only |
| Training focus | No |
| Training effect | 245 only |
| Multisport activities | No |
| Strava/Garmin Live Segments | No |
| Advanced running dynamics | 245 only, with compatible accesory |
| Lactate threshold | No |
| PacePro | 245 only |
| Race predictor | 245 only |
Garmin Forerunner 945 and Fenix 6
Both the Garmin Forerunner 945 and the Fenix 6 series are basically as well equipped as you could wish for. The specifications are basically the same, with some differences shown below. The main differences are in battery life and design.
Budget
Garmin Forerunner 945: $ 600
Fenix 6: $ 650 – 1.100
Battery life
Garmin Forerunner 945: Smartwatch mode: 14 days, GPS: 36 hours
Fenix 6X (Pro): Smartwatch mode: 21 days, GPS: 60 hours, Battery Saver: 80 days
Fenix 6 (Pro): Smartwatch mode: 14 days, GPS: 36 hours, Battery Saver: 48 days
Fenix 6S (Pro): Smartwatch mode: 9 days, GPS: 25 hours, Battery Saver: 34 days
Specifications for runners - 945 / Fenix
| GPS, Galileo and GLONASS | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Wrist based heart rate monitor | Yes |
| Body Battery | Yes |
| Live tracking and incident detection | Yes |
| Footpod compatible | Yes |
| External HR compatible | Yes |
| Garmin Courses | Yes |
| Maps and navigation | 945 and Pro/Plus version only |
| Music | 945 and Pro/Plus version only |
| VO2 Max | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes |
| HRV stress test | Yes, with compatible accessory |
| Battery power modes | Fenix only |
| Training status | Yes |
| Training load | Yes |
| Training focus | Yes |
| Training effect | Yes |
| Multisport activities | Yes |
| Strava/Garmin Live Segments | Yes |
| Advanced running dynamics | Yes, with compatible accessory |
| Lactate threshold | Yes, with compatible accessory |
| PacePro | Yes |
| Race predictor | Yes |
Garmin Instinct
Specifications for runners - Instinct
| GPS, Galileo and GLONASS | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Wrist based heart rate monitor | Yes |
| Body Battery | Yes |
| Live tracking and incident detection | Only live tracking |
| Footpod compatible | Yes |
| External HR compatible | Yes |
| Garmin Courses | Yes |
| Maps and navigation | No |
| Music | No |
| VO2 Max | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes |
| HRV stress test | No |
| Battery power modes | No |
| Training status | No |
| Training load | No |
| Training focus | No |
| Training effect | No |
| Multisport activities | No |
| Strava/Garmin Live Segments | No |
| Advanced running dynamics | No |
| Lactate threshold | No |
| PacePro | No |
| Race predictor | No |
Complete comparison chart
Specifications for runners - Summary
| Functionality | 45 / 245 | Instinct | Vivoactive 4 | 945 / Fenix 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPS, Galileo and GLONASS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No | No | Yes | No |
| Wrist based heart rate monitor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Body Battery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live tracking and incident detection | Yes | Only live tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Footpod compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| External HR compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Courses | 245 only | Yes | No | Yes |
| Maps and navigation | No | No | No | 945 and Pro/Plus version only |
| Music | 245 Music only | No | Yes | 945 and Pro/Plus version only |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HRV stress test | No | No | No | Yes, with compatible accesory |
| Battery power modes | No | No | No | Fenix only |
| Training status | 245 only | No | No | Yes |
| Training load | 245 only | No | No | Yes |
| Training focus | No | No | No | Yes |
| Training effect | 245 only | No | No | Yes |
| Multisport activities | No | No | No | Yes |
| Strava/Garmin Live Segments | No | No | No | Yes |
| Advanced running dynamics | 245 only, with compatibly accessory | No | No | Yes, with compatible accesory |
| Lactate threshold | No | No | No | Yes, with compatible accesory |
| PacePro | 245 only | No | No | Yes |
| Race predictor | 245 only | No | No | Yes |