10 Best Running Music Player 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a feature-packed GPS running smartwatch designed for active individuals who love to listen to music on the go. It’s lightweight and comes in two sizes (46 mm and 41 mm), making it comfortable for running. The always-on, full-color display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, which is great for outdoor activities. With up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode, it’s reliable for long runs and extended use without frequent charging.

The watch has 4 GB of storage, allowing you to download up to 500 songs from platforms like Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer, which can be paired seamlessly with wireless headphones for a phone-free experience. This should suffice for most runners' music library needs, although heavy music listeners might find the storage capacity a bit limiting. Durability is a strong suit of this smartwatch, as it’s designed to withstand various running conditions.

It also offers advanced features such as HRV status, sleep monitoring, personalized training tips, and adaptive workouts, which are useful for serious runners looking to improve their performance. However, some features require additional accessories like the Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Pro, which could be a downside for those not looking to spend extra. The proprietary operating system might also limit third-party app compatibility. Despite these minor cons, the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music stands out for its comprehensive fitness and music functionalities, making it an excellent choice for runners who want a well-rounded device to enhance their workouts.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a lightweight running smartwatch designed to be a strong companion for your fitness routines. Weighing just 1.38 ounces, it is comfortable to wear during long runs. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours with GPS, ensuring it lasts through extended training sessions. With 4GB of storage capacity, you can download and listen to music directly from the watch, supporting phone-free listening through wireless headphones, which is great for focused runs.

The colorful AMOLED display and ease of navigation with both touchscreen and traditional button controls make it user-friendly, even during intense workouts. Additionally, the watch is equipped with various training metrics and recovery insights to help you optimize your fitness regime. It also includes safety features like incident detection and Assistance, which can send your live location to emergency contacts, providing peace of mind when running outdoors. However, the need for subscription services to access music playlists may be a drawback for some users.

The smartwatch also offers smart notifications, contactless payments with Garmin Pay, and multiple built-in activity profiles, making it versatile for various sports. While it performs excellently for running and general fitness, the dependency on smartphone pairing for some features and the relatively limited storage capacity might be limitations for users looking for more standalone functionality and more extensive music storage.

The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music running smartwatch is a versatile and well-rounded device designed with runners in mind. Weighing just 38.5 grams, it’s lightweight and comfortable to wear during long runs. With a battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and 6 hours in GPS mode with music, it offers decent endurance for regular training sessions but might require frequent charging for marathon runners or long-distance enthusiasts.

The storage capacity is substantial, allowing you to sync with music streaming services like Spotify, making it convenient to carry your favorite tunes on the go. Its durability is bolstered by materials like Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for the lens and fiber-reinforced polymer for the bezel, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of outdoor activities. The silicone strap adds to its durability and comfort. The device is user-friendly with intuitive buttons and a clear 1.2-inch display, though the Garmin OS might take some getting used to if you're new to Garmin products. Compatibility with Bluetooth headphones adds to the convenience, allowing for a wire-free running experience.

Advanced training features, such as evaluating your training status and providing adaptive training plans, are excellent for runners looking to optimize their performance. The added safety feature of incident detection is a bonus, offering peace of mind by sending your real-time location to emergency contacts. While it excels in many areas, the need for additional accessories to unlock some advanced running dynamics might be seen as a drawback for some users. In summary, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a solid choice for runners seeking a reliable, music-capable smartwatch with comprehensive training features.