Running Watch Reviews/Suggestions 🤔

[PhoenixRise]

Hey up runners! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

I’m looking at treating myself to a watch via an auction site (thanks for the suggestion lmc50! 😉) and I’m seeking suggestions ....

Apple Watch ⌚️ Garmin or Fitbit? 🤷‍♂️

I run with downloaded podcasts as preference and use both Strava and NRC apps. I listen to podcasts via Bluetooth headphones 🎧 and iPhone 📱

I’m going to get a Freetrain harness for my 📱 so I would like to be able to control everything from the watch for ease on the move ....

I like stats and I’m looking forward to actually knowing my resting/maximum heart rate 🤭

With all this in mind - what watch would be the best option? Answers below ⬇️

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I'd suggest a Garmin just from the fact I use and own the forerunner 235, but I think with my model, you can't download music etc to it, but I can control music if I've my phone with me 👍

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Garmin all the way and if you can afford it, check out reviews for music ones, mine is a vivoactive 4s and willow’s is a forerunner 645 both perfect for what we want them for Whatever you get have fun in your search

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

It's a Garmin for me !I use a forerunner 45s and love it

😁

[Catho78 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Me too, love it

[Reggit Graduate10]

I started off with a Fitbit charge 4 however I found it’s GPS very slow to lock and would occasionally crash mid run meaning you lost the track.

Upgraded to a Garmin Forerunner 245 on a recommendation and love it. I don’t run with music, however there is a ‘music’ variant of the newer models which store your music on board (and I think stream via Bluetooth, however check that out)

Battery life on the garmin is excellent in my opinion, using the gps to track 3-4hours a week, I’d guesstimate that it lasts around 5-6 days (the Fitbit was 2-3 days)

[RacingintheStreet Graduate10]

Garmin 45 for me , suits my needs and I like the buttons , I’d be lethal with a touchscreen 😂😂😱😱. This model , you can’t download music to the watch but I seem to have everything I need between the watch and the phone .Garmin links to Strava and I use NRC too .

Enjoy choosing and treating yourself 👌😁

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Garmin all the way.I got the Vivoactive 3 (the latest model is a 4 I think) as I wanted something to track my swims. It has a touchscreen as opposed to some models which you operate via buttons on the watch. I can control music/podcasts on my phone via a widget on the watch assuming you have bluetooth turned on, but there's also a music version that stores music on the watch.

[PhoenixRise Graduate10]

You don’t all work for Garmin do you?! 🤭 They are clearly in the lead by a long mile!

I’ve had a quick look and compared potential budget with personal taste - narrowed down to a Forerunner 45 or a Venu Sq 🤷‍♂️

🤔

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to PhoenixRise]

I ran many years ago and garmin was possibly the only sports watch and i dreamed of owning one thinking they were fir real athletes, they were well out of my price range, then along came fitbit and i bought loved upgraded again and again but the young runner that’s inside me always yearned for a garmin, and i think that a lot of people use garmin because of lots of reasons I wanted one that meant i could listen to music without carrying my phone, then i dropped and smashed my phone on new year’s day.... I love my garmin

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Garmin Forerunner 235. 🥰

I played with my husband’s redundant Vivoactive 3 for a few runs but didn’t really get on with it, although it accommodates more sports than mine. The FR is perfect, in fact it does more than I need really. I don’t think you can beat Garmin for running.

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Garmin Forerunner 45s. I love it. Bought mine after graduating C25k back in April. It has everything I need from a running watch and more. GPS is very accurate. I like to take my phone when I run, so have it for podcasts/music, but I can control that from my watch too if I want, just haven’t bothered yet.

If I had to buy again, I’d buy exactly the same.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’ve got the Garmin FR35 but I’d probably buy the 45 now. I wouldn’t buy a touchscreen model as pressing a choice of buttons is much easier while running.

[00marks Graduate10]

I think it depends on how much you want to spend and how many features you need. Previous posters have mentioned the Garmin Forerunner series and I'd agree. The Forerunner 45 is a good entry level smartwatch. I got a Forerunner 245 off ebay and the cost ended up mid way between a new 45 and new 245. Good luck.

[Dups Graduate10]

I’ve got Fitbit, my husband has apple and garmin. He uses that when he road cycles and records all sorts. He spends a good ten minutes going through all the stats 😂

Fingers crossed Santa fetches me a Garmin Forerunner🎅