Running watch reccomendations

[Ayano21]

I am currently running with a Samsung watch active 2 but I'm not too sure on its accuracy. I'm thinking of treating myself to a new watch for Christmas and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? Hoping to stay under £250!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

I have a Garmin 45S.

And I have to say if it broke today then i would go and buy exactly the same watch again .

But I guess it depends what you want from it .

Just looked on Amazon now and it's down to £122.

[Ayano21 in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you so much! It looks like Garmin is the unanimous recommendation! ☺

[Hidden]

Garmin, not going to suggest a specific watch, but Garmin is thé brand for sports watches. I myself have a smartwatch with sportsfunctions (VivoActive 4S) and am verrry satisfied with it. Bought a perlon strap for it and you can't see I am wearing a sportswatch. I wear it 24/7 as it also records 24/7 heartrate, stress, sleep, breathing, etc.

[Ayano21 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I was leaning towards a garmin so feeling pretty glad that its been the only recommendation 😊

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

It’s got to be Garmin!☺️ I also have the Garmin Forerunner 45S.

amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Unisex-...

As Instructor57 says, it depends what you want from it - and you do have the budget to look at more expensive options should you need or want to! Good luck.🙂

[Ayano21 in reply to Sandraj39]

Aw thank you for the recommendation. It's looks like I'll be getting a Garmin so will have a look at what the different models offer 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Another firm vote for Garmin. I currently use the Vivoactive 3, but I also have my Forerunner 235 out on “loan” to my daughter!

Both awesome watches, but the VA3 caters for more activities, whereas the Forerunner is targeted at running for the most part. Both mid range watches.

Have fun choosing one. 😃

[Ayano21 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Amazing, thank you so much! Will have a look at the two models, there's so much to choose from! 🤯😊

[nowster Graduate10]

If you mainly want it for running, then the Garmin Forerunner series is probably your best match. The 45 is currently £109 on Amazon. The 45S is the smaller variant.

amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q17VZG8/

There's also the more recent Forerunner 55 at £129. amazon.co.uk/dp/B0953X73TP/

I'd suggest either over the Vivoactive3 I have.

Buttons have a great advantage over a touchscreen, and the battery life is considerably better.

I'd suggest it's not worth going for one with music storage on as you're likely to be taking your phone with you anyway for safety reasons.

[Ayano21 in reply to nowster]

Thank you for the advice! It would be mainly for running so it's useful to know that the forerunner would be more suitable 😊

[Hidden]

Another vote for Garmin. I have the Forerunner 245. Great watch and superb battery life.

[Ayano21 in reply to Hidden]

Amazing, thank you! It's reassuring to see that people are recommending the watches that I was already considering 😊

[Cmoi Graduate10]

I'm yet another with a Garmin Forerunner 45S. Very glad I didn't get a more expensive model as I only wear mine for running, and can't be bothered to find out most of what it could do!

[Ayano21 in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you for the recommendation 😊 I think Garmin is the obvious winner here. But i agree, it's hard to gauge exactly which features are a need and which are not!

[Post-Op-Jogger]

Garmin - I love mine.

[Ayano21 in reply to Post-Op-Jogger]

Thank you 😁 Garmin it is!

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10]

A "luxury" Garmin option which costs a bit more is the 245 Music, currently available for around £200 from the likes of Argos. Very happy with mine, as I was with the Garmin 235 I relied upon previously.

Advantage of the 245 Music for me, is that I don't need to carry a smartphone when out running, but still have music playing through my ears (via Aftershokz Aeropex / Earfun Pro 2.0 over Bluetooth).

[Ayano21 in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

Thank you! Definitely been eyeing up the 245 music 👀 it looks like one of the only watches that work with Spotify offline, is this a feature that you have tried out/reccomend?

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10 in reply to Ayano21]

Yes, absolutely - I was already a Spotify subscriber. I'd tried other music services but preferred Spotify, so being able to run it on the watch was key for me.

As Spotify automatically generates and updates playlists for me based upon my listening, I downloaded my Daily Mixes, Discovery and Release Radar, and some "Artist Radio" playlists. When I recharge the watch every few days I use a feature on the watch to "Update Downloads" which changes the music so I never get bored with it. I also have fixed playlists and albums stored on the watch.

One thing I had to be aware of was which Bluetooth headphones the Garmin works with. For example I have Sony WF1000-XM3 which apparently do not work well, but it's fine with my Aftershokz and Earfun. Google was my friend in checking this out.

[Ayano21 in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

Amazing, thank you so much for your help 😁

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I have the vivoactive 4s Willow has the 645 music I prefer the touch screen but as i’ve had mine a couple years it might just be it’s what i’m used to but any harm in is worth having

[Ayano21 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you Willow and Sola, I currently have a touchscreen watch but I'm eyeing up a non touch screen watch so hoping it won't be too much of a transition! 🤞

[Reggit Graduate10]

Forerunner 245 for me - there seems to be good offers on the slightly older Garmin models at the minute.I usually get upgrade fever, however the 245 does exactly what I need and is reliable, so it’s staying.

It’s definitely more catered to running, but is fine with cycling (I’m not a big cyclist, so can’t say how it compares to the more serious cycling computers).

[Ayano21 in reply to Reggit]

I tend to get tempted with newer models too so thank you for the recommendation. I think I've settled on the 245! 😊

[njd967]

I bought through g.eu.factoryoutletstore.com which offers factory refurbished models making your budget go a lot further. Still get a 2 year warranty as well. Hope this helps.

[Ayano21 in reply to njd967]

Thank you so much, will have a look at the shop 😊

[Tattoosteve]

I use a Garmin forerunner 645, I went for this model as you can load your own music on it. Links with strava and other apps. Very happy with it and under £200

[Ayano21 in reply to Tattoosteve]

Thank you! I've been trying to decide between the 245 and 645!

[LadyAlba]

I've just bought a Garmin Forerunner 45 from Decathlon. Delivered next day free if charge. Only slightly more expensive than a more well know but extremely morally dubious retailer 😉 absolutely love it. Didn't want music or frills, just running and easy linking to Strava. The watch face is well set out and makes it easy to see where you are at while on the run. I love the fact that you can programme intervals as I'm trying to build up my distances. It is also really light and comfortable to wear given that it looks quite big.

[orangeguy Graduate10]

I have a Forerunner 30 which I think is a cheaper/older model then a lot of the other replies but I would certainly recommend it or any other Garmin watch. I only use it for running and it gives me all the info that I need, and more. Garmin customer service is good in my experience too, I recently had an issue with the V02 Max reports not updating and they fixed it within a day.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Get a Garmin. Whatever you do, go Garmin 😊

[Mormor1 Graduate10]

Vivoactiv 4s for me, no music but otherwise excellent and accurate.

[Markayak Graduate10]

I have a Garmin forerunner 245 which is great.

[Rhedeg57]

I’ve just got my Garmin forerunner 55 online from John Lewis at £129 couldn’t find it anywhere for less. It’s got Which Best Buy. Check the reviews it’s generally well received and big plus on location accuracy. I’m off for my run.

[Folkylass Administrator]

I have a Garmin forerunner 25. So I would say Garmin all the way! However I don’t use it much now if at all .as I have Strava app on my iPhone so I just use that. They are selling on Amazon £80 . It has GPS and tracks calories, pace and distance and uses Bluetooth. It all depends on what you want really. However I would say that on the Garmin site it is £119.😀👍

[Snail_Male]

I had a Samsung Watch and tbh it met most needs. But eventually I treated myself to a Garmin Instinct Solar and now I wear it all the time.

Its not pretty and is bulky but has lots of nice features, but mostly I like not recharging it more than once a fortnight or less. And the bulkiness reminds me that I should be running!

[anthonykell100]

I have a Garmin Forerunner 35 which I find great for £80ish.

[Yesletsgo Graduate10]

My choice was between the Garmin 45 or 45s. I have very slim wrists (unlike the rest of me lol) and was worried it would be too big but I wanted a red strap which wasn't available with the 45s. I needn't have worried, it's fine, very comfortable.I'm a fan of chunky watches, can't stand the fact that the 'ladies' get tiny illegible watch faces and limited functionality compared to men.

Smashing the patriarchy one watch at a time 😂

[John_W Graduate10]

Alternatives to Garmin would be Polar and Coros.

[Rhedeg57]

Wiggle have sale on from today. Garmin Forerunner 55 down to £129