Last updated on December 1st, 2022 at 03:08 pm
For trail and road runners alike, finding a way to listen to music while running can be difficult. However, GPS watches can help with music as well as compiling health data and location. So, in this post we compare various running watches on their ability to help you listen to music on your next run. The best GPS running watches with music are capable of holding music files and offer a long battery life.
The Top Running Watches That Play Music
A lot of GPS watches aimed at runners now come with music streaming capabilities. Or, at the very least they offer space to store a large number of songs. So, with many options, you can listen to tunes even when you are out of service. After reviewing and researching the best music playing GPS devices on the market here are our favorites:
Best Music Playing GPS Watch: Garmin Forerunner 945
Second Best Music Playing GPS Watch: Garmin fenix 5x Plus
Third Best (and our budget pick!) Music Playing GPS Watch: Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music
Comparison Table of GPS Running Watches with Music
First, we breakdown of all of the watches we evaluated along with key data points in this table. And while other product characteristics could have been included, our main focus for the purpose of this post is music capabilities. We’ll dive into our top three further on. However, you can see all of our other contenders here.
| Picture | Name / Link | Songs | Battery Life While Listening | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 
|
Garmin Forerunner 945 | 1000 | Up to 10 Hours | $$$ |
 
|
Garmin fenix 5x Plus | 1000 | Up to 13 Hours | $$$ |
 
|
Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music | 500 | 5 Hours | $ |
 
|
Garmin Vivoactive 4 | 500 | 5-6 Hours | $$ |
 
|
Garmin Venu | 500 | 6 Hours | $$ |
 
|
Garmin Forerunner 645 Music | 500 | 5 Hours | $$+ |
 
|
Apple Watch 8 | 250 | About 5 Hours | $$+ |
Below we go in-depth for our three favorite GPS watches for streaming music. And, we discuss syncing ability, song capacity, and battery life while playing music.
Our Favorite GPS Running Watch with Music: Garmin Forerunner 945
Firstly, if you want to store a lot of songs the Garmin Forerunner 945 is our favorite.
Now, while this watch has a higher price point (as you might expect), it is able to hold up to 1000 songs, which is definitely at the top of the list for GPS watches that can play music.
Additionally, its battery life, ease of use, GPS accuracy, and premium features make this the best music playing GPS watch.
Syncing with Music Streaming Services
Importantly, not all watches work as seamlessly with popular streaming services, but the Garmin Forerunner 945 does.
In fact, the Forerunner 945 easily syncs your running playlists from Spotify and Deezer.
And all you need to do is pair the watch with a compatible Smartphone (iPhone or Android).
Plus, not only can you sync with your favorite streaming service, you can also transfer songs directly from your computer to your watch.
For instance, you can store up to 1,000 songs directly on the Forerunner 945.
With this watch it really is as easy as creating a playlist before your run, and queueing it up through the watch.
WiFi and Bluetooth Capabilities
Like many of the other top GPS watches on the market, the Garmin Forerunner 945 has WiFi capabilities.
In fact, this allows you to easily transfer music and for periodic syncing running data for your Garmin app at home.
Additionally, the Bluetooth connectivity is particularly reliable with the Forerunner 945. As a result, the Forerunner 945 allows you to connect to quality Bluetooth earbuds for your run.
In fact, if you are looking for highly regarded earbuds compatible with this watch, you should check out the Jaybird Vista True Wireless Bluetooth Waterproof Earbuds.
Additionally, one major benefit of selecting a GPS watch with Bluetooth capabilities is that you can more realistically leave your phone at home.
A good pair of Bluetooth headphones and the Forerunner 945 make you lighter since you can leave your phone behind.
Awesome Battery Life While Music is Playing
Furthermore, music streaming or storage usually saps your GPS battery quickly.
However, of the GPS watches we compared, the Forerunner 945 has the best battery life while playing music.
In fact, the Forerunner 945 has approximately 10 hours of operation while using its music capabilities.
Impressively, theForerunner 945 provides nearly double the battery life when compared against other music playing GPS Watches on the market.
Why is the Forerunner 945 our favorite music streaming GPS Watch
In addition to possessing all the main qualities a music playing GPS watch needs, it tends to be less costly than some of the other GPS watches with tons of music storage and battery life.
Furthermore, the Forerunner 945 features reliable, quick connection to GPS for accurate location. Plus, it has a great pulse oximeter for all day stats.
Check out more information, including additional pictures, technical specs, and current pricing here: Garmin Forerunner 945.
Our Runner-up GPS Running Watch with Music: Garmin fenix 5X Plus
Next, if you want a watch that can store a lot of songs, but also has a battery that will outlast the rest while streaming music, the Garmin fenix 5x Plus is a great find.
In fact, with a battery that lasts up to 13 hours while streaming music this watch is among the best.
Plus, the fenix 5X features capacity for storing 1,000 songs (source).
In fact, the only reason the Garmin fenix 5x Plus is our second place watch is that we found that our top-ranked, Garmin fenix 5X Plus possesses nearly all the same qualities but usually for about a hundred dollars less.
Furthermore, the fenix 5X Plus is also one of the best all-around GPS watches on the market.
Syncing and Music Playing Capabilities
The fenix 5X Plus allows for easy syncing with Spotify and Deezer. Plus, it is compatible with your iPhone or Android Smartphone.
In addition to syncing with premium streaming services, you can also transfer songs directly from your computer to your watch.
According to the Garmin website, you can store up to 1,000 songs directly on the Garmin fenix 5X Plus.
Plus, it is very simple to set-up playlist, queue songs up, and prepare for a long-distance run with this watch.
Reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Capabilities
Luckily, the connectivity issues that exist for some GPS watches do not exist with the Garmin fenix 5X Plus.
This GPS watch is among the best when it comes to finding and maintaining consistent connections with WiFi and Bluetooth.
A solid Bluetooth connection becomes increasingly important when on the trails, and the connection consistency of the Garmin fenix 5X is top of the line.
Listen to playlists and transition seamlessly between songs without spotty headphone connections and connectivity issues.
GPS Watch with the Best Battery Life While Streaming Music
The extended battery life while streaming music might just be the attribute that sets this watch apart from the rest.
In fact, the fenix 5X Plus has the best battery life for all the music playing GPS Watches we compared.
For instance, the felix 5X Plus runs up to 13 hours while playing music.
Who is the Garmin fenix 5X Plus GPS Watch Best for?
If you’re looking for a music playing GPS watch, and you have it in your budget to buy the fenix 5X Plus I would wholeheartedly recommend it. You can get comparable specs from some other watches on the market, but time and time again the Garmin fenix 5X Plus has slightly better specs that may be worth the additional cost if you can afford it.
Check out more information, including pictures, technical specifications, and current pricing, here: Garmin fenix 5X Plus.
Our Third Place: Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music
Lastly, another favorite that rose to the top is the Garmin Vivoactive3 Music. And, there is a reason the word music is in the name.
The Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music provides all of the major music playing requirements of a good music-focused GPS watch.
However, this watch really becomes one of our favorites because of its price, as it can be found for nearly half the price of our other top-rated music playing GPS watches.
Furthermore, this watch features a full-color display, Garmin Pay capabilities, and up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
As a result, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music is a great GPS watch for running and wearing all day.
So, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music should be on everyone’s shortlist when it comes to music-centric GPS watches.
Syncing and Music Playing Capabilities
Firstly, just like the other high-quality GPS watches that play music, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music has seamless connectivity.
Plus, pair your watch directly with your iPhone or Android, and you will be able to receive messages directly on your watch. And, for Android users you will even be able to respond to messages on your watch.
Additionally, connecting to your phone, and syncing with your favorite streaming services are easy with the Vivoactive 3.
In fact, the Vivoactiv 3 Music stores 500 songs, which is plenty of space to create playlists, and queue them up for your run.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Capabilities
Furthermore, connecting to WiFi is easy and the Vivoactive 3 Music is a Bluetooth ready.
Connect to your phone, or to a great pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.
As mentioned previously, we are big fans of the Jaybird Vista True Wireless Bluetooth Sport Waterproof Earbuds. However, any Bluetooth earbuds can connect to the Vivoactive 3 Music.
Average Battery Life While Streaming Music
Now, most of the GPS watches we compared for this post have a battery life while streaming music of around 5 or 6 hours.
So, with 5 hours of battery life while music streaming, the Vivoactive3 Music meets the average running time.
However, for anyone running and training less than 5 hours, this watch can save you some serious dough.
It does need to be stated that some other options have much better battery life compared to this watch. However, you will pay a lot more for longer life and higher music capacity.
If you want the best battery life while streaming music, check out the Garmin Forerunner 945 or the Garmin fenix5X Plus.
But, if 5 hours is sufficient and you want to save a significant amount of money the Garmin vivoactive 3 Music is a great choice.
Who is the Garmin vivoactive 3 Music Ideal For?
The Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music is ideal for those wanting awesome music playing capability, and a great watch, but on a budget.
Check out more information, including current pricing, styles and more pictures, here: Garmin vivoactive 3 Music
Criteria for Selecting The Best GPS Watch with Music
All GPS watches are designed to work as a tool for collecting health and training data while being lightweight and functional. And, for trail and road runners this translates to a quality distance, speed, and elevation tracker. In fact, from my perspective, there is no point in including a watch with great music capabilities if it doesn’t deliver on a race watches’ core purpose.
With exercise functionality in mind, we evaluated eaach watch using the following guiding questions:
- Can the GPS watch execute its core function well?
- How many songs can the GPS watch hold?
- Can the GPS watch stream via popular streaming services?
- How does playing music on the GPS watch impact battery life?
So, we hope our deep dive into the specifics of our top three favorite GPS watches with music playing capabilities was helpful.
Dust Off Your Warmup Playlist
While there are a number of high-quality GPS brands, Garmin is the clear winner as far as the brand offering the most GPS watches that stream music. They have consistently provided various watch lines with different price points in order to try and create watch options for a wide variety of consumers.
Apple, as a music centric brand, has done its best to push forward with their Apple Watches, which all have some form of GPS activity tracking, and decent battery life capabilities.
However, at this time even the best Apple watch seems to hover right around the mid-range Garmin brand GPS running watches with music.
This is a testament to Garmin in their ability to put such functional tools on the wrists of athletes around the world.
So, gather your most optimal playlist and get ready for an epic run with heightened morale.
Image Credit: Aaron Yoo | ( source) | Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0) | — Reduced file size and cropped
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