10 Best Gps Running Watch With Music 2025 in the United States

The Fitbit Versa 4 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a GPS running watch that offers music storage and playback, along with a variety of fitness tracking features. One of its standout strengths is the built-in GPS, which delivers reliable accuracy for tracking your runs and outdoor activities. With over 40 exercise modes and 24/7 heart rate monitoring, it caters well to fitness enthusiasts who value detailed workout metrics.

In terms of music, the Versa 4 allows you to store and play music directly from the watch, making it convenient for those who prefer to run without their phone. The watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, enhancing its durability and allowing you to swim or shower with it. Battery life is impressive, lasting over 6 days, which is great for users who don’t want to charge their device frequently. The user interface is touch-friendly and easy to navigate, which is a plus for those who might not be very tech-savvy.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. While the watch does support music, it may lack integration with certain streaming services, which could limit options for music playback. Additionally, the GPS signal can sometimes struggle in heavily wooded areas, potentially affecting tracking accuracy during runs in such environments. The watch's reliance on the Fitbit app for deeper insights might be a hurdle for some users. While the watch is quite versatile, it may not have as robust a feature set as some specialized running watches, particularly for serious athletes focused solely on performance metrics.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a strong choice for runners who want reliable GPS tracking combined with music playback right on their wrist. Its built-in GPS offers accurate pace and distance measurement, which is essential for training. The watch supports music downloads from popular services like Spotify and Amazon Music, allowing phone-free listening when paired with wireless headphones. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and about 19 hours with GPS active, so it can handle long runs and everyday use without frequent charging. Heart rate monitoring is wrist-based and works continuously, providing useful training and recovery insights to help optimize workouts. The colorful AMOLED touchscreen is bright and clear, complemented by physical buttons for easy control even while running. It’s lightweight and compact, making it comfortable to wear during activities.

The watch is water-resistant, suitable for sweaty runs and light swimming, though it’s not designed for deep-water sports. Connectivity options include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, ensuring smooth syncing with smartphones and music services. Safety features like incident detection add an extra layer of security outdoors but require a connected smartphone. Garmin Pay support is a handy feature for contactless payments on the go. The watch includes over 25 activity profiles beyond running, making it versatile for different workouts. While the watch excels in usability and training features, some may find the 4GB music storage limiting if they want to carry large music libraries offline. Also, advanced runners seeking more detailed GPS metrics might desire more sophisticated sensors or mapping functions.

In summary, the Forerunner 165 Music balances accurate tracking, music convenience, and smart features in a user-friendly package that suits most runners looking for motivation and insights during their training.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a strong choice if you're looking for a running watch that combines accurate GPS tracking with useful music features. It uses multi-band GPS technology, which helps keep your location precise even in tricky environments, making it reliable for runners who want trustworthy distance and pace data. With 8 GB of storage, you can easily load your favorite music and listen directly from the watch, freeing you from carrying a phone while running.

Battery life is impressive, offering up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and about 20 hours when using GPS continuously. This means you can go on long runs or multi-day activities without worrying about frequent charging. The watch includes advanced heart rate monitoring and offers detailed training insights like recovery status, sleep quality, and daily workout suggestions, which can help you train smarter.

Its 1.3-inch colorful AMOLED touchscreen makes the display bright and easy to navigate, while physical buttons provide reliable control even during sweaty or wet conditions. The watch is water resistant, suitable for swimming and running in the rain. It also supports smart notifications and contactless payments, adding convenience for everyday use beyond workouts. However, some safety features and notifications require pairing with a smartphone nearby for full functionality. While durable and lightweight, the 46 mm size might feel a bit large for smaller wrists, and the interface that balances touchscreen and buttons might take some getting used to.