10 Best Running Music Player 2025 in the United States

The AiMoonsa 64GB MP3 Player is a solid choice for runners who want to carry a large music collection without relying on a phone. Its 64GB storage is quite generous, allowing thousands of songs, and it supports expandable TF cards up to 256GB. Bluetooth 5.2 offers a stable wireless connection with improved range and lower power use, helpful for pairing with wireless earbuds while running. The built-in HD speaker is a neat bonus if you prefer not to use earphones, though for running, earphones (included) are likely better for sound quality and privacy.

Weighing just 70 grams and slim at 3.6 x 1.7 x 0.35 inches, it’s lightweight and pocket-friendly, minimizing bulk during workouts. The zinc alloy build adds some durability. The user interface is simple, featuring touch buttons with backlight, making it easy to navigate even in low light. Multifunction features like FM radio, voice recorder, and e-book support add versatility but are less relevant for running.

This MP3 player combines good storage capacity, solid sound quality, and convenient wireless connectivity into a compact, easy-to-use device, making it a practical option for runners who prioritize music on the go.

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 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.