10 Best Running Music Player 2026 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a lightweight and user-friendly running smartwatch designed to support your workouts while letting you enjoy music without your phone. It features a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen that’s easy to navigate, combined with traditional buttons for quick control, which helps usability in different conditions. With up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 19 hours when using GPS, it offers lasting performance for long training sessions or multi-day use.

The 4GB of storage allows you to download playlists from popular music services like Spotify and Amazon Music, so you can run without carrying your phone. At just 1.38 ounces, it’s comfortable to wear without feeling bulky, which is great for runners. Connectivity is strong, offering Bluetooth for headphones and your smartphone, plus Garmin Pay for contactless payments on the go.

It also provides useful training features such as personalized workout suggestions, recovery insights, and safety options like incident detection. While the watch is sturdy enough for regular runs, it may not be as rugged as specialized outdoor watches if you plan to use it in extreme conditions. Additionally, some features like incident alerts require a connected smartphone with network coverage. This watch suits runners who want a balanced combination of music, training support, and smart features in a compact, stylish package.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a smart choice for runners who want a reliable music player with advanced training features in one lightweight device. Its battery life is impressive, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours with GPS active, so you won’t need to charge it frequently—even during long runs or multi-day activities. It holds up to 500 songs, which you can sync from popular services like Spotify or Amazon Music, allowing you to listen without carrying your phone. The watch is also quite light (just 1.7 ounces) and slim, making it comfortable to wear during workouts. The 1.3-inch full-color screen is easy to read outdoors thanks to its always-on display.

In terms of connectivity, it pairs with Bluetooth headphones and syncs data via Bluetooth or USB, providing good flexibility. Garmin’s sports and training features, like daily workout suggestions, heart rate variability tracking, and adaptive training plans, provide valuable insights beyond just music playback. However, the storage capacity of 4 GB, while sufficient for music, may feel limited if you want to add many other apps or files.

The watch is sweat-resistant and built to handle regular running conditions, but it’s not specifically marketed as highly rugged for extreme environments. For users mostly focused on a dedicated running music player with smart training help, this device fits well, though those seeking a simpler music-only player might find it more than needed and possibly pricier.

The Garmin Forerunner 945 is a feature-packed GPS running and triathlon smartwatch that comes with music capabilities. At a lightweight 1.8 ounces, it's easy to wear during long runs or intense workouts. It offers excellent battery life, lasting up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 10 hours in GPS mode with music, making it highly reliable for extended training sessions. With 8 GB of storage capacity, there's ample space to download songs and playlists from services like Spotify and Amazon Music, although a premium subscription may be required for some services. The watch is built to handle tough conditions, ensuring durability through various activities, thanks to its robust design and water resistance.

Its full-color display and onboard maps are user-friendly, making it easy to navigate while running. Additionally, the Forerunner 945 is compatible with Bluetooth headphones, allowing for a wire-free music experience. On the downside, the watch's advanced performance monitoring features might be overwhelming for casual runners and more suitable for serious athletes. The necessity to pair with a compatible smartphone for safety features like incident detection could be a limitation for users looking for standalone functionality. The integration of Garmin Pay adds convenience but is dependent on the support of your bank.

In summary, the Garmin Forerunner 945 is an exceptional choice for dedicated runners and triathletes who need a durable, feature-rich smartwatch with music capabilities, although it might offer more than necessary for casual users.