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 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.

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.