Skip to main content

Garmin’s Forerunner 645 Music lets runners listen to tunes, no phone required

Are you tired of bringing your phone along so you can listen to music while you run? Now you can leave it at home and just wear your smartwatch, thanks to Garmin‘s Forerunner 645 Music. The company’s first watch with integrated music allows athletes to enjoy their favorite tunes during a run or a workout without having to haul their phones along with them. It also boasts features like Garmin Pay, a contactless payment solution that means you can leave your cash and credit cards at home as well.

The Forerunner 645 Music features considerable music storage — up to 500 songs — and allows you to download offline playlists. You can log on to iHeartRadio or another popular music streaming service and search for your favorite playlist, or transfer music directly from your computer to your watch. Pair the Forerunner 645 Music with a pair of compatible Bluetooth headphones (sold separately), lace up your running shoes, and hit the streets or trails.

The Forerunner 645 Music is integrated with similar high-end fitness features sported by previous Forerunner models. Firstbeat provides extensive training features that allow users to track their fitness level and evaluate the effectiveness of their workout sessions. Runners can clip the Runners Dynamics Pod to their waistbands to view important running vitals including cadence, stride length, and ground contact time. Swimmers can hit the pool and track distance, pace, and stroke. Built-in GPS and GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) allow you to track where you’ve gone — no phone connection required. The Forerunner 645 Music also provides for 24/7 heart rate monitoring.

This watch also sends smart notifications and has extensive connectivity features. You can stay in touch with the rest of the world with Garmin Connect, even while you’re on the go. When paired with a compatible smartphone, the watch automatically uploads data to the online fitness community so that you can track workouts or compete against friends. LiveTrack allows your friends to follow your run in real time, and you’re also able to view text messages, emails, and social media updates directly from your wrist. The Connect IQ store allows for individual customization of apps, widgets, and data fields.

The Forerunner 645 Music has been upgraded to feature a metal bezel, chemically strengthened glass, and interchangeable bands. The smartwatch mode provides for 7 hours of battery life; in the GPS music mode, users can expect about 5 hours of battery life. The Forerunner 645 Music with a black or cerise band will retail for $450.

Editors' Recommendations

Amanda Ellis
Amanda is an outdoor junkie and digital nomad with an insatiable hunger for gear. Based out of Raleigh, NC she travels to…
The best golf apps for iPhone and Android: 8 best ones in 2023
smart golf club

If you play golf, then it's likely you live and breathe golf, and like everyone else, you're probably always looking to improve your game. Hiring a coach and other methods are great ways to improve, but have you considered starting out by downloading an app? Golfing apps are some of the most advanced applications out there and make heavy use of artificial intelligence and GPS to both track your movements and analyze your swing. Golf apps can track an enormous amount of data about the way you play and can help you to turn those bogeys into birdies. Here are the best golf apps for iPhones and Android phones.

Looking for more useful apps? Check out our lists of the best Android apps and best iPhone apps you can download today.

Read more
Goal Zero’s new Skylight is an LED palm tree for emergencies
A Goal Zero Skylight shining LEDs lights into a darkened hallway.

Goal Zero is expanding its lighting range today with a backup LED system called the Skylight. The Goal Zero Skylight is an all-in-one set that includes a 33Wh battery built in and six LED panels that can blast out 6,000 lumens all told.

There are four brightness settings available, if that much light is overkill for your needs, and the panels can angle outwards as needed to cover a larger area. Combined with the 12 feet of telescoping available from the tripod, you can cover quite the range with visibility. A handle with a one-button release allows you to quickly deploy the Skylight for outdoor work or play, and stakes stored in the legs give you the option to keep it in place. A dedicated spool stows the charging cable when you're not using it, and a carrying case is included to store and move the whole kit.

Read more
The best electric bikes for 2023
Aventon Pace 500.3 with rider on it

Whether you're wondering what the fuss is all about with e-bikes, or you're an enthusiast shopping for a new model, the options have never been broader. There is an e-bike for just about anyone who wants to try electric two-wheeling, whether you want to spend $500 or $5,000. Using e-bikes for commuting is an eminently practical and cost-saving alternative form of transport for some people, but most riders choose e-bikes for fun and adventure.

Here are eight of the best e-bikes available today, from our favorite overall pick to more specialized choices for every type of rider, whether you're looking for something fast, portable, and just more affordable.

Read more