Customer Ratings & Reviews

This is a vast improvement from the Forerunner 35. The band is a lot more resistant to breaking. I had to replace the band three times on the 35, and the last break caused me to purchase the 45. I like the body stress, heart rate, and accurate step count. I've only used it for running once, but it does keep accurate stats. I can't figure out the message compatibility, but maybe one day. Battery life is pretty good also, better than the 35. The color screen is also a plus. Menu navigation is pretty simple also. Definitely recommended.

I bought the watch for the GPS and incident detection while bike riding which won't be until spring. My only complaint is not having larger sizes for the wrist bands.

I bought this for my nephew in the Philippines. He’s been wanting a Garmin watch because he likes to go walking, running or bike riding. In his own words, “I’m lovin’ it!”

Great watch for a mid level runner. You can build your own custom workout. I created my own running routine in the app. Very accurate GPS.

I have used it for 2 months before review. Good watch. Very accurate, comfortable and easy to use. Long battery life, up to 7 days if not using gps. I love the find my phone. Only wish it had blood pressure monitor.

I've been using this watch for a year now, and I like it. It's easy to use, I mostly use it to track activities like running, biking, etc. The GPS options work well. It also works underwater for swimming laps in a pool.

Former marathoner/half-marathoner, getting back into running after almost a 10 year hiatus. I used to have one of those huge, earlier model Garmins that was like a huge block on my wrist, but it was awesome for what it did. I always hated chest straps but like to monitor heart rate during runs. I have an earlier model Mio, which is stylish and great for wrist heart rate alone, but no GPS. Had been using my Iphone for distance and pace, but I hate opening my phone case, finding the app, etc. to check during a run. On training runs, I want to see 4 things and really only 4 things: distance, pace, heart rate and time. And I don't want a chest strap any more. So I researched some (not enough) and settled for the Forerunner 45, knowing that the screens were customizable and, from the photos, it "looked" fairly stylish. I was worried the face would be huge on my wrist, but the pictures are deceiving. The watch face itself is not that big at all. In fact, it is quite small and my wrists are not that big. Unfortunately, the watch band is also small - disproportionately small. It therefore is not very stylish for a man. It seems flimsy and just looks a little weird. That said, it's size and lack of weight make it unobtrusive during a run. The controls are not intuitive but if you can read a guide online, you can figure it out. On a test run, the GPS linked up pretty quick. The wrist heart rate seemed pretty accurate, so the measuring functions seemed okay. The distance was about the same as my Iphone measured. However, the BIG drawbacks are: (1) you can customize the data fields on each running screen BUT YOU ONLY GET A MAX OF THREE DATA FIELDS per screen; and (2) there is no auto-scroll permitting you to move through two screens to get that 4th element of data. This is entirely ridiculous because there is plenty of room for 4 data fields, and non-auto-scrolling is just dumb. (for example, you could make two running screens, one distance, heart rate, pace - and the other distance, time, pace, so only the middle value would change during an auto-scroll - but you can't do that - you have to press a button to change the screen). So, in short, if you want to glance down at your wrist during a run and see time, pace, distance and heart rate - you cannot do it without manipulation. The watch is lightly packed with some other "smartphone" features most people who buy it for running will never use. The treadmill setting is totally inaccurate, particularly if you are not swinging your arms the entire walk or run. There is a calibration setting, but I am skeptical. The battery life seems fine. So, in short, the watch works fine, though a little clunky to set up and manipulate (note 5 buttons - I defy anyone to figure out and remember what they all do). However, it is not a "pure" runner's watch like the older Garmins. The wrist band is WAY to narrow for a man's style and disproportionate to the watch face size. For the price, it is what it is, and I will use this for my runs - not ideal but the best for what I have right now. However, I wish I had been a little more patient and shopped around for something more streamlined for running. If you're someone who is not a quasi-serious runner and are looking for something with those functions and is also a wearable, this might fit the bill. But the key features are the wrist heart rate and GPS, which really only make sense for outdoor runs (or walks), and if you're doing that, you're probably more serious of a runner than this is a running watch.

I was on the search for a watch that was light weight and had a good GPS. This Garmin 45 has been the beat purchase ive made. Battery lasts about 5 days.

Good battery life and very precise. Display a little bit too dim. Very light.

I really like this watch. I am a traditionalist and like the round face. I also like the fack of the buttons., After all it's not like I need a touch screen for something this small and it keeps the smudges off. Battery life is as advertised and all functions seem to be pretty close to accurate. Gps is a great feature built in and works great. For the price best on market. I like this way better than my wife's fitbit versa.

I had to have my Fitbit replaced twice under warranty, decided I needed to check out other options for fitness trackers --- for the price, you can't beat the functionality. The GPS works really well whether I'm just walking the dog around the neighborhood, or riding the bike 40 miles. Garmin's app is really nice, and the website functionality is awesome.

Garmin's lowest end GPS smartwatch. Key reason for purchase is because this is constructed almost entirely out of plastic/resin - which is wonderful for someone with metal skin allergies. Looked at the latest Fitbits and other Garmin's and this was the best option. Ended up returning and purchasing Forerunner 45S (smaller watch face) instead.

I wear this watch just about 24/7— it's fantastic with Strava and Garmin Connect, and the battery life is FAR beyond most Apple and other smartwatches. I can recharge it while I take a shower and that's more than enough to keep it going. MUCH more accurate heartrate and GPS than my previous Forerunner 35, and I like the color display and customization features.

I am very pleased with this watch. I have been using it a lot. Previously I had a fitbit versa which is a good watch too. This is somewhat different. My son likes the fitbit better. Navigating is different because you have to use the buttons and not touch screen for making selections. When you select an activity, like RUN, you will need to click the upper right button to start the exercise, it will say "Waiting for GPS". Sometimes, it takes a few seconds to be ready. But it is very accurate when tracking your exercise. Battery life lasts a few days before needing a charge.

Does everything I need it to do and looks good too. It's really a runner's watch so STEP monitoring is looking for arm motion. If you are just mowing the lawn, you really don't get full credit for all your steps.

I really like this running watch. It's simple to use, has an accurate GPS and the Garmin Connect app is solid. One note is that if you're actively tracking with GPS during an activity, the longest the battery will last is about 6 hours. If it's just in passive mode, it'll last 4-5 days between charges. Also, the band wore a sore spot into my forearm, but I think that's to be expected with a lot of these devices.

Bought this for my wife who ended up wanting the smaller 45S after about a month. I was going to buy a smart watch but ended up keeping this one for myself. I've been very pleased. After a few days I could easily get to what I wanted to see on the watch. Everything seems to be fairly accurate. I've run the same route weekly and the GPS is consistent. I like the Garmin IQ app that connects to it. It has lots of good information. The watch doesn't have a swimming activity but you can record as cardio and change on the app. I wish that it was a little brighter when lit up. My eyes aren't what they used to be. It is a really good watch for the price point.

Great watch! Bought for my teenage son and he loves it! He runs track and cross country and t works great tracking.

I mainly wanted GPS tracking for running and biking, and the ability to receive text messages from my iPhone through bluetooth. This is perfect for that at a reasonable price. it looks stylish enought to always wear it, the face is the right size and there are lots of features selectable with the buttons. The battery life is good. I wish the face had better scratch resistance.

Garmin does the best job of providing the metrics that runners need. GPS is very consistent and accurate.