Music while running is must have for most. Runners mostly use their phone to store and play music, while the smartwatch or running watch functions as a tracker. We now have smartwatches that allow you to put your music directly on your wrist, so you no longer need to take that phone along on your run. We have for you the latest and best running and smartwatches that can play music.

Best running watches that have music options

Though this one doesnt support Spotify yet, folks in the US can access Pandora and Deezer support. Else, one can always use the Fitbit music app to drag and drop MP3's.

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

This affordable watch is a winner as it supports Spotify, Deezer and iHeart radio. The Forerunner 645 although a great option is more expensive than the Forerunner 245 Music.

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro

The Fenix Pro 6 also supports Spotify, Deezer and iHeartRadio. It offers a better battery life as well to keep the music on for your runs.

Best running watch with music playback

At 37,000 INR (Amazon), this is one of Garmins affordable watches with a built-in music player. You can easily transfer the music from your computer to the watch. Pair the watch with your headphones via Bluetooth and go on that run without your phone. To access music controls, you just have to press the down button on the side of the watch.These controls let you change playlists and skip tracks. Garmin supports Deezer and iHeartRadio while also being able to store around 500 songs. It also now has a dedicated Spotify app. Spotify Premium members can transfer their playlists to the watch to play offline.

Amazfit Stratos

A budget watch (25,000 INR, Amazon) with a built-in player, by a not so familiar Chinese company. The soon to be released the Amazfit Stratos 3 is a very good-looking new model. Stratos has 4GB storage for your music. It also boasts of GPS/ GLONASS support, heart rate monitor, sports tracking features, VO2 Max and training Load.

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro series

The entire Garmin Fenix 6 range is known for its music playing feature. This series also includes the Premium model that has the ability to charge with the sun (Solar model). The smart watches in the Fenix Pro series have in addition to basic music support and music streaming from Deezer or Spotify, the music playback feature that allows you to transfer music and download offline playlists. As a bonus, it has excellent battery life to support its music and sport tracking features.

Smartwatches with fitness & music

While athletes previously went with only running watches that just served one purpose, these days smartwatches with their fantastic array of apps are turning heads. While choosing a smartwatch over the traditional running watch a serious runner would lose stats like VO2 Max, running metrics and vertical oscillation monitoring, but smartwatches bring with them certain different features, such as the ability to play music without a phone in the picture.

Apple Watch Series 5

Partnering with Nike, Apple's smartwatches are now focused on runners, with the built in GPS; software and even the strap. The earlier Apple watch versions let you transfer music from your iPhone and play it by pairing with Bluetooth headphones.In the Series 5, if your watch is LTE enabled, you can stream music directly with an apple music subscription. There is also a dedicated Spotify app, but it does not allow cellular streaming or offline playback yet. You can get almost the same music features from the Apple Watch Series 3. Just ensure it is the LTE model. (50,000 INR, Amazon)

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

With the Galaxy Watch 2, you can stream music with Wi-Fi or LTE using its dedicated Spotify app. It also allows you to download offline playlists. With a storage of 4GB, the watch is available in 2 sizes of 40mm and 44mm.Samsungs own music player and the Gear companion app make it easy to transfer to the device. Overall, this smartwatch gives you a good music experience, and is worth considering if you are looking to move your music from your phone.

Garmin Vivoactive 4S

The Garmin Vivoactive 4S (35,000 INR, Amazon) has the same music features as the Forerunner 645 Music, 245 Music, 945 and Fenix 6 Pro series. You only need to connect the watch to your computer to transfer the audio files (drag and drop).The device also supports Spotify. Along with its Music playing features, the watch also has an in-built GPS, heart rate monitoring and sports tracking features. The battery life is excellent.

Fitbit Ionic

The Iconic is not only Fitbit's first smartwatch, it is also the first Fitbit wearable to have a music streaming feature. It does not support Spotify, but if you are in the US, you can access Pandora for offline listening, it also supports Deezer.Using the Fitbit Connect desktop app, it is easy to send music to the device. The Fitbit Versa 2 also offers the music packing feature but does not have a built in GPS like the Iconic. The Fitbit Iconic is available on Amazon for 25,000 INR.

Fossil Sport

The perfect mix of sport and style, this is probable one of the affordable (9,500 INR, Amazon) watches with Wear OS. Having a watch on the Wear OS lets you leave your phone behind, and pair a Bluetooth headset with that watch and run with your music.The watch has the sportify app, but you cannot have offline playlists yet. It also supports Pandora and iHeartRadio services. You can alternatively use Google Play Music to transfer tracks to your watch. This watch is just for you if you need that music to pep your workout.

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