Many of us take up running to relieve stresses and strains we feel in life. And as we become more devoted to running we may be wanting to know more. You’ll want to know more about your speed, your heartrate, calories burned, or distances traveled. Garmin running watches offer the perfect solution in a line of sports watches that are all great for their own reasons.
We reviewed two of Garmin’s running watches to help you decide between their sportier models and to showcase their capabilities. We reviewed the Garmin Fenix 6 and Forerunner 945 while noting all eyes are on the impending release of the Fenix 7.
The Garmin Forerunner 945 has three model options: the LTE Black, or White, and its standard model. The Fenix 6 does offer a wider range of models with its 945 Solar, Standard, and Sapphire editions.
| Garmin Product | Supplier | |
| Fenix 7 | Amazon | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | eBay | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | Garmin | View Offer |
| Fenix 7 | Target | View Offer |
What Can the Fenix 6 and Forerunner 945 Track?
The great thing about these Garmin sports and running watches is they can track a huge amount of activities, making them the perfect partner for any avid sportsperson. If you find it doesn’t cover the activity you were looking for, you can use the custom activity maker so you are able to track everything you do.
In addition to both watches offering a comprehensive range of activity tracking, the Fenix 6 also comes with some activities pre-loaded for ease of use, including mountain biking, tactical and jumpmaster. When looking at each smartwatch’s activity tracking, you’ll see the Fenix 6 is a bit more suited to overall sports enthusiasts. It has special features for golf, skiing, and surfing.
The tracking features on Garmin’s newest Forerunner, the 945, are more suited to running enthusiasts. The 945 offers cool features to enhance runs like Running Dynamics, Training Status, and Intensity Minutes.
What Kind of Safety Features do the Smartwatches Have?
Both of these running watches offer Assistance and Tracking Safety Features, exlcusive to the Garmin Connect App. On both the Forerunner 945 and the Fenix 6, you can connect to the app on your phone with the watch’s bluetooth. Through the app, you’ll connect emergency contacts which can be used for Garmin’s:
- LiveTrack: this handy safety feature allows your emergency contacts to track your activities via a link.
- Assistance: sends a message with your name, your exact location, and link which your contacts can use to track your device through GPS.
- Incident detection: when your watch picks up on a sudden impact or a fall while you’re using the walk, run, bike, or hike activities, the device sends your Assistance info to your contacts.
What Do the Garmin Fenix 6 and Forerunner 945 Look Like?
Interestingly, these two watches look similar in size when you put them side by side. However, the appearances of the watches are different. The Fenix has a metal rim with exposed screws whereas the Forerunner 945 is less brazen. The 945 has an all-black plastic case that is sleek and sophisticated.
Both watches have comfortable silicone bands that match the aesthetic and feel great on your wrist. They can be easily swapped for other bands, but there aren’t many options on the market right now.
How Heavy Is the Garmin Fenix 6 and Forerunner 945?
The Fenix 6 weighs in at 80 grams, which is noticeable on your wrist. It’s not so heavy that you can’t use it for everyday tasks, however. Just expect to know it’s there when you are at the gym or working out.
The Forerunner 945 weighs in at a smaller 50 grams. This makes enough of a difference that you’ll notice it far less, if even at all! The great thing about opting for a lightweight model is that you can track without even acknowledging its presence.
What Is the Screen Like On the Garmin Fenix 6 and Forerunner 945?
Fenix 6
- Screen thickness: 14.7mm
- Resolution: 260-pixel
- Screen size: 1.3 inches
The Fenix 6 is big enough to use with ease. And it is small enough that it doesn’t take up too much wrist space.
Forerunner 945
- Screen thickness: 13.7mm
- Resolution: 240-pixel
- Screen size: 1.2-inches
The size difference between the two running watches is minimal. The Forerunner 945 is not let down by its slightly smaller stature.
How Good Is the Battery Life On the Fenix 6 and Forerunner 945?
Both batteries offer a similar charge. Garmin states that you can expect to enjoy up to 14 days of battery life without GPS enabled. When you add GPS, you can expect to get around 36 in total.
However, the Fenix also offers a GPS with Music mode, and employing that will reduce your battery life down to 10 hours maximum usage. The fantastic thing about the Fenix is that you can customize your experience by turning off battery-draining features you don’t need, resulting in better battery life.
How Easy Is It To Use the Fenix 6 and Forerunner 945?
As with the battery life, the user experience is very similar between these two models. You will find the button menus are easy to access. Each watch has three buttons to the left and two on the right that are easy to use and responsive.
There is a wide range of watch faces to pick from. You can customize the display on both watches to fully personalize your user experience.
How Can I Navigate Using the Fenix 6 and Forerunner 945?
When it comes to navigation, you can expect both watches to provide detailed maps. When you use the map feature, you’ll be given clear terrain information and points of interest. These make it easy to keep on the right route at all times.
The watches both offer the ability to calculate three different routes based on how you want to trace. This is really helpful for runners and bikers alike. There are also predetermined courses you can follow, with both watches offering navigational notification.
The Verdict
You’ll find that these running watches have huge similarities and are both a great choice for joggers. You can expect to successfully analyze your training, predict your performance, and understand your fitness profile with both of these watches.
The one area where they differ is their looks. This may be the defining aspect of your choice. The Forerunner 945 is the ideal choice if you want something sleek that can be used for training and everyday use. However, if you want a watch that offers a more rugged look, the Fenix 6 is the choice for you. Also, we recommend checking whether the Fenix 7 is out.
If you’re interested to learn more about watches that perform exceptionally well for outdoor adventurers, check out our article on the 5 Best Tactical Watches for Adventurers!
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Last Updated on January 12, 2022
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Hell need some advice I’m looking to upgrade my watch I’m currently working with a Garmin 735xt fantastic watch can’t fault it although would like more out of my battery life I’m stuck what to go for as I do triathlons aswell as ultra marathons