Apple Watch VS Garmin 245: Which is the better RUNNING watch!?

Apple makes a great watch. But how does it stack up agains the Garmin 245 as a running watch? Which should you use? Which is best for the casual runner VS the competitive runner? We've both been using these respective watches for a while now, and give you our thoughts on where you should spend your money and why.

TimeStamp
0:00 Intro
0:30 Garmin 245 Benefits
2:04 Apple Watch Benefits
3:45 Garmin 245 Drawbacks
4:46 Apple Watch Drawbacks

Gear We Use

Standard Gear:

Specialized Gear:

WorkStation:

Nice review! Can't believe you guys don't have more subscribers to be honest. As a film guy, loved the aesthetic of the video from the non-staged genuine interviews and b-roll of each device to the music. Subbed~

[collinhayes]

I definitely relate with the anxiety of the Apple Watch. I got rid of mine to always feeling "connected" like if I want to leave my phone somewhere, I technically still have it with me while using an Apple Watch. just got the 245 today for cycling and enjoy it so far

[jaydnasay]

Love the comparison. I have always used Garmin devices and can’t imagine it any other way. Cool to see some of the pros and cons of both though.

[dakotaztribe]

Great review guys. I just moved from the Apple S4 to the FR245 and love the simplicity of the Garmin for my running. Also the 24hr battery life.

[CaptainCook]

As a apple fan would have loved the apple watch but as a runner the 245 is a much better training tool.

[sethgutz]

I got an Apple Watch before I started getting back into running and have loved it for everyday life. Now that I’m getting back into running I actually like all the fitness notifications. They don’t give me anxiety. I’m able to see a snapshot of my progress over the last 90 days and year and it is really rewarding. Intervals are annoying though.

[steven]

I actually have both, use an apple watch for daily use and a fenix 5s for my runs... the best thing about apple is apple health... everything syncs to one place irrispective of the watch you are using so I have my data gathered in one place. could not do that when I was on android (unless you use a 3rd party app). But I defintely agree that a touch screen only can be a pain especially when you are sweaty, raining or wearing gloves...

[SleepingInsomniac]

I came here to decide if I should switch to garmin, but I keep hearing the same false issues with the Apple Watch.. to put this one to rest: Apple Watch - general > turn off screen shots, then in settings > workout > press to pause. Now you can use the side buttons to start and pause workouts. Yes it still works when you set the water lock mode.

[Zindiaklimited]

I replaced my Forerunner with an Apple Watch 5.
Main reason was ability to make phone calls as noted in the video.
However, another great benefit is vastly improved geolocation. It picks up the GPS/etc signal immediately the Garmin could take 5 minutes. Plus, time/distances are far more accurate: no more random 1 minute/km that I got with the Garmin.
Also, you CAN use the crown to stop the Apple Watch if you're using the Nike Run Club (NRC) app.
If you're going on a long run (25K+) turn off Wifi and Bluetooth (if you're not using it) and you shouldn't have battery problems.

[FrankieRomeo]

Thank you for being decisive unlike many of the other review videos out there.

[carlosledesma]

Thank you! I’ve been debating which one to get for the past 6 months. I currently have a fitbit but not that I run more often I’m planning on switching to Garmin.

[chriswhetton]

I have been using garmen for about 8 years. I recently bought an Apple Watch for mostly one reason. I can leave my phone behind, simple as that. Garments tracking and metrics are superior without a doubt, although some third party apps on the apple close that gap. I still use my garment for long hikes/mountaineering because the battery is so much better. I should mention my garmen is about 6 years old and still works amazing.

[Ben.Morrison.]

Great review guys well done!! Was a big help!

[rmcc]

My .02
The Apple watch is a Better all around smart watch but its battery life is 1/3 that of the garmin. Navigating the apple watch is way better on the garmin most functions and settings are multiple button presses away (think old school tube tv menu and you lost the remote so you have to use the buttons on the TV). Functionally these watches can do the same things in terms of activity tracking however if you want more information, graphs, etc garmin is your watch. For me it was all about battery life. I can handle charging once every 7 days with the garmin. Charging the apple watch every night or 2 would become very annoying for me and eventually i would just stop. Both are great options if i could afford it i would buy both.

Basically i agree with their opinions 100%

[Voeris]

I turn off all notifications on the watch except messages from my closest family and friends, and the activity notifications... Never experienced that anxiety... You don't _have_ to use every feature, even if you payed for them... Have the thing serve you, not the other way around, so to speak ;P.. Oh and when running (and since I have the screen waking off) I just tap the screen and it quickly gives me the information I need. Oh and a tip: double tapping the screen during a workout marks an interval, so you can be more precise with your measurements. Your complaints are valid... I just wanted to clear a few things up if they may help you or others..

[robertgarner]

Thanks for this. It's a really refreshing review and opened my eyes regarding the Apple Watch.

[dennissmeltzer]

The big killer for me is the touch screen. Even the Garmins that have a touch screen suffer the same problem. Touch screens don't work well, if you are running. I just got the 245 Music and it is awesome.

[evwndci]

YOU DO can pause your activity on the apple watch with a button. You just press both two buttons at the same time. You only have to make sure you don’t use this option for “screen shot”. You can check your settings

[alithejumbo]

This just won me! A new subscriber. Apple Watch'er. And when AW time is over I'm switching to Garmin too.

[jjk]

Thanks for the video. Funny that you prefer the look of the apple watch. As someone who collects and loves wearing watches i would find it very difficult to buy an apple watch due it being so profoundly ugly. The garmin doesn’t look so bad to me - no uglier than the gshock i normally wear or another beater.