Optical heart rate monitors typically are not as accurate as chest straps but our testing with a Polar H10 chest strap suggests that Garmin is narrowing the gap. During a workout, the heart rate monitor is cranked up in intensity so it can capture small changes in your heart rate as you exercise. The heart rate sensor takes measurements 24/7 so you can monitor your resting heart rate and use that data to find out if you are overtraining or getting sick. The Forerunner 945 may be for the serious athlete in training, but it doesn’t only feature advanced fitness metrics. Acclimation is not applicable for those who live and train at sea level, but a benefit if you are entering high elevation training. The Forerunner 945 has Garmin’s newest Elevate v3 heart rate sensor and a pulse oximeter that is used primarily for altitude acclimation. Garmin tweaked the hardware and metrics on the Forerunner 945 to make an already great fitness tracker, the Forerunner 935, even better. These data screens are exercise specific so I was able to add a map data screen for trail running, and a heart rate zone screen for interval running. Don’t see a metric you want? You can add one using Garmin’s Connect IQ app repository. While running, there are six data screens with data fields that you can customize. I’ve logged more than 40 miles running with the Forerunner 945 and it recorded all the metrics I needed to analyze my performance and then some. If your sport isn’t listed, you can create a custom entry that’ll track the metrics that you choose. It’s a multi-sport watch with support for more than 30 different indoor and outdoor sports including running, open water swimming, strength training, skiing, and more. There’s a lot you can do with the Garmin Forerunner 945, which means the performance of the watch shouldn’t hold you back. I’ve been running with it through some rugged trails and it still looks brand new.
The lens material covering the display is Corning Gorilla Glass DX, which is scratch resistant and low glare. There is a customizable watch face to tweak the look to your liking, and the same is true for the widgets and data screens. It’s not the highest resolution, with just 240 x 240 pixels, but it’s more than sufficient to read the contents on the screen. The Forerunner 945 has an always-on, 1.2-inch display, which is easy to read in broad daylight - ideal for when running outdoors. If you prefer something other than the stock silicone band, you can easily swap it out with another quick release band. But it’s almost too secure in some situations - so much so that I had difficulty taking the watch off.
It adjusts to accommodate a wide range of wrist sizes and has a secure fit. The 22mm silicone band is perforated which makes it comfortable to wear even during a sweaty workout. The start/pause/stop button extends out a bit further than the other buttons, allowing you to push it even when it is buried under a lightweight jacket or long-sleeved shirt. The buttons stick out just enough that they are easy to press but don’t interfere with bending your wrist. The watch has five buttons: three on the left and two on the right. I never felt like it weighed me down, and I was able to wear it comfortably around the clock. There’s an optical heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter, pulse oximeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, as well as a thermometer - all in a 13.7mm thick watch case.Īt 47mm, the Forerunner 945 looks large on my small wrist, but it’s not outrageously heavy (50g) thanks to its fiber-reinforced polymer casing. What’s impressive is how Garmin managed to cram so many sensors inside the Forerunner 945’s slim casing. The Garmin Forerunner 945 packs more features than its predecessor, the Forerunner 935, but manages to keep the same compact packaging. The Forerunner 945 looks great on paper, but how do these elements translate into real-world performance? We put the running-focused smartwatch through its paces to find out if it is indeed one of the best Garmin watches and the best smartwatches overall. With its long list of features and a slim, good-looking design, this thing is an absolute stunner. There’s your average fitness tracker … and then there’s the Garmin Forerunner 945. Check out our favorite smartwatches of 2019 for more recommendations. Fitbit Versa 3Įditor’s note: The truly exceptional Garmin Forerunner 945 remains one of our favorite smartwatches, and our top pick for runners.