Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Review(2026): Is It Still Worth Buying Used?

Searching for a Garmin Forerunner 645 Music review in 2026 usually means one thing: you’re not looking for a launch-day spec recap - you’re trying to decide whether this older, often used GPS watch still makes sense for running today.

This article is written as a formal, buyer-focused review with clear, decision-ready guidance - covering the topics that matter most in 2026: offline music reliability, Bluetooth headphone stability, battery life (especially GPS + music), GPS/HR performance, durability risk, and what to buy instead.

Quick Verdict - Is the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Worth Buying in 2026?

The Garmin Forerunner 645 Music is worth buying in 2026 only when the price and condition are right.

It can still be a capable GPS running watch with offline music and a premium stainless-steel design, but it is an older platform, and the main risks today are:

• Battery aging, especially when using GPS and music together
• Bluetooth music stability, which varies by headphones and environment
• Durability concerns around the strap attachment and lug areas, which must be inspected carefully when buying used

If you want the most stable, “set it and forget it” music-running experience, a newer model generally offers better long-term value. If your goal is the lowest-cost path to phone-free music runs, a well-tested used Forerunner 645 Music can still be a solid option.

• Best for: budget-focused runners who want offline music and are willing to buy used carefully.
• Not ideal for: runners who need long GPS + music battery life or zero Bluetooth troubleshooting.
• Verdict: buy only at a low used price after verifying battery health, Bluetooth performance, and hardware condition.

What the Forerunner 645 Music Is in 2026

Discontinued platform: what that means for buyers

The Forerunner 645 Music is widely categorized as a discontinued model in Garmin’s product positioning.

Discontinued Platform-What That Means for Buyers

• You’re buying into a mature feature set (it does what it does - no major evolution expected)
• Used condition matters more than features (battery health, buttons, charging contacts, and casing integrity)
• If you want the newest training ecosystem and longer forward support, you should look elsewhere

Software Support-Maintenance-Level, Not Transformative

Official communications around later-life firmware releases emphasize stability and incremental improvements rather than major new capabilities.

For 2026 buyers, the takeaway is simple: expect reliability, not new features.

Design, Comfort, and Everyday Wear

One reason this watch still attracts interest is that it doesn’t look like a disposable plastic gadget. The stainless-steel bezel and more “watch-like” style can fit daily wear better than many sport-first designs.

Button Control-A Real Advantage for Runners

This watch uses physical buttons instead of a touchscreen. For runners, that matters when:

• Hands are sweaty
• It’s raining
• You’re wearing gloves
• You want reliable lap and workout control without swiping

Can the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Play Music Reliably in 2026?

Music is the reason most people consider the 645 Music rather than the standard 645. In 2026, the important question is not “does it have music?” but:

How smooth is phone-free playback today - especially on a used unit?

What Music Options Does the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Support?

You can use the watch in three common ways:

• Offline music stored on the watch (local files)
• Offline playlists from supported music services (sync-based workflow)
• Phone music control (watch as a remote; not truly phone-free)

Does Syncing Music Affect Battery Life on the Forerunner 645 Music?

Garmin’s own guidance notes that certain operations and settings can significantly affect battery life and power usage, and provides specific recommendations to extend battery performance.

In other words, for music users: battery settings and workflow matter - especially on older devices.

Is Bluetooth Music Stable on the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music?

Bluetooth music performance is one of the most variable parts of the experience. Some users get smooth runs; others get dropouts. Independent reviews have also flagged Bluetooth/music as an area with tradeoffs.

Why Does Bluetooth Music Cut Out on the Forerunner 645 Music?

Common factors include:

• Body/arm shielding between watch and earbuds while running
• Earbud design and antenna performance (some models handle motion and interference better)
• Multiple Bluetooth connections competing (phone, car system, laptop nearby)
• Older firmware/hardware state on used units (paired device lists, caches, battery health)

How to Fix Bluetooth Music Dropouts on the Forerunner 645 Music

Re-pair from scratch

• Remove the earbuds from the watch’s paired devices
• Reset earbuds pairing (if available)
• Restart both
• Pair again

Reduce Bluetooth competition

• Temporarily disable other nearby Bluetooth devices
• Avoid switching audio sources mid-run

Do a controlled playback test

• Stand still for 5 minutes (baseline)
• Walk 5 minutes

Run 10 minutes

• If it fails repeatedly, you can assume the pairing is unreliable for your use.

Consider headphone type

If you’re experiencing issues, try a different headphone design before giving up on the watch. In practice, certain sport-focused designs can be more stable during motion.

Used-buyer rule: Always test 20 minutes of continuous playback with your actual headphones before you commit.

How Long Does the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Battery Last in 2026?

Battery life is the deciding factor for many runners in 2026. The biggest concern is not daily smartwatch mode - it’s GPS + music.

How Long Does the Battery Last With GPS and Music Enabled?

Garmin’s product specifications list GPS + music battery life around 5 hours.

For a new device, that’s already a limitation for long runs. For a used device, battery aging can reduce margins further.

Is the Forerunner 645 Music Suitable for Long Runs or Marathons?

If you plan to run:

• Long training runs
• A marathon
• Any event where you need music for the full duration

…a used 645 Music can be a gamble unless the battery has been verified recently and performs well under load.

For runners training for longer distances or frequent marathons, a higher-end option like the Garmin Forerunner 955 may be a more reliable long-term choice.

Battery Optimization Tips That Actually Help

Garmin’s guidance includes changes like reducing backlight, managing Bluetooth usage, and optimizing watch settings to extend battery life.

How Accurate Is GPS and Heart Rate on the Forerunner 645 Music?

Is GPS Accuracy Still Reliable on the Forerunner 645 Music?

For most everyday road running, GPS performance is generally adequate. However, this is not a new-generation positioning system with the latest enhancements. In challenging environments (dense city blocks or heavy tree cover), newer watches often offer improved consistency.

Practical recommendation:

Don’t judge a watch by “instant pace” alone. Use:

• Lap pace
• Averaged pace fields
• Structured workouts with lap targets

This is the most reliable way to train by pace on any GPS watch.

Is Wrist-Based Heart Rate Accurate on the Forerunner 645 Music?

Wrist HR works best for:

• Easy to moderate steady runs
• General fitness tracking

For intervals or racing, a chest strap remains the gold standard.

Is the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Durable Enough for Long-Term Use?

For an older watch, durability risk is one of the biggest reasons to be careful when buying used. There has been meaningful discussion over time around strap attachment/lug-area failures on some units, and used buyers should treat this as a serious inspection point.

What Should You Check Before Buying a Used Forerunner 645 Music?

Before purchase, inspect the strap attachment area closely:

• Hairline cracks
• Whitening stress marks
• Deformation around pin holes
• Unusual looseness where the strap anchors

If buying online, request:

• Close-up photos under strong light
• A short video flexing the strap gently at the attachment point

If you see cracks or stress whitening, skip the unit.

A cheap used deal can become worthless fast if a structural failure occurs.

Garmin Forerunner 645 Music vs Newer Garmin Music Watches

The table below highlights the key differences that matter most when deciding between the Forerunner 645 Music and newer Garmin music watches.

When comparing the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music to newer Garmin music-enabled running watches, the difference is primarily about reliability, longevity, and maintenance expectations.

Newer Garmin music watches generally offer longer battery life (especially with GPS + music), more consistent Bluetooth performance, and longer software support, making them a safer long-term investment for most runners. Runners who want a more modern experience with a brighter display and fewer compromises often end up choosing the Garmin Forerunner 265 instead.

The Forerunner 645 Music, by contrast, remains attractive mainly due to its lower used price and premium stainless-steel design, but it requires careful battery testing, Bluetooth verification, and hardware inspection before purchase.

In short:

Newer models are more stable, last longer, and require less compromise, while the Forerunner 645 Music can still be a good value only if bought used at the right price and condition.

Who Should Buy the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music in 2026 — and Who Should Avoid It?

Best for

• Budget-focused runners who want a used GPS running watch with music
• People who want a premium-looking running watch with physical buttons
• Runners doing mostly 30–90 minute workouts who don’t require ultra-long GPS + music endurance

Not ideal for

• Marathoners who must run GPS + music with a large safety margin
• Buyers who want the newest training ecosystem and longer forward support
• Anyone who needs maximum Bluetooth music reliability without testing and tuning

Budget-focused runners who do not need offline music may find a newer entry-level option like the Garmin Forerunner 165 more appealing than buying an older used model.

Is the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Worth Buying Used in 2026?

Used pricing varies by region, condition, and included accessories. The best approach is to set value thresholds and insist on performance checks.

A practical price framework (why it matters)

• Low price + verified condition = strong value
• High price on an older platform usually makes less sense because newer models are closer in cost and often better supported

Used Buying Checklist for the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music

Before buying a used Garmin Forerunner 645 Music, always check the following:

Hardware

• Strap attachment / lug area for cracks or whitening stress marks
• Buttons for crisp clicks with no sticking or delayed response
• Screen for readability issues or deep scratches
• Charging contacts for corrosion or unstable charging

Battery

• Fully charge the watch and check idle battery drain overnight
• Run a 30-minute GPS test to confirm normal battery usage
• Run a 20-minute GPS + music test to verify stable playback and battery drain

GPS

• Check cold-start lock time for reasonable satellite acquisition
• Review route trace for abnormal jumps or severe inaccuracies

Music

• Test continuous playback stability with your exact Bluetooth headphones

If a seller will not allow testing or cannot provide clear close-up images of the strap attachment area, this should be treated as a red flag.

What Are the Best Alternatives to the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music?

If your priorities are:

• longer battery life for GPS + music,
• more consistent Bluetooth performance,
• newer training metrics and longer forward support,

…a newer Forerunner music model is usually the better choice in 2026. The 645 Music can still be a deal - just not the best “buy once, keep for years” option for most runners.

Runners looking for a premium AMOLED display and top-tier performance may prefer the Garmin Forerunner 965 as a long-term upgrade.

Final Verdict

The Garmin Forerunner 645 Music remains a viable option in 2026 as a used music GPS running watch - but it’s a “buy carefully” product. If you do the right checks, it can still provide satisfying phone-free runs with a more premium look than many entry-level options. If you want maximum reliability, long GPS + music endurance, and longer future support, a newer model is usually the smarter investment.