Top 10 Best Smartwatches For Music – Buying Guide

Today I’ll be diving into some of the best smartwatches that include support for music.
Smartwatches are unquestionably excellent gadgets, and everyone now wants one on their hands because of the numerous benefits they offer.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed an increase in smartwatches with in-built music capabilities, designed primarily for sporting activities like exercising and jogging.
This eliminates the need to carry a smartphone or mp3 player everywhere if you need to listen to continuous music.
If you came to this article looking for the best smartwatches with independent music playback capabilities, you’ve come to the right place.
Advantages of Smartwatches With Music
One of the biggest advantages of smartwatches with music is that they may be used without the need for a smartphone.
You can simultaneously perform running or swimming exercises, work out, or a combination of these, all the while listening to your personal music just by using a single device.
My No.1 Choice ❤️
Without a doubt, my choice for the best smartwatch for music is the Garmin Forerunner 745 Music.
- BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS: Galaxy Watch4 Classic is the first smartwatch to off body composition data right on your wrist, On your own schedule, now you can get readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, basal metabolic rate, and Body Mass Index
- BETTER SLEEP STARTS HERE: Wake up feeling refreshed and recharged with advanced sleep tracking; When you go to bed, your Galaxy Watch4 Classic sleep tracker starts monitoring your sleep and SpO2 levels continuously
- BE SMART ABOUT YOUR HEART: Take care of your heart with accurate ECG monitoring and keep an eye on possible atrial fibrillation, a common form of irregular heart rhythm; Share personalized readings with your doctor using the Samsung Health Monitor app on your compatible Galaxy phone
- MAKE EVERY WORKOUT COUNT: Get the most out of every exercise session with advanced workout tracking that recognizes 6 popular activities, from running to rowing to swimming, automatically in just 3 minutes; Stay motivated by connecting to live coaching sessions via your smartphone or to dynamic Group Challenges with your friends
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You get pretty much everything Garmin has to offer in terms of smartwatch functionality.
It’s my favorite because: It works with Android and iOS and features notifications, Garmin Pay, a music player with up to 500 tracks, and offline Spotify integration. Cool eh!
Preloaded activity profiles let you swim, bike, run, and triathlon.
Have enough energy to complete any race. In GPS mode with music, you can get up to 6 hours of battery life.
Stats are your thing? This baby digs it! Get instant access to your VO2 max, training load, and more.Get personalized daily workout recommendations based on your recent training.
If having the best music is crucial, then this watch is here to help. Sync your favorite tunes to your wristwatch.
» Also read: Best Smartwatches That Can Call Without Phone
How to: Choose the Best Smartwatch for Music
A few things to be noted are:
Battery
Make sure it has a decent battery life that can provide extended playback duration even while streaming online.
On-board Music Storage
More storage capacity equals more music. Ensure that it has sufficient space that can cater to all of your favorite hits.
Streaming Services Support
If you’re into music streaming big-time, then do take note that such services’ support is not left out when you are going for a smartwatch for music.
Best Smartwatches For Music Compared
The following table shows our top picks with the estimated price range and our final rating. There is also a link placed on each option so it will be easier for you to find the product (Amazon links).
The table is ranked from the most affordable product first to the most premium choice at the bottom.
Name | Price | Rating |
Fitbit Versa 2 | $159.00 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Amazfit Stratos 3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 | $58.62 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Apple Watch Series 6 | $199.00 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Fossil Gen 6 44mm (Black) | $164.99 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music | $277.90 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | $209.97 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 | $249.99 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Garmin Forerunner 745 Music | $269.99 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro | $499.99 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Below are the 10 best smartwatches for music.
#1 Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Price Range: $$$
BestSportsLounge: 4.7/5
Key Features:
- Display: Always on Super AMOLED
- Music Apps: YouTube Music, Spotify, Deezer
- Offline Music: Yes
- Health Features: ECG, SpO2, HR, BP monitor
- Battery: 24 hours
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is one of the greatest music smartwatches. It comes with a lot of useful functions.
It’ll work with Spotify, Deezer, and other music-streaming services. Unlike the Apple Watch Series 7, it only contains 16 GB of storage, which is insufficient for offline music playback.
Because it runs on Wear OS, you can utilize the pre-installed Google Play Store to download music streaming apps like Spotify or YouTube Music and start listening to music.
Use Bluetooth headphones or earphones to listen to music while using this smartwatch.
Pros | Cons |
Water resistance up to 5 ATM | Expensive |
Fall detection | No marked improvement from the previous model |
Advanced health tracking features | |
Addition of a BIA sensor | |
60-day free Strava subscription |
- BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS: Galaxy Watch4 Classic is the first smartwatch to off body composition data right on your wrist, On your own schedule, now you can get readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, basal metabolic rate, and Body Mass Index
- BETTER SLEEP STARTS HERE: Wake up feeling refreshed and recharged with advanced sleep tracking; When you go to bed, your Galaxy Watch4 Classic sleep tracker starts monitoring your sleep and SpO2 levels continuously
- BE SMART ABOUT YOUR HEART: Take care of your heart with accurate ECG monitoring and keep an eye on possible atrial fibrillation, a common form of irregular heart rhythm; Share personalized readings with your doctor using the Samsung Health Monitor app on your compatible Galaxy phone
- MAKE EVERY WORKOUT COUNT: Get the most out of every exercise session with advanced workout tracking that recognizes 6 popular activities, from running to rowing to swimming, automatically in just 3 minutes; Stay motivated by connecting to live coaching sessions via your smartphone or to dynamic Group Challenges with your friends
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
» You can also read my post: Best Fitness Tracker for Ankles: (Buying Guide)
#2 Fossil Gen 6 44mm (Black)
Price Range: $$
BestSportsLounge: 3.9/5
Key Features:
- Display: 1.28-inch AMOLED
- Health Features: SpO2, ECG, PPG Heart-rate
- Amazon Alexa
- Battery: Up to 24 hours
- Storage: 8 GB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC
The Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch is the company’s direct successor to the Gen 5 smartwatch line.
Because of the configurable and high-end aesthetics, good performance, and unique software features, the Fossil Gen 5 line has been a regular best Wear OS smartwatches for years.
Fossil’s new Gen 6 smartwatches are the first to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 4100 Plus platform. They also have faster-charging batteries and improved heart rate and SpO2 sensors.
They’re also available in a variety of colors, so you’re sure to find one that matches your taste.
Pros | Cons |
Fast charging | Short battery life |
Smooth navigation | Limited fitness apps |
Not too expensive | GPS inaccurate |
Full-color AOD screen | |
Accurate heart rate monitor |
- COMPATIBILITY - Smartwatches with Wear OS by Google are compatible with phones running the latest version of Android or iOS. Qualcomm 4100+ chipset has 30% enhanced performance. Improved power, more reliable connection and up to 4x range with Bluetooth 5.
- ALEXA ENABLED - Get a little extra help with Alexa built-in. Easily access the Amazon Alexa app to get quick news and information, check the weather, set timers and alarms, control smart home devices, and more - all through the sound of your voice.
- HEALTH - Automatically tracks activity goals, steps, sleep, cardio and more. Activity modes with GPS keep you on track with your distance and path. Advanced sensors provide data to power your health and fitness tracker apps. Swimproof.
- PERSONALIZED STYLE - Always-on display now brighter with more colors and higher pixel count. Thousands of watch faces to personalize your look and always see the time. Hundreds of apps from fitness, music, social, news, stop watches and more.
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#3 Garmin Forerunner 745 Music
Price Range: $$$
BestSportsLounge: 4.3/5
Key Features:
- Display: 1.2″ Color MIP Display
- Body: Gorilla Glass with fiber -polymer bezel
- Music Apps: Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, and iHeartRadio
- Storage for songs: 500
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Battery: Smartwatch – up to 1 week, GPS+Music – 6 hrs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, ANT+
- GPS, GLONASS
The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a mid-range multisport watch that fits between the Forerunner 645 and the Forerunner 945. It is the replacement for the 735XT.
The Forerunner 745 features a Pulse Ox sensor, which the Forerunner 645 lacks, however it lacks built-in mapping, which the Forerunner 945 has.
The Forerunner 745 is a tough, feature-packed multisport watch with smartwatch capabilities like onboard music, NFC contactless payments, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Pros | Cons |
Non-bulky and comfortable to wear | Poor Battery life |
Store 500+ songs | Limited features |
Heart rate monitoring | No 4G LTE Connectivity |
Performance monitoring | |
Swim Tracking | |
Garmin Coach |
- Swim, bike, run — do it all with a smartwatch that uses multiple satellite systems to accurately track your workouts
- Switch up your workout routine whenever you like with preloaded activity profiles for running, triathlon, multisport, cycling, pool swimming, track running and more
- Receive on-device run and cycling daily workout suggestions based on your current training load and vo2 max
- Get training guidance by syncing structured indoor or outdoor workouts to your device from garmin connect or other apps (when paired with a compatible smartphone), including trainingpeaks and trainerroad
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#4 Apple Watch Series 6
Price Range: $$
BestSportsLounge: 4.7/5
Key Features:
- Display: Always on Retina Display
- Health Features: SpO2, ECG, fall detection
- Onboard Storage: 250 songs
- Waterproof: Up to 50 meters
- Music Apps: Apple Music and Spotify
- Connectivity: Bluetooth and GPS
The Apple Watch Series 6 is a high-end smartwatch for music with a variety of health and smart features, including music streaming.
Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, and Audible are among the music and podcast apps that work with the Apple Watch Series 6.
You may download your favorite music playlists from the applications into this smartwatch to listen to music offline.
The Apple Watch 6 has 32 GB of free internal storage. You can keep a few hundred tunes on your smartwatch with this.
Pros | Cons |
Store up to 500 songs | Expensive |
Online and offline music playback | Short battery life |
FDA Approved ECG | |
Sleep tracking | |
Fall detection |
- LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR POCKET: Apple Watch Series 6 GPS Model lets you call, text, and get directions from your wrist, while leaving your phone in your pocket. It offers multiple connectivity options, including: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC to suit all of your possible needs.
- ALWAYS-ON RETINA DISPLAY: You no longer need to raise your wrist or touch the screen to see the time or other information on your watch face, because the display never sleeps. All you need to do is glance to find the time or your workout metrics right there where you want them.
- ECG ON YOUR WRIST: With the ECG app, Apple Watch Series 6 is capable of generating an ECG similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram. It’s a momentous achievement for a wearable device that can provide data for doctors and peace of mind for you wherever may be during the day.
- WORKOUTS THAT DON'T QUIT: Cycling, yoga, swimming, high-intensity interval training.the list goes on. You me it, Apple Watch measures it. Set workout-specific goals, see full summaries when you’re done, and track how you’re trending over time in the Activity app on your iPhone.
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#5 Fitbit Versa 2
Price Range: $
BestSportsLounge: 4.2/5
Key Features:
- Display: 1.4 inches AMOLED display with touchscreen
- Music: Store over 300 of your favorite tracks.
- Water Resist: 5 ATM
- Health Features: HR monitor, calorie count, sleep and stress tracking
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC
- Battery: 5 days average use
The Versa 2 is Fitbit’s newest smartwatch, and it’s the successor to the wildly popular Versa. It is a fitness-oriented music wristwatch that can track your active lifestyle.
It has 15 preloaded sports modes and can measure your steps, heart rate, sleep, and calories, as well as onscreen workout modes that guide you through your favorite moves.
The Versa 2 is Fitbit‘s first wristwatch with a microphone, and it supports Amazon Alexa.
This allows you to obtain real-time weather and news updates, set alarms and reminders, control smart home devices, and more all with your voice.
» Here’s a guide on Resetting your Fitbit Versa device
Pros | Cons |
Lightweight, slim and elegant design | Lacks inbuilt GPS |
Long battery life | Can’t install apps directly from the device |
Swim-proof and durable | Lacks a loudspeaker |
Onboard music storage | |
Has a microphone | |
Low price |
- Use amazon Alexa built in to get quick news and information, check the weather, set timers and alarms, control your smart home devices and more all through the sound of your voice (third party app may be required; amazon Alexa not available in all countries)
- Based on your heart rate, time asleep and restlessness, sleep score helps you better understand your sleep quality each night. Also track your time in light, deep and REM sleep stages and get personal insights
- Get a 90-day free trial of the Fitbit Premium to help you stay active, sleep well and manage stress. Unlock it all in the Fitbit app. (The valid payment method required. Cancel before free trial ends to avoid subscription fees. Offer valid for new Premium users only)
- With a larger display and an always on option, your information?s always a quick glance away (always on display requires more frequent charging)
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#6 Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Price Range: $$
BestSportsLounge: 4.4/5
Key Features:
- Display: 1.4-inch AMOLED
- Music Apps: Spotify(Available in App Store)
- Onboard Storage: 8 G.B.
- Health Features: ECG, SpO2, VO2 Max, Sleep Tracking, Calorie, B.P., etc
- Loudspeaker: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, and cellular(Optional)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is the best Android smartwatch for music playback while exercising.
It comes with a heart rate monitor, FDA-approved ECG, fall detection, and an emergency SOS feature.
Spotify is currently the only streaming service compatible with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.
Blood oxygen level monitoring, sleep tracking, and blood pressure monitoring functions are included in this smartwatch.
With its 4G LTE Connectivity, the Galaxy Watch 3 with cellular capability allows you to stream music right from your wrist.
Pros | Cons |
FDA Approved ECG | Supports Spotify only |
SpO2 and VO2 Max | Expensive |
B.P Monitoring | |
Advanced fitness tracking features | |
8 G.B. onboard storage space for music | |
Water resistance of 50 meters |
- Style You Can Count On: Galaxy Watch3 Combines Style—Two Sizes, Two Finishes, Three Colors And, 50,000 Plus Watch Faces-With Military-Grade Durability And Water Resistance
- Leave Your Phone Behind: Leave Your Phone At Home. Galaxy Watch3 Gives You The Freedom To Call, Text, Stream Music And Get Notifications Via Lte Connectivity
- You Can Share The Pdf Report Of Your Ecg Recording With Your Health Care Provider Using The Samsung Health Monitor App On Your Compatible Galaxy Phone
- Battery Built For Endurance: The Galaxy Watch3’S Long-Lasting Battery Can Go For More Than A Day On A Single Charge, And You Can Always Get A Quick Boost From Your Compatible Galaxy Phone With Wireless Power Share. Audio Playing Format: Mp3,M4A,3Ga,Aac,Ogg,Oga,Wav,Wma,Amr,Awb
Last update on 2023-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
» Read also: Best Fitness Trackers for Teens & Kids – Buyers Guide
#7 Garmin Fenix 6 Pro
Price Range: $$$
BestSportsLounge: 4.6/5
Key Features:
- Display: 1.3.” Color Display
- Music Apps: Amazon, Deezer, and Spotify
- Onboard Storage: 2000+ songs
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Oxygen Sensor: Yes
- Battery life: 14 Days
With long battery life, the Fenix 6 Pro is one of the finest Garmin smartwatches for music.
This smartwatch is specifically designed for people who value their fitness and well-being.
Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon are the three music streaming providers that Garmin supports. You can listen to your favorite tunes on any of these apps.
With a premium account, you can also download/sync your music playlist to your smartwatch for offline listening.
Fenix 6 Pro allows you to download up to 1000 tracks for offline listening. If you don’t have a premium music app subscription, you can use the Garmin ExpressTM program to transfer songs from your computer to your smartwatch.
Pros | Cons |
Durable design | Expensive |
Always-on display | No Cellular Model |
Safety and incident feature | |
Garmin Pay | |
Waterproof up to 100 meters | |
Ample storage, built-in GPS, and GLONASS |
- Fit for performance with rugged, sophisticated design that features an always-on 1.3” (18% larger than previous Fenix models) sunlight-readable display with bezels in stainless steel, titanium or diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- Enhanced estimated wrist heart rate and Pulse Ox to support advanced sleep monitoring and altitude acclimation at high elevations (this is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition)
- Advanced training features include PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity plus environmentally adjusted VO2 max and training status estimates
- Navigate the outdoors with preloaded topo maps, ski maps for over 2,000 worldwide ski resorts, multiple global navigation satellite system (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) support and built-in sensors for 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter
Last update on 2023-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
Price Range: $$
BestSportsLounge: 4.2/5
Key Features:
- Display: 1.2″ circular color display
- Music Apps: Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer
- Onboard Song Storage: 500+
- Health Features: H.R. monitor, SpO2, VO2 Max, Female Health
- Sleep Tracking: Yes
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a stylish smartwatch for music. The lightweight design and silicone strap allow you to comfortably wear it on your wrist all day.
The Forerunner 245 is the finest smartwatch on the list if you want to use Amazon Music. It’s also compatible with Spotify and Deezer, among other popular streaming apps.
If you’re a premium subscriber, you can simply download your killer playlist to your watch and listen to music when you’re not connected to the internet or your smartphone. It has a storage capacity of about 500 tracks.
Garmin Coach is a feature exclusive to Garmin wearables. It provides free expert advice from your wrist to help you take your running to the next level.
It gives you information about your running dynamics so you may enhance your performance every day.
Pros | Cons |
Heart rate monitor | No touchscreen |
Built-in GPS | No LTE Connectivity |
Body Battery Energy Monitor | Low battery life (compared to higher-end Garmin watches) |
Water resistance up to 50 meters | |
Incident detection and assistance feature | |
VO2 Max and SpO2 | |
Multiple Sports apps for cycling, swimming, etc |
- GPS running smartwatch with music advanced training features, Lens Material:Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Bezel Material: fiber-reinforced polymer, Strap material:silicone
- Battery life: up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and 6 hours in GPS mode with music
- Evaluates your current training status to indicate if you’re undertraining or overdoing it; Offers additional performance monitoring features
- Get free adaptive training plans from Garmin coach, or create your own custom workouts on our Garmin connect online fitness community
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#9 Amazfit Stratos 3
Price Range: $
BestSportsLounge: 4.1/5
Key Features:
- Sport Modes: 80+ Modes
- Music Apps: No music streaming app support
- Onboard Songs Storage: 400+
- Waterproof: 5 ATM
- Battery life: 35-70 hours in GPS mode
- Connectivity: Bluetooth and WiFi
If you’re looking for a low-cost smartwatch with music playback, the Amazfit Stratos is the finest option under $200. It includes an integrated audio player as well as music storage for up to 500 tracks.
Connecting a compatible wireless earphone or earbuds to this song will allow you to listen to it. It’s useful for folks like myself who don’t want to run with a phone in their hand.
You can transfer music from your computer or Macbook to your Stratos 3 using a USB cord.
Stratos 3 is not compatible with any streaming services such as Spotify or Amazon Music. However, because music streaming uses more battery than offline music playback, this means longer battery life.
Pros | Cons |
Sleep tracking | Music streaming not supported |
5 ATM water resistance | Poor Build quality |
Wrist-based heart rate monitoring powered by FirstBeat | No LTE Connectivity feature |
Powerful Battery |
- Powered by FirstBeat Analytics: Amazfit Stratos 3 provides in-depth analytics of the sport you play with data such as VO2Max, Training Load, Training Effect, Recovery Time, etc. by analyzing your heart rate and all fitness related data.
- Transreflective Professional Sports Display: Amazfit Stratos 3 adopts a 1.34-inch full round transflective MIP display perfectly suitable for outdoor use; the brighter the light is, the clearer the display looks. The four physical buttons enable you to browse through the features and control the device without using the touch screen.
- Dual Chip System: Stratos 3 is integrated with two main control chips and two operating systems and is suitable for both professional sports and daily life. 7-Day smart mode enables full functional mode supporting 80-sports modes and professional algorithms while 14-day ultra-endurance mode enables daily life functions.
- 80-Sports Modes: Amazfit Stratos 3 comes with 80 professional sports modes and provides rich workout data to satisfy various users’ needs.
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#10 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Price Range: $$
BestSportsLounge: 4.5/5
Key Features:
- Display: AMOLED display with touchscreen
- Music Apps: Spotify, Pandora, Tindal, and YouTube
- Music Storage: 4 GB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, and Cellular(Optional)
- GPS: Yes (On-board)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the company’s GPS smartwatch with music features.
It offers practically all of the features of the Galaxy Watch 3 and is significantly less expensive. It includes features like ECG, heart rate alerts, contactless payments, and more.
Its music features include 4 GB of free storage space for song playlist downloads.
You may also use streaming apps like Spotify or Tindal to download tracks into this music watch (require a Spotify Premium subscription).
As a result, you can listen to them even when you are not connected to the internet or your phone.
Pros | Cons |
FDA Approved ECG | Fast battery drainage on GPS |
SpO2 and Sleep Tracking | |
Irregular heart rate monitoring | |
Sleep monitoring | |
Waterproof up to 50 meters |
- Better insights to reach your fitness goals get more out of every mile thanks to built-in pace coaching on the Galaxy Watch Active2 Its advanced sensors keep your pace to help you better achieve your run goals, Sensor: Accelerometer, Gyro, Barometer, HRM, Ambient Light
- Comfortably sleek the Galaxy Watch Active2 is light enough to wear anywhere comfortably; It comes in aluminum or stainless steel and with a variety of faces bands and finishes so it goes with anything
- Keep your beat you can see if your heart rate is where you want it with Galaxy Watch Active2 Get automatically alerted if your watch detects a high or a low heart rate (4) this device and related software are not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions or in the cure Mitigation treatment or prevention of disease
- Level up your downtime Galaxy Watch active2’s built-in sleep tracker offers valuable insights on how to get a better night’s sleep. It also monitors your stress level and helps you recently with the integrated calm app (4) this device and related software are not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions or in the cure, mitigation treatment or prevention of disease
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
» Read my blog post: Best Smartwatches with Blood Pressure Monitor – Best Guide
Conclusion
With a market flooded with smartwatches, it might be difficult to navigate towards your required smartwatch for music streaming/listening.
I hope this article helped in giving you a better direction.
So start pumping those muscles and jump on that beat!