Comparing the Garmin Forerunner 255 and Garmin Forerunner 955: which advanced fitness tracker caters best to your health-centric needs?
In the realm of fitness technology, two Garmin watches stand out: the Forerunner 255 and the Forerunner 955. While both are designed to help users track their workouts and improve their performance, they cater to different needs and budgets.
Starting with the **Garmin Forerunner 255**, this watch is a solid, feature-rich running watch that supports essential training features like wrist-based running dynamics, running power, music playback, and training readiness. It features a standard display, but unfortunately, it doesn't have a touchscreen. The Forerunner 255 is available in two case sizes and comes with polymer cases and silicone bands.
On the other hand, the **Garmin Forerunner 955** is a higher-end model that includes all the features of the 255 but adds advanced capabilities such as built-in maps, full turn-by-turn navigation, and enhanced battery life. It also offers more detailed metrics and training insights suitable for serious athletes. The Forerunner 955 comes in just one case size, with a brighter and sharper AMOLED display and a touchscreen for easy navigation.
When it comes to price, the Forerunner 255 is more budget-friendly, making it attractive for runners who want a good balance of features without investing in a top-tier watch. The Forerunner 955, however, is positioned as a premium watch, priced higher due to its advanced features and capabilities.
Both watches offer strong fitness tracking with metrics like heart rate monitoring, GPS accuracy, various sport profiles (running, cycling, swimming, triathlon, etc.), and Training Readiness scores that analyze sleep, recovery, training load, and HRV status. The Forerunner 955 provides more comprehensive tracking and data analysis, including full multisport support, onboard maps for outdoor navigation, and enhanced battery life sufficient for ultra-endurance activities, which the 255 lacks.
Here's a summary of the key differences between the two watches:
| Aspect | Garmin Forerunner 255 | Garmin Forerunner 955 | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Price | More affordable, budget-friendly | Premium, higher-priced | | Display | Standard display, no touchscreen | Higher resolution display with touchscreen | | Navigation | No built-in maps, no turn-by-turn | Built-in maps and turn-by-turn navigation | | Battery Life | Good, but less than 955 | Longer battery life suitable for ultras | | Fitness Tracking & Metrics | Comprehensive (running power, HR, GPS) | More advanced, including multisport & maps | | Music Playback | Yes | Yes | | Target User | Recreational runners & fitness enthusiasts| Serious athletes and multi-sport users |
In essence, the Forerunner 255 offers excellent value with essential running and fitness features, while the Forerunner 955 caters to users looking for premium functionality, advanced navigation, and longer battery life for intense multisport training. The Forerunner 255 is still a very capable smartwatch, but for those seeking a more comprehensive fitness tracking experience, the Forerunner 955 may be the better choice.
Please note that the Garmin Forerunner 255 is no longer sold on Garmin's US site, but it can be found at various retailers. The Forerunner 955 is available for $599.99 (£599.99) in the US and UK. The Forerunner 255 is a fitness tracker suitable for runners, cyclists, and swimmers, while the Forerunner 955 functions as a fully-featured golf watch, pairing with the Garmin Golf app. However, it's important to remember that both watches lack some advanced features compared to each other.
- The Garmin Forerunner 255 offers fitness enthusiasts an affordable and feature-rich option, incorporating essential training features like wrist-based running dynamics, music playback, and training readiness, despite lacking a touchscreen.
- In contrast, the Garmin Forerunner 955, a more premium and higher-priced model, adds advanced capabilities such as built-in maps, full turn-by-turn navigation, and enhanced battery life suitable for ultras. It provides more detailed metrics and training insights for serious athletes.
- Both watches are equipped with vital health and wellness features, such as heart rate monitoring and GPS accuracy, making them suitable tools for users interested in fitness-and-exercise, sports, and technology, including smartphones, gadgets, and health-and-wellness applications.
