Looking for an affordable GPS sports watch with good features, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a great choice. This smartwatch sits between the entry-level Forerunner 45 and the full-featured Forerunner 245. Perfect for runners and fitness fans who want more features without spending too much.
After weeks of testing, I’m here to break down everything this watch offers, from hardware to training tools.
Garmin Forerunner 55 Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Use | Running |
| Battery Life | Smartwatch Mode: Up to 2 weeks |
| GPS Mode: Up to 20 hours | |
| GPS Tracking | Yes |
| Smart Notifications | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Yes, wrist-based |
| Fitness Tracking | Yes |
| Waterproof | Yes, resistant up to 50 meters |
| Altimeter | No |
Pros and Cons of the Garmin Forerunner 55
- Affordable price
- Up to two weeks of battery life.
- Garmin Coach is available for interactive training plans
- Reliable GPS to accurately track activities
- Lacks touch controls (button-only interface).
- Can’t store or play music directly on the watch.
Meeting in the Middle: Garmin Forerunner 55 Review
Garmin made the Forerunner 55 a better version of the Forerunner 45. The Forerunner 245 is also more affordable.
The designers created it for runners. It provides advanced training feedback and more sports profiles. It also offers reliable GPS and heart rate accuracy.
It may not have every feature of the 245, but it has enough to please most casual and midlevel runners. It also offers more options for gym-goers and multi-sport users. This makes it a great choice for everyone.
Design and Build
In contrast, the Forerunner 55 just sticks pretty near and dear to the design language seen on the Forerunner 45. A compact and lightweight design that tucks neatly onto your wrist, complete with a somewhat straightforward yet simplistic and round watch face.
One small but important change is that we are using a standard 20mm quick-release strap this time. And yes, easily swappable with others for those looking to mix things up style-wise.
These bands are of silicone material and have all the attributes of softness, durability, and ease of cleaning. You can shower while wearing your watch for easy cleaning.
The quick-release feature lets you easily change colors whenever you want. The manufacturer makes the buckle from metal for extra durability in daily use.
Underneath, Garmin includes its third-generation Elevate heart rate sensor, which also appears in the Forerunner 45. People use that to monitor heart rate both during workouts and throughout the day. Gone, however, is the blood oxygen (SPO2) sensor found in the Forerunner 245.
Always-On Display
One of the standout features is the always-on display. Regardless of whether the backlight is off, the screen remains visible, even in direct sunlight. This makes outdoor viewing easy. It also helps the watch’s battery last up to two weeks.
Everyday Tracking and Health Features
Like most Garmin watches, the Forerunner 55 handles the essentials with ease. It tracks your steps, calories, and heart rate 24/7. You also get Garmin’s advanced sleep tracking, which analyzes sleep stages, movement during the night, and breathing rate.
All this data syncs to the Garmin Connect smartphone app, where you can review detailed graphs and trends. Garmin’s sleep tracking is not medical-grade, but it is one of the best in smartwatches. It can reliably tell the difference between light, deep, and REM sleep.
Key Training Features
The Forerunner 55 is a step up from the 45 for training feedback. It includes several features designed to help runners understand and improve their performance.
VO2 Max Estimate: This model, like the Forerunner 45, gives VO2 max estimates for running. These estimates show your aerobic fitness level.
Race Time Predictor: Based on your recent data, the watch predicts your possible times for common race distances. This includes 5Ks and half-marathons.
Recovery Time Advisor: This tells you how long you should rest before your next workout, based on your effort and intensity. For someone who tends to overtrain, this could be a game-changer.
Expanded Sport Profiles
One of the Forerunner 55’s standout upgrades is the variety of sports profiles. It includes all the standard options like running, cycling, and basic gym activities, but also introduces:
- Pool Swimming: Tracks swim metrics like distance, stroke count, and calories burned.
- Track Running: Provides precise lap tracking for track workouts.
- Virtual Running: Allows you to connect with virtual platforms like Zwift using external sensors.
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Features custom timers for workout styles like AMRAP, EMOM, and Tabata.
- Breathwork: Guides you through simple, easy-to-follow breathing exercises to help you relax, stay focused, and manage stress.
These extra profiles make the Forerunner 55 better for multi-sport athletes. It helps those who want to try different activities.
PacePro: A Runner’s Best Friend
One of the most helpful features for runners is PacePro, Garmin’s pacing strategy tool. With PacePro, you can map out your pacing for a workout or race. All you need to do is set your distance and target time.
What makes PacePro unique is how Changeable it is. If you prefer consistent pacing, you can split your race evenly. Want to start slow and finish strong? Choose negative splits, and PacePro will calculate faster paces toward the end.
While you run, the watch will display your goal time for the current split. The system will also show the actual split pace. You can see if you are ahead or behind schedule. Having a personal coach on your wrist helps you stay on track.
Garmin Coach and Suggested Workouts
Another great feature is Garmin Coach, which offers structured training plans for both running and cycling. In the Garmin Connect app, you can choose your goal. You can aim to complete a 5K, train for a longer race, or just get fitter.
You also choose your preferred coach from Garmin’s lineup, your weekly training availability, and your current running intensity. Customized daily workouts based on your plan, ensuring that your training aligns with your progress and goals.
GPS and Performance Accuracy
The Forerunner 55 builds on Garmin’s reputation for solid GPS performance. During my runs, the tracked distance lined up perfectly with other devices. The map accurately logged corners, straightaways, and even slight zig-zags.
It also excelled in longer bike rides where GPS tracking tends to get tricky. On a road ride, the distance matched GPS benchmarks from other devices. The maps show that the 55 handled curves and open stretches well.
For treadmill runs, the indoor mode performed surprisingly well at estimating distance. And if the numbers are ever slightly off, you can manually calibrate them at the end of your workout.
Heart Rate Performance
The Forerunner 55 offers good heart rate accuracy for its price point. For steady-state cardio-like running, it worked well with a chest strap monitor. Only small issues occurred during sudden changes in intensity.
During indoor cycling, the heart rate readings were reliable. However, there was a delay of about 4 to 5 seconds when switching between high and low effort levels.
Outdoor biking added more challenges, like vibration and road bumps, but the watch still performed admirably.
Smart Workout Suggestions and Recovery Tracking
The watch provides daily workout suggestions based on your recent activity. It also estimates your recovery time, letting you know how long to rest before your next session. These features ensure you get the most out of your workouts without overtraining.
Intelligent Health Monitoring
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is more than a fitness watch—it also tracks various health metrics to ensure you’re in tune with your body.
Body Battery Energy Monitoring
The Body Battery feature gives you a snapshot of your energy levels. It fills up when you sleep and depletes as you go about your day. This simple feature helps you determine when you’re ready for exercise or when it’s best to rest.
Sleep and Stress Tracking
The watch tracks your sleep. It captures patterns and how long you sleep. You can only see detailed data in the Garmin Connect app. It also keeps track of your stress levels and offers guided breathing exercises to help you relax.
Garmin Forerunner 55 Battery Life
Garmin says the Forerunner 55 can last up to two weeks in smartwatch mode. It can last about 20 hours when the GPS is fully on.
Based on my tests, if you use it for about an hour of GPS each day, you can expect 8-10 days before needing to charge.
This is plenty for most runners, especially if you charge it overnight now and then.
Safety and Tracking Features
The Forerunner 55 also includes Garmin’s safety and tracking feature. If you feel unsafe or need help, you can quickly send an alert.
This alert will include your location. You can send it to your emergency contacts using your smartphone. While it relies on having your phone nearby, it’s a useful safety net for runners heading out solo.
Smart Features for Everyday Use
The Garmin Forerunner 55 doesn’t just track fitness—it comes with useful smart features that make daily life more convenient.
Notifications on Your Wrist
You can sync the watch with your phone to receive notifications for calls, texts, and app alerts. Using the buttons, you can read and scroll through messages. While you can’t respond to messages directly from the watch, it’s a handy way to stay connected without always pulling out your phone.
Music Controls
The watch lets you control music or podcasts playing on your phone. You can change the playback and volume on your watch. This works with Spotify, Apple Music, or other audio apps.
Comparison: 445 vs. 55 vs. 245
The Forerunner 55 slots neatly between the 45 and 245 in Garmin’s lineup. Compared to the 45, it offers:
- More sports profiles (like swimming and HIIT).
- Advanced pacing tools like PacePro.
- Training metrics like recovery time and race predictors.
Meanwhile, the 245 still edges out the 55 in advanced features. It adds music storage, onboard SPO2 sensors, and more comprehensive data tracking.
However, the added complexity and higher price tag make the 55 appealing for runners who want simplicity.
Here’s a comparison table for the Garmin Forerunner 445, Forerunner 55, and Forerunner 245:
| Feature | Garmin Forerunner 45 | Garmin Forerunner 55 | Garmin Forerunner 245 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 1.2 inches (240×240) | 1.04 inches (208×208) | 1.23 inches (240×240) |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Battery Life (Smartwatch Mode) | Up to 7 days | Up to 2 weeks | Up to 7 days |
| Battery Life (GPS Mode) | Up to 14 hours | Up to 20 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Music Storage | Up to 500 songs | No | Up to 500 songs |
| Garmin Pay | Yes | No | No |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Wrist-based | Wrist-based | Wrist-based |
| VO2 Max Estimation | Yes | No | Yes |
| Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | No | Yes |
| Running Dynamics | Yes (with an external sensor) | No | Yes (with external sensor) |
| Race-Day Features | No | PacePro pacing strategy | No |
| Incident Detection | No | No | Yes |
| Fitness Tracking | Advanced running dynamics, onboard workouts | Customizable workouts | Daily suggested workouts |
| Target Audience | Advanced runners | Beginners | Advanced runners |
Verdict: Is it worth it to buy Garmin Forerunner 55?
The Forerunner 55 is a great option for runners and fitness fans. A good upgrade from basic GPS watches exists. The platform welcomes beginners and offers enough options to keep more experienced users happy.
If you mainly run and don’t need extras like music storage or SPO2 tracking, the 55 is a good choice. It offers a nice balance of price and features.
It is accurate tracking and helpful training tools make it reliable for daily fitness. It also has a long battery life, which is great for race preparation.
For its current price of $167.98 on Amazon, the Forerunner 55 offers great features for most runners. It does this without being too complicated.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 55 get text messages?
Yes, you can receive text and app notifications when paired with your smartphone.
Can I wear my Garmin Forerunner 55 in the shower?
Yes, you confidently wear your Garmin Forerunner 55 in the shower. The watch is designed to be water-resistant and can support pressures equivalent to 50 meters in depth, hence very ideal for showering and swimming. Very ideal for showering and swimming, the water resistance makes the device functional during regular exposure to water: after a workout wash-off or during a swim. However, to maintain its performance in the long run, the watch should be rinsed with fresh water in contact with soap, shampoo, or chlorine, as this may allow some deposit buildup that may make the timepiece malfunction after a while or just look dirty.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 55 just for running?
No, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is not for running alone. While it is designed for runners, it also houses a few features for other sports and activities. It allows multiple activity profiles, including cycling, swimming, cardio, Pilates, and yoga, which makes this watch quite versatile in the world of fitness. Besides, it monitors heart rate, stress, sleep, and many other health metrics to extend its support for broader wellness beyond running.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 55 touchscreen?
No, it uses a button interface for navigation.
Can I leave my phone at home with Garmin Forerunner 55?
Yes, the built-in GPS allows you to track outdoor activities without your phone.
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