In the event you’re in search of a Garmin watch at an important worth, the latest drops of the Forerunner 570 and 970 is good news—not since you ought to decide up these fashions (they’re advantageous, I suppose) however as a result of the older generations of Forerunner, which stay wonderful watches, at the moment are going for ludicrously low costs.

The earlier fashions, the 265 and 965, are nice, however you may return yet another era to the 255 and 955—launched in 2022—and save lots of of {dollars} with out sacrificing any main performance. I actually cannot consider any health watch that could be a higher deal proper now, given the costs we’re seeing on these two: at the moment $247 for the Forerunner 255, and $373 for the Forerunner 955, which is the upgraded model with maps and some additional coaching options.

Why am I recommending three-year-old watches? I will get into the specs beneath, however the vital context right here is that Garmin’s Forerunners have severe longevity. Operating app Strava releases year-end pattern experiences that persistently present older Forerunners among the many nation’s and the world’s hottest working watches. The most up-to-date report, for instance, had the Garmin Forerunner 245 in third place, after the Apple Watch and Apple Watch SE. That is a five-year-old watch. Not way back, the Forerunner 235, then an eight-year-old watch, was the preferred worldwide. These items final!

What the 255 and 955 are lacking in comparison with newer fashions (not a lot)

Left: 265S (the smaller, newer mannequin). Proper: 255 (the bigger one with the MIP display screen that is at the moment on sale).
Credit score: Beth Skwarecki

The numbered fashions can get complicated, however I promise you’ll have the ability to comply with alongside. All of the watches that begin with a 9 are the top-of-the-line Forerunners (the 955 was changed by the 965 and most just lately the 970) and most of these got here with a bit of sibling that begins with a 2 (respectively: the 255, 265, and in a break from custom, 570).

The 9xx sequence have onboard maps that allow you to see precisely the place you’re and the place you are going. The 2xx watches have breadcrumb navigation that exhibits you the final form of the route you’ve got already taken. In the event you want a map in your wrist, you most likely need to go for a 9xx.

I wrote concerning the latest fashions right here, so you may see what the 970 has over the 965 (and what the 570 has over the 265). The massive function is that the 570 and 970 assist voice calling and voice texts, and the 970 has a built-in LED flashlight. If these options aren’t must-haves for you, check out the following era again.

The 265 and 965 are wonderful watches with vital performance, like dual-band GPS. you may learn my assessment of the 265 right here:, and notice that the 265 is my very own private working watch, the one which I purchased with my very own cash as a result of I adore it. The 265 has a ton of nice options for runners. Some are concrete and practical: bodily buttons, a number of choices for information screens, and a dual-band GPS for additional location accuracy. Others are extra software-y however nonetheless arguably helpful: coaching standing, day by day instructed exercises. The battery additionally lasts between one and two weeks, relying on what number of exercises you do. 

The 965 has all that, plus onboard maps, so you may see the place you’re relative to roads, our bodies of water, and so forth. It is also acquired a couple of additional coaching statistics, like an endurance rating and a warmth acclimation rating.

The 255 and 955 have all of those similar options. The one options which are meaningfully completely different between the x55 and x65 sequence are:

• The 255/955 have the older, always-on MIP display screen, whereas the 265 has a smartphone-style AMOLED display screen. I’ve extra right here on the distinction between these display screen varieties.

• The 255/955 haven’t got touchscreens. You’ll use the UP and DOWN buttons on the left facet to scroll via choices. 

• The 255 can’t retailer music, until you purchase the 255 Music model. The 955 has music storage in-built, similar to the 265 and 965 do.

• The 255 doesn’t have Coaching Readiness, however it does have Coaching Standing. (Personally, I by no means use Coaching Readiness, so this isn’t a lot of a loss. You possibly can at all times take a look at your HRV pattern, which the watch additionally experiences, if you need a way of how recovered you’re every morning.) The 955, 265, and 965 all have Coaching Readiness.

For the detailed listing of each minor function that’s completely different between the 2, you may take a look at this comparability web page on Garmin’s web site. 

Which Forerunner 255 model it’s best to get

There is just one Forerunner 955, however there are 4 variations of the 255, and two variations of the 265.

• The common Forerunner 255 is the bigger dimension (45.6 mm) and doesn’t have music storage. 

• The Forerunner 255S is the smaller dimension (41 mm) and likewise doesn’t have music storage.

• The Forerunner 255 Music is the bigger dimension (45.6 mm) and does have music storage, so you may play tunes from the watch whereas leaving your cellphone at dwelling.

• The Forerunner 255S Music is the smaller dimension (41 mm) with music storage.  

Personally, I at all times have my cellphone with me once I run, so I’ve by no means discovered the standalone music function very useful. In the event you assume you would possibly use it, although, it’s usually a $50 improve, however at the moment solely a $20 improve on the bigger dimension of the watch.

That will help you determine, the photograph above exhibits the distinction in screens between the AMOLED 265S (left) and MIP 255 (proper). It additionally exhibits the scale distinction between the smaller and bigger fashions; the 265S on the left is 41.7 mm, very near the 255S at 41 mm.

How outdated is the 255, anyway? 

The 255 is just one yr older than the 265. They had been launched in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Earlier than that, Forerunner releases tended to be three to 4 years aside. The fast turnaround between the 255 and 265 is smart once you understand they’re mainly the identical watch with a special show.

So I wouldn’t count on a 255 to really feel outdated anytime quickly. The principle query it is advisable ask your self is: How do I really feel a couple of MIP display screen? I’ve written extra concerning the distinction between MIP and AMOLED right here. MIP screens don’t gentle up, though they’ve a backlight that may come on mechanically once you elevate your wrist. At relaxation, they’re “at all times on,” within the sense that they’re at all times displaying one thing, so that you’ll by no means look down at a clean display screen. They’re additionally brightly reflective in daylight. 

AMOLED screens are extra like a smartphone display screen, with glowing pixels, and watches sometimes flip off the show once you’re not utilizing it to save lots of vitality. (You possibly can allow an always-on setting, however it eats battery.) That mentioned, the general battery life on each watches is analogous on default settings—14 days not counting actions for the 255, and 13 days for the 265. 

Some individuals choose the MIP screens, and if that features you, it is a no-brainer: snag the 255 or 955. You possibly can even get a refurbished model for $179.99, which makes this one of many least expensive Garmin watches in any line. 

The underside line (examine costs)

Costs on Forerunners have been fluctuating these days, so I am hesitant to offer any dollar-for-dollar comparisons, however here is what I am seeing in the meanwhile I write this. Formally, Garmin is promoting the 255 and 265 for a similar worth, $349.99. The 955 and 965 are going for a similar worth, $499.99. At these costs, you would possibly as properly get the -65 model of whichever watch you favor.

However over on Amazon, I am seeing costs as little as $247 for the 255 and $373 for the 955. Which means a 255 is similar worth because the anemic Forerunner 165 (it is OK as a price range watch, however it’s lacking lots of options that the 255/265 have) and the 955 is similar worth as a 265! Verify costs to see if these offers are nonetheless stay by the point you learn this, and finally determine based mostly on options.