Garmin Forerunner watches have earned their fame as incredible choices for runners, throughout a number of value ranges. Here’s the rub: Garmin has launched 4 new fashions since 2022, from the spectacular Forerunner 965 to the mid-range & high-quality Forerunner 255. Deciding which of those nice watches to purchase is a problem.On high of that, you will discover that Garmin nonetheless sells most of its last-gen or lower-end Forerunner watches, from the 55 to the 945 LTE. These, too, will be tempting, particularly throughout offers occasions. But must you purchase these and miss out on what the newer Forerunners have to supply?Below, we have rounded up one of the best Garmin Forerunner fashions that will help you resolve which one is the appropriate match for all your operating wants.Picking one of the best Garmin Forerunner watch for each kind of runnerWhy you’ll be able to belief Android Central
Our knowledgeable reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you’ll be able to select one of the best for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.
The finest operating watch
Our present choose for one of the best operating watch, the Forerunner 265 has two important perks over its predecessors: the AMOLED touchscreen for higher total visibility and value, and Training Readiness, a widget that basically tells you ways prepared you’re to coach. Comparing the Forerunner 265 vs. 255, the 255 Music has almost all the identical software program, the identical GPS accuracy, and a lot better battery life. On the opposite hand, paying $50 extra for a greater show looks as if an inexpensive selection.
Barely a downgrade
Garmin’s 2022 mid-range Forerunner mannequin strikes one of the best stability for severe runners who do not need to over-pay. The Forerunner 255 has all of the core options you want — exercise solutions, well being monitoring with pulse ox, exercise pacing, and cadence — together with recent options like multi-band GPS, NFC, and new information widgets. It doubles the battery life and enlarges the show in comparison with its predecessor, the Forerunner 245. It is available in 1.3-inch and 1.1-inch sizes, plus a music storage improve.
Starting place
Casual runners who need to begin monitoring their runs and different exercises may choose the 2021 Garmin Forerunner 55, probably the most reasonably priced watch that is not outdated. You get key options equivalent to built-in GPS, Pacepro, exercise solutions, and restoration time recs. It is available in a light-weight case and provides two weeks of battery life. Still, you miss out on key instruments like coaching load, an altimeter, SpO2, and Performance Condition, so hold that in thoughts; it is best suited to newbies.
No compromises
This is my (the author’s) each day smartwatch and the one I like to recommend for severe runners who can afford it. The Forerunner 965 launched in 2023 with just about each operating, biking, and multisport function Garmin has, and it is acquired a number of function updates within the months since to maintain issues recent. It’s arguably a bit giant and heavy, however that offers it sufficient battery life to make up for the big AMOLED show.
High-end, long-lasting
Slightly pricier than the 255 Music, the Garmin Forerunner 955 offers you a touchscreen and solely is available in one 1.3-inch variant. Along with all the identical sensors and multi-band monitoring because the 255, you get unique perks like full-color maps, real-time stamina, quadrupled music storage, and Endurance/ Hill scores. It has the very same tech because the 965, with higher GPS battery life, for $100 much less — for those who can abdomen MIP over AMOLED.
Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE
Also obtainable: 945
The Forerunner 945 LTE first shipped in mid-2021, however due to current updates, it is almost as tempting because the 955. Garmin added instruments like coaching readiness/standing, HRV standing, race widget, each day advised exercises, and operating energy after the actual fact. More importantly, it is the one Forerunner choice with mobile information. You cannot do a lot with it besides allow security options and dwell monitoring for those who depart your telephone at house, however in principle, it might save your life. It does lack a touchscreen and all-systems GNSS monitoring, nevertheless.
Middle of the street
We often see the Forerunner 745 on sale right now for a low value throughout deal occasions. The solely drawback is that this watch is, basically, a lesser 255 with no guarantees of future updates. You do get every week of battery life, coaching load and impact, advised exercises, 4GB of music storage, and race predictions. But you aren’t getting dual-frequency GPS, HRV standing, a triathalon mode, nap monitoring, enhanced Body Battery, or different trendy perks.
An oldie however a goodie
Compared to the newer 255, the Forerunner 245 misses out on just a few new options and would require extra frequent recharges. Still, this mannequin was certainly one of our favourite operating watches within the years since its 2019 launch. It’s decently lighter than the 255 and price shopping for at a reduction. It additionally has core instruments like Garmin Coach, VO2 Max, Training Effect/Load, and Body Battery that any runner will admire. Just do not anticipate it to get any extra function updates.
Last-gen finances choice
Now we’re attending to watches with only a few redeeming options which might be not value shopping for. Aside from settling for simply seven days or 13 GPS hours of battery life, the Forerunner 45 has the entire downsides of the Forerunner 55, whereas lacking exercise solutions, Pacepro, restoration time, ladies’s well being monitoring, and sure swimming modes. You do get Body Battery, stress monitoring, and Garmin Coach, however not a lot else.
GPS for reasonable
Sometimes, you need the fundamentals with out having to interrupt the financial institution. The Garmin Forerunner 35 offers you 9 days of juice with this mannequin, with onboard GPS, heart-rate monitoring, and exercise monitoring. You’ll even have smartphone notifications in your wrist when your telephone is related. Unfortunately, that is about it. Again, it has the entire Forerunner 45’s downsides, and lacks necessities like Body Battery, health age, and stress monitoring. You’re not going to see all the things that Garmin has to supply with certainly one of these.
Garmin Forerunner 645 Music
Tons of performance (for the time)
With every week of battery life, you would do so much with the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music, past listening to music with out your telephone readily available. It had a number of built-in exercise profiles when that was uncommon, together with an altimeter, gyroscope, and compass. It preceded tips like Body Battery and advised exercises that we’re used to, however at the very least you bought restoration time, coaching load, efficiency situation, and race predictions.
Garmin Forerunner sensors and optionsGarmin watches have a ton of options, and it may be laborious to maintain observe of what every watch can do. So we have poured over the specs of each important Forerunner mannequin nonetheless in the marketplace, to indicate you what options you will get (or miss out on) whenever you select one!To summarize, for the newest coaching options, you will need to take a look at the Forerunner 255, 265, 955, or 965, although the 945 LTE has gotten a good quantity of latest software program despatched again its approach. You want a 9XX watch for correct maps, or an X65 look ahead to an AMOLED show and corresponding tips like Red Shift mode. Generally talking, the Forerunner 965 has all the things on the checklist besides mobile. Swipe to scroll horizontallyFeatureWhich Forerunner watches have it?Heart charge trackingAllSleep rating and insights255, 265, 745, 945, 955, 965Nap detection255, 265, 955, 9655ATM water resistanceAllBuilt-in GPSAllAll-Systems GNSS/ dual-frequency GPS255, 265, 955, 965SatIQ (Auto-select) GPS mode265, 965Pulse Ox245, 255, 265, 745, 945, 955, 965Altimeter255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965Gyroscope255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965Compass255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965AMOLED265, 965Touchscreen265, 955, 965Music storage255 Music (~500 songs), 265 (1,000), 645 Music (500), 745 (500), 945 (1,000), 955 (2,000), 965 (2,000)Garmin Pay255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965Body Battery45, 55, 245, 255, 265, 745, 945, 955, 965Health AgeAll besides 35All-day stress trackingAll besides 35Intensity minutesAllVO2 MaxAllHRV Standing255, 265, 945, 955, 965Performance situation245, 255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965Race predictor55, 245, 255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965Each day advised exercises55, 245, 255, 265, 745, 945, 955, 965Recovery time55, 245, 255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965Actual-time stamina955, 965Multisport255, 265, 955, 965Pacepro55, 245, 255, 265, 745, 945, 955, 965Training impact/ standing / load245, 255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965Training load focus255, 265, 745, 945, 955, 965Acute load255, 265, 955, 965Training Readiness265, 955, 965Endurance / Hill scores955, 965Wrist-based operating dynamics/ energy255, 265, 945 LTE, 955, 965Full-color maps945, 955, 965Mobile help945 LTEGarmin Forerunner battery life in contrastSwipe to scroll horizontallyForerunner modelSmartwatch modeGPS-onlyGPS with musicAll-Systems GNSSAll + Multi-bandGarmin Forerunner 359 days13 hours🚫 (Not relevant)🚫🚫Garmin Forerunner 457 days13 hours🚫🚫🚫Garmin Forerunner 5514 days20 hours🚫🚫🚫Garmin Forerunner 2457 days24 hours🚫🚫🚫Garmin Forerunner 25514 days30 hours7 hours25 hours16 hoursGarmin Forerunner 26513 days20 hours7 hours16 hours14 hoursGarmin Forerunner 645 Music7 days14 hours5 hours🚫🚫Garmin Forerunner 7457 days16 hours6 hours🚫🚫Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE14 days35 hours12 hours🚫🚫Garmin Forerunner 95515 days (20 with photo voltaic)42 hours (49 with photo voltaic)10.5 hours31 hours (34 with photo voltaic)22 hoursGarmin Forerunner 96523 days31 hours10.5 hours22 hours19 hoursWhich Garmin Forerunner mannequin must you purchase?As you’ll be able to see, there is not any scarcity of Garmin Forerunner fashions so that you can choose from. Without a doubt, most would fall among the many finest operating watches, with the Forerunner 265 and 965 arguably topping the checklist. If you are going to purchase one right now, I’d strongly argue that you just select the 255, 265, 955, or 965. They’re the one Forerunner watches with probably the most correct GPS monitoring, and the one ones nonetheless receiving the newest software program tips trickling down from the Fenix and Epix fashions — particularly the pricier 955 and 965. Otherwise, thrifty runners can most likely make do with the Forerunner 55. I’d warn that Garmin will most likely launch a extra superior, reasonably priced Forerunner 65 someday in 2024, so you could need to wait. Still unsure the place to start out? These are the primary elements to consider:1. Consider the sizeWhen you are a runner, the dimensions, weight, and thickness make an enormous totally different for consolation, particularly for marathoners and up who must put on one for hours. Forerunners are definitely heavier than your typical health tracker, however that applies to some greater than others. The Forerunner 35, 45, 55, 255S, and 265S all fall into the 36-39g weight class with a 1- or 1.1-inch show dimension. Many individuals with smaller wrists will choose this dimension, even when it means the show textual content is not fairly as readable. If that is a priority, get the 265S: its 360×360 AMOLED is a lot extra readable than the 255S’ 218×218 show.Also, check out every Forerunner watch’s thickness. The Forerunner 955 (14.4mm) is considerably beefier than the 255 (12.4mm), as an example. That might make much more distinction than the burden hole. 2. AMOLED or MIPGarmin used memory-in-pixel shows all these years as a result of they save battery life and are extra readable in direct daylight than your typical AMOLED. But Garmin lastly transitioned with the 265 and 965 as a result of its battery tech has improved sufficient to help higher visibility whereas nonetheless lasting an extended chunk of time. That stated, the 255 does final considerably longer than the 265, which falls nearer to a last-gen Forerunner with its mere 20 hours of GPS battery (similar because the Forerunner 55). If that further 10 GPS hours issues to you, you could need to forego the AMOLED improve. As for the 965, it is also 11 GPS hours in need of the 955, however 31 hours is nothing to sneeze at! And it really lasts 8 days longer in smartwatch mode, proving it does higher whereas idling. In that case, the one cause to downgrade for the 955 is due to the low cost. 3. Think concerning the optionsAs the sensors and options desk above exhibits, Garmin slowly added increasingly tips to its Forerunner watches over time. Even although the Forerunner 55 prices a lot lower than, say, the 745, it shares most of the similar tips. The newer the watch, the extra seemingly it’s to have what you want as a runner. If I needed to choose the Forerunner “essentials” for my operating coaching, this may be my checklist:Recovery time (55, 245, 255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965)Training load ratio (255, 265, 745, 945, 955, 965)Elevation monitoring (255, 265, 645, 745, 945, 955, 965)Dual-frequency monitoring (255, 265, 955, 965)Aside from extra correct GPS, many of the Garmin Forerunners of the final 5 years have the “essentials.” Other extra trendy tips, like wrist-based operating dynamics with out the Pod, acute and persistent load, nap detection, HRV-based stress information, and Training Readiness are all good to have, however possibly you are able to do with out them. If you really need full-color maps in your wrist, or the power to verify close by environment with out having to obtain programs first, you will particularly want the Forerunner 945, 955, or 965. The similar goes for different high-end tips like real-time stamina and Hill Scores for elevation coaching. 4. Battery life considerationsYou principally do not must be too involved about battery life when selecting a Garmin Forerunner mannequin. The 55, 255, 265S, 945, 955, and 965 all supply at the very least two weeks of battery life — although that determine will not final for those who use numerous GPS battery. In that case, the 255, 945 LTE, 955, or 965 will do particularly nicely.You can technically purchase the Forerunner 955 Solar to get an extra battery life enhance, but it surely’s not almost what you get from an Instinct 2X Solar with its “unlimited” battery life and 145 GPS hours. That watch’s photo voltaic panel could be very environment friendly, whereas the 955 Solar panel is not actually definitely worth the $100 further, in my thoughts. On the decrease finish, the 245, 645 Music, and 745 all supply seven full days of battery life in smartwatch mode, whereas the older, budget-friendly Forerunner 35 offers you 9 days of juice. Generally talking, you’ll be able to anticipate at the very least every week of battery life no matter which mannequin you choose. Also, for those who purchase a watch intending to make use of the music storage function, understand that this trick burns by your battery life; anticipate to lose about two-thirds of your typical capability, making a 945, 955, or 965 particularly helpful. Garmin Forerunners for everybodyChoosing one of the best Garmin Forerunner mannequin is barely troublesome as a result of there are such a lot of good watches to decide on between. They’re among the finest Garmin smartwatches you should buy. With an intensive catalog of choices, it is simple to discover a watch that’s designed to your way of life. Of course, you may as well take a look at the entire different watches the corporate has to supply to verify you make the appropriate selection to your wants.But ultimately, if you’d like one of the best Garmin Forerunner for many runners, that is the Garmin Forerunner 265 for options and specs, the 55 for finances high quality, or the 965 for all the things and the kitchen sink.