Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Watch Review
Published: February 1, 2023
Likes
- Classic look with a clear display
- Impressive battery life
- Simple-to-use five-button design
- Slim and lightweight design
- Easy integration with Garmin Connect App
Dislikes
- No dislikes
What's New
Refreshed from the Forerunner 45, the Garmin Forerunner 55 brings loads of new features, making it a powerful yet easy-to-use training tool for the straightforward runner. This watch is aimed at folks who don't need all the fancy features of the higher-end Forerunner 255 or 955 series but still want the essential benefits of a GPS watch. Even though this is Garmin's least expensive running watch, as each series becomes more and more advanced, this once-simple model has gained most of the bells and whistles found in the Forerunner 245. That includes Track Mode for accurate pacing and distance around the track, PacePro for staying on pace during a race, suggested daily workouts, Recovery Time, and plenty more. Check out our Garmin Forerunner Buying Guide comparing the Garmin Forerunner 955, 255, and 55 for a more in-depth look at what each watch has to offer.
The Bottom Line
Notable features of the Forerunner 55 that were not available with the previous version include Respiration Tracking to log your breathing throughout the day, during sleep, and during activities, Women's Health Tracking for on-watch entry/tracking for menstrual cycle or pregnancy, Recovery Advisor for suggestions on how long to rest before another big effort, a Race Predictor that forecasts race times for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon distances based on performance, added swimming and HIIT sport modes, an increased standby battery life from 1 to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, and increased GPS battery life from 13 hours to 20 hours. As you can see, there are a lot of new features packed into this watch. For $199, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a great value that can benefit most runners who don't require an extended battery life of over 20 hours at a time.
For this review, Garmin sent our experts their most current models for a few weeks of daily wear and testing. During that time, they were able to get familiar with each product and share their experiences. If you are still stumped about whether this is the right watch for you, check out our article, How to Choose the Best GPS Watch for Running.
Our In-Depth Look
Qualityi
Kaleb: "Though it is a more value-based offering, the Forerunner 55 is still a Garmin and is built with industry-leading quality. When I press the buttons, I can feel the quality. I have even been a little rough on the watch, and it has yet to show any signs of wear. I am certain that the watch can handle anything I can throw at it and that the materials will withstand the test of time."
Technologyi
Kaleb: "Again, this is Garmin we're talking about here, and quality is not in question. Runners will love the ease of use of the Forerunner 55's tech and the simple integration it has with the Garmin Connect App to get all their running and health data. Obviously, some runners may want more in-depth tracking features or expanded capabilities, which they can find in other Garmin offerings, but as Garmin's base model, the 55 impressed with what it could do."
Ease Of Usei
Kaleb: "I found the Forerunner 55 very easy to use. I was a little nervous at first because I know how 'techy' Garmin watches can get, and admittedly, I typically enjoy the simplicity of Fitbits and Apple Watches, but I quickly grew to love how easy it was to just get up and run with the Forerunner 55. It was literally just a couple of clicks away. Also, the watch seamlessly integrates with the Garmin Connect App, which I also found very easy to navigate through to get all my running data."
Comfort and Stylei
Kaleb: "I love a classically styled watch, and the Forerunner 55 delivers amazing Garmin quality with a traditional design and digital readout. The band is comfortable and secure around the wrist with no pressure points. The Forerunner 55 is also very light and practically disappears on the wrist when running."
Valuei
Kaleb: "I think that the Garmin Forerunner 55 is one of the best 'budget-friendly' options on the market. It is priced at $199, which makes it competitive with the Apple Watch Series 3, Coros Pace 2, and Polar Ignite 2, but having had two of the other three watches, I can say that the Garmin Forerunner 55 has the best value. This is mainly because of the very long battery life, ease of use while out on the run, and simple integration with the Garmin Connect app."
Individual Thoughts
KalebOverall Score: 10/10
Before testing out the Forerunner 55, I had recently purchased the Apple Watch Series 3, and now I am sorely regretting it, as the 55 might be the perfect watch for me and my needs. It is simple to use and has a classic style that works great with any running or casual outfit. The quality is excellent, with fantastic durability and an incredibly long battery life. I think I have only had to charge the watch one time over a three-week testing period. I also like the features within the Garmin Connect app. It was easy to upload my running data, check my health statistics, and see the recommended recovery time (Body Battery). Also, at $199, I am really impressed with how much watch you get for a relatively affordable price that is competitive with similar watches on the market (Coros Pace 2, Apple Watch 3, Polar Ignite 2). I would pick the Forerunner 55 over any of those other watches, and I am sad to send my tester back to Garmin.
