Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Instinct 2 – Which Should You Buy?

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Garmin Instinct 2 and Garmin Forerunner 55 are two top fitness smartwatches for advanced tracking, durability, and long-lasting performance. Garmin Instinct 2 is the newer and more advanced model with durability, multi-GNSS support, and long battery life. The Forerunner 55 remains a popular entry-level running watch known for simplicity and long battery life. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 features a power-efficient processor that extends battery life for outdoor use.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 uses an older processor with slower interface transitions.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Durability:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 includes a MIL-STD-810 certified build that resists thermal, shock, and water exposure.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 is built for daily fitness use but lacks military-grade durability.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Battery Life:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 supports up to 28 days of use in smartwatch mode to minimize recharging needs.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 lasts up to 14 days in smartwatch mode.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

GPS Battery Life:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 has up to 30 hours in GPS mode that suits long outdoor activities.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 supports up to 20 hours in GPS mode.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Operating System:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 has a software interface design for multi-sport outdoor use with deep activity customization.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 runs a simplified system focused on runners and daily health tracking.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Fitness Features:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 features advanced training metrics and multiple activity modes that support tactical, hiking, and strength sessions.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 includes suggested workouts, pace strategies, and VO2 Max.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Health Tracking:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 includes heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress tracking that support overall wellness.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 tracks heart rate and sleep and provides fitness age estimates.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Water Resistance:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 supports 10 ATM water resistance that is suitable for swimming and water sports.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 has 5 ATM water resistance.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Sport Modes:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 supports over 30 activity modes including hunting, hiking, and tactical options.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 includes core modes like running, cycling, and walking.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Emergency Features:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 includes incident detection and assistance plus return-navigation tools for safety.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 includes incident detection and basic assistance.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2

 

Action Button:

  • Garmin Instinct 2 has an action button that improves access to tools during outdoor activities.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 does not include an action button.
Winner:

Garmin Instinct 2
Check Instinct 2 Best Price
Check Forerrunner 55 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature Garmin Instinct 2 Garmin Forerunner 55
Always-On Display Yes Yes
Battery Life Up to 28 days (smartwatch mode) Up to 14 days (smartwatch mode)
GPS Battery Life Up to 30 hours Up to 20 hours
Multi-GNSS Support Yes Yes
Processor Not disclosed (optimized for power efficiency) Not disclosed
Sport Modes 30+ 10+
Action Button Yes No
Emergency Features TracBack Routing, Incident Detection Incident Detection
Bluetooth Yes Yes
Water Resistance 10 ATM (100 meters) 5 ATM (50 meters)
Rugged Certification MIL-STD-810 No
Case Material Fiber-reinforced polymer Plastic
Design Focus Rugged, outdoor performance Lightweight, fitness-focused

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Garmin Instinct 2 if you:

  • Want a rugged watch built for hiking, climbing, or extreme environments
  • Need military-grade durability and long battery life
  • Prefer having TracBack and multi-GNSS tracking for off-grid adventures
  • Want higher water resistance for swimming or water sports
  • Like having more sport modes and outdoor-ready features

Check Garmin Instinct 2 Best Price

Buy the Garmin Forerunner 55 if you:

  • Are focused on running and basic fitness tracking
  • Prefer a lightweight, simple, and more affordable watch
  • Want suggested workouts and beginner-friendly guidance
  • Don’t need rugged features or extreme battery life
  • Like a slightly bigger color display in a compact case

Check Forerunner 55 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category Winner
Processor Garmin Instinct 2
Always-On Display Garmin Instinct 2
Battery Life Garmin Instinct 2
Sport Modes Garmin Instinct 2
Action Button Garmin Instinct 2
Health & Fitness Garmin Instinct 2
Water Resistance Garmin Instinct 2
Durability Garmin Instinct 2
Rugged Titanium Case Garmin Instinct 2

FAQ

Does the Garmin Instinct 2 support music storage or playback?
No, the Garmin Instinct 2 does not include onboard music storage or music playback functionality. You can control music playing from your connected smartphone, but music files cannot be stored directly on the watch.

Is the Garmin Forerunner 55 touchscreen-enabled?
No, the Garmin Forerunner 55 does not have a touchscreen. It relies on five physical buttons for navigation and control.

Can the Garmin Instinct 2 be used for swimming or diving?
Yes, the Garmin Instinct 2 is water-rated to 10 ATM, making it suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and water sports, but not for scuba diving.

Does the Garmin Forerunner 55 have multi-GNSS support?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 55 supports multiple global navigation satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, for improved location tracking.

Is the Garmin Instinct 2 suitable for hiking and backcountry navigation?
Yes, the Garmin Instinct 2 is designed for outdoor use with features like TracBack routing, multi-GNSS support, and military-grade durability, making it a strong choice for hiking and wilderness exploration.

Can either watch make or receive phone calls?
No, neither the Garmin Instinct 2 nor the Garmin Forerunner 55 has a microphone or speaker for making or receiving phone calls. They can display smartphone notifications, including incoming call alerts.

What type of display does the Garmin Forerunner 55 use?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 uses a color, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display with a resolution of 208 x 208 pixels.

Does the Garmin Instinct 2 include Pulse Ox or blood oxygen tracking?
The standard version of the Garmin Instinct 2 does not include Pulse Ox. However, select variants like the Instinct 2 Solar Tactical Edition include this feature.

How long does the battery last on the Garmin Forerunner 55 in GPS mode?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 provides up to 20 hours of battery life in continuous GPS mode, which is ideal for most long-distance runs and races.

Is the Garmin Instinct 2 compatible with Android and iOS devices?
Yes, the Garmin Instinct 2 is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones via the Garmin Connect app, allowing syncing of activities, notifications, and health data.

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