Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Forerunner 255 – Which Should You Buy?

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Garmin Forerunner 255 and Garmin Forerunner 55 are two top fitness smartwatches for advanced tracking, durability, and long-lasting performance. The Garmin Forerunner 255 is the newer and more advanced model with a vibrant AMOLED display, broader health tracking, and upgraded fitness features. 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 Forerunner 255 has a more advanced processor that improves responsiveness and app performance during workouts.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 uses an older processor with slower interface transitions.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Display:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 has an 1.3 inch MIP display that delivers sharp visuals and better contrast for improved readability.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 uses a 1.04 inch transflective MIP display.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Always-On Display:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 support an always-on display for constant visibility without wrist movement.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 does not support an always-on screen mode.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Display Resolution:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 delivers 260 x 260 pixels for sharper visuals and better readability.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 has a 208 x 208 resolution suited for basic metrics.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Dual Frequency GPS:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 includes dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy in dense environments like cities or trails.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 has standard GPS without multi-band support.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Battery Life:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 offers up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 matches 14 days in smartwatch mode but only reaches 20 hours in GPS mode.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Charging:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 uses a standard Garmin charging cable and charges faster than the Forerunner 55.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 charges more slowly.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Health & Fitness:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 includes Pulse Ox, HRV status, sleep score, stress tracking, and advanced recovery tools.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 focuses on basic heart rate and sleep tracking.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Durability:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 includes reinforced casing and better button response for rugged use.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 is built for everyday fitness with less emphasis on ruggedness.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Sport Mode:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 supports over 30 sport mode including triathlon, HIIT, and open water swimming.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 offers fewer, basic running and cardio modes.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255

 

Action Button:

  • Garmin Forerunner 255 features customizable action buttons for quick access to specific workouts or tools.
  • Garmin Forerunner 55 has standard button functions with no customization.
Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 255
Check Forerunner 255 Best Price
Check Forerunner 55 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature Garmin Forerunner 255 Garmin Forerunner 55
Display Size 1.3 inches 1.04 inches
Display Resolution 260 x 260 pixels 208 x 208 pixels
Display Type Sunlight-visible, transflective MIP Sunlight-visible, transflective MIP
Always-On Display Yes No
Processor More advanced chipset for faster response Basic processor
GPS Multi-band GNSS support Standard GPS only
Battery Life (Smartwatch Mode) Up to 14 days Up to 14 days
Battery Life (GPS Mode) Up to 30 hours Up to 20 hours
Sports Modes 30+ sports profiles Basic running and cardio modes
Weight 49 g 37 g
Water Rating 5 ATM 5 ATM
Barometric Altimeter Yes No
Pulse Ox Sensor Yes No
NFC Payments Yes (Garmin Pay) No

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Garmin Forerunner 255 if you:

  • Want advanced GPS accuracy and support for multi-band GNSS.
  • Need training tools like HRV status, sleep score, and stress tracking.
  • Participate in triathlons or multiple sport types and want full tracking support.
  • Value the larger display, longer GPS battery life, and better display resolution.
  • Are upgrading from an older watch and want serious fitness insights without going premium.

Check Garmin Forerunner 255 Best Price

Buy the Garmin Forerunner 55 if you:

  • Prefer a more affordable running watch with essential features.
  • Are a beginner looking for an easy-to-use, lightweight device.
  • Only need basic heart rate, pace, and sleep tracking.
  • Don’t require music storage, NFC, or advanced metrics.
  • Want the same 2-week smartwatch battery life at a lower price.

Check Forerunner 55 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category Winner
Processor Garmin Forerunner 255
Dual Frequency GPS Garmin Forerunner 255
Always-On Display Garmin Forerunner 255
Display Size Garmin Forerunner 255
Higher Resolution Garmin Forerunner 255
Display Brightness Garmin Forerunner 255
Internal Storage Garmin Forerunner 255
Battery Life Garmin Forerunner 255
Sport Mode Garmin Forerunner 255
Charging Garmin Forerunner 255
Action Button Garmin Forerunner 255
Wi-Fi Garmin Forerunner 255
Health & Fitness Garmin Forerunner 255
Connectivity Garmin Forerunner 255
Durability Garmin Forerunner 255

FAQ

Does the Garmin Forerunner 255 support triathlon mode?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 255 supports triathlon and multisport modes, allowing you to switch between activities like swimming, cycling, and running within a single workout.

Can the Garmin Forerunner 55 track sleep stages?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 55 can track light, deep, and REM sleep stages, but it lacks the advanced sleep metrics and sleep score available on the Forerunner 255.

Is there music storage on the Forerunner 255?
Music storage is only available on the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music edition. The standard Forerunner 255 does not include built-in music storage.

Do both watches support Garmin Pay?
Garmin Pay is available only on the Forerunner 255. The Forerunner 55 does not support contactless payments.

How accurate is the GPS on the Forerunner 255?
The Garmin Forerunner 255 uses multi-band GNSS for higher GPS accuracy, especially in dense areas like cities or mountains, making it more precise than the single-band GPS on the Forerunner 55.

Can I use either watch for open water swimming?
The Garmin Forerunner 255 supports open water swimming tracking. The Forerunner 55 is water-resistant but does not have a dedicated open water swim mode.

Do either of these watches have a touchscreen?
No, both the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 55 use five physical buttons for control and navigation. Neither model includes a touchscreen.

Which watch is better for long-distance runners?
The Forerunner 255 is better suited for long-distance runners due to its extended GPS battery life, dual-band GPS, and advanced performance metrics like HRV and VO2 Max.

Is the Forerunner 55 suitable for beginners?
Yes, the Forerunner 55 is ideal for beginners thanks to its easy-to-use interface, daily suggested workouts, and straightforward tracking features.

Can I view notifications from my phone on these watches?
Yes, both watches can display smartphone notifications such as calls, texts, and app alerts when paired via Bluetooth. However, only the Forerunner 255 supports more advanced smart features like calendar sync and weather widgets.

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