The Garmin 225 and 955 Are Still the Best Value Fi...

In the event you’re searching for a Garmin watch at an amazing worth, the recent drops of the Forerunner 570 and 970 is good news—not since you ought to decide up these fashions (they’re high-quality, I assume) however as a result of the older generations of Forerunner, which stay glorious watches, at the moment are going for ludicrously low costs.

The earlier fashions, the 265 and 965, are nice, however you possibly can return yet one more era to the 255 and 955—launched in 2022—and save a whole lot 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 am going to get into the specs under, however the vital context right here is that Garmin’s Forerunners have severe longevity. Operating app Strava releases year-end development experiences that constantly present older Forerunners among the many nation’s and the world’s hottest operating watches. The most recent 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 most well-liked 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 that is at the moment on sale).
Credit score: Beth Skwarecki

The numbered fashions can get complicated, however I promise you’ll be capable to observe 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 just a little sibling that begins with a 2 (respectively: the 255, 265, and in a break from custom, 570).

The 9xx collection have onboard maps that allow you to see precisely the place you might be and the place you are going. The 2xx watches have breadcrumb navigation that exhibits you the overall form of the route you have already taken. In the event you want a map in your wrist, you in all probability need to go for a 9xx.

I wrote about the newest models here, so you possibly can see what the 970 has over the 965 (and what the 570 has over the 265). The massive characteristic 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 subsequent era again.

The 265 and 965 are glorious watches with vital performance, like dual-band GPS. you possibly can read my review of the 265 here:, and notice that the 265 is my very own private operating watch, the one which I purchased with my very own cash as a result of I like it. The 265 has a ton of nice options for runners. Some are concrete and practical: bodily buttons, a lot 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 urged 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 possibly can see the place you might be relative to roads, our bodies of water, and so forth. It is also obtained just a few 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 can be meaningfully totally different between the x55 and x65 collection are:

• The 255/955 have the older, always-on MIP display, whereas the 265 has a smartphone-style AMOLED display. I have more here on the difference between those screen types.

• The 255/955 haven’t got touchscreens. You’ll use the UP and DOWN buttons on the left aspect to scroll by 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, but it surely does have Coaching Standing. (Personally, I by no means use Coaching Readiness, so this isn’t a lot of a loss. You’ll be able to all the time have a look at your HRV development, which the watch additionally experiences, in order for you a way of how recovered you might be every morning.) The 955, 265, and 965 all have Coaching Readiness.

For the detailed record of each minor characteristic that’s totally different between the 2, you possibly can take a look at this comparison page on Garmin’s site. 

Which Forerunner 255 model you must 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 measurement (45.6 mm) and doesn’t have music storage. 

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

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

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

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

That can assist you determine, the picture 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 have 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 whenever you understand they’re mainly the identical watch with a distinct show.

So I wouldn’t anticipate a 255 to really feel outdated anytime quickly. The principle query you want to ask your self is: How do I really feel a few MIP display? I’ve written more about the difference between MIP and AMOLED here. MIP screens don’t mild up, though they’ve a backlight that may come on robotically whenever you increase your wrist. At relaxation, they’re “all the time on,” within the sense that they’re all the time displaying one thing, so that you’ll by no means look down at a clean display. They’re additionally brightly reflective in daylight. 

AMOLED screens are extra like a smartphone display, with glowing pixels, and watches sometimes flip off the show whenever you’re not utilizing it to avoid wasting vitality. (You’ll be able to allow an always-on setting, but it surely 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 want the MIP screens, and if that features you, this can be a no-brainer: snag the 255 or 955. You’ll be able to even get a refurbished version for $179.99, which makes this one of many least expensive Garmin watches in any line. 

The underside line (verify costs)

Costs on Forerunners have been fluctuating these days, so I am hesitant to provide any dollar-for-dollar comparisons, however here is what I am seeing for the time being 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 may as properly get the -65 model of whichever watch you like.

However over on Amazon, I am seeing costs as little as $247 for the 255 and $373 for the 955. Meaning a 255 is identical worth because the anemic Forerunner 165 (it is OK as a funds watch, but it surely’s lacking numerous options that the 255/265 have) and the 955 is identical worth as a 265! Verify costs to see if these offers are nonetheless reside by the point you learn this, and in the end determine based mostly on options.