The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a GPS smartwatch designed for runners and fitness enthusiasts who seek a reliable and affordable device to track their workouts and monitor their health. This entry-level smartwatch offers a range of features that make it an excellent choice for those looking to improve their fitness while staying connected on the go. In this review, we’ll explore the design, features, performance, battery life, and overall value of the Garmin Forerunner 55 to help you determine if it’s the right fitness watch for your needs.
In this Garmin Forerunner 55 Review, we’ll take a look at:
Design and Build Quality
The Garmin Forerunner 55 combines functionality with a lightweight and comfortable design, making it ideal for everyday wear and intense workouts.
- Sleek Design: The Forerunner 55 features a simple, sporty design with a durable silicone band that feels comfortable on the wrist, even during long runs or workouts. The watch face is round, with a 1.04-inch sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display that is easily read in any lighting condition.
- Lightweight Construction: Weighing just 37 grams, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is incredibly lightweight, ensuring that it won’t weigh you down during your activities. Its slim profile also makes it comfortable to wear all day.
- Customization: The watch is available in several colors, including black, white, and aqua, allowing you to choose a style that suits your taste.
Features and Performance
Despite being an entry-level model, the Garmin Forerunner 55 has features catering to beginners and seasoned runners.
- Built-in GPS: The Forerunner 55 has a built-in GPS that accurately tracks your pace, distance, and route without carrying your phone. This feature is handy for outdoor runs and bike rides.
- Advanced Running Metrics: The watch offers advanced running metrics, such as cadence, pace, and distance, helping you monitor and improve your performance over time. It also includes Garmin’s PacePro™ feature, which provides tailored run-pacing strategies.
- Multiple Sports Modes: Beyond running, the Forerunner 55 supports various sports modes, including cycling, swimming, yoga, and more, making it a versatile fitness companion.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: The watch features wrist-based monitoring that tracks your heart rate 24/7, providing valuable insights into your overall health and fitness levels. It also alerts you if your heart rate stays too high or too low during rest periods.
- Stress and Sleep Tracking: The Forerunner 55 includes stress and sleep tracking features that help you monitor your well-being outside of workouts. The Body Battery™ energy monitoring feature combines data from your heart rate, stress levels, and sleep patterns to give you an overall view of your energy levels throughout the day.
Smart Features
The Garmin Forerunner 55 goes beyond fitness tracking, offering a range of smart features that help you stay connected while on the move.
- Intelligent Notifications: When paired with your smartphone, the Forerunner 55 delivers smart notifications directly to your wrist, allowing you to receive calls, texts, and app alerts without reaching your phone.
- Garmin Coach: The watch supports Garmin Coach, which offers free training plans for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon races. These plans adapt to your fitness level and performance, providing personalized coaching to help you reach your goals.
- Safety and Tracking: The Forerunner 55 includes features like LiveTrack, allowing friends and family to follow your real-time location during outdoor activities. It also has incident detection, which can automatically send your location to emergency contacts if it detects an incident during certain activities.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Garmin Forerunner 55 is its impressive battery life, which ensures that the watch can keep up with your active lifestyle.
- Long Battery Life: The Forerunner 55 offers up to 2 weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode. This means you can go for long runs, workouts, and even weekend trips without worrying about recharging the watch frequently.
- Power-Saving Modes: The watch also includes power-saving modes that help extend battery life when you’re not using all its features, ensuring it lasts as long as needed.
Ease of Use and Interface
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible to beginners and experienced users.
- Intuitive Interface: The watch features a simple five-button interface that is easy to navigate, even while on the move. The straightforward menus allow you to quickly access your workout data, settings, and intelligent features.
- Garmin Connect App: The watch pairs with the Garmin Connect app, where you can view detailed workout stats, track your progress, and customize the watch settings. The app is available on iOS and Android and offers a user-friendly experience.
Price and Availability
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is positioned as an affordable GPS smartwatch, offering an outstanding balance of features and performance for its price.
- Price: The Garmin Forerunner 55 typically retails for around $199, making it one of the more budget-friendly options in Garmin’s lineup. Despite its lower price, it still offers robust features that make it a strong contender in the fitness watch market.
- Availability: The Forerunner 55 is widely available through major electronics retailers, online marketplaces, and directly from Garmin’s official website.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable Price: The Forerunner 55 offers excellent value for its price, providing essential fitness tracking features without breaking the bank.
- Accurate GPS and Running Metrics: The built-in GPS and advanced running metrics make it a reliable tool for runners looking to improve their performance.
- Long Battery Life: With up to 2 weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode, the Forerunner 55 ensures you stay connected and tracked for extended periods.
- Customizable and Lightweight: The lightweight design and multiple color options make it a comfortable and stylish choice for daily wear.
Cons:
- Limited Smart Features: While the Forerunner 55 offers basic intelligent features, it lacks some of the more advanced capabilities found in higher-end models, such as music storage or payment options.
- No Touchscreen: The absence of a touchscreen may be a drawback for users accustomed to more modern smartwatch interfaces.
- Primary Display: The display is functional but lacks the vibrancy and sharpness of more premium models.
Conclusion
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a fantastic GPS smartwatch for those who want a reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use fitness tracker. Its accurate tracking, long battery life, and intelligent features make it an excellent choice for runners, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone looking to improve their overall health. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, the Forerunner 55 delivers where it counts, making it an excellent value for anyone looking to step up their fitness game. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly smartwatch with solid performance, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is worth considering.
Garmin Forerunner 55 FAQ
Is the Garmin Forerunner 55 suitable for beginners in running and fitness tracking?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is an excellent choice for beginners in running and fitness tracking. It offers easy-to-use features, accurate GPS tracking, and personalized training plans through Garmin Coach. The watch provides essential metrics like pace, distance, and heart rate, helping beginners track their progress and improve over time. Its affordable price point and user-friendly interface appeal to those new to fitness wearables.
How does the battery life of the Garmin Forerunner 55 compare to other fitness watches?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 offers impressive battery life compared to other fitness watches. It can last up to two weeks in smartwatch mode, which includes daily activity tracking and notifications, and up to 20 hours with continuous GPS usage. This long battery life ensures you can rely on the watch for extended periods without recharging frequently, making it convenient for daily and long-distance running.
Can the Garmin Forerunner 55 track activities other than running?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is versatile and can track various activities beyond running. It includes modes for cycling, swimming, walking, and even indoor exercises like yoga and cardio workouts. The watch also tracks daily steps, calories burned, and sleep, providing a comprehensive overview of your fitness and health. This makes the Forerunner 55 a great all-around fitness companion, regardless of your preferred activities.