Runners worldwide were excited to learn that the Garmin Forerunner 955 and 255 had been released, with a wealth of features that signify a major upgrade in the world of running wearables. If you want a new running watch but can’t decide between the two, take a look at our comparison of the Forerunner 955 vs Forerunner 255 before you buy.
What Type of Watch is the Garmin Forerunner 955?
The latest Forerunner 955 is Garmin’s newest multi-sports watch that works hard to produce the information you need when improving your physical performance. There are two versions of the Forerunner 955 – a standard edition and a solar edition, giving you greater say over how you choose to power your device.
What Type of Watch is the Garmin Forerunner 255?
The Forerunner 255 upgrade from the 245 means it is no longer just a running watch. It is now a complete triathlon device that works seamlessly to track the sport you are training in. As the watch is marketed as a triathlon device, you can look forward to a wide range of tracking and stats designed to improve your performance.
Is the Forerunner 955 or Forerunner 255 Designed Better?
When it comes to design, both of these watches have the best of Garmin inside them and look very similar in terms of design. However, there are some key differences.
The Forerunner 955 has a round face with five navigational buttons and a 1.3-inch touchscreen for ease of use. Interestingly, you can opt to disable the touch controls and just opt for the buttons, which can prove helpful if you find yourself accidentally switching between screens.
The Forerunner 255 also comes with a round face and five navigational buttons, but this device does not offer a touchscreen for you to use. Instead, the 1.1-inch or 1.3-inch screens are easily navigated by pressing the right button at the right time!
The Forerunner 955 comes in just one size option – 46.5×46.5×14.4mm and weighs in at 52g, making it the larger and thicker choice of the two devices we are comparing. The watch’s body is made from fiber-reinforced polymer, and the strap is made from high-grade silicone.
The Forerunner 255 comes in two different size options, with one that is 45.6×45.6×12.9mm and another that is 41x41x12.4mm. The former weighs in at 49g, and the smaller option is just 39g. This is great for people who want to find a watch that fits their wrist size and their style needs!
What Features Do the Forerunner 955 and 255 Offer?
Investing in a new multi-sports or triathlon watch can be a dent in your budget, but getting a device that offers something new can be worth the splurge! The Forerunner 955 and 255 come with a number of similar features, including in-built GPS/GLONASS & Galileo for accurate navigational support and a huge range of health and fitness tools, including:
- Sp02 monitor
- Altimeter
- Gyroscope
- Compass
- Accelerometer
- Heart rate tracker
- And more
There are also several sensors on both devices that will ensure you get the most accurate results every time you head out. The stats that the watches record are delivered to the app, ready for you to analyze whenever you are ready.
The Forerunner 955 comes with a number of additional features, too, including heart rate variability, stress tracking, body battery, and over thirty different sports to track. It also now supports open water swimming as well as triathlon swimming and comes with daily suggestions for workouts, hints, tips, and more to help you get the most from your body.
In terms of smart features, both watches come with Garmin Pay so that you can leave your wallet at home, and they both allow you to download music for your workouts. The Forerunner 955 will let you store up to 2000 songs, and the Forerunner 255 Music offers 500. However, the standard Forerunner 255 only comes with music control, meaning you will need an attached device and internet connection to play tunes when you workout.
Which has a better battery?
Battery life will always be an important factor for watch owners, and Garmin has worked hard to continue offering great options. The Forerunner 255 comes with about 12 days of battery life when used in smartwatch mode, and the Forerunner 955 offers around 15 days.
However, when you factor in GPS usage, both devices drop their overall battery life, with the forerunner 255 offering 30 hours of use and the Forerunner 955 offering 42 hours. This number drops again when you add music playback, giving you 6.5 hours on the Forerunner 255 and 8.5 on the Forerunner 955. It’s worth remembering that this relates to constant GPS or GPS and music playback, so your overall battery life will be somewhere between the smartwatch mode and the GPS and music modes.
The other important consideration is the solar Forerunner 955 option, which has a more expensive initial cost but claims to offer up to 25% more to your battery life than the standard options. Remember to get the best results from this. You will need to live in a sunny location and spend a lot of time outdoors. Otherwise, it’s just a bit too gimmicky to warrant the extra cost.
Comparison Table
| Forerunner 955 | Forerunner 255 Large | Forerunner 255 Small | |
| Screen | Gorilla Glass DX | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Strap | 22mm silicone | 22mm silicone | 18mm silicone |
| Size | 46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4mm | 45.6 x 45.6 x 12.9mm | 41 x 41 x 12.4mm |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No | No |
| Display | 1.3-inch | 1.3-inch | 1.1-inch |
| Weight | 52g | 49g | 39g |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters | 50 meters |
| Solar Powered | Solar option available | No | No |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 days | Up to 12 days | Up to 12 days |
| Music Storage | 2000 songs | 500 songs on music version | 500 songs on music version |
| Colour Options | Whitestone & Black | Whitestone, Tidal Blue, Black & Slate Grey | Whitestone, Light Pink, Powder Grey & Black |
The Verdict – Forerunner 955 vs Forerunner 255
When choosing an overall winner between the Forerunner 955 vs Forerunner 255, Garmin has provided two excellent devices for consideration. The Forerunner 955 is a fantastic multi-sports watch packed with valuable features. It allows you to track various activities, making it the perfect partner for all of life’s adventures.
On the other hand, the Forerunner 255 is an excellent watch for runners and triathlon athletes, helping you to get the most from each workout. You can also use it to pay, listen to music and track your health. Even though it has a lot to offer, it’s important to remember that this watch is designed for triathletes rather than being a multi-sports watch that suits all exercise preferences.
Our verdict – the Forerunner 955 is an all-around option that will work and play as hard as you do and provide excellent support in all your daily endeavors.
Read Next: Our comparison of the Garmin Forerunner 955 vs 945
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