Garmin Forerunner 55 vs 255 - Which is better?

The Garmin Forerunner 255 is not only newer in comparison to the Garmin Forerunner 55, but also has a few more features and benefits. Let's take a closer look at the buffcoachim comparison.

Comparison table

Comparing Garmin Forerunner 55 and Garmin Forerunner 255

In short, the Garmin Forreunner 255* offers a bit more. For most, benders beginners or Einstiger, the Forerunner 55* is, however, quite sufficient.

Size and display

Visually, the two Garmin Forerunner 55 and 255 look quite similar. However, the older Forerunner 55 is slightly smaller. The display sizes in comparison:
 

• Garmin Forerunner 55: 26.3 millimeters
• Garmin Forerunner 255s: 24.5 millimeters
• Garmin Forerunner 255: 33 millimeters

In addition, there is the Forerunner 55 only one size. With the Garmin Forerunner 255, you have the choice between a small and large version: 255 and 255s.
The resolution is both newer Forerunner 255 models also slightly higher:
 

• Garmin Forerunner 55: 208x208 pixels
• Garmin Forerunner 255s: 218x218 pixels
• Garmin Forerunner 255: 260x260 pixels

Due to the higher resolution, the display or image of the Garmin Forerunner 255, especially in the large variant, of course looks much higher quality.

Armband (Changeable)

You can change the wristband on all three Garmin watches without any problems. When buying a new wristband, however, you must always pay attention to the size of the bands, since not all watches use the same ones. Generally, however, there is a large selection of inexpensive wristbands for each of the watches. The original ones are not necessary here:
 

• Favourable bracelets for Garmin Forerunner 55 (20 millimeter)*
• Bracelets for Garmin Forerunner 255s (18 millimeters)*
• Favourable Wristbands for Garmin Forerunner 255 (22 Millimeter)*

Battery life

When it comes to battery life, of course, it always depends on the services that are turned on. Especially GPS decreases the battery life for all sports watches and smartwatches.

Garmin Forerunner 55 vs 255s vs 255: battery life comparison

	Forerunner 55*	Forerunner 255s*	Forerunner 255*
Smartwatch	14 days	12 days	14 days
with GPS	20 hours	20 hours	30 hours
with GPS + music	-	5.5 hours	6.5 hours

Compared to its predecessor, Garmin Forerunner 55 vs 245, the Garmin Foreunner 55 was still clearly ahead. This has now changed. The Garmin Foreunner 55 and Forerunner 255 are on par with 2 weeks and 14 days of battery life, respectively. Only the smaller Garmin Forerunner 255s comes only on up to 12 days battery performance.

The Garmin Foreunner 55 and 255 both come with GPS. If this is turned on, are direk battery life in both cases. With the Garmin Forerunner 255 to up to 30 hours. In the Forerunner 255s up to 20 hours. With the Garmin Foreunner 55, the battery life drops to 20 hours.

Come still music, the battery life drops drastically. In the Forerunner 255 to 6.5 hours, in the Forerunner 255s to up to 5.5 hours. However, this is no exception with these watches.

Sport and fitness functions

The basic functions such as heart rate measurement, counting steps and recording sports activities can of course all three models from the comparison. Also get statistics with the Garmin Forerunner 55 and Garmin Forerunner 255 via the Garmin Connect app.

Even the older Garmin Foreunenr 55 even offers a few additional functions such as VO2 Max, the recommended recovery time and Body Battery - a pratksiche Funtkion of Garmin watches, which helps you in your training planning and performance improvement. Also PacePro is available with the Forerunner 55. This Funtktion helps you to keep a steady running pace and thus achieve a better performance when running.

With the Garmin Foreunner 255 there are still a few further additional functions. This includes the Morning Report. This shows you in the morning how you slept, how your training was and what the weather looks like for the coming day. In addition, the 255 has the Garmin function Health Snapshot as well as Acute Load and Up Ahead. Furthermore, you can now access Triathlon and Multisport Activity Profiles on the watch.

Smartwatch (features)

In terms of smartwatches, the Garmin Forerunner 255 comes out ahead with a few features. With the Forerunner 255, there is the option to buy a model with a music function. This is not available on the Garmin Forerunner 55. However, you have to decide before buying whether you want that or not.

If you buy the Forerunner 255 Music, you have the option to upload music to the watch or listen from Spotify, Deezer or Amazon Music and leave your phone at home. 

A bonus of the Garmin Forerunner 255 is also that you can make contactless payments with the watch. The whole thing works with Garmin Pay. With the Forerunner 55 there is not.

Which Garmin Forerunner is better?

The better of the two Garmin Forerunner watches in the comparison is the Garmin Forerunner 255*. You get more features such as:
 

• Music on the watch (Music Edition only)
• Garmin Pay (contactless payment)
• Higher resolution
• Health Snapshot
• Morning Report
• Acute Load
• Up Ahead
• Triathlon and Multisport Activity Profiles

However, if you're a beginner and the basic features are enough for you, then you'll be very well served by the Garmin Forerunner 55*. Unless there's an offer, you'll also save some money with the Forerunner 55.