Garmin Forerunner 55 review
Two weeks of battery, suggested workouts and a company that says plainly this is not a medical device.
The verdict
Give the Forerunner 55 to someone who runs and wants training data rather than notifications, because two weeks of battery and race-day pacing are things an Apple Watch does not offer. Skip it for someone who wants a smartwatch, since this is a running watch first and the smart features are deliberately thin.
Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch, Black, 010-02562-00
~$129
A GPS running watch with wrist heart rate, daily suggested workouts, PacePro race pacing and up to two weeks of battery.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Battery | Up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, up to 20 hours in GPS mode |
|---|---|
| Heart rate | Wrist-based; Garmin state this is not a medical device |
| Pacing | PacePro GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance |
| Training | Daily suggested workouts based on training history, fitness level and recovery |
| Activities | Running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more |
| Wellness | Intensity minutes, fitness age, all-day respiration |
| Customisation | Free watch faces, data fields, apps and widgets from Connect IQ |
Specifications above come from Garmin's published feature list, including its own not-a-medical-device statement. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Two weeks of battery is the specification that separates this from every smartwatch, and it is why people wear it to sleep and never think about charging.
- Suggested workouts give structure to someone who runs but does not follow a plan, which is most runners.
- PacePro is genuinely useful on race day, adjusting target pace for the elevation of a chosen course.
- It works with both iPhone and Android, so you do not have to know which phone they use.
- Garmin state plainly that the heart rate sensor is not a medical device, which is the correct framing and one many competitors avoid.
Where it falls short
- The smart features are thin. Notifications work; replying, calls, apps and payments largely do not.
- The screen is a modest transflective display rather than a bright colour panel, which is exactly why the battery lasts.
- There is no built-in music storage on this model, so running without a phone means running without audio.
- Wrist heart rate is less accurate than a chest strap during intervals and rapid changes of pace, which is true of all optical sensors.
- For someone who wants a general smartwatch rather than a training tool, almost everything they want is missing here.
What owners report
Reports on the Forerunner 55 are consistently positive from runners and consistently underwhelmed from people who wanted a smartwatch. That split is the entire gifting decision, and it is not about quality. Garmin build training tools; Apple build wrist computers.
The second theme is battery. Two weeks changes behaviour: people wear it constantly, including overnight, because there is no daily charging ritual. Anyone who has abandoned a smartwatch because of charging will notice this immediately.
The third is accuracy expectations. Optical wrist heart rate is good for steady effort and unreliable during intervals, and Garmin's own statement that it is not a medical device is the right way to read every number it produces. If you are weighing this against a full smartwatch, our practical gift versus indulgent gift comparison is a useful frame.
Who it suits
- Runners, especially those training for a specific race.
- Anyone who has given up on a smartwatch because of daily charging.
- People on either iPhone or Android.
Who should skip it
- Someone who wants a smartwatch with apps, calls and payments.
- Runners who want music on the watch itself.
- Anyone expecting clinical accuracy from wrist heart rate.
Alternatives worth considering
Apple Watch Series 11 GPS 42mm
~$299
Far more capable as a general smartwatch with safety and health features, at the cost of daily charging and requiring an iPhone.
Check price on AmazonBeats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Workout Earbuds
~$200
If they already own a watch, earbuds with earhooks and in-ear heart rate are the missing piece of a running setup.
Check price on AmazonJBL Charge 5 Portable Waterproof Speaker
~$135
Similar money for a gift that does not assume a hobby, which matters if you are guessing about how much they run.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Garmin Forerunner or Apple Watch as a gift?
Garmin for a runner who wants training data and two weeks of battery, and it works on both phone platforms. Apple Watch for someone who wants a general smartwatch and owns an iPhone. They are different products rather than competing versions of the same one.
Does it work with Android?
Yes. Unlike an Apple Watch, the Forerunner works with both iPhone and Android through the Garmin Connect app, which makes it the safer gift when you are not certain which phone they use.
Is the heart rate accurate?
Good for steady effort, less reliable during intervals and rapid pace changes, which is true of all wrist optical sensors. Garmin state plainly that it is not a medical device, and that is the right way to read every figure it reports.
Can you play music from the watch?
Not on this model. It has no onboard music storage, so running with audio means carrying a phone. Garmin's Music editions of other Forerunners add that, at a higher price.
How long does the battery really last?
Garmin quote up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours with GPS running. Real figures depend on how much GPS running you do, and even a heavy runner charges it weekly rather than daily.
Keep reading
- Practical gift vs indulgent gift compared
- Apple Watch Series 11 review
- Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review
- JBL Charge 5 review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.