Garmin smartwatches get a lot of hype because they deliver features competitors don’t typically offer. That said, Garmin’s main appeal is its excellent health and fitness tracking, along with fantastic battery. Going two weeks without charging is something you just won’t find on any Apple, Google, or Samsung smartwatch.
Of course, the experience isn’t for everyone, which is why I recommend the Forerunner 55 if you’re trying it for the first time. It isn’t the best that Garmin has to offer, but it will give you an idea of how the software works and should satisfy most people. Right now, you can grab the Forerunner 55 for its lowest price of just $129.
A great way to step into Garmin
The Forerunner series is built for runners, but it can also track other fitness activities. It has an MIP display that looks fantastic in bright environments, and it also lets the watch last up to two weeks on a single charge. It weighs just 37 grams, making it ideal for everyday wear.
There’s built-in GPS for tracking runs and a heart rate monitor. You also get access to Garmin Coach, which helps you reach your fitness goals. If you want to try something new, Garmin can also suggest workouts.
Naturally, you’ll get notifications on your wrist from your connected smartphone to keep you in touch. And if you want, you can also expand the watch’s capabilities by downloading something new from the Connect IQ Store.
This watch really can do it all, and it does it for a budget price of just $129 right now. That’s 35% below its usual retail price of $200. Or if you’re not interested in this and are looking for something more substantial, the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro might just be what you’re looking for.
- Display
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Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel
- Display resolution
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480 x 272
- Storage
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32MB
- Battery
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Up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- Weight
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37g
Garmin’s Forerunner 55 is a budget-friendly running smartwatch filled with all the necessities, like GPS tracking, cadence alerts, and more.


