Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch Review: The Ultimate Companion for Aspiring Runners?

I remember the feeling vividly. Lacing up my trainers, a sense of determination in the air, only to be bogged down by technology that wasn’t built for the task. For years, my smartphone was my running partner. I’d jam it into an ill-fitting armband, wrestle with clunky apps that drained my battery, and squint at the screen mid-stride to check my pace, often nearly tripping in the process. The GPS would frequently drop out under tree cover, leaving me with a jagged, inaccurate map of my run and a profound sense of frustration. It felt like I was collecting messy data rather than gaining real insight. This guesswork is a motivation killer; without reliable metrics on pace, distance, and heart rate, it’s nearly impossible to track progress, train effectively, or know when you’re pushing too hard or not hard enough. A dedicated running watch isn’t a luxury; it’s the key to unlocking consistent, intelligent, and enjoyable training.

What to Consider Before Buying a GPS Running Watch

A GPS running watch is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming your fitness journey from a series of random workouts into a structured, data-driven training plan. It solves the core problems of inaccuracy and inconvenience associated with using a phone. By providing precise, at-a-glance metrics right on your wrist, it empowers you to make real-time decisions during your run, monitor your body’s response, and analyse your performance over time. The main benefits are profound: enhanced motivation through tangible progress, smarter training via personalised feedback, and a deeper understanding of your overall health, from sleep quality to daily stress levels. For anyone serious about improving their running, it’s an indispensable tool.

The ideal customer for a product like the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch is someone who is either starting their running journey, returning to fitness after a break, or a seasoned runner who values simplicity and core functionality over a mountain of complex features. They want reliable GPS, accurate heart rate monitoring, and actionable training guidance without a steep learning curve. Conversely, it might not be the perfect fit for elite triathletes or ultra-marathoners who require advanced features like topographic mapping, extensive battery life in ultramarathon modes, or deep integration with power meters. These users might consider higher-end models from Garmin’s own line or specialised competitors.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Comfort: A running watch is something you’ll wear for hours, and potentially 24/7 for sleep and activity tracking. Look for a lightweight design (the Forerunner 55 is an incredible 37 grams) and a comfortable, breathable strap. The size of the watch case should also suit your wrist, as a bulky watch can be distracting and uncomfortable on long runs.
• Performance & Features: Core performance rests on GPS accuracy and battery life. Does the watch acquire a satellite signal quickly and hold it? How long does the battery last in both smartwatch mode and full GPS mode? Beyond that, consider the specific features you need: wrist-based heart rate, daily suggested workouts, structured training plans (like Garmin Coach), and wellness tracking (sleep, stress, Body Battery).
• Materials & Durability: Running watches are exposed to the elements: sweat, rain, and the occasional knock. A durable resin or polymer case coupled with a tough, chemically strengthened glass is standard and effective for most users. The water resistance rating is also critical, especially if you plan to run in the rain or use it for other activities like pool swimming; a 5 ATM rating, like the Forerunner 55 has, is ideal.
• Ease of Use & Ecosystem: How you interact with the watch is paramount. Some prefer touchscreens, but many runners find physical buttons more reliable, especially with sweaty hands or in the rain. Also, consider the companion app (like Garmin Connect). Is it intuitive, does it present your data clearly, and does it sync seamlessly with other apps you use, like Strava?

Making the right choice means finding the balance between the features you’ll actually use and the price you’re willing to pay. For many, a focused, purpose-built watch is far more valuable than a complex one with features that go untouched.

While the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing Simplicity and Purpose

Opening the box for the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch is an exercise in minimalism. There are no unnecessary frills—just the watch itself, the proprietary USB charging cable, and a quick start guide. The first thing that struck me was its incredible lightness. At just 37 grams, it feels almost non-existent on the wrist, a stark contrast to some of the larger, heavier multisport watches I’ve tested. This is a device designed to be forgotten about until you need it, which is the highest praise you can give a piece of running gear.

The build is classic Garmin: a functional, durable-feeling fibre-reinforced polymer case and a soft, flexible silicone strap. There’s no premium metal bezel or flashy AMOLED screen here. Instead, you get a sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display that excels in the exact conditions you’ll be running in—bright daylight. The five-button control system is another deliberate choice. It’s tactile, responsive, and infinitely more reliable than a touchscreen when your fingers are sweaty or you’re wearing gloves. Setting it up was a breeze, taking less than five minutes to pair with the Garmin Connect app on my smartphone and sync my initial settings. From the moment I put it on, it was clear that every element of the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch is purpose-built for the runner who values function over form.

Deep Dive: How the Forerunner 55 Performs on the Pavement

A running watch lives and dies by its performance in the real world. It’s not about the spec sheet; it’s about how it feels and functions on a tough tempo run, a long, slow Sunday jog, or in the final, gruelling kilometre of a 10K race. After extensive testing over several weeks, covering everything from city streets to park trails, we can confidently say the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch isn’t just an entry-level device; it’s a seriously capable training partner that punches well above its weight class.

The Runner’s Core Toolkit: GPS Accuracy and Intelligent Pacing

At its heart, a running watch must do two things flawlessly: track where you are and how fast you’re going. In this regard, the Forerunner 55 is outstanding. The GPS signal acquisition is rapid, typically locking on within 10-15 seconds of stepping outside, a significant improvement over older devices and phone-based apps. Throughout our tests, which included runs through dense urban areas with tall buildings and wooded park trails, the GPS tracking remained remarkably consistent and accurate. The final maps uploaded to Garmin Connect showed smooth, precise lines that mirrored our actual path, with none of the erratic zig-zags that plague inferior devices. This reliability, as one user noted, is a hallmark of the Garmin brand: “If its Garmin its works reliably 24/7.” We found this to be absolutely true.

Where the watch truly elevates itself is with the inclusion of Garmin’s PacePro feature. This is a tool typically found on more expensive models, and its presence here is a game-changer for anyone training for a specific race distance. By selecting a course or distance in the app, you can set a target time, and the watch will deliver real-time, grade-adjusted pace guidance on your wrist throughout the run. It tells you whether to speed up or slow down for the current split to stay on target, effectively acting as a virtual pacer. We used it to set a target for a hilly 5K, and it worked brilliantly, preventing us from going out too fast on the flats and helping conserve energy for the climbs. This one feature alone can transform your race strategy and training discipline.

Training Intelligence That Removes the Guesswork

Perhaps the most compelling reason to choose the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch is the suite of intelligent training tools it puts at your disposal. For many, the biggest barrier to improvement is not knowing *what* to do. This watch solves that problem. The “Daily Suggested Workouts” feature is genuinely brilliant in its simplicity. Based on your recent training history, fitness level (VO2 Max), recovery time, and sleep data, the watch recommends a specific run for you each day. One day it might be a 30-minute easy run in Zone 2 to promote recovery; the next, it could be a challenging interval session. It prevents you from overtraining and ensures your workouts are productive.

For those with a specific goal, Garmin Coach is even more powerful. This feature provides free, adaptive training plans from expert coaches for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances. We set up a 10K plan, and the experience was seamless. The plan syncs to the watch, and each day you simply select the workout and follow the on-screen prompts. It tells you exactly how long to warm up, what pace to hit for your intervals, and how long to cool down. As one user powerfully stated, “To say my running has been transformed would be an understatement.” This structured guidance, which adapts if you miss a workout or exceed expectations, provides a level of personalisation that was once the exclusive domain of personal coaches. It’s an incredible tool for building fitness and confidence, and it’s all included.

Purpose-Built Design and All-Day Wellness Tracking

The physical design of the Forerunner 55 is a masterclass in functional simplicity. The choice to use a five-button interface instead of a touchscreen is, in our expert opinion, the correct one for a dedicated running watch. During a hard interval session, with sweat dripping, the last thing you want is to be fumbling with an unresponsive touchscreen. The tactile, definitive click of a button to start, stop, or mark a lap is infinitely more practical. We confirmed this sentiment with a user who previously owned a touchscreen Garmin: “The forerunner 55 is a much more definite function operation which I really like.”

Beyond the run, the watch serves as a comprehensive wellness tracker. It monitors steps, calories, and sleep, but its real value lies in features like Body Battery and Stress Tracking. Body Battery gives you a score from 1-100, representing your energy reserves. It’s fascinating to see how a poor night’s sleep or a stressful day depletes your “battery,” providing a clear signal that you might need to take it easy on your next run. It connects your lifestyle choices directly to your athletic readiness. The sleep tracking is detailed, breaking down your night into light, deep, and REM stages. While one user noted the respiratory counter could be inaccurate, we found the core metrics of sleep, stress, and Body Battery to be both consistent and genuinely useful for making smarter training and recovery decisions. It truly is a device that supports your fitness journey 24/7, and you can check the latest price and color options online.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the feedback for the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch is overwhelmingly positive, confirming our own findings. Many users, especially those new to dedicated running watches, describe it as a “life-changing” device. One new owner, who almost opted for a more generic smartwatch, said, “I can honestly say this watch has changed my life and progressed my training so much in the short space of time I’ve had it.” This sentiment of motivation and tangible progress is a common thread.

The simplicity and reliability are frequently praised. A user who upgraded from an older Garmin Vívosport noted, “The GPS accuracy is far better… Battery life is 12 days with normal usage.” Another simply stated, “Love the size, ease of use, battery life, functions, everything about it really.” The preference for physical buttons over a touchscreen is also a standout point for many active users. However, feedback isn’t universally perfect. One user reported that their partner experienced skin irritation from the silicone band, which can happen with any watch and often requires trying a different band material. Others acknowledge its place in the Garmin lineup, stating it’s a “great entry level watch for runners” but lacks the multitude of sport profiles found on more expensive models like the Forerunner 255. This aligns perfectly with our assessment: it’s a master of its specific domain—running—rather than a jack-of-all-trades.

How Does the Forerunner 55 Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch excels in its category, it’s important to understand the landscape. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives.

1. COROS PACE 3 GPS Running Watch 17-Day Battery

The COROS PACE 3 is arguably the Forerunner 55’s most direct competitor and a fantastic option for data-focused runners. Its primary advantages are an even longer battery life (up to 17 days in smartwatch mode) and the inclusion of dual-frequency GPS for potentially higher accuracy in challenging environments. It also includes features like native running power from the wrist and basic breadcrumb navigation, which the Forerunner 55 lacks. However, the Garmin ecosystem, particularly the Garmin Connect app and features like Garmin Coach, is often considered more polished and user-friendly, especially for beginners. The choice comes down to whether you prioritize raw battery life and advanced data (COROS) or a more guided, holistic, and slightly simpler user experience (Garmin).

2. Garmin Approach S12 GPS Golf Watch

This comparison highlights the importance of choosing a purpose-built device. The Garmin Approach S12 is an excellent GPS watch, but it is designed exclusively for golfers. It comes preloaded with over 42,000 golf courses and provides precise distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as hazards. While it shares Garmin’s reliable GPS technology and a similar sunlight-readable screen, it completely lacks the features a runner needs: no wrist-based heart rate, no VO2 Max estimates, no PacePro, and no daily workout suggestions. If you are a runner, the Approach S12 is not a suitable alternative. If you are a dedicated golfer, it’s a far better choice than the Forerunner 55.

3. Polar Grit X Pro GPS Multisport Smartwatch

The Polar Grit X Pro represents a significant step up in both price and capability, aimed at a different type of athlete. This is a premium multisport watch built for durability, featuring sapphire glass and military-grade toughness (MIL-STD-810G). It’s designed for trail runners, hikers, and outdoor adventurers who require robust navigation tools, including turn-by-turn guidance and elevation profiles. While it has excellent running features, its true strengths lie in its rugged build and advanced outdoor functionality. For a road runner or someone focused on 5K to half-marathon training, the Grit X Pro is likely overkill. The Forerunner 55 offers all the necessary running features in a lighter, more affordable package.

The Final Verdict: Is the Garmin Forerunner 55 the Right Watch for You?

After weeks of rigorous testing and analysing feedback from countless users, our conclusion is clear: the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch is an absolutely phenomenal piece of kit for its target audience. It masterfully distills the most crucial elements of a high-end running watch into an accessible, affordable, and incredibly easy-to-use package. It eliminates complexity and focuses on what truly matters: accurate tracking, intelligent guidance, and long-term motivation.

Its main strengths—the lightweight design, stellar battery life, reliable button controls, and powerful training features like Garmin Coach and PacePro—make it an ideal choice for anyone new to running, returning after a break, or simply wanting a no-fuss training partner that delivers results. While it may lack the bells and whistles of watches costing three times as much, it never feels cheap or compromised. It is a purpose-built tool that excels at its job. If you are ready to stop guessing and start training with intelligence and confidence, this is the watch we wholeheartedly recommend. To transform your running and gain invaluable insights into your fitness, you can find the best price for the Garmin Forerunner 55 Running Smartwatch here.