Garmin Forerunner 255

Reliable fitness tracking ; Accurate health metrics ; Practical, lightweight design ; Good battery life

Few smart features ; Unspectacular screen

An excellent sports watch, which is reliable and full of the fitness features you most need. However it’s just for fitness fanatics, and won’t fit the bill if you want an all-round smartwatch.

Improved GPS accuracy ; Light and comfortable design ; Triathlon and open water swimming modes added

Only minor battery improvements ; Music version costs a fair bit more ; Music streaming and Pulse Ox still drain battery considerably

The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a great running watch that's now also a great option for triathlon lovers, as well. It's grabbed some desirable features from Garmin’s pricier watches, and, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced runner, there's...

14-day/30-hour battery life ; All-systems and multi-band GPS tracking ; Two compelling size options ; Tons of training planning & effect widgets ; Running power measurements on watch ; Adds altimeter & NFC over 245

Thick, noticeable design ; Squishy buttons ; Lacks touchscreen & maps of Forerunner 955

Whether you're looking to hit a PR or just push yourself to run more frequently, the Forerunner 255 is an advanced runner's tool that gives you exactly as much value as you put into it. It can effectively guide you to train smarter and improve your...

is also a fantastic running watch at a cheaper price point. If you already have the Forerunner 235 or 245, I’d say the new features make this worth the upgrade.