10 Best Garmin Forerunners 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is designed for runners and triathletes who want a bright, clear AMOLED touchscreen combined with reliable button controls. Its 42mm size is friendly for smaller wrists without sacrificing screen visibility. Battery life is solid, offering up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and about 18 hours using GPS, which covers long training sessions and daily wear comfortably.

It excels in training features with adaptable Garmin Coach plans, personalized daily workout suggestions, and a detailed training readiness score that considers sleep, recovery, and heart rate variability to help you train smarter. Health tracking is comprehensive, including heart rate metrics, VO2 max estimates, and recovery insights, helping you understand your fitness progress and avoid overtraining. The watch also supports triathlon and multiple sport profiles, making it versatile for multisport athletes. Safety features like incident detection and live location sharing add peace of mind during outdoor activities.

On the smart side, it lets you take calls and use voice assistants right from your wrist, which is convenient but requires a paired smartphone nearby. The aluminum bezel adds durability while keeping the watch lightweight. The battery life, while good, is shorter in GPS mode compared to some competitors, so very long events might need extra planning. Also, the advanced metrics are estimations rather than clinical measurements, so they should be used as guidelines rather than exact data. The Forerunner 570 is a strong choice for those serious about running or triathlon training who want excellent display quality, smart features, and detailed training and recovery support.

The Garmin Forerunner 265S is a strong choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts who want detailed training insights in a compact and stylish package. Its bright 1.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen combined with traditional buttons makes it easy to use, especially for smaller wrists thanks to its lightweight 42 mm design. GPS tracking is very accurate due to multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology, meaning your runs are mapped well even in tricky environments, and it balances this with good battery life—up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 24 hours using GPS continuously.

The watch offers plenty of health tracking features like heart rate, HRV status, and recovery insights, which help you understand when to push or rest. Personalized daily suggested workouts and a race widget can guide your training effectively, adjusting based on your recent performance and recovery. Safety features such as incident detection add peace of mind, although they require a paired smartphone with network access. Smart notifications keep you connected without needing to pull out your phone.

Some users may find the smaller 1.1-inch screen a bit cramped, and certain advanced features depend on Garmin’s app and smartphone connectivity to unlock their full potential. This model suits those wanting a powerful running watch that’s both functional and comfortable, especially if you have smaller wrists and prefer a vibrant display.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a strong choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts who want detailed training support and reliable GPS tracking. Its slim, lightweight design with a bright, always-on color display makes it easy to wear all day and read even in bright sunlight. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours with continuous GPS, which is excellent for long training sessions or multi-day use without frequent charging.

The watch tracks heart rate and includes advanced health insights like heart rate variability during sleep, helping you understand recovery and overall wellness. Training features stand out, with personalized workout suggestions, adaptive plans for various race distances, and performance monitoring that updates based on your progress. For those using additional sensors (sold separately), it offers in-depth running dynamics to help improve form and efficiency. Smart features like Bluetooth connectivity and morning reports add convenience without overwhelming complexity.

On the downside, some advanced running metrics require extra accessories, which might add to the cost. Also, while it provides many health estimates, these should be seen as guides rather than medical-grade measurements. The Forerunner 255 provides a well-rounded mix of meaningful fitness data, long battery life, and user-friendly features suited to both casual runners and serious athletes.