I’ve been a Garmin girl from the start, starting with the bright orange Forerunner 10, and I’ve loved every upgrade since. There’s just something about how easy their watches are to use that keeps me coming back. They give me all the stats for marathon training without drowning me in unnecessary details.
About a year ago, I decided to upgrade from my trusty 245 Music (which is still an awesome watch, by the way) to the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music. Here’s my take on the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music.
Garmin Forerunner 255 Music: Overview
The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a feature-rich watch designed for both athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Its advanced functionalities make it an excellent companion for training and daily fitness routines. The Forerunner 255 Music syncs with apps like Runna, making personalised training plans easy to follow.
Who Is This Watch Best For?
The Forerunner 255 Music is perfect for:
- Runners and multisport athletes – with profiles for running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon.
- Fitness enthusiasts – it tracks heart rate, sleep, and stress to support overall wellness.
- Music lovers – store up to 500 songs and enjoy phone-free playback.
- Everyday wearers – lightweight with long battery life, comfortable for all-day use.
Whether you’re training for a race, keeping up your fitness between events, or just want a versatile, reliable smartwatch, this watch has you covered.
Garmin Forerunner 255 Music: Key Features ★★★★☆
The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is packed with features that are perfect for both athletes and fitness lovers. Here are some of the highlights:
- Morning Report: Start your day informed with a personalised report that details your sleep quality, recovery status, and training plan for the day. You can customise this report to highlight what matters most, such as your sleep score, HRV status, and weather. I particularly love the Sleep Score feature – good rest is essential for peak performance.
- Built-in Sports Apps: With over 30 activity profiles, including triathlon and open-water swimming, you can switch between sports seamlessly with just a button press.
- Triathlon and Multi-Sport Mode: New to the Forerunner 255 series is the ability to switch between different sports effortlessly. Whether it’s triathlons, duathlons, or swim runs, this watch has you covered. You can even create your custom multi-sport profiles to match your training style.
- Music Playback: No need to carry your phone during runs – you can store and play music directly from the watch! It supports various streaming services and can store up to 500 songs.
- GPS Accuracy: Garmin is known for its spot-on GPS, and the Forerunner 255 doesn’t disappoint. It quickly locks onto satellites, so you can start your run without waiting around, and it tracks your route with precision.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: The wrist-based heart rate monitor gives you continuous data, helping you fine-tune your workouts and keep tabs on your fitness progress.
- Advanced Running Metrics: Detailed running stats like VO2 max, training load, and recovery insights. These are super useful for customizing your training and avoiding burnout.
- Race Predictor: This feature estimates your race times based on your running history and fitness level. It predicts your pace for various distances, from 5Ks to marathons. I found the predictions weren’t super accurate for me (Runna was closer), but it’s still a fun feature.
- Garmin Coach: Get personalised training plans that adapt to your fitness level and goals, with structured workouts to help you keep improving.
- Garmin Pay: Easily make payments, like grabbing that post-run coffee, with the Garmin Pay™ contactless feature.
Battery Life & Performance ★★★★☆
One of the standout features of the Forerunner 255 is its impressive battery life. It can last up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours with GPS tracking, ideal for long-distance events and ultra races. I typically charge it once a week, which perfectly fits my marathon training routine. While some watches may last longer, the Forerunner 255 Music meets all my needs.
GPS Accuracy & Reliability ★★★★★
Garmin’s GPS is top-tier, and the Forerunner 255 Music lives up to that reputation. It finds a signal quickly, so you’re not stuck waiting before your run. Whether running new trails or sticking to your usual routes, this watch gives you reliable location data every time.
Garmin Connect App & Data Insights ★★★★☆
The Garmin Connect app is like a goldmine of fitness data. The Forerunner 255 Music syncs smoothly with the app, letting you dive into your workout details. You can check out your route maps, analyse heart rate zones, track your sleep, and even monitor stress levels. The app also lets you set goals, join challenges, and connect with your community.
Design, Sizes & Comfort
The Garmin 255 comes in two sizes, 45.6 mm and 41 mm, so it’s designed to fit everyone. It’s not too bulky for smaller wrists but still feels substantial enough for those who prefer a larger watch.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Accurate GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitoring | No built-in maps, which may be a drawback for some runners |
| Long battery life – up to 14 days smartwatch / 30 hours GPS | Small screen can feel cramped for some users |
| Syncs with apps like Runna and Garmin Connect | Speed sessions can feel challenging if you follow PB-based paces |
| Music storage and playback – up to 500 songs | Subscription services may need updates to stay compatible |
| Variety of sport profiles – triathlon, swim, cycling | Advanced features might feel overwhelming for beginners |
| Garmin Coach provides personalised, adaptive training plans |
Should You Buy the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music?
To me, the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is everyday essential that helps me stay on top of my fitness game. It is easy to use and has just enough features for training without being overwhelming.
If you’re serious about hitting your fitness goals, the Forerunner 255 Music is a fantastic choice. It’s an amazing device, simple to use, although, the lack of built-in maps and the small screen might be a downside for some.
Ready to upgrade your running experience? Grab the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music and take your training to the next level.
Say Goodbye to Scratches
If you’re anything like me, your watch is glued to your wrist 24/7. The last thing you want is a scratch ruining that display. These screen protectors are easy to apply, to keep your Garmin screen scratch free.
