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Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch

Curated from 81 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: January 19, 2025

Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch

Brand: Garmin

Price: $178

Snoop Score:

6.7

Sentiment

7.0

Popularity

8.7

Technical

4.9

Buy on Amazon for $178 See All GPS Units Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a GPS running watch designed to help runners track their performance and improve their training. With features like daily suggested workouts and an impressive battery life of up to two weeks, this watch is built to support a variety of sports and fitness activities. Consumer feedback highlights several strengths of the Forerunner 55, including its reliable GPS tracking and excellent battery life. Many users appreciate its multi-sport functionality, stating, "I’ve been able to do everything I have wanted from a sports watch… lift, run, health tracking, etc." Additionally, there is a consensus that Garmin devices are dependable, especially in remote areas, with one user noting, "No regrets." However, some users have expressed concerns about older GPS chipsets affecting performance. Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is recommended for serious runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a reliable and feature-rich GPS watch. Despite some minor drawbacks, it stands out for its value and performance in its category.

Not for you? Check out our other rated GPS Units

No regrets.
Positive Feedback

Forerunner 55 has a previous generation GPS chipset that isn't so good.
Negative Feedback

6.7

Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch

Buy on Amazon for $178

Marathon & Road Running

10 / 10

Trail & Ultra Running

3 / 10

Triathlon & Multisport

10 / 10

Everyday Fitness & Wellness

9 / 10

See how this compares to all GPS Units

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Garmin devices are reliable in remote and rugged areas

“No regrets.”➕

“I carry a physical GPS unit still.”➕

Great battery life

“I’ve been able to do everything I have wanted from a sports watch… lift, run, health tracking, etc.”➕

“I love the long battery time and the health tracking.”➕

Accurate GPS

“So glad the fenix 7 pro stuck with MIP.”➕

Good value for price

“the best!”➕

Garmin devices have reliable lifetime updates

“Even if it gets downed there will be huge interest in reviving it by anyone capable of launching more.”➕

“I had two Garmin Nuvis before smartphones were popular, both came with *1 year* of updates.”➕

“I have 3 and all of them have free lifetime upgrades.”➕

Long battery life

“Long battery life. This is a huge plus.”➕

“Garmins golf app is pretty good, its great for running and biking as well.”➕

“I have a Fenix 7x SS and it's amazing.”➕

Reliable for running and golf

“Super watch for golf and running.”➕

“I've got the same watch, does the job for golf, running, cycling, gym, etc.”➕

Solid button interface preferred over touchscreen

“True. The buttons are solid.”➕

Good for multiple sports and activities

“It’s lighter than the Fenix series and the newer ones have golf too!”➕

“The epix could be a goer if the long battery life isnt a concern - has an amoled screen but at the cost of runtime.”➕

Garmin is preferred for serious running training

“the forerunner is better for tracking your running training.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Old GPS chipset affects performance

“Forerunner 55 has a previous generation GPS chipset that isn't so good.”➕

Older Garmin models become slow and less usable over time

“I have a nuvi 50, and honestly it's slow AF. I am keeping it in my go bag only for disaster scenarios - it's barely usable for regular navigation.”➕

Watch is difficult to use compared to standalone units

“A watch is a much smaller screen and more finnicky to use than a stand alone unit or an app on your phone.”➕

“I have a Garmin instinct watch. It's pretty much useless without your phone.”➕

Older models have battery issues

“If I was doing things over I would get a Vivo 5.”➕

Battery life is a drawback compared to Apple Watch

“more importantly than super detailed metrics I barely ever pay attention to, I don’t have to charge my watch very often.”➕

Lack of real-time map guidance in some models

“I really need real time map guidance, and all of those facilities that Garmin offers in comparison with Apex.”➕

Expensive features tied to better battery life

“the better the battery, the more largely useless features you have to pay for too.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch	$449	8.4	Details	Buy
Garmin Fenix 7X Solar Multisport GPS Watch	$559	7.1	Details	Buy
COROS APEX 2 Outdoor GPS Watch	$349	6.9	Details	Buy
Garmin Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit	$229	6.8	Details	Buy
Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch	$178	6.7	Details	Buy
Garmin 010-02626-10 Instinct 2 Outdoor Watch	$198	6.6	Details	Buy
COROS PACE 3 GPS Sport Watch	$229	6.4	Details	Buy
Garmin Forerunner 165 Running Smartwatch	$249	6.3	Details	Buy
Garmin fenix 6 Pro GPS Watch	$479	6.0	Details	Buy
Garmin Enduro™ 2 Ultraperformance Watch	$667	6.0	Details	Buy
Garmin tactix 7 Pro Ballistics Edition GPS Watch	$1419	5.9	Details	Buy
Garmin Forerunner 955 GPS Running Smartwatch	$374	3.9	Details	Buy
Garmin 010-12520-00 Running Dynamics Pod	$59	3.2	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Venu does not offer map functionality

“As far as i know, the venu doesn’t offer the map function, so you should get the fenix or epix.”➕

Garmin leads in handheld GPS technology

“Garmin currently is the leading company that does devices that do mapping, texting, and emergency services all in one.”➕

Garmin handheld GPS devices are reliable for outdoor use.

“They're relatively inexpensive, easy to use, lightweight and accurate.”➕

Discussion on the decline of older GPS units due to smartphones

“They started changing to lifetime updates for most products a while after the mobile version of Google Maps introduced turn-by-turn directions and ate their lunch.”➕

Discussion on the Garmin GPSMAP 67i and its capabilities

“If you want an all encompassing GPS then yeah the 67i will do everything you want and is probably the best “complete” unit.”➕

“It’s makes recon life 10x easier”➕

“Satellite Communicator…”➕

Standalone GPS units have pre-installed maps, providing offline access.

“Standalone GPS units have the maps already installed and those cost a lot of money for companies to create and keep updated.”➕

Standalone GPS units are designed to operate in a wider temperature range compared to smartphones.

“Some of the hardware is also kind of specialized, which adds cost, even if it seems low tech on the surface.”➕

Preference for Garmin watches for golf and running

“Good Garmin watch for Golf and Running? I'm primarily a runner but my old running watch (Garmin Forerunner 630) is on the way out.”➕

“I find PacePro's splits pacing irreplaceable for targeting race PRs.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Consideration for using Garmin watches as backup navigation tools

“I'm actually thinking about buying one for privacy reasons. Cellphones make it way too easy for corporations etc to track your location.”➕

Garmin watches can serve as backups for phones

“Nothing a stand-alone unit can really do better than your phone, unless you want to be able to message with it, and soon phones should be able to use satellite messaging as well.”➕

“The mapping on the Fenix is really just an emergency backup. It works but is hard to navigate well.”➕

Standalone GPS units are recommended for road trips or long-distance travel.

“I was very thankful for that feature on my road trip.”➕

Apple Watch is improving for running but not yet a full replacement

“Apple Watch is definitely *improving* as a running watch, particularly with the latest watchOS version, which includes the more advanced metrics like power, stride length etc.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Smartphones are often preferred for recreational use

“Smart phones do this adequately and arguably better because they can have different apps that look at the data differently.”➕

Comparison with Apple Watch for different use cases

“Garmin can't hold a candle to Apple Watch for certain things.”➕

Preference for smartphone apps over dedicated GPS devices

“Many thanks.”➕

“Apps on your phone will get that job done.”➕

“I bikepack with my cellphone and apps and a backup paper map.”➕

Discussion on the eTrex 20 and its battery life

“Uses AA batteries so easy to carry along a couple extra or pick up at a gas station if needed”➕

“A pair of AA Lithium batteries usually last me a good 32 hours of recording.”➕

“I think the 20x pans the map a tiny bit faster, but it's the same exact form factor, same UI, same everything.”➕

Discussion on the value of standalone GPS units versus smartphones

“Why do hobby pilots and boat captains always use Garmins?”➕

“a dedicated GPS unit has a number of benefits over a GPS app on a phone”➕

“You can preload GPS units with maps of wherever you are going, which will then therefore work wherever you go.”➕

“The handheld GPSs are quite sturdy and waterproof.”➕

The price of standalone GPS units reflects their specialized hardware.

“A Lot of the stand alone units price is for replicated features.”➕

Comparison with other Garmin models

“Another vote for Fenix series. Best multisport watch out there”➕

There is a debate on whether to choose Garmin or Apple Watch based on needs

“The general consensus is if you want a running watch that can do other things, but a Garmin.”➕

Discussion on preferences for Garmin watches over competitors

“I had this weekend my first Trail Running competition and I got very enthusiastic about it, and somehow I’m forced to change my actual watch (Garmin Forerunner 45) with a new one that shows the track in real-time with a good battery for future longer runs.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Garmin watches have navigation limitations

“I still prefer to have everything I need on my wrist for walking / running than have an additional device solely for riding.”➕

“It was a life saver, but wouldn't want to use it every ride.”➕

“It’s more than ten years old.”➕

Google Maps is not ideal for cycling navigation

“Google is great for driving but pretty terrible for cycling, especially if you are trying to avoid riding on roads.”➕

Handheld GPS units are favored for their reliability in adverse weather

“I still vastly prefer a handheld GPS, I've seen phones conk out or have app/connectivity issues to many times in the slightest bit of adverse weather to trust them.”➕

Smartphones are often preferred for recreational navigation.

“The GPS functionality on phones is fairly good and will work in most locations so long as you’ve preloaded the maps for locations that have no cell phone coverage.”➕

Users express varying experiences with Garmin update policies

“Really? Mine has endless lifetime updates. What Garmin do you have?”➕