Thinking of buying the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music… Is it the best choice?

Seeking Advice
1

I’m about to purchase a Garmin Forerunner 255 Music Smart Watch for £255 during the Black Friday deals. I’ve done a lot of research, but I just want to double-check if there are any other watches around the same price that I should be considering. I’m based in the UK and looking for a watch with these features:

  • General health tracking: heart rate, sleep, stress, and VO2max
  • Activity tracking: I’ve just started running (beginner level) but would like to improve. I also swim and lift weights occasionally.
  • Coaching: I’m looking for insights into my runs, training plans, pacing, and recovery times.
  • Music: I’d like to download music from Spotify so I can run without my phone.
  • Replaceable wrist bands: I get contact dermatitis, so I need different band material options without spending too much.
  • Decent battery life: Ideally charging once a week, not every other day.
  • Compatibility with iPhone: I’m not interested in phone features but the watch must work with my iPhone.

I’m leaning towards the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, but if you know of any other options at a similar price, I’d love to hear them!

2

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a solid choice for health tracking, running, swimming, and music. It’s within your budget and offers good battery life and band options. You’re definitely on the right track!

3

@Dorian
Thanks so much! That’s reassuring to hear. I really want to make the right choice since it’s a big investment for me!

4

Yan said:
@Dorian
Thanks so much! That’s reassuring to hear. I really want to make the right choice since it’s a big investment for me!

Good luck with your purchase!

5

The Forerunner 255 Music should meet most of your needs, but there are a couple of things to consider. First, its screen is transflective MIP, which may not be ideal in the UK. Without enough light, you’ll have to press a button to turn on the backlight. It does have a wrist gesture option after sunset, but it could be hard to read on darker days. If you can, check out the watch in person at a store like John Lewis or Currys to see how the screen looks. If the Forerunner 255 isn’t available, the Forerunner 955 or the Fenix 7/8 (MIP version) would give you a good idea of how the screen works. Also, it doesn’t have a touch screen. Another option to consider is the Vivoactive 5, though its training metrics are more basic. You could also look into the Forerunner 165 Music, which has a touchscreen and similar running features, including Daily Suggested Workouts (DSW), but fewer training metrics than the 255.