If you’re new to running, or to measuring your performance, and all you want is a simple run tracker to handle the basics, the Garmin Forerunner 55 offers the bare essentials in a compact, no-frills package that’s wallet-friendly and capable.

Let’s be clear, Garmin has some top-end watches for running, but this is a focus on an option for beginners. It doesn’t have a fancy AMOLED touchscreen, accuracy-boosting dual frequency GPS or some of the more advanced training tools, performance insights and navigation tools. But if you’re new to running, and don’t feel you need the entire suite of training features you’re not going to use, that’s where the Forerunner 55 might fit the bill.

…this is still a great entry-level watch that offers plenty of run-tracking bang for buck.

Design
The Forerunner 55 comes in just one 42mm size with a 26mm, low-resolution colour screen. There’s no touchscreen. This baby relies solely on buttons. That might feel like a throwback for some but it keeps things simple.

Speaking of simple, those buttons are happily labelled, too. Good if you’re unfamiliar with the Garmin controls.

At 37g, the Forerunner 55 is lighter than most running watches, and the compact design makes it one of the more comfortable watches to wear 24/7. Good for unlocking those sleep scores.

Features
The Garmin Forerunner 55 launched back in 2021, but this is still a great entry-level watch that offers plenty of run-tracking bang for buck. It comes with built-in (and accurate) GPS, optical heart rate monitoring, 20 hours’ GPS run time on a single charge and a general usage battery life that’ll see most runners through at least a week’s training.

There are plenty of tools to cater for a wide range of running needs, with features geared towards less experienced runners or anyone who favours simplicity. This includes five running modes with track running, treadmill and a virtual running mode.

There are also Garmin Coach adaptive training plans, daily suggested workouts based on your recovery, handy PacePro pace guidance for a selected course, along with predicted race times, finish time estimates, cadence alerts to help with improvements in form and a recovery advisor for advice on managing your rest between training efforts. You can also create interval sessions on the fly.

Beyond the run, the general health smarts are solid. You get fitness benchmarking with V02 Max estimates, stress and body battery energy level tracking, plus women’s health tracking. Oh, and it’ll spit out your estimated fitness age.

The smartwatch tools are basic. You get smart notifications and music controls for a linked smartphone but no streaming or offline music. There’s also no Garmin Pay or Messenger.

Tried and tested
The Garmin Forerunner 55 was extensively tested over a period of around six months – in training, racing, and for sleep metrics.

This is a well built watch that feels robust for the price, though you’re not getting the most premium materials here. The case is plastic and the display uses chemically strengthened glass rather than the tougher Gorilla branded glass you find on pricer watches. But the Forerunner 55 avoids feeling cheap.

In any running watch, you want the basics done well: good level of comfort, easy to use, reliable GPS and heart rate, plus a marathon-lasting single stint battery that’ll also cater for a week of training on a single charge and good durability. The Garmin Forerunner 55 offers all of this.

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