Garmin - Forerunner 255S Music
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Jan 25, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
634
109
"battery lasts me forever, I charge it once a week and I game every day."
"especially because of the battery life. ... The mouse I had right before this was the steelseries super light one, that was an every other day charge at minimum. Whereas this one is like once a week at most - and I work from home and game all night."
"Oh, and the battery lasts days even when exercising a lot (weeks without excercise)."
46
9
"those physical buttons are SO much better than touch, swipe, pinch and just anything else. ... Like, want to adjust volume through your hat with gloves on riding your bike? no problem at all"
"physical buttons are far superior to touch or swipe gestures during workouts (think sweaty hands or gloves during the cold season). ... Pressing physical buttons can be done without even looking at the watch, whereas touch gestures require a high degree of dexterity."
"Button operation is also a big plug for the Garmins. After pouring a few cups of water over your head, touch control of the Apple Watch doesn't work well anymore."
69
4
"The multiband GPS is very accurate."
"It even did great in the mountains when I went hiking due to its dual GPS."
"it did great in the mountains when I went hiking due to its dual GPS."
26
6
"it’s sweet to be able to go for a run with just my watch and headphones."
"after YouTube Music was implemented I was happy that I got the Music version. ... It even auto updates all my playlists when it charges. ... And it connects to my AirPods flawless and when I do my run workouts it turns the music volume down and says the next step in the workout what pace and for how long."
"I had a 255 music and had no issues with playing music and battery. ... I played music on mine all the time. The music did not. ... Mostly used for running. Ran several marathons with it and it didn't drain my battery that much."
132
4
"a recent update even added Strength training to the Garmin Coach feature. It used to just be running plans. ... But aside from that you can make your own strength training workouts. ... I personally really enjoy the ability to make my own workouts and fill out the calendar in the app to have a custom training plan that I know works for me."
"You can load a ton of different actives on it and with the gps things like snowboarding and rock climbing gives you some pretty cool data points."
"it has a lot of additional activity features I like (e.g. tracking outdoor swimming, biking , training plans etc)"
Disliked most:
58
121
"The thing whoop is giving me is wildly inaccurate HR readings. ... Did a casual bike ride with my child yesterday afternoon and whoop gave me a 187 high HR. This was a really slow like 4 block bike ride. ... AW said 108hr peak. Ive biked hard, ran as hard as possible doing max HR tests with my H10 chest strap and never hit above high 160s. ... Im not sure whats going on but its been doing this type of odd HR readings all week."
"I had Whoop for three months and it started showing a very bad data. Like catastrophicly bad. ... Bought Polar chest strap to check my HRV, it was VERY different and was showing me my normal data, data that whoop originally showed to me as well until three months into use it stopped."
"HR reading on Whoop are known for being absolutely aweful. ... Better having an accurate reading every 5 minutes than multiple bad readings every seconds. ... Whoop has awesome software and data analysis, but makes it somehow unusable because of bad hr data in. ... If HR accuracy is not a problem for you, and only follow "very general trends", yeah Whoop is a cool product. But if you are at some minimal point serious about HR accuracy, for real sport / performance / improvment, you cannot relly on it. ... If a Polar device, Garmin, apple watch says it's at 80 with readings every minute or so, and whoop says 65 every seconds, your "constant readings" are not worth anything. Garbage in, garbage out. ... Even counting it manually with a timer and my finger on my neck would be more accurate. ... their linear HR sensors are poor quality, and not the ideal way of positioning them (VS circular patern)."
5
42
"the muscular load, the cardio/muscular split, and the intensity didn’t match my perception at all ... and it doesn’t show history/trends per exercise or velocity ... I stopped using it completely, waiting for them to release improvements (which never came - then I cancelled my membership). ... Currently, I don't see how the whoop strength trainer would be *useful* for strength / hypertrophy."
"HRV isn’t a reliable metric of readiness for strength training, to adjust your strength training sessions on a daily basis, based on the current overall body of research ... that wouldn’t really work if the main goal was to maximize strength (and/or muscle growth). ... For my strength training, I'd basically ignore HRV (and whoop recovery / day strain recommendation)"
"wave tracking is shit anyway"
5
44
"BUT, the only FR with maps and navigation (which was essential for me) is the fr 970 ... if you don't need navigation check with the 265 (cheaper)"
"Maps are a big gaping hole for the 265 ... It saved me when I went off course during the middle of the night during a 100 miler. Maps are totally worth it"
"The 265 doesn't offer a proper map/navigation. Depending of OP needs, it can be a deal breaker. Has been for me."
3
15
"It has an MIP display, not a AMOLED. The MIP does a fine job and is especially great out in the sun midday, but you might find it a bit dull coming from an AW"
"the screen is nowhere near as responsive as the AW."
"The FR255 also has a MIP screen which is very dull and drab especially compared to the S10."
25
76
"wtf no time settings in a watch?"
"google's software features and fit-and-finish is lacking for their watch ... there is no option on a pixel watch to just automatically turn on the screen when a notification comes in to view the notification; you have to manually interact with it by either tapping the screen within a few seconds or lift-to-wake the watch, which is very unreliable ... that actually was a dealbreaker for me"
"it does not show new notifications as they come in without some sort of manual action ... unless you tap the screen or lift your wrist when you get the vibration, you don't get to see anything ... 75% of the time my pw2 wouldn't recognize a wrist-raise gesture, so I'd miss whatever the new notification was"
AdeptusKapekus2025 1.0How much will playing music from the watch be a use for you? Battery life suffers a lot when you use the watch for music, and the 255 specifically suffers a lot. From a week or two of battery to hours. It might be worth it to upgrade to the higher end watch just for the battery life alone.
My experience with the 255 Music is the same as two other friends with the same watch. Playing music had a big drain for all of us. Maybe you got lucky and got a 950 battery accidentally installed in yours at the factory hahaha
Agreeable-Drawer-744 1.0Hello everyone. I’m having a hard time deciding which watch to commit to using. I have an Apple Watch Ultra 2 and a Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, and I’ve been alternating between the two, which makes it difficult to stay committed and keep all my training data in a single app. First, I’m a 35-year-old man and I started training a bit more seriously about 3 months ago. My workouts are mainly focused on health, since I have a full-time job that I can’t step away from, as I’m the primary provider for my family. However, I’ve been venturing a bit more into triathlon training with a dream—still distant—of completing an Ironman 70.3. I finished my first half marathon two weeks ago. I really like the battery life of the Forerunner 255 as well as the way Garmin presents health and training data. For example, in swimming, the rest intervals show up every time I get out of the water. During runs, there’s an upper graph displaying my heart rate zone or pace so I can check it with just a quick glance. I also really liked the Daily Suggested Workouts and the adaptive coaches that adjust based on my sleep and recent training. But the biggest issue with the watch is that it doesn’t have LTE, nor does it have a microphone or an assistant for timer requests, alarms, Apple reminders, or voice notes. With the Apple Watch, the screen is amazing and vibrant, but it’s not always-on like an MIP display. My workout data ends up split across two different apps (Health and Fitness), and it’s not presented very clearly. I end up using Bevel and WorkOutDoors to improve the layout and presentation, but this data doesn’t influence the training suggestions. My sleep doesn’t influence my workouts, nor do my recent exercises. Everything feels a bit disconnected. But I love going out for a run with just my watch, without carrying my smartphone, and using LTE to receive notifications and calls, as well as Apple Pay for payments. Also, the convenience of voice reminders, timers, alarms, answering calls without having to run around looking for my phone—these things make life so much easier. So, I’d like to know if anyone has gone through this and how you ended up solving it. I believe that if the LTE issue were resolved, I would switch to Garmin for good. I hate running with a smartphone. Do you keep it in your pocket? Do you use a specific Lycra band or something like that? What did you decide in the end?
I find that both are equally reliable on training. Pace, distance and everything else. Just the way Garmin presents are way better. If only Garmin create a LTE experience likewise Apple.
BroadMinute 1.0I have both. It’s impossible to decide. Different watches for different purposes
CombOverFtw 1.0I still use my 255 music every day and I’ve never said oh I wish I had that feature from another watch. This one does everything I need
davidr521 1.0Technically, OP *could* download MP3s directly onto the watch, if you don't want to bring the phone (one of the criteria I had for my Forerunner 255 Music purchase).
While I know you didn't mention it, IMHO this depends on your budget and what you're looking to get. I had (still have) a Vivoactive 3 Music, which I got 6 years ago for $199. It replaced my previous Fitbit which had fallen apart (literally) and I wanted something that had a) standalone, reliable GPS/barometer/altimeter, and b) music storage (I got sick of carrying my phone when I run). Recently, when Jeff Bezos needed more yachts (aka Prime Day), I snagged a FR255M for $249 (normally $399).
\^\^ This. I had a Vivoactive 3 Music for 6 years; hardly any new updates, but the thing kept working (the battery stopped holding a charge as well). The only reason(s) I updated to a 255 Music was because a) it was on sale for only $50 USD more than the VA3M from *6 years* prior, and b) it had more sensors I wanted to take advantage of. If my 255 lasts as long as my Vivoactive did (does), I'll be a happy dude.
It depends on what you need. When moving to Garmin from Fitbit, I opted for a Vivoactive 3 Music (aka VA3M). I was looking for a) GPS on the watch, and b) music storage. Hate carrying my phone when cycling/running. Recently moved on from the VA3M (worked for 6+ years, and *technically* still works). Picked up a Forerunner 255 Music and am quite happy with my choice. This may help: [https://www.garmin.com/en-US/which-watch/runner/compare/](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/which-watch/runner/compare/)
255: Not touch-screen; buttons only
For me, yes. Coming from a touchscreen that was frustratingly over-sensitive (even with a screen protector), it’s much easier to press the button when I mean to. It got to the point that if I got caught in the rain, the watch was responding to raindrops. YMMV, but having now had both, I like big butt(on)s and I cannot lie. 🎶🎤
Fellow Forerunner 255 owner here. Welcome to the family!
dawnbann77 1.0That's not true. I had a 255 music and had no issues with playing music and battery.
The 255 music is a great watch. I now have the forerunner 265. Just a point on fasting. It's not really recommended for runners. Try to ensure you are fuelling enough as you increase your mileage.
I have 255 music. It's a fab watch. Bear in mind the 's' means small.
Check out the forerunner 255 not too bulky and will do that you need from it. I recently upgraded to the 265 and love it. You can't go wrong with the forerunner range
I missed the touch screen as had it before the 255. The screen is better and more features.
FR255 is not touch screen. I went from VA 4 to FR 255 then to FR 265. The 265 is really good and has the touch screen.
DefiantJob2508 1.0Was also a non-runner but outdoors active and resistance training. Someone on Reddit said the Forerunners are way more value packed than the vivo actives. I purchased a Forerunner 255 music, and am now a daily runner...just a warning, you'll start exercising more. Just released a video on the 255... [https://youtu.be/Mvp5GIYElY0](https://youtu.be/Mvp5GIYElY0)
Non-runner here. Wanted a "best bang for my buck" fitness watch with a great battery life, and got suckered into a Forerunner 255 music. I now run 5-6 days per week, 5-7k average...you have been warned. I've never been this fit in my life and it keeps getting better. Just released a review video on the Forerunner 255: [https://youtu.be/Mvp5GIYElY0](https://youtu.be/Mvp5GIYElY0)
Just made a video on the 255 music. Cheaper than the 965 and 265...great value packed option in my opinion... [https://youtu.be/Mvp5GIYElY0](https://youtu.be/Mvp5GIYElY0)
edajane0 1.0I wear the forerunner 255s Music in whitestone and it suits my disproportionately bony wrists. Links seamlessly with my Spotify, ticks off all the things you highlighted.
Euphoric-Quantity208 1.0I’d recommend the Forerunner 255/255 Music or 955, both are excellent choices for running and cycling, with great battery life and advanced features. However, they usually cost over $300. I don’t think the Vivoactive or Vivosmart models are ideal for those activities, as they’re more focused on general fitness tracking rather than performance training. My suggestion would be to wait for Black Friday sales, since the 255/255 Music and 955 might get good discounts around that time. Alternatively, you might find a good deal on Facebook Marketplace that fits within your budget.
EYtNSQC9s8oRhe6ejr 1.0You can expect the Pace 3 to receive software updates for at least another couple years, whereas the 255 will probably not receive any significant updates. Garmin watch faces (outside an activity) are superior to Coros, no question. Pace 3 has four “buttons” (one button, one crown that can be pressed or turned in two directions), the 255 has five buttons. I have the Pace 3 and kind of wish it had one more button. Coros stats make no sense: race predictor is useless, recovery number is way too optimistic. (Coros says I'll be able to run a full marathon at a faster pace than my best half.) Not sure about the 255’s charger but the Pace 3’s is pretty finicky.
I'd look at the FR 255 and 255s. The 255 is larger and has battery life comparable to the pace 3. The 255s is more in your size range but has a correspondingly worse battery life, although certainly enough for regular 5k‘s. I've heard a lot of people say they like the Coros app more than the Garmin app. One thing Garmin has is better music, Garmin pay, and an App Store. Other than that they're very similar, and the same price on Amazon in the US.
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