1 in Fitness Trackers
Garmin - Forerunner 255S Music
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 15, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
24
5
"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."
"Best part about this watch is the music part!!! ... I have AirPods and have had zero issues. I use Spotify for my music. I’m sorry that’s happening for you. The music is one my favorite parts of owning this watch."
86
6
"Oh, and the battery lasts days even when exercising a lot (weeks without excercise)."
"battery life 2 years in is still like 4-8 days depending on how many actives I’m logging"
"Easily can go 1 week with the battery while doing 4-5 hours of exercise"
120
4
"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."
"If you're very serious about fitness and working out, Garmin, no question. ... I put a Garmin on my wrist for the gym and runs."
"the integrated running training plans and all of the fitness data is such a huge bonus for me."
44
2
"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."
27
4
"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."
"FR255 is actually the best since on top of the MIP display it also has the 5-button navigation (and no touchscreen), on the other models you need first to lock the touchscreen or make it lock automatically when you start a workout."
Disliked most:
9
11
"During certain workouts the fr255 just wasn’t accurate"
"I also had a lot of issues with cadence lock on my forerunner so I got used to training with an HRM belt on any workout."
"I personally don’t like having a device with inconsistent heart rate readings. ... at rest they are the same, but when I start an exercise like a hitt workout, jump rope, or just the gym it doesn’t seem to match what I’m feeling."
3
14
"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."
2
15
"It has maps, music, all the 255-265 and Fénix options"
"Maps on 255 are so basic ... if you get into trail running with gpx files you will feel the need for the upgrade."
"no local maps such as on the higher level forerunners or fenix models"
1
9
"Almost useless for your gym training."
"strength training has always been and always be an afterthought for Garmin ... you will need a third party app to get any decent data"
"I’ve never had an accurate workout recorded and always need to go back after and edit the workout to add anything missed."
4
11
"the Garmin is far worse from a smartwatch perspective ... my AWU2’s cellular connectivity is above and beyond the thing I care most about on long, remote runs."
"if you have to take your phone anyway, there's a much better device on you for making calls. ... apple watches can have sim cards and place calls *without* having your cellphone on you. that's a real use case -- go for a run, leave the bulky phone at home."
"The software is outdated and the smartwatch features are very basic and nothing like what Apple provides, you need your phone close by to get notifications and you can’t respond."
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.
BreakerOf_Chains 1.0FR255M because it was on sale at the time and had all the features I needed.
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.
Vivoactive is closest to the Fitbit but for running the forerunner is better.
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.
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