The Ideal GPS Running Smartwatch for Music-Loving Athletes
- James Harrison - Staff Writer/Reviewer
The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music has quickly gained a reputation as a go-to GPS running smartwatch for athletes who want both advanced training features and on-wrist music. I’ve had a chance to put it through its paces, and if you’re serious about tracking your workouts and motivated by music, this is definitely one to consider.
With plenty of tracking features, impressive battery life, and music capabilities, the Forerunner 255 Music is a fantastic choice for runners, cyclists, and even swimmers. Let’s go over what makes it such a versatile companion.
Design and Build Quality
The Forerunner 255 Music sports a sleek design that’s both comfortable and durable. Weighing in at only 49 grams, it’s light enough that you might even forget you’re wearing it. The silicone band is soft yet sturdy, perfect for staying on through the most intense workouts. Its 1.3-inch sunlight-readable display makes it easy to check your stats, even during bright outdoor runs. While it’s not a huge display, it’s big enough to show relevant information clearly.
I’ve found it comfortable to wear all day, even for longer activities. It doesn’t dig into the skin or feel overly bulky. Plus, the buttons are tactile and responsive, so you won’t struggle to navigate the menu during a workout.
Music On-the-Go
One of the highlights of the Forerunner 255 is its music feature. You can store up to 500 songs on the watch itself, which is more than enough to keep you entertained through long training sessions. It’s easy to transfer songs from your computer or sync with popular music streaming services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer.
Once the music is on the watch, you can pair it with your Bluetooth headphones and enjoy your playlists without needing your phone. This feature is a game-changer, especially for those who want to leave their phones behind while exercising. The sound quality through Bluetooth is solid, and I didn’t experience any drops or delays during my runs.
Advanced Training and Health Tracking
Garmin has packed the Forerunner 255 with some serious tracking capabilities. It’s got all the essentials, like GPS, heart rate monitoring, and step counting, but it goes much further with advanced metrics. You’ll find VO2 max, recovery time, performance condition, and training load all available, giving you a better understanding of how hard you’re working and when you need to take a break.
The GPS tracking is accurate and fast, locking onto satellites within seconds. During my tests, the routes matched up well with known distances, even on trails and in areas with tall buildings. It’s perfect for runners who want to make sure they’re hitting their paces and covering the distance they set out for. If you’re a triathlete, you’ll appreciate that it tracks swimming metrics as well, making it versatile enough for multi-sport athletes.
Garmin’s Body Battery feature is also here, and it’s honestly more useful than I expected. This feature measures your energy levels throughout the day, taking into account sleep, stress, and activity levels. It’s surprisingly accurate, and I found it helpful for deciding when to train hard and when to take it easy.
Sleep and Recovery Features
If you’re someone who values recovery, the Forerunner 255 has some pretty advanced sleep tracking capabilities. It measures light, deep, and REM sleep stages, giving you insights into your overall sleep quality. It even provides a Sleep Score, which is useful for understanding how well you’re recovering overnight.
The Morning Report feature is a nice touch—it gives you a quick summary of your sleep, recovery time, and the weather forecast for the day. This has become part of my morning routine, as it helps me plan my workout intensity based on how well I’ve rested.
Battery Life that Keeps Up
One of the most impressive aspects of the Forerunner 255 is its battery life. In GPS mode with music, you can expect around 6 hours—perfect for marathon training. In smartwatch mode, it can last up to 14 days, which is fantastic if you’re not using GPS or music constantly. In regular GPS mode without music, it stretches up to 30 hours.
This extended battery life means less time spent charging and more time training. I was able to go through nearly two weeks of regular training without needing to plug it in, which is a huge plus for those who don’t want to worry about charging frequently.
Customization and Connectivity
The Forerunner 255 Music connects seamlessly with Garmin Connect, which gives you a lot of options for customizing your watch faces, widgets, and data fields. If you’re someone who likes to analyze your workouts, you’ll appreciate the in-depth data provided in the app. It’s user-friendly and syncs quickly, so you’ll always have your most recent data at your fingertips.
Notifications work well too. You can receive calls, texts, and app notifications right on your wrist, though you’ll need to have your phone nearby. The watch vibrates when notifications come in, so you don’t have to worry about missing anything important during a workout.
Additional Features
Garmin has included some other handy features that round out the experience. Safety and tracking features like LiveTrack let you share your location in real-time, which is great for longer runs or solo hikes. You’ll also get Incident Detection, which can alert your emergency contacts if it detects an accident.
Another cool feature is Garmin Pay, a contactless payment option that lets you make purchases without needing to carry your wallet or phone. It’s a small addition, but one I ended up using more than I thought I would. You can also access weather updates, which is useful for planning outdoor workouts.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight design that’s comfortable for all-day wear
- On-wrist music storage and streaming options through popular services
- Accurate GPS and heart rate tracking
- Advanced training metrics for serious athletes, including VO2 max and recovery time
- Excellent battery life in smartwatch and GPS modes
- Customizable with Garmin Connect and compatible with third-party apps
- Safety features like LiveTrack and Incident Detection
- Garmin Pay adds convenience for on-the-go purchases
Cons:
- Display size could be bigger for easier reading during workouts
- Lacks built-in speaker for phone calls, so you’ll need to use headphones
- No offline maps, which may be a downside for serious trail runners
- Premium features and price may not appeal to casual users
Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music, GPS Running Smartwatch with Music, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery4.6View Price on AmazonWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Conclusion
The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a top-notch GPS running smartwatch for athletes who take their training seriously. With music storage, advanced fitness metrics, and long battery life, it’s an ideal companion for everything from a daily jog to marathon training. Its tracking features and recovery insights offer more depth than most other watches in this price range, making it a great option if you’re looking to step up your fitness game.
While it may not be necessary for someone who just wants basic activity tracking, those who are looking for a powerful, feature-rich smartwatch will find a lot to love here. The addition of music and excellent battery life makes it well worth considering, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t want to carry a phone on every run.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 Music is a solid investment for anyone who wants a reliable, multi-sport watch with advanced tracking, all while leaving the phone at home. It’s a well-rounded option that combines smart features with a performance-focused design, and I can confidently recommend it to runners, cyclists, and fitness enthusiasts alike.
You Might Also Consider...
|
Heart Rate Tracking
|
Extremely Rugged
|
Alexa Built-in
|
|
Our Rating:
4.4
|
Our Rating:
4.7
|
Our Rating:
4.2
|