Garmin 225 and 955 are still the best price fitness watches, and they are always on sale

If you are looking for a gamin clock at a great price, the recent drops of Forerner 570 and 970 are excellent news – not because you should choose those models (they are fine, I think) but because the older generations of the forearm, which are excellent watches, are now going for low prices.

The previous models, 265 and 965, are great, but you can return to another generation in 255 and 955 – filled in 2022 – and save Hundreds Of dollar without renouncing any major functionality. I can’t really think of any fitness watch, which is right now a better deal we are looking at: Currently $ 247 for Forer 255, and $ 373 for Forrner 955, which is a advanced version with maps and some additional training features.

Why am I recommending a three -year -old watches? I will go to the glasses below, but the important reference here is that there is severe longevity in the forearm of germines. Running app Strawa has released a tendency report of the end of the year which continues to show the old pioneers between the nation and the world’s most popular running watches. The most recent reportFor example, after Apple Watch and Apple Watch SE, Garmin Forerunner 245 was third. This is one five years old Watch. Not long ago, forearm 235, then a Eight-Iyer-Old Clock, was the most popular worldwide. These things last!

255 and 955 are missing compared to new models (not much)

Left: 265s (small, new model). Right: 255 (larger with MIP screen which is currently on sale).
Credit: Beth squareki

Counting models can be misleading, but I promise you will be able to follow together. All the watches starting with 9 are top-line precursors (955 were replaced by 965 and most recently from 970) and most of them came up with a younger brother which begins with 2 (respectively: 255, 265, and a break from the tradition, 570).

The 9XX chain has maps on the ship that lets you see where you are and where you are going. 2xx watches contain breadcrumb navigation that shows you the normal size of the already taken. If you need a map on your wrist, you probably want to go to 9xx.

I have written about the latest models here, so you can see that in 970 more than 965 (and more than 570 is more than 265). The big feature is that 570 and 970 supports have a voice calling and voice text, and a built -in LED flashlight in 970. If those features should not be for you, take a look at the next generation.

265 and 965 are excellent watches with significant functionality like double-band GPS. you can Read my review of 265 here:, And note that 265 is my own personal running watch, which I bought with my money because I love it. The 265 has a tonen fantastic features for runners. Some are solid and functional: physical buttons, lots of options for data screen, and additional space accuracy a dual-band GPS. Others are more software-Y, but are still useful: training status, daily suggested workouts. The battery also lives between one and two weeks, it depends on how many workouts you do.

In 965 that is all, plus onboard maps, so you can see where you are relative to the streets, water, and similarly. These have also found some additional training data, such as a patient score and a heat acclimation score.

These are all similar characteristics in 255 and 955. The X55 and X65 series have meaningful different features:

• 255/955 has old, always MIP screenWhile 265 is a smartphone-style AMOLED screen. I have more on the difference between those screen types here.

• 255/955 does not have touchscreenYou will use buttons up and down to the left to scroll through the options.

• 255 can’t store musicUntil you buy 255 music versions. Music storage has been created in 955 like 265 and 965.

• Training is not readiness in 255But it has training. (Personally, I never use the readiness of training, so this is not a lot of harm. You can always see your HRV trend, which also reports the clock, if you want how you are recovered every morning.) 955, 265, and 965 training in all.

For detailed list of Everyone Minor facilities that are different between the two, you can see This comparison page on gamin site,

Which precursor 255 version you should get

Only one precursor is 955, but there are four versions of 255, and there are two versions of 265.

• Regular Priority 255 There is a large size (45.6 mm) and does not have music storage.

• Priority 255s There is a small size (41 mm) and does not have music storage.

• Priority 255 music There is a large size (45.6 mm) and Does Store music, so you can play tunes from the clock while leaving your phone at home.

• Forerunner 255s Music Music is small size (41 mm) with storage.

Personally, when I run, I always have my phone with me, so I never got a standalone music feature very helpful. If you feel that you can use it, however, it is usually upgrade $ 50, but currently upgrade on the large size of the clock.

To help you decide, the above photo shows the difference in the screen between AMOLED 265s (left) and MIP 255 (right). It also shows the size difference between small and large models; The left 265s on the left is 41.7 mm, which is very close to 255 at 41 mm.

Anyway, how old is 255?

255 is only one year old to 265. They were released in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Earlier, Forrner released three to four years separated. A quick change between 255 and 265 makes sense when you realize that they are basically the same clock with a different performance.

So I will not hope that 255 will feel old soon. The main question you need to ask yourself: How do I feel about the MIP screen? I wrote More about the difference between MIP and AMOL hereMIP screens do not light up, although they have a backlight that may automatically come when increasing their wrist. Relaxed, they are “always on” that they are always displayed Some?So you will never look down on an empty screen. They are also shiny in sunlight.

The AMOLED screen is more like a smartphone screen, with glowing pixels, and watches usually turn off the display when you are not using it to save energy. (You can always enable a setting, but this battery account.) Said that, the overall battery on both watches is the same on life default settings-not counting activities for 255, and 13 days for 265.

Some people prefer MIP screens, and if you include it, it’s a no-grain: Snag on 255 or 955. You can also get Refurbished version for $ 179.99One Any Line.

Bottom line (price check)

Prices on the pioneers have recently ups and downs, so I am hesitant to compare any dollar-for-dollar, but what I am watching here at this time, I write it. Officially, Garmin is selling 255 and 265 for the same price, $ 349.99. 955 and 965 are going to the same price, $ 499.99. At those prices, you can also get a -65 version of what you like.

But on Amazon, I am looking at prices as $ 247 for 255 and $ 373 for 955. This means that 255 is the same value as 255 Animic Forrner 165 (this is fine as a budget watch, but it is remembering a lot of features that is 255/265) and 955 is the same price as a 265! Check the prices to see if these deals still remain until the time you read, and eventually decide on the basis of features.