Ratings & Reviews for Garmin Forerunner 255 Smart Watch with Step Counter, Heart Rate Monitor and GPS Enabled

User friendly

It is very intuitive and has more features than most will use.

Love this watch. It integrates well with an android based phone. It has some quirks with an iphone, not the end of the world but something to be mindful of. I have an iphone, for you to see your text messages you have to change your text message settings to allow the banner to be seen on your home screen. Not good if you want to keep your texts private. I ended up putting a privacy screen on my phone. Not a deal breaker for me.

Love this watch. Connects to the satellites quickly. The coach training is a nice motivator.

Smooth display

I’m new to Garmin and I wanted a Music watch which I didn’t know how it worked and accidentally got 255 NO MUSIC just the forerunner 255 which was a bummer but I still like the watch it does what it needs to do

So far: useless

After 3 Fitbits, I switched to Garmin. I still haven’t been able to use it the way I’d like, which is only for very basic functions/record keeping. “Manual” is useless, as are YouTube/Garmin links for more detailed instructions. Detailed instructions are for users who want more info on all the wonderful things the Forerunner can do. I need one for basics. So frustrated.

I switched from an Apple Watch and I am not looking back. This was the best decision ever for someone getting back into running and trying to accurately track their stats. Still has smart watch features and great battery life

Replacement for my old Forerunner 645

Excellent watch, better performance and accuracy. Transition from my old watch to this one was not as simple as I expected. Example - do to a current injury, I can't follow recommended training plans, so I just want to start my workout and go. Watch defaults to "doing a recommended workout" set of steps. I'm sure I can change it, but haven't been through the comprehensive manual yet. Needs an easier way to do the basic functions. Otherwise, I love the watch so far.

OK, but want better Load data for other sports

I updated from the 245 to the 255 because i am primarily a cross country skier and a rower and was told this version of the Forerunner has the algorithms for these activities. While it does, and it is nice to get certain stats like stroke rating, meters per stroke, etc, I find that the FirstBeats training effect data is not at all accurate. The Exercise Load for rowing and cross country skiing in particular are extremely inaccurate (waaaay too low) and results in a very inaccurate snapshot of ...

Use it EVERYDAY for multiple things. App is great too.

I use my Garmin watch every day for everything from sleep tracking to workouts at the gym to hikes in the alpine wilderness. The app is awesome and syncs with my Garmin scale. Love it! I have had zero issues with both.

Great device

I have had my Garmin about a month, but previously owned a Fitbit for 4 years. WOW ~ amazing features, fun programs and so much more. We also bought our son Garmin Bounce to be able to keep in touch because we don’t want him to have a phone yet, incredible!!

Love Garmin Forerunner

Upgraded from the 910xt and love the light weight & fast GPS and charging.

Can not retrieve sleep data.

I have had this watch for 2 weeks and I can't retrieve sleep data. Checked the on line user guide and my watch did not follow the instructions. Other than that the watch is ok.

This my third Forerunner but first of this specific model. I also have a Fenix and D2 Air. This is my favourite of the bunch, it's light weight, easy to use, great tracking, and all around great at the price point. Only drawback in my opinion is the "gray" looks more blue than gray.

nicely improved sleep tracking metrics

Good activity tracking. Wished it had better watch faces available. This is my second (replacement) 255 as the first one did not track sleep metrics. This one does not track Intensity Minutes. Three sessions with Garmin support and not fixed. Nice watch if it worked.

Garmin Forerunner 255

This watch has been amazing. I use it every day to run and it is easy to use. It connects well to my phone and the Garmin app. It is surprisingly not too bulky and is easy to clean. I love the suggested workouts and how well it tracks my runs. It does occasionally give me a low score on a run where I feel great, but I trust other factors are at play. I love the sleep score option as well.

Loved the Watch, Until I Started Swimming Laps

I bought this watch to better track my running and swimming efforts. Works beyond my expectations when running and accurately tracks my distance, location, and effort. I also like the ease of readability of the screen even though I don't have my glasses on. Swimming is a whole different matter. Although heart rate and readability is good, the watch has absolutely no ability to keep track of laps in a 25 yard pool. I haven't tried open water and assume that would be better. At every turn, either ...

Pace and Elevation perhaps inaccurate

I traded from a Forerunner 245 Music, which shows 90% of my runs at least 30 seconds faster. I also had this watch for more than 3 years. I don't know which is right. However, it does measure the intensity at a higher level than my old Forerunner 245 Music. The battery life is much improved.

Amazing

Great for open water swimming, kept track of all my laps.

Great watch for race training

I upgraded to this from a Garmin Vivoactove and it was totally worth it. The Garmin coach feature helped me set two consecutive PRs in the half-marathon. All the stats and metrics it provides really helped me figure out how to train and recover better. And the coach designed my whole training plan for me. Not worth it if you are new to running but if you want to up your training this watch can definitely help.