www.techradar.com Open in urlscan Pro
151.101.130.114  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

GET https://www.techradar.com/search

<form class="search-box" action="https://www.techradar.com/search" method="GET" data-component-tracked="19">
  <input tabindex="0" type="search" name="searchTerm" placeholder="Search TechRadar" class="search-input">
  <button type="submit" class="search-submit">
    <span class="icon icon-search">
      <svg class="icon-svg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1000 1000">
        <path d="M720 124a422 422 0 1 0-73 654l221 222 132-131-222-222a422 422 0 0 0-58-523zm-92 504a291 291 0 1 1-412-412 291 291 0 0 1 412 411z"></path>
      </svg> </span>
  </button>
</form>

POST https://newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com/v2/submission/submit

<form class="emailform" method="POST" action="https://newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com/v2/submission/submit" data-component-tracked="8">
  <div class="input__wrapper">
    <input type="text" class="name__input" name="NAME" value="">
    <input type="email" class="mail__input" name="MAIL" value="" placeholder="Your Email Address" required="">
  </div>
  <div class="emailform__checkbox-rows">
    <div class="emailform__checkbox-row" data-newsletter-consent-type="default-market" id="emailform__consent-news-and-offers">
      <label class="emailform__checkbox-row__label">
        <input type="checkbox" id="emailform__consent-news-and-offers-yes" class="emailform__checkbox-row__checkbox" value="1" name="CONTACT_OTHER_BRANDS"> Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands </label>
    </div>
    <div class="emailform__checkbox-row" data-newsletter-consent-type="default-market" id="emailform__consent-partners-and-sponsors">
      <label class="emailform__checkbox-row__label">
        <input type="checkbox" id="emailform__consent-partners-and-sponsors-yes" class="emailform__checkbox-row__checkbox" value="1" name="CONTACT_PARTNERS"> Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors </label>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="submit__wrapper">
    <input class="submit__button" type="submit" value="Sign me up">
  </div>
  <input type="hidden" class="hidden__newsletter_code" name="NEWSLETTER_CODE" id="NEWSLETTER_CODE" value="XTR-D" data-newsletter-consent-type="default">
  <input type="hidden" class="hidden__lang" name="LANG" id="LANG" value="EN" data-newsletter-consent-type="default">
  <input type="hidden" class="hidden__source" name="SOURCE" id="SOURCE" value="2" data-newsletter-consent-type="default">
</form>

Text Content

WE VALUE YOUR PRIVACY

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies
and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information
sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement,
and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.
With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation data and
identification through device scanning. You may click to consent to our and our
partners’ processing as described above. Alternatively you may access more
detailed information and change your preferences before consenting or to refuse
consenting.
Please note that some processing of your personal data may not require your
consent, but you have a right to object to such processing. Your preferences
will apply to this website only. You can change your preferences at any time by
returning to this site or visit our privacy policy.
MORE OPTIONSAGREE
Skip to main content
Tech Radar Tech Radar TechRadar The source for Tech Buying Advice
Search

Subscribe
RSS
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
US Edition


Asia

India


Singapore


Middle East

Europe

Danmark


Suomi


Norge


Sverige


UK


Italia


Nederland


België (Nederlands)


France


Deutschland


España

North America

US (English)


Canada


US (Español)

Australasia

Australia


New Zealand

Technology Magazines
Why subscribe?
 * The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews
 * Try a single issue or save on a subscription
 * Issues delivered straight to your door or device

From€8
View
 * 
 * News
 * Best
 * Reviews
 * Opinion
 * How To
 * Versus
 * Deals
 * More
   * Appliances
   * Audiovisual
   * Cameras
   * Car Tech
   * Computing
   * Downloads
   * Entertainment
   * Fitness
   * Laptops
   * Phones
   * Smart Home
   * Tablets
   * TVs
   * Wearables
   * About Us



Trending
 * MacBook Air M2
 * Nothing Phone 1
 * iOS 16
 * iPhone 14
 * Best VPN



TechRadar is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our
site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us.


 1. Home
 2. News
 3. Wearables


GARMIN UNLEASHES FORERUNNER 955 AND 255 SERIES WATCHES

By Matt Evans last updated June 01, 2022

At last! The Garmin Forerunner 955 and 255 series have been officially released

 * (opens in new tab)
 * (opens in new tab)
 * 
 * (opens in new tab)
 * (opens in new tab)
 * 


(Image credit: Matt Evans)

Audio player loading…

Garmin has released its Forerunner 955 and 255 series of watches after months of
speculation. Numbering six watches in total, it unveiled two 955 models - the
Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar and a non-solar option - while the 255 series gets
the 255 and the smaller 255s in both music and non-music options. 



We'll dive into the full specs below, and each watch will receive its own
hands-on first impressions and full review over the next few days and weeks.
However, these triathlon-geared multisport offerings are already looking likely
to land on our list of the best Garmin watches.


GARMIN FORERUNNER 955 SERIES



(Image credit: Matt Evans)

Let’s dive in to the specs and features, starting with the Garmin Forerunner 955
Solar. Available now (opens in new tab) priced at $599 in the US and £549.99 in
the UK (no word on an official price for Australia as yet), the 955 Solar, as
the name suggests, has incorporated Garmin’s Power Glass solar charging lens
technology to stretch that 20-day  battery life to its limit. The non-solar
version is priced at £479.99 in the UK and $499.99 in the US.





Both solar and non-solar versions of the watch have touchscreens in addition to
Garmin’s signature five-button design. Garmin says the buttons can be used
“separately, or in conjunction with the touchscreen” which is a nice way of
saying you can use either. The choice is nice but rather superfluous: I can’t
help wondering what else could have been fitted into the watch if the
touchscreen had been scrapped.

RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...Tech Radar



Otherwise, the watches are identical. Support for multi-band GPS is said to be
more accurate than ever before, and 49 hours of battery life in GPS mode means
it’ll cope with even the longest endurance races. The watch offers full-color
maps (although not topographical) highlighting points of interest, and PacePro
and ClimbPro technology from previous Garmin models to offer route guidance. 



Training readiness, which has been recently revamped by Garmin, is essentially
an indicator of how well you’ve rested and recovered. A full gauge means you’re
ready to take on a big challenge, while if you’re in the red, you’d best leave
the long-haul racing to another day. HRV status, or “heart rate variability”
constantly tracks your heart rate during sleep to help you “get a better handle
on recovery and an overall wellness picture”. 

Both revamped stats now takes a prominent place in the menu of vital stats which
will be familiar to existing Garmin users. A new “Morning Report” feature also
recommends workouts based on your training goals, shows you the weather for the
day, and informs you of your sleep and HRV status of the night before.

A new race widget is also present, which Garmin says allows you to “view race
prep information – including a race day-specific performance prediction, race
day weather, and a countdown clock – all in one widget. Once a race is
scheduled, daily suggested workouts will adapt based on an athlete’s race
plans,” which is included in your Morning Report. This do-it-all premium
wearable is likely to appear on our best running watch list after we’ve had time
for a thorough test. Until then, however, you can check out our early Garmin
Forerunner 955 Solar hands-on review here. 


GARMIN FORERUNNER 255 SERIES



(Image credit: Matt Evans)

The Garmin Forerunner 255 series houses four different models: the
common-or-garden Forerunner 255 and 255 Music, measuring 46mm across, and the
Forerunner 255s and 255s Music, 5mm smaller at just 41mm across. The dainty 255s
models’ small size aside, both are pretty identical in terms of features. Both
share up to 14 days’ battery life and 30 hours in GPS mode, and neither are
packing the touchscreen technology of the Forerunner 955. 

The Garmin Forerunner 255 and 255s are both priced at £299.99 in the UK and
$349.99 in the US. The 255 Music and 255s Music, which can can store up to 500
songs onn the watch in addition to connecting to Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music
from your phone, is priced at £349.99 in the UK and $399.99 in the US. Again,
Australian prices are unavailable at the moment. 

Even though they’re lacking the touchscreen, these slightly more stripped-down
models are still packing plenty of the 955’s new features, including the Morning
Report, the race widget and HRV status. Multi-band GPS offers the same improved
GPS tracking across different satellite bands, while you can toggle between
different sports profiles with a single button press while you work out, which
is great for triathletes and other multi-disciplinary athletes. 

All the usual Garmin health metrics and features are here, such as Pulse
Oximeter measurements, VO2 Max, training status and Garmin Coach. The 255
watches can utilise PacePro to help offer guidance during your run, but there’s
no mention of ClimbPro here, so it won’t offer information on upcoming hills the
way the 955 running watch can. You’ll also be able to plan routes on services
such as Strava and sync them to your watch. 


ANALYSIS: WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN

After three years of the same Forerunner 945 and 245 watches, Garmin seems to
have taken all its learnings and packed it into the revamped line of running
watches. That means if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Garmin hasn't decided to
reinvent the wheel here: it's keeping the same essential five-button design,
smaller 's' model classification and both music and non-music options for the
less premium watches.

However, it has taken what it already did extremely well and elevated it even
further, to ensure the Forerunner remains the best in its class. The screens are
sharper. The GPS, the lynchpin of Garmin's historical supremacy, is now more
accurate than ever with the addition of a multi-band. The battery life is
longer. The addition of a Solar option for the Garmin Forerunner 955 is
especially exciting: we loved the Garmin Enduro, and the Power Glass lens is a
phenomenal tool. 

It's taking the fight to contemporaries like Fitbit and Polar with attempts to
display its in-depth vital statistics in a more accessible way, with the
addition of the Morning Report, but there are no sweeping drastic design changes
here. Instead, it's just Garmin taking the next logical steps to build upon its
legacy of world-class running watches. 

 * This Amazfit watch could be a cheap Garmin killer

Matt Evans
 * 

Fitness & Wellbeing Editor

With a Master’s Degree in journalism from Cardiff University, Matt started his
digital journalism career at Men’s Health and stayed on for over two years,
where he earned his stripes in health and fitness reporting. Since then, his
byline has appeared in a wide variety of publications and sites including
Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on
everything from exercise, to nutrition, to mental health, alongside covering
extreme sports for Red Bull. 




Stretching is Matt’s top fitness tip. He originally discovered exercise through
martial arts, holding a black belt in Karate, and trained for many years in
kickboxing. During COVID he also fell in love with yoga, as it combined
martial-arts style stretching with a bit of personal space.




When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found
reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.

See more Health & Fitness news

More about wearables
Smartwatches could soon double their battery life, thanks to Qualcomm’s new chip
After wearing Garmins for two months, I’m never going back to Fitbit

Latest
The next Samsung Galaxy phone is now available for reservation - is it the Fold
4?
See more latest





Most Popular

A new flagship TicWatch smartwatch is teased to take on the Pixel Watch

By David Nield3 days ago


Read more
Best smartwatch 2022: the top wearables you can buy today

By Tom Bedford4 days ago


Read more
Best Apple Watch 2022: the ultimate guide to your iPhone compatible watch

By James Peckham5 days ago


Read more
Galaxy Watch update will add an Apple Watch feature you've been wanting

By Cesar Cadenas7 days ago


Read more
The Apple Watch 7 hits $284 ahead of Prime Day, smashing the record low price

By Alex Whitelock9 days ago


Read more
This 45mm Apple Watch 7 early Prime Day deal brings it down to its lowest price
ever

By Matt Evans10 days ago


Read more
Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Gen) deal puts intelligence on your face

By Lance Ulanoff11 days ago


Read more
Amazon Halo View is bringing low-cost fitness tracking to your wrist

By Lance Ulanoff12 days ago


Read more
Amazon Prime Day shoppers are ready to spend despite economy woes

By Axel Metz13 days ago


Read more
Apple Watch patent points to Touch ID – but don’t get your hopes up

By James Rogerson13 days ago


Read more

TechRadar Newsletter

Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the
hottest tech deals!

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands
Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors


Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email
shortly.

There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions (opens in new
tab) and Privacy Policy (opens in new tab) and are aged 16 or over.


MOST POPULARMOST SHARED
 1. 1
    Ranked: Every Mission: Impossible movie rated from worst to best
 2. 2
    Keep your Nintendo Switch Online subscription, more N64 games are coming
 3. 3
    LG and Samsung's next-gen OLED TV price war is on, and we're all winners
 4. 4
    The James Webb telescope is packing some very unimpressive storage
 5. 5
    I've started using Mozilla Firefox and now I can never go back to Google
    Chrome

 1. 1
    Don't buy PS Plus this Prime Day – I mean it
 2. 2
    How to save a webpage as PDF on Windows and Mac
 3. 3
    iPhone 14 could be the first step in Apple’s plan to fracture the iPhone
    line
 4. 4
    The quantum internet has taken a major step forward
 5. 5
    This $280 phone is a lesson in affordability – I hope Apple and Samsung are
    paying attention

Technology Magazines
 * ●

 * The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews

From€8
View


TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading
digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

 * About Us (opens in new tab)
 * Contact Us (opens in new tab)
 * Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
 * Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
 * Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
 * Advertise with us (opens in new tab)
 * Web notifications (opens in new tab)
 * Accessibility Statement
 * Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.