Garmin Forerunner 55 vs 165: Which Running Watch Should You Buy?

If you’re buying a first GPS running watch, or a gift for a runner, Garmin’s Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 165 are the two models most people end up choosing between. Both have accurate GPS and free Garmin Coach training plans. The big differences are the screen and the price.

The short answer

• Get the Forerunner 165 if you want a bright, sharp AMOLED touchscreen and a more modern watch you’ll be happy with for years.
• Get the Forerunner 55 if you want the simplest, cheapest way to track your runs, and the screen isn’t a priority.

Side by side

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Feature	×8.1Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch See today’s price See today’s price→at Amazon.ie	×8.8Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Running Smartwatch See today’s price See today’s price→at Amazon.ie
Overview
Store	Amazon.ie	Amazon.ie
Price	See today’s price	See today’s price
You save	–	–
Buyer rating	–	–
DealDepot score	8.1/10	8.8/10
Best for	Beginner runners	New runners
Our verdict	A simple, reliable first running watch with accurate GPS, easy buttons and free Garmin Coach plans. The screen is basic compared with the Forerunner 165, but it does the job…	The best first “proper” running watch for most people: a gorgeous screen, accurate GPS and Garmin’s training features at a much lower price than the premium models.
What we like	Accurate GPS Easy physical buttons Free Garmin Coach training plans Incident detection and LiveTrack safety features	Bright AMOLED touchscreen with buttons Accurate built-in GPS About 11 days battery as a smartwatch Adaptive daily workouts and Garmin Coach plans
Watch out for	Low-resolution screen, no touchscreen No music or maps Fewer smart features than newer models	No music storage on this version Fewer advanced metrics than the Forerunner 265 Plastic case
Specifications
GPS	Built-in	Built-in
Heart rate	Wrist-based	Wrist-based, with HRV status
Screen	208 x 208, buttons only	AMOLED touchscreen, 43 mm
Training	Suggested workouts, Garmin Coach	–
Safety	Incident detection, LiveTrack	–
Battery	–	Up to 11 days (smartwatch), 19 hours (GPS)
Activity profiles	–	25+
Music	–	No (165 Music version has it)

Screen

This is the biggest difference. The 165 has a colourful AMOLED touchscreen that’s easy to read and looks like a modern smartwatch. The 55 has a basic, lower-resolution screen controlled by buttons only. It’s easy to read outdoors, but looks dated.

Training features

Both give you suggested daily workouts, Garmin Coach plans for 5K to half marathon, and safety features like incident detection and LiveTrack. The 165 adds more training and recovery insights, so it suits runners who want to improve, not just track.

Music

Neither of these versions stores music. Garmin sells a separate Forerunner 165 Music version if you want to run without your phone.

Our verdict

If the budget allows, the Forerunner 165 is the better watch and the one most reviewers recommend. If you just want reliable GPS tracking for the least money, the Forerunner 55 still does the basics very well.

Sources: Wareable, Android Central, TechRadar.

Prices on Amazon.ie change often, so each pick links to today’s price. We haven’t tested these products ourselves: our picks are based on independent reviews and feedback from buyers, and we link to our sources on each product page.