An entry-level model from Garmin’s Forerunner series, it’s been over a year since I bought my 255s Music. Before this, I only used a Xiaomi Band to track steps, so this is my first proper sports watch. With just casual runs and hikes, here’s my Garmin Forerunner 255s Music review after almost three years of usage!
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Brand Overview: Garmin
Garmin, the American company originally known for GPS devices, has expanded into aviation, marine, personal training, outdoor, and sports. Its smartwatch lineup includes:
- Forerunner – runners and triathletes
- Instinct – outdoor adventure
- Fenix – multi-sport
- Descent – diving
- Venu & Vivo – activity trackers for casual active lifestyles
Learn more about Garmin products here!
Product Focus: Forerunner 255s Music
The Garmin Forerunner 255s Music is a smaller-sized running watch with music storage for phone-free listening. Supported apps include Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music (subscription required).
Designed mainly for road runners and triathletes, it tracks:
- Distance, speed, pace, and time
- Heart rate (optional)
- Altitude and steps
- Multi-sport metrics and training tools
To learn more about its specs, read HERE!
My Experience with the Garmin Forerunner 255s Music
Ever since I bought my Garmin Forerunner 255s Music, my activities have remained the same. I mainly used my watch for:
- Indoor and outdoor runs
- Hiking
- Indoor cycling classes
- Strength training
- A bit of Yoga & Pilates
Design
The watch is not a touchscreen, which I actually like. The screen is just enough to read data, the buttons are sufficient for navigation, and the size fits comfortably on my wrist for daily wear.
The navigation, however, can be inconsistent, especially in the Music section. You might get lost if you’re new to it.
Key Features & Training Tools
As a first-time sports watch user, I was impressed by how advanced it is. Notifications and activity suggestions make it feel like a personal trainer on your wrist, even if you don’t follow all the advice (like me).
Features I personally liked:
- Running – Metronome (I previously used a separate app for this)
- Hiking – GPS tracking convertible into GPX files
Battery life was decent, though it declined significantly over time, considering that I don't use it for notifications. Altitude accuracy was sometimes off as well during hikes.
Music Storage & Phone-Free Listening
This was the feature that initially attracted me, but ended up frustrating me. Setup was always confusing (maybe I'm just stupid), pairing headphones took time, and loading music was slow. I ended up carrying my phone instead.
Blame's on me, I felt I didn't research enough before buying it.
Final Verdict: Garmin Forerunner 255s Music Review
After using it for almost three years, I can confidently say that the Garmin Forerunner 255S Music is a “just right” sports watch. Not too basic, not overly advanced, and perfect for casual runners and hikers like me.
Since I’m not an athlete, it covers all the essentials I need: tracking my runs, monitoring my activities, and giving me useful insights without overwhelming me with too much technical data. That said, it does come with a few trade-offs.
The music feature, which initially convinced me to buy it, didn’t live up to expectations due to its slow and sometimes confusing setup. And while the training tools are impressive, I personally didn’t maximize them — so if you’re not planning to dive deep into performance metrics, some features might feel underused.
Who is this watch for?
- Casual runners and hikers
- Beginners starting their fitness journey
- Anyone looking for a reliable GPS watch without spending too much
Who might skip this?
- Serious athletes who want advanced metrics and full training insights
- Users who prioritize a smooth, phone-free music experience
Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 255S Music is a solid first sports watch that gives you great value for its price. It may not be the most advanced option out there, but it’s dependable, practical, and a great starting point if you’re building an active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a watch that can grow with you as you get more into running or hiking, this is definitely worth considering.
