Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. 55 vs. 245: Full Comparison & Verdict 2025
2.5% Cash BackWhether you’re new to fitness watches or are looking for an upgrade, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the Garmin Forerunner series. The Forerunner series is a collection of smartwatches with different models to choose from depending on your activity preferences and fitness level. The Forerunner 55 is one of the newest smartwatches from Garmin. It’s a mid-range GPS smartwatch that succeeds Forerunner 45. It’s a decent-looking GPS running watch with lots of activity tracking features and long battery life. So also is the Forerunner 245 – another midrange device from Garmin. So, what’s the difference between Forerunner 55, Forerunner 55 and 245, and which should you buy? Below, we’ll be comparing Garmin Forerunner 45, Garmin Forerunner 55 and the Garmin Forerunner 245 to see which running watch is best for you.
Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. 55 vs. 245: Specs Comparison
Garmin Forerunner 45 | Garmin Forerunner 55 | Forerunner 245 | |
PRICE | $199.99 | $199.99 | From $299.99 |
RELEASE DATE | April, 2019 | June, 2021 | April, 2019 |
DIMENSION | 42 x 42 x 11.4 mm | 42 x 42 x 11.6 mm | 42.3 x 42.3 x 12.2 mm |
WEIGHT | 36 grams | 37 grams | 38.5 grams |
SCREEN PROTECTION | Chemically strengthened glass | Chemically strengthened glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
COLOR | Black, Iris, White | Black, Aqua, White | Berry, Gray |
DISPLAY SIZE | 1.04 inches | 1.04 inches | 1.2 inches |
DISPLAY RESOLUTION | 208 x 208 pixels | 208 x 208 pixels | 240 x 240 px |
WI-FI | No | No | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
AMBIENT LIGHT | × | × | ✔ |
COMPASS | × | × | ✔ |
PULSE OXIMETER (SPO2) | × | × | ✔ |
THERMOMETER | × | × | ✔ |
BLOOD OXYGEN | × | × | ✔ |
COMPATIBILITY | Android, iOS | Android 6.0+, iOS 13.0+ | Android 6.0+, iOS 13.0+ |
BATTERY LIFE | GPS mode: 13hrs, Smartwatch mode: 7 days | GPS mode: Up to 20 hours, Smartwatch mode: Up to 2 weeks | GPS mode: 24hrs, Smartwatch mode: 7 days |
CHARGING TIME | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
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Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. 55 vs. 245: Price
①The Garmin Forerunner 45 is Garmin’s entry-level running watch, which at the time of writing costs $199.99 on the Garmin website.
②Garmin Forerunner 55 is the successor to Forerunner 45/45S, and it comes with additional features. Surprisingly, both 45 and 55 smartwatches are priced at $199.99.
③The Garmin Forerunner 245 costs $299.99 or $349.99 if you want the Music edition, which has the option to hold up to 500 songs on the watch, allowing you to leave your phone at home when you head out for a run.
Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. 55 vs. 245: Design
There is no noticeable difference in design as the Forerunner 55has just about the same features as Forerunner 45. It’s the same thermoplastic case and silicone bands. The bands on both smartwatches can be changed. Navigation is through the five physical buttons and the 1.04 inches display of both smartwatches is still powered by transflective memory-in-pixel MIP. So there is no noticeable difference in the design of these two smartwatches.
On the contrast, Forerunner 245has a more durable design and a wider display than Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 55. It also features SpO2 tracking, advanced workout metrics, compass, ability to reply notifications, and more workout profiles. In other words, Forerunner 245 is a more durable and better-equipped smartwatch than Forerunner 55.
Forerunner 245 has a more durable fiber-polymer case than the thermoplastic case of Forerunner 45/55. It also has a more durable Corning Gorilla Glass protecting the display compared to a chemical-strengthened glass on Forerunner 45/55. It’s the same silicone strap on three smartwatches.
Forerunner 245 with 1.2 inches display has a wider display than 1.04 inches of Forerunner 45/55. This will allow you to see a little more at a glance. Three smartwatches are rated 5ATM which means waterproof up to 50 meters. So, it’s safe to wear any of these three to the pool or shower.
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Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. 55 vs. 245: Battery Life
Good enough, each of these three has a decent battery life that allows you to go long from a single charge. However, Forerunner 55 has a longer battery life than Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 245. You can expect up to 7 days on smartwatch mode with Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 245, while you can get up to 2 weeks on smartwatch mode with Forerunner 55. With continuous GPS tracking, you can get up to 20 hours of battery life with Forerunner 55 which is longer than about 13 hours with Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 245.
Garmin Forerunner 45 vs. 55 vs. 245: Activity/Fitness Tracking
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Garmin Forerunner 45 vs 55: Activity/Fitness Tracking
Any of these two will track your steps, calories, sleep, and heart rate. You will get alerts for abnormal heart rate as well as your resting and maximum heart rate. Each of these two also features stress monitoring, Fitness Age which tells if your body is older on younger than your age, and Body Battery Energy Monitor which tells how fit you’re for the next workout.
There’s inbuilt GPS in both smartwatches that allow you to track your routes and location when working out outdoor. You will also get preset sport modes on both watches.
In other words, Both watches have most of the same features from GPS, wrist based HR, VO2Max, etc there are just a few small upgrades with the 55. Garmin has added some additional activity tracking features to Forerunner 55. This include:
①Forerunner 55 comes with menstrual cycle tracking for Women. |
②Forerunner 55 features PacePro that can help you plan your next run. |
③Forerunner 55 also features respiration rate tracking to help you see how well you’re breathing. And hydration tracking can help you stay hydrated. |
④Forerunner 55 features recovery time that can give an estimate of how much rest you need before the next training. |
⑤Forerunner 55 has more gym profiles, HIIT and pilates have been added. |
⑥Forerunner 55 has more running profiles, track running and virtual running have been added. |
⑦You will get a suggested workout and relaxation reminders with Forerunner 55. |
⑧Forerunner 55 features a pool swimming profile and can track activities like calories, distance, pace, and swim efficiency (SWOLF). It will also track your heart rate underwater. |
Forerunner 45 lacks these aforementioned activity tracking features. If you own the 45, I probably wouldn’t rush out to upgrade to the 55. |
Garmin Forerunner 55 vs 245: Activity/Fitness Tracking
Each of these two will track your sleep, heart rate, calories, steps, stress, and more. You will also find Fitness Age that can tell if your body is older or younger than your age, as well as the Body Battery Energy Monitor that can tell how fit you’re for the next workout. Other common activity tracking features on both smartwatches are PacePro, menstrual cycle tracking, underwater heart rate tracking, and lots of preset sport modes.
Fitness Tracking is at the core of these two smartwatches. There is an inbuilt GPS, heart rate sensor, and accelerometer in both watches. Although, Forerunner 245 also features a compass and SpO2 sensor not available in Forerunner 55.
Garmin has added some additional activity tracking features to Forerunner 245. This include:
①You will get SpO2 tracking that can help you monitor your blood oxygen level. This can come in handy when you’re climbing and also in monitoring the quality of your sleep. |
②You will also get a compass on Forerunner 245, this can help you find your position and direction. |
③The Forerunner 245 features Cardio and strength workouts as well as automatic rep counting. |
④The Forerunner 245 features advanced metrics like training status that allow you to see how effective you’re training as well as training effect and training load. |
⑤The Forerunner 245 has more running profiles and features Ground contact time and stride length in real-time. |
⑥The Forerunner 245 features more outdoor recreational features which include Back-to-start, point-to-point navigation, breadcrumb in real-time, ULTRA TRAC mode, distance to destination, and GPS coordinates. |
⑦The Forerunner 245 features preset courses, race an activity, compatibility with Varia Vision, Varia Radar and Varia Lights. |
The aforementioned features are what you get with Forerunner 245 that are not available in Forerunner 45/55. In other words, Forerunner 245 is a more comprehensive activity tracker. |
Garmin Forerunner 45 vs Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Garmin Forerunner 245: Verdict
The Forerunner 45is great for beginning runners who are interested in feedback on how to improve their workouts. It has a long battery life, clear display, implemented Garmin Coach, and planning support to help you get the best out of each run. The Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 55 have the same design and lots of activity tracking features, But Forerunner 55 has more features and a longer battery life. If these added features mean a lot to you, then it’s worth to buy Forerunner 55.
The Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 55 is cheaper, yet you get a durable and compact smartwatch that is loaded with lots of activity tracking features that can help you stay fit. However, if you want a more durable smartwatch with more features, then Forerunner 245 is a great deal. It comes with Spo2 tracking, compass, and other features not present in Forerunner 55.
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