Thinking of buying a Garmin Forerunner? Compare all models and prices (2026)

Are you looking for a Garmin Forerunner? This is Garmin’s running series: sports watches that focus on pace, heart rate, training load, and recovery, all in a lightweight design that you’ll barely feel during a long endurance run. The series ranges from a simple entry-level model to a running watch for triathletes with built-in maps. We compare the current prices from all retailers, 100% independently. Use the filters for size, battery life, and price, or check out the full selection of Garmin smartwatches first.

What Should You Look for in a Garmin Forerunner?

Choose your Forerunner based on how seriously you train, not on the highest model number. The series is all about running and is built for that purpose: lightweight, with buttons that work even with wet or cold fingers. As of August 2026, there are five active models, all featuring an AMOLED screen. See the overview above to find out which ones are currently available and how much they cost.

From entry-level models to triathlon watches

The number tells you what you get: the higher the number, the more accurate the GPS, the more measurement data, and the more comprehensive the navigation.

Forerunner 70 and 170: the entry-level models. Pace, distance, heart rate, and the basics of Garmin’s training analysis. The 170 adds an altimeter, Garmin Pay, and open-water swimming profiles.
Forerunner 265: the mid-range model and, for many runners, the turning point. Dual-band GPS reliably tracks your distance between tall buildings and under trees, and it includes triathlon profiles.
Forerunner 570: the same basics, but with Garmin’s latest heart rate sensor (Elevate 5) and comprehensive triathlon guidance.
Forerunner 970: the top-of-the-line model, with full topographic maps on your wrist and automatic transition features for triathlons.

How it benefits you as a runner

The real value isn’t in the measurement itself, but in what happens with it afterward. A Forerunner tracks your training load over weeks, estimates your recovery, and warns you when you’re pushing too hard. Before a race, you can use a pacing plan to break down your pace along the course. So you train with a goal in mind, rather than looking back afterward to see how fast you ran.

Weight matters, too: a Forerunner weighs significantly less than a steel smartwatch, and you really notice the difference after an hour and a half of running.

The Honest Downside

A Forerunner is still a sports watch. The case is made of plastic, it has a sporty look, and the focus is on tracking, not on looking stylish. If you’re mainly looking for a watch that looks good all day and that you can also wear with a dress shirt in the evening, then the Garmin Venu might be a better fit: it’s designed as a lifestyle watch with sports features, whereas the Forerunner is a sports tool that you can also keep on the rest of the day.

Garmin, Apple, or Samsung?

Garmin wins in battery life and sports data, but falls short on smart features. A Forerunner lasts for days instead of just one day, provides more comprehensive tracking during workouts, and works with both iPhones and Android phones. On the other hand, the app selection is limited, and features like phone calls, a voice assistant, and a dedicated cellular connection are largely absent.

Choose a Forerunner if you train with a goal in mind: running data, training guidance, and a battery that doesn’t need to be plugged in every night.

Choose a Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch if apps, making calls from your wrist, and notifications are more important to you than your training schedule.

Garmin’s other series

If a running watch isn’t what you’re looking for, one of the sister series might be a better fit.

Venu: Garmin’s lifestyle watch, with an emphasis on design and a beautiful display.
vívoactive: the affordable all-rounder and the cheapest way to get started with Garmin.
Instinct: the rugged outdoor series with an extremely long battery life and models featuring solar charging.
fenix: the top-of-the-line multisport model with a metal case and all features included.

Still unsure about which series to choose? In the overview of all Garmin smartwatches, you can compare them side by side, along with current prices from all retailers.