For years, I bounced between budget-friendly smartwatches. Don’t get me wrong—watches like the Amazfit series do the job. I even bought the latest one (the Bip 7) for my wife, and for what it costs, it’s honestly impressive. It tracks steps, handles basic notifications, and covers the essentials. But deep down, I always knew I was cutting corners when it came to my own training.
That changed the day I stumbled onto a deal for the Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music. Normally, it sells for around $400, which was way out of my comfort zone, but I managed to snag it for about $250. Still not cheap—but I told myself it was time to stop settling.
Why I Finally Pulled the Trigger
I’d been looking for a watch that wasn’t just “good enough.” I wanted something I could trust when I’m out running, something that wouldn’t flake on GPS accuracy or leave me wondering if my heart-rate data was even real. My cheaper watches worked fine on paper, but I always had that little doubt in the back of my mind: Are these numbers actually right?
With the Garmin, that doubt disappeared.
When It Proved Itself
The first time I really noticed the difference was on a long run around my neighborhood loop. With my old watch, GPS tracking always looked like I had run through a few backyards or cut corners around turns. The Forerunner 255, though? Clean, precise lines the whole way.
Even the heart rate tracking felt dialed in. No random spikes, no weird drop-offs. For someone who’s been winging it with budget gear for years, that kind of reliability almost felt like a luxury. And the music feature? Let me tell you, not having to carry my phone just to keep my playlist going was the cherry on top.
One Thing to Keep in Mind
If I’m being completely honest, I don’t really take advantage of the insane battery life people rave about. Garmin says it can last for days, and it probably does, but since my charger lives right by my desk, I end up topping it off all the time anyway. It’s not really a drawback—more like a personal habit—but I guess it means I don’t notice the battery benefits as much as others might.
Final Thoughts
Switching from the “good enough” watches to the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music was a wake-up call for me. It reminded me that sometimes paying more upfront isn’t about bells and whistles—it’s about having something you can depend on every single time you use it.
If you’re in the same spot I was—jumping between budget watches but always wondering if there’s something better—I can honestly say this is the upgrade that’s worth it. Just keep an eye out for those deals, because when it drops into the $250 range, it’s a no-brainer.
👉 Check it out here: Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music