How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
Comparison Results:
Function/Feature | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated March 24th, 2024 @ 12:35 pm New Window | |||
Price | $549-$1,149 | $349/$399 | $499/499EUR |
Product Announcement Date | Aug 29th, 2019 | June 1st, 2022 | Sept 16th, 2020 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Aug 29th, 2019 | June 1st, 2022 | Sept 16th, 2020 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes (with Galileo too) | Yes | Yes (with Galileo too) |
Data Transfer | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi on Pro only | USB, Bluetooth Smart, WiFi (Only Music has WiFi) | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi |
Waterproofing | Yes - 100m | 50 Meters | Yes - 50m |
Battery Life (GPS) | 25hrs to 148hrs (depends on model) | Up to 30 hours in GPS mode | 16hrs GPS, 21hrs UltraTrac |
Solar Charging | No | ||
Recording Interval | 1S or Smart | 1-second, Smart, UltraTrac | 1S or Smart |
Dual-Frequency GNSS | No | Yes | |
Alerts | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
Display Type | Transflective MIPS | ||
Backlight Greatness | Great | Good | Great |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Voice Integration | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Has Mic/Speaker | No | ||
Can make/receive calls | No | ||
Voice Assistant | No | Music | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Can control phone music | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Has music storage and playback | Yes (Pro Only) | Yes (Music version) | Yes |
Streaming Services | iHeartRadio, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon (Pro Only) | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Payments | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Contactless-NFC Payments | Yes | Yes | Yes | Connectivity | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes |
Group tracking | Yes | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | Yes (via phone) | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (via phone) |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | Yes | No | Yes |
Crash detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Running | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | Yes |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | Yes WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) |
Running Power | With extra sensor | Yes WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | With extra sensor |
VO2Max Estimation | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Race Predictor | Yes, plus PacePro | Yes | Yes |
Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Track Recognition Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Swimming | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Indoor Drill Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor auto-pause feature | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) | No | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) |
Change pool size | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M |
Ability to customize data fields | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Designed for triathlon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multisport mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Workouts | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Functions | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Virtual Racer Feature | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | Yes | YEs | Yes | Navigate | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes (Up Ahead support) | Yes |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | Yes (Pro Only) | No | No |
Back to start | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | Yes (Pro Only) | No | No |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sensors | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric | Barometric |
Compass Type | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | YEs | Yes |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ECG Functionality | No | No | |
HRV Recording | Yes (nightly and on-demand) | ||
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Lighting Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | Yes | Yes | No |
ANT+ Remote Control | No (can control VIRB though) | No | No (can control VIRB though) |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | Yes | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | Yes | No | Yes |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | Yes | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | YEs | Yes | YEs |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | Yes | YES (TEMPE) | Yes | Software | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
PC Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android | iOS/Android/Windows Phone |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | Link | |
Competitive Cyclist | Link | ||
REI | Link | Link | |
TPC | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Fenix 6 Series | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 745 |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link |