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 Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated March 24th, 2024 @ 12:35 pm New Window | ||||
Price | $299/$349 | $349/$399 | $449 | $499/$599 |
Product Announcement Date | Apr 30th, 2019 | June 1st, 2022 | Mar 2nd, 2023 | June 1st, 2022 |
Actual Availability/Shipping Date | Apr 30th, 2019 | June 1st, 2022 | Mar 2nd, 2023 | June 1st, 2022 |
GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Data Transfer | USB, Bluetooth Smart, WiFi (Only Music has WiFi) | USB, Bluetooth Smart, WiFi (Only Music has WiFi) | USB, Bluetooth Smart, WiFi | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi |
Waterproofing | 50 Meters | 50 Meters | 50 Meters | Yes - 50m |
Dive/Snorkel Feature | No | |||
Battery Life (GPS) | Up to 24hrs regular GPS, 24hrs+ for UltraTrac | Up to 30 hours in GPS mode | Up to 20 hours (FR265), and 24 hours (FR265S) | Up to 42hrs GPS only (49hrs+ with Solar) |
Solar Charging | No | No | Yes (on Solar edition) | |
Recording Interval | 1-second, Smart, UltraTrac | 1-second, Smart, UltraTrac | 1-second, Smart, UltraTrac | 1S or Smart |
Dual-Frequency GNSS | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Alerts | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
Display Type | Transflective MIPS | AMOLED | Transflective MIPS | |
Backlight Greatness | Good | Good | Great | Good |
Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Voice Integration | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Has Mic/Speaker | No | No | No | |
Can make/receive calls | No | No | No | |
Voice Assistant | No | No | No | Music | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Can control phone music | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Has music storage and playback | Yes (Music version) | Yes (Music version) | Yes | Yes |
Streaming Services | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, | Payments | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Contactless-NFC Payments | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Connectivity | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (with connected phone) |
Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (with connected phone) |
Group tracking | No | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (with connected phone) |
Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | Yes (via phone) | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (with connected phone) | Yes (with connected phone) |
Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Capable | WITH SOME CONNECT IQ APPS (BUT CANNOT RECORD DATA) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Strava segments live on device | No | No | No | Yes |
Crash detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Running | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | Yes |
Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | Yes (with accessory) | Yes WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | Yes | Yes WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) |
Running Power | No | Yes WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | Yes | Yes WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO, HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) |
VO2Max Estimation | Yes | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Race Predictor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Run/Walk Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Track Recognition Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Swimming | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Openwater swimming mode | No | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Record HR underwater | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Indoor Drill Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor auto-pause feature | No | No | No | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) |
Change pool size | Yes | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M |
Ability to customize data fields | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Indoor Alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Designed for triathlon | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multisport mode | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Workouts | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On-unit interval Feature | Yes | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Functions | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Partner Feature | Yes | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Virtual Racer Feature | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No | No |
Weather Display (live data) | YEs | YEs | YEs | Yes | Navigate | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Markers/Waypoint Direction | No | Yes (Up Ahead support) | Yes (Up Ahead support) | Yes |
Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | No | No | Yes |
Back to start | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | No | Yes |
Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sensors | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Altimeter Type | GPS | Barometric | Barometric | Barometric |
Compass Type | N/A | Magnetic | Magnetic | Magnetic |
Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | YEs | YEs | YEs | Yes |
SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ECG Functionality | No | No | No | |
HRV Recording | Yes (nightly and on-demand) | Yes (nightly and on-demand) | Yes (nightly and on-demand) | |
Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Power Meter Capable | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Lighting Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | NO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ANT+ Remote Control | YES FOR GARMIN VIRB | No | No | No |
ANT+ eBike Compatibility | NO | Yes | Yes | No |
ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | No | No | No | Yes |
Shimano Di2 Shifting | NO | No | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | NO | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Temp Recording (internal sensor) | NO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Temp Recording (external sensor) | YES (TEMPE) | YES (TEMPE) | YES (TEMPE) | Yes | Software | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
PC Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express |
Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android | iOS/Android | iOS/Android |
Ability to Export Settings | No | No | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Amazon | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Backcountry.com | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Competitive Cyclist | Link | |||
REI | Link | Link | Link | Link |
TPC | Link | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Forerunner 245 | Garmin Forerunner 255 Music | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
Review Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |