In this article, I’ll dive deep into a comparison between two distinct Garmin watches: the rugged Instinct 2 and the runner-friendly Forerunner 55.

When it comes to the wallet, the Garmin Instinct 2 might give you a bit of a pause, as it’s priced almost twice as much as the Forerunner 55.

That said, if you’ve got your eyes set on one of these smartwatches, or if you’re simply curious about how they stack up against each other, you’re in the right place.

We’ll line them up side-by-side, dissecting their specs and features, to help you make an informed decision.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar vs Forerunner 55: Price & Availability

The Garmin Instinct 2 made its debut on February 9, 2022. Its pricing starts at $349.99 / £299.99 for the basic edition. However, if you’re eyeing the solar tactical and surf editions, be ready to part with $499.99 / £429.99. 

On the other hand, the Forerunner 55 carries a price tag of $199. It sports a silicone band, available in three chic colors: classic black, pristine white, and refreshing aqua.

Where to Buy?

• Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: View on Amazon
• Garmin Forerunner 55: View on Amazon

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar vs Forerunner 55: Specs Comparison

Related:

• Garmin Instinct 2X Solar vs Instinct 2X Tactical Edition: What’s the Difference?
• Garmin Instinct 2X Solar vs Instinct 2X Tactical Edition: What’s the Difference?
• Garmin Instinct 2x Solar vs Tactix 7: Detailed Comparison
• Garmin Instinct 2X vs Forerunner 265: Which Worth Buying?

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar vs Forerunner 55: Design & Display

When we look at the Garmin Instinct 2, it has a tough and cool look, kind of like the popular Casio watches many people wear. It has fun colors and holes in its straps. This watch can handle rough use and can even go deep underwater. The screen of the Instinct 2 is clear and bright, better than before. But, it doesn’t have a touch screen. Instead, it uses five buttons to move around. Some might find using buttons a bit old-school, but they work well, especially when on the go. One great thing? The screen is very clear, even under bright sunlight. It’s even clearer than the screen of the famous Apple Watch 7.

On the other side, the Garmin Forerunner 55 looks a lot like its older version, the Forerunner 45. It’s round and has a 42mm size. The screen shows things in color and is pretty sharp. You can even change how the watch face looks. It’s only available in one size, but it fits most people. It’s light, so you won’t feel it much on your wrist. The Forerunner 55 has a plastic body and strong glass on top. But, it’s not the super-strong glass some expensive watches have. Using the Forerunner 55 is easy. It has buttons, not a touch screen. Each button has a label, so you know what it does. This is great for those who are new to such watches.

In short, the Instinct 2 is for those who want a strong and bold watch. The Forerunner 55 is simpler and good for everyday use. Both are good, but which one you pick depends on what you like and need.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar vs Forerunner 55: Health & Fitness Features

Garmin Instinct 2:

• Heart Rate & Activities: Instinct 2 has a new heart rate sensor like the Venu 2 and Fenix 7. It can track over 40 different activities. This is less than some other watches, but it covers the basics and more outdoor activities.
• Gym & Workouts: In the gym, the watch tracked how long you worked out, how many calories you burned, and your heart rate. There are new features like HIIT workout tracking and daily workout suggestions.
• Health Features: The watch can measure VO2 Max and blood oxygen levels. There’s a Health Snapshot feature that shows many health stats on one screen. Another feature, Body Battery, gives an energy score based on sleep, stress, and exercise. It’s good to check before doing hard activities.
• Sleep: The sleep tracking on the Instinct 2 is better than the older model. It can even detect when you wake up during the night.
• Starting Workouts: To begin a workout, push the top right button. You can pick and arrange your favorite workouts.

Garmin Forerunner 55:

• Daily Stats: The Forerunner 55 shows your daily stats like steps, heart rate, and body battery. The body battery tells you about your energy levels. A nice touch is a progress bar that shows you how you’re doing, like how close you are to your step goal.
• Sleep Tracking: The watch can track your sleep, but you can’t see your sleep data on the watch. You have to look at the app for that.
• Women’s Health: The Forerunner 55 added women’s health tracking. This lets you track your cycle and add details right on the watch. The information is shown as a widget, but you can choose what to display.
• Customizing: Before using the watch for workouts, you can change its settings. For instance, if you like indoor cycling, you can move it to the top of the list. The watch can show different data during workouts, like heart rate.
• Safety: The watch has safety features. One alerts someone if you fall. Another lets someone track where you are. These features are great for safety and peace of mind.
• After Workouts: The watch will tell you how long to rest before the next workout. This is good for beginners.

Both watches offer many health and fitness tools. They help with workouts, track health, and provide safety. Choose based on what features matter most to you.

Garmin Instinct 2 vs Forerunner 55: Smart Features

Garmin Instinct 2:

• Payment and Apps: The Instinct 2 added Garmin Pay. This lets you make contactless payments using the watch. You can also use Garmin Connect IQ now. This lets you add third-party apps to the watch like Starbucks and AccuWeather.
• Customization: You can change the watch face to your liking.
• Widgets: The Instinct 2 has many widgets. They give a lot of information. On the old version, you might have needed the app to see all your data. But now, you can see most of it on the watch screen itself. This includes notifications and phone call alerts.

Garmin Forerunner 55:

• Training Suggestions: Before starting a workout, the watch may give advice based on past activities. This helps mix up exercises and balance work with rest.
• Other Widgets: The Forerunner 55 has many widgets too. They include Garmin Coach, calories burned, intensity minutes, stress, and respiration rate, among others. The respiration rate is new and helps with the watch’s new stress tools.
• Third-party Apps: Like the Instinct 2, the Forerunner 55 works with Garmin Connect IQ. But there are fewer app choices for the Forerunner 55 compared to Garmin’s fancier watches.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar vs Forerunner 55: Battery Life

Both Garmin watches offer commendable battery life, with the Instinct 2 Solar models having the edge in certain modes. The Forerunner 55, on the other hand, provides consistent and reliable battery performance, making it ideal for those who want a mix of daily tracking and workout sessions.

Starting with the Garmin Instinct 2, its battery life varies depending on the model and its features. For instance, the Instinct 2 Solar, as its name suggests, has solar charging capability. This allows it to potentially offer an ‘unlimited’ battery life in smartwatch mode, which includes basic functions like notifications, counting steps, and monitoring heart rate. But remember, this doesn’t mean endless GPS or workout-tracking. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the battery life for different Instinct 2 versions:

• For the standard Instinct 2, in smartwatch mode, it can last up to 28 days, and for the Instinct 2 Solar, it’s unlimited. The smaller-sized Instinct 2S offers 21 days, but its solar version promises a whopping 51 days.
• When using standard GPS, the Instinct 2 can go for 30 hours, while its solar counterpart boasts 48 hours. The Instinct 2S offers 22 hours, and with solar, it slightly increases to 28 hours.
• In the max battery GPS mode, the Instinct 2 promises 70 hours, and its solar version, an impressive 370 hours. On the other hand, the Instinct 2S gives 54 hours, and surprisingly, its solar version drops to 11 hours.
• Finally, in battery saver mode, the Instinct 2 can last 65 hours, with the solar offering unlimited juice. Similarly, the Instinct 2S provides 50 hours, and its solar variant promises unlimited battery.

Now, turning our attention to the Garmin Forerunner 55, its battery capacity is nothing short of impressive. On a full charge, the Forerunner 55 can stay alive for up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and can endure 20 hours in GPS mode.

In real-life scenarios, if you use the Forerunner 55 all day, every day, for a week, it will use up only about half of its battery. Even after a long run or workout using GPS, the battery drops by just 2%.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar vs Forerunner 55: Which is Right for You?

If your lifestyle leans more towards adventurous exploits, if you frequently find yourself amidst rough terrains, or if you simply prefer a watch that exudes rugged charm, the Instinct 2 is tailor-made for you. Its advanced features and durability ensure it’s not just a style statement but a practical tool for the outdoor lover. However, this comes at a premium price.

On the other hand, the Forerunner 55 is the quintessential choice for those who desire a blend of sleek design with everyday functionality. It’s an excellent companion for fitness enthusiasts, providing a balance of necessary smart and health attributes without breaking the bank.