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Garmin Forerunner 55 Long Term Investment Report
This Long Term Review is my unvarnished take on how the Garmin Forerunner 55 has held up over a pretty long period – almost 4 years now.
I’ve been putting it through its paces on trails and road in the Northeast, and I’m breaking down the features that will ultimately decide whether this watch still feels worth wearing years down the line.
Related: Garmin Forerunner 55 Review
Quick Investment Snapshot
Total Investment Score (weighted): 7/10
Long Term Accuracy Retention (25%)
Score: 7/10
For the money, the accuracy foundation is strong.
In my testing, the Elevate V3 optical sensor averaged about a 1.8 bpm variance against the Polar H10. That is exactly what I want to see from a budget Garmin.
Distance was also solid. Total distance drift averaged about 0.06 miles when I cross checked it against my GPSMAP 67 and a verified GPX route.
But the GPS track line was the biggest disappointment.
The track looked squiggly instead of clean, which can mess with confidence if you are trying to follow a planned route and the line looks sloppy.
Also remember the Foreunner 55 only support breadcrumb pre-planned GPS mode.
Battery Health Longevity (25%)
Score: 7/10
In real life, the Forerunner 55 will last you around 17.5 hours in GPS mode on low brightness, and around two weeks in smartwatch mode. That’s supported after 4 years of real-time usage as well.
That’s still pretty usable, but in 2026, that’s no longer the best out there.
If you’re doing ultras, big days, or just hate charging, this is not the model for you.
One thing to note – I’ve seen battery life scored as 6/10 in some reviews, but I’ve kept it at 7 because in real life, the battery life is still pretty good for most people.
It just isn’t for people who need the most out of their watch.
Build Durability (20%)
Score: 6/10
The watch holds up, but you feel the aging in the parts you interact with every day.
The Buttons got less responsive after about six months, and that matters more than people think because this watch is button driven(remember this does not offer a touch screen).
The screen backlight also fadeds a bit, which is a problem if you train early or late, or need to check your stats in the dark.
The strap is still original, but it’s lost some of its elasticity, which in turn can confuse the sensors if you don’t keep the watch as tight as you usually do.
Software and Update Support (20%)
Score: 8/10
Garmin Connect is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, in a good way.
The Garmin Connect app easily syncs all your training data right away. The newer training plans are always updated as well.
Even if this isn’t the number one watch of 2026, the training plans always stay up to date.
This ecosystem advantage is a big reason the Forerunner 55 still makes sense for the right buyer in 2026.
Resale Value (10%)
Score: 6/10
Garmin generally holds value better than most, and the Forerunner line is recognizable, which helps.
During the writing of this article, I’ve researched Forerunner 55 resale value on eBay ranging from $50 to $110.
However, resale on this specific model is capped because it is a budget watch and discounts are common.
Wear details matter here. If a buyer hears buttons less responsive, night backlight dimmer, and strap elasticity loss, they are going to negotiate.
It still sells okay, but it won’t hold its value like a higher end Garmin.
Investment Summary
With a final score of 7/10, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is a solid long term budget pick if you’re mostly running, on light trails, and doing simple training.
It performs best for people who want reliable heart rate, solid distance tracking, and a simple (and good) Garmin Connect experience.
However, if you need true navigation, super clean GPS tracks, long GPS battery life for ultras, or a watch that feels premium years into ownership, the Forerunner 55 isn’t the best choice.
It performs best for people who want reliable heart rate for the money, solid distance tracking, and a simple Garmin Connect experience.
How We Test Our Methodology
I’ve created a separate GPS investment report across from our normal GPS reviews to give better insight into long-term value in an investment when it comes to GPS watches.
As you know, some GPS watches are quite a large investment of money. At Mountaineer Journey, we have created a simple scoring system based on our objective testing whether the watch is worth your money or not.
Aside from performance, knowing what you’re getting for your money’s worth is just as important at the end of the day.
We do not accept any free GPS watches. We purchase them all with our own money and remain objective in our field testing.
Tyler
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
