| Garmin Forerunner 170 | Garmin vivosmart 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $299 | $149★ |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 43g | 25g★ |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Battery | 10 days★ | 7 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Fitness Tracker |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | May 15, 2026 | Apr 26, 2022 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | great★ |
| Next model | — | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected H2 2026) |
Training Readiness, full Training Status, and wrist-based running power — analytics previously reserved for Garmin's mid-range — now on a $299.99 watch.
A bright 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen with a traditional 5-button design, up to 10 days of battery in smartwatch mode and around 17 hours of GPS.
Contactless payments arrive on the entry Forerunner for the first time, alongside 80+ built-in sports apps and Garmin Coach adaptive training plans.
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$359 vs $509 over 3 years.
10 days vs 7 days battery.
6 sensors.
25g.
Beginner and intermediate runners who want real GPS accuracy and Garmin's analytics depth without the price of the 570 or 970. With Training Readiness and running power now included, it closes much of the gap to Garmin's mid-range — the default first serious GPS watch.
Full details →Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Full details →