🗓 Released May 15, 2026
⌛734 days estimated until next model(67 of 801 days through last cycle)
💰
Deals Advice
neutralEarly in cycle — good trade-in value expected
Ranked in:Best Running & GPS watches
Sports GPSiOS & Android
Garmin Forerunner 170
🔋 10 day battery📍 GPS
$299
Starting Price
43g
Case Weight
5ATM
Water Resistance
10d
Battery Life
ℹ️ Optional Subscription
Garmin Connect+ — $70/yr1-month free trial
⏰Buy now or wait?
📅Deals Calendar
May 26
Dec 26
Jun 27
Jan 28
Jul 28
Neutral — Post-launch window — the Forerunner 170 is brand new; meaningful discounts are unlikely until the holiday season.
Neutral — Prime Day 2026 — the FR170 launched just 2 months prior; expect modest $20–$30 discounts at most. The outgoing FR165 is the clearance deal to watch.
Good deal — Black Friday 2026 — first holiday season for the Forerunner 170; $40–$60 off expected at Amazon and Best Buy.
Good deal — Post-holiday clearance — Garmin running watch prices dip further in January after Christmas.
Good deal — Prime Day 2027 — Forerunner 170 at over a year old; $50–$70 off expected at Amazon.
Upcoming sale windows — Prime Day, Black Friday & post-holiday deals (hover for details)
❤️Health Sensors
Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking
SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep
HRVHeart rate variability — used for stress & recovery scores
Stress TrackingEstimates stress levels from HRV and other physiological signals
Body BatteryGarmin's energy reserve score — how much fuel you have left in the tank
Training ReadinessDaily score indicating how recovered you are and ready to perform
📊Models at a Glance
| Model | Battery | GPS | Key Sensors | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forerunner 170 | 10 days | Yes (single-band) | Body Battery, HRV, SpO2, training readiness | Entry GPS running watch with AMOLED and Garmin Pay. |
| Forerunner 170 Music | 10 days | Yes (single-band) | Body Battery, HRV, SpO2, training readiness | Same watch plus offline music storage. |
💡About the Garmin Forerunner 170
🎯 Who is this for?
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.
Key strengths
- Training Readiness at entry level
Training Readiness, full Training Status, and wrist-based running power — analytics previously reserved for Garmin's mid-range — now on a $299.99 watch.
- AMOLED display and 10-day battery
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.
- Garmin Pay and 80+ sports apps
Contactless payments arrive on the entry Forerunner for the first time, alongside 80+ built-in sports apps and Garmin Coach adaptive training plans.
The Garmin Forerunner 170, released May 15, 2026, is the successor to the Forerunner 165 and Garmin's entry-level running watch. It keeps the 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen and adds Training Readiness, full Training Status, wrist-based running power, Garmin Pay, a compass and gyroscope, and 80+ built-in sports apps — with up to 10 days of battery. The Music edition adds offline storage for Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer at $349.99.
❓FAQs
What is new in the Garmin Forerunner 170 vs Forerunner 165?
The FR170 adds Training Readiness, full Training Status, wrist-based running power, Garmin Pay, a compass and gyroscope, and Openwater Swim and Floor Climb profiles. The 1.2" AMOLED display, 43mm case, and heart rate sensor carry over from the FR165. Battery is rated at 10 days.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 170 good for beginners?
Yes — it is the ideal first serious GPS running watch. It has all the core Garmin running metrics, a readable AMOLED display, 10-day battery, and now Garmin Pay, at a price that doesn't require a serious commitment.
Should I buy the FR170 or spend more on the FR570?
The FR570 adds multi-band GPS, skin temperature, a built-in speaker and microphone, and Triathlon Coach. With the FR170 gaining Training Readiness and running power, the gap has narrowed — pay the premium only if you race seriously or need the extra sensors.
Does Garmin Forerunner 170 work with iPhone?
Yes, fully — via the Garmin Connect app, available on both iOS and Android.
Does Garmin Forerunner 170 have maps?
No — the Forerunner 170 is a breadcrumb navigation watch, not a full maps watch. If you need turn-by-turn topographic maps, look at the Forerunner 970 or Fenix series.
Is the Forerunner 170 Music worth the extra $50?
Only if you run phone-free with Bluetooth headphones. The Music edition stores playlists offline from Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer. If you carry your phone anyway, save the $50.