If you’re reading this article, you probably want to figure out which of these watches you should buy.
To help you choose between the , I’ve put together this simple guide, which shows the key differences and the key similarities between the Forerunner 35 and the Forerunner 235.
Spoiler Alert: While doing the research for this article, I was shocked to see how similar these products actually are. I was expecting some fairly meaty differences, but the simple truth is that they are basically twins.
I know that seems a bit crazy. In fact, I find it annoying AF that Garmin is charging two different prices for basically the .
Read on and you will soon understand how I came to this conclusion.
35: This is Garmin’s entry-level . It’s also one of the most popular GPS watches that has ever been made. Despite it’s entry-level status, it packs a powerful punch in terms of technical features.
It can comfortably power you through a full length marathon, and it also tracks cycling and cardio workouts. It includes GPS, -based , and 24/7 . For most runners, it’s a perfectly good option for any , that will track mile after without letting you down.
235: In theory, the Forerunner 235 is a step up on the Forerunner 35. It’s Garmin’s mid-level that sits right between the 35 and the 645 in terms of pricing. It also has built-in GPS mode, a wrist-based heart rate monitor,
There’s just one slight issue with the Forerunner 235. Despite being the more expensive , it’s not that easy to justify the difference in price.
So what are the biggest differences between these two watches?
1) GPS : Surprisingly, in FR35 actually has slightly better GPS than the FR235. This is mainly because the Forerunner 35 was released after the Forerunner 235. Garmin clearly found way to squeeze out a bit more GPS in the .
2) Appearance: The Forerunner 235 has a round watchface, whereas the Forerunner 35 has a square . Personally, I prefer the round design of the FR235, but the FR35 is also pretty attractive. The square design didn’t stop me from buying the FR35 back in 2016. It’s been on my ever since.
3) Price: The FR35 is a lot cheaper than than the FR235. The only extra thing worth mentioning is that a lot of retailers are discounting the Forerunner 235, because it’s at the end of its life cycle. It’s about to be replaced by the Forerunner 245 Music. You can read more about the FR245 here.
4) Color Display: The Forerunner 235 has a color display, whereas the Forerunner 35 has a black and white display.
5) Virtual Pacer: This feature can only be found on the Forerunner 35. It allows you to pick a target time for a particular distance, and then try to keep up with the pace that the sets. You can then see if you are behind schedule, ahead of schedule or right on time!
6) : The allows you to download faces, widgets, apps and data fields for free. This is probably the most meaningful difference between these two watches (the color screen comes in a close second). Having more flexibility with the data fields and overall functionality of the is actually pretty valuable. Access to the Garmin Connect App is a key selling point for the Forerunner 235, and one of the main reasons it can be considered a better overall.
Key Similarities
It’s time to demonstrate just how similar these Garmin products actually are. The comparison chart below shows all the key features that these watches share.
FR35
See PriceFR235
See PriceKey Differences
Which one would I buy, if I had to choose today?
To me, this ultimately comes down to 3 things.
1) Price: If you’re on a tight budget, there’s no question that the Forerunner 35 gives you better value for money. Because these watches are so similar in terms of technical features, it can be difficult to justify the extra cost for the FR235.
2) Color Screen: This is arguably the biggest advantage that the FR235 has over the FR35. Simply put, a color screen is more attractive and more desirable than a black and white equivalent.
3) Connect IQ: The ability to download faces, apps and data fields is another big plus for the Forerunner 235. It isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but the ability to add your favorite metrics to the default (when training) is a nice feature to have.
So in the end, the Forerunner 235 is the better if you aren’t too worried about cost. However, if you’re on a super tight budget, the Forerunner 35 is arguably the better Garmin product, and it will give you all the same core features for significantly less money. From a value for money perspective, it’s a very good .
Bonus Tip
If you have your heart set on the 235, you might also want to consider the . It effectively gives you all the same features, together with open water swimming and triathlon .
Also, you’re leaning toward the Forerunner 35, it’s also worth having a look at the 3. The Vivoactive 3 gives you all the same features as a including offers more features, more sports modes, better fitness features, and a color touchscreen.