The Garmin Forerunner 55 is an entry-level GPS running watch with an impressive selection of specs and features for runners specifically.
The Garmin Venu SQ Music is a well-rounded and relatively affordable GPS sports watch with a touchscreen. It also has running features, but it’s the selection of sports modes together with the built-in music storage that makes the Venu SQ such a good value proposition.
Now that you know a bit more about each watch, let’s dive into the details of this comparison.
Key Similarities - Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Venu SQ Music
FR55
Venu SQ
Key Differences - Forerunner 55 vs Venu SQ Music
FR55
FR245
Sports Modes - FR55 vs Venu
Garmin Forerunner 55
- Running
- Treadmill Running
- Track Running
- Indoor Track Running
- Virtual Running
- Cycling
- Indoor cycling
- Pool Swimming
- Cardio Training
- Elliptical Training
- Stair Stepping
- HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
- Pilates
- Yoga
Garmin Venu SQ Music
- Running
- Treadmill Running
- Indoor Track Running
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- XC Skiing
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Outdoor Rowing
- Cycling
- Indoor Cycling
- Pool Swimming
- Strength, Cardio
- Elliptical Training
- Stair Stepping
- Indoor Rowing
- Yoga
- Pilates and Breathwork
Reasons To Choose The Forerunner 55
Longer Battery Life
For runners specifically, the longer the GPS battery life the better. In the case of the Forerunner 55 vs Garmin Venu SQ, there is a notable gap in the maximum battery settings. To be more specific:
Forerunner 55 Battery Specs
- GPS Battery – Up to 20 Hours
- Smartwatch Battery – Up to 14 Days
Venu SQ Battery Specs
- GPS Battery – Up to 14 Hours
- Smartwatch Battery – Up to 6 Days
- GPS + Music Battery – Up to 6 Hours
Better Features For Runners Specifically
If your main sport is running, there are a number of reasons to choose the Forerunner 55 rather than the Venu SQ. The additional running features include:
PacePro Racing Strategies: PacePro offers pace guidance during training and races. When PacePro is applied to a course loaded on the FR55, it analyzes elevation changes along the course to calculate a pace strategy. The strategy tells you when to increase or decrease your pace along the course for the best overall pace.
Virtual Running: The Forerunner 55 can be paired with compatible third-party apps (like Zwift) via Bluetooth to transmit pace, heart rate, and cadence data using the Virtual Run activity profile. You can use this feature with the internal sensors in the watch, or when your watch is paired with external sensors such as a heart rate monitor or foot pod.
Estimated Finish Time: Select a distance for your run, and you’ll be able to see a data screen that shows your estimated finish time. This can be very handy during speed training sessions and immensely valuable on race day. It offers a very simple way to estimate your expected race time and gauge how close you are to a new PB.
Cadence Alerts: Most experienced runners will know the importance of hitting the right cadence range for optimal performance. With the Forerunner 55 on your wrist, the watch will automatically notify you when you move outside your target cadence range.
It's A Bit Cheaper
Based on the initial recommended retail price, the Forerunner 55 is about $50 less than the Garmin Venu SQ music. If you are pressed for cash, this could be a dealbreaker, especially if you don’t plan to use the music features included with the Venu SQ.
Reasons To Choose The Venu SQ Music
Better Selection of Sports Modes
When you consider the price, the Garmin Venu SQ really does have an excellent selection of sports modes. Running, Cycling and Swimming is pretty much stock standard with most Garmin’s, but it’s the combination of snow sports like skiing and snowboarding, together with indoor and outdoor rowing that really sets the Venu SQ apart.
If you participate in a bunch of different sports and you do visit the alps on occasion, the Venu SQ should match your activity profile a bit better than the Forerunner 55.
Music Storage
The Garmin Venu SQ Music includes 3.5GB of in-built music storage which works out to about 500 songs. In addition, you can also play music on the Venu SQ using popular music apps such as:
- Spotify
- Deezer
- iHeartRadio
- Amazon Music
Garmin Pay
The key benefit of Garmin Pay is that it allows you to pay for inexpensive items using your watch rather than your wallet. This can make training sessions a lot more convenient. You can leave your wallet somewhere safe, knowing that you can pay for coffees, smoothies, and other small items if you need to.
The only thing worth pointing out is that the maximum payment limit of Garmin Pay is $50. Keep this in mind before you do a full-on grocery shop armed only with the Venu SQ on your wrist.
Dedicated Golf Mode
Naturally, this feature is only relevant to golfers, but if you do play 18 holes regularly, this is a massive drawcard for the Garmin Venu SQ.
You basically get an amazing fitness watch, that doubles as a dedicated golf watch. The golf features include:
- Yardage to the front, middle, and back of the green
- Yardage to hazard
- Automatic shot distance tracking,
- Digital scorecard
- View the shape of the green
Touchscreen
This is another key difference between the Forerunner 55 and the Garmin Venu SQ. While the touchscreen might not be quite as convenient when running or cycling, it is a lot more convenient during everyday use.
In essence, the Venu SQ feels like more of a Smartwatch, because of the touchscreen. Anyone who operates a mobile phone regularly should be pretty comfortable when interacting with this watch.
