The name says Forerunner. As in, a running watch. Don’t let that fool you. If you’re a triathlete, a cyclist, a swimmer, or just someone who does a bit of everything then this might be exactly what you’re looking for. For all the details, check out the video review right here, or keep reading if you prefer:

WHAT IS IT AND WHO IS IT FOR

The Forerunner 70 is Garmin’s new entry-level sports watch, replacing the Forerunner 55 after nearly five years. This Forerunner is squarely aimed at anyone who wants a serious, capable sports watch without spending flagship money. Despite the name, this is not just a running watch. The sport profile list is sprawling and lines up with most of Garmin’s other watches: road cycling, MTB, gravel, triathlon, pool swim, trail run, strength, HIIT, yoga, hiking, and a whole lot more. If you need it tracked, this watch almost certainly does it. 

Everyday usability 5 out of 5, no questions asked. 

BUILD VALUE

Garmin has finally brought a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen to its entry tier, the same panel technology you’d find on watches that cost twice as much. Colors pop, glanceable data is sharper mid-run, and an always-on display option keeps your metrics readable even in direct sunlight.

The case is 43mm, lightweight and comfortable on the wrist, built from fiber-reinforced polymer with a water resistance rating of 50 meters. Yes, that means plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap. And Garmin paired the touchscreen with five physical buttons. During activities, the touchscreen automatically locks to prevent accidental inputs, so you’re navigating with buttons when it counts. 

Garmin rates the Forerunner 70 at up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and up to 23 hours in GPS mode. If you aim for screen always on, I got roughly 4 and a half days out of it, but I do not recommend that setting, the standard setting how it comes out of the box is just fine. Battery life is quite frankly excellent

Build value, easy 5 out of 5 at this price point. 

CORE PERFORMANCE

Now, I’m not going to go through all its features, you a read up on the full list on Garmins website. All I will say is that, it is really packed with features and does a lot! This watch will meet most of your needs. You now also get more premium features right here on the Forerunner 70 such as Training Readiness and Training Status . These were as far as I can recall features locked behind much more expensive watches until now.

New to the Forerunner 70 is an on-device Quick Workouts generator that builds a session for you based on the time you have and the intensity you want. I think this is a great little addition. Pair that with free Garmin Coach training plans for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances, and you essentially have a built-in coach on your wrist, with no subscription required.

And then there’s Garmin Connect. If you’ve used it before, you know it’s mature, it’s excellent, and all your data is right there in front of you.

Now, some stuff is missing, such as .. well, there’s no barometric altimeter, so elevation data relies on GPS rather than a dedicated sensor, meaning your climb stats won’t be as smooth or accurate as on rival watches like the Coros Pace 4 at the same price. There’s also no Garmin Pay for contactless payments, no on-watch music storage, and no power meter support for cyclists.

On music specifically, the Forerunner 170 Music adds that for an extra hundred dollars. If streaming from your wrist matters to you, that’s the one to look at.

That said, Core performance 5 out of 5

WATT SCORE

This is a very easy 5 out of 5 

The Garmin Forerunner 70 is, in my opinion, the obvious first stop if you’re looking for a lightweight sports watch under $250. You’re getting a vivid AMOLED display, nearly two weeks of battery life, and a training stack that until recently lived only on watches twice the price. Garmin Connect is best-in-class. The design is clean and intuitive from day one. And despite the name, it tracks a whole lot more than just running. This is not a beginner watch at all and with its light weight might be a better fit for some when compared to the heavier and much more expensive Forerunner or even Fenix watches for example.

If you need music or power meter support, step up to the 170. Otherwise, this is the one.