Garmin has been leading the smartwatch market for a very long time now. Their models show awesome health and fitness tracking capabilities, along with great battery life. Two of their popular models, the Garmin Forerunner 955 and the Garmin Epix 2, offer various advanced features and competitive pricing.
If you are wondering whether to buy either of these watches and are confused about which one to choose, then you are in the right place. We’ll compare its pricing, features, battery life, and design to help you make an informed decision.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs. Epix 2: Price
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is only available in a single size and is priced at $499. There’s a solar model that costs $100 more, or $599. Plus, you can also add the HRM Plus heart rate monitor, which increases the price to $728.
The Garmin Epix 2, on the other hand, is available in three sizes: 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm, and is priced at $899, $799, and $999, respectively. It has three available models too: standard, sapphire, and pro.
Overall, the Epix 2 has multiple size options to choose from, catering to wider audiences, whereas the Forerunner 955 offers low pricing, which is good for budget-conscious buyers.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs. Epix 2: Comparison
| Specifications | Garmin Forerunner 955 | Garmin Epix 2 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Model Name | Forerunner 955 | Epix 2 |
| Design and Body | ||
| Weight | 53 grams | 98 grams |
| Material | Fiber-reinforced Polymer | Stainless Steel Bezel |
| Shape | Round | Round |
| Display | ||
| Type | transflective memory-in-pixel | AMOLED |
| Touch | Yes | Yes |
| Size | 1.3 inches | 1.2 inches (42mm), 1.3 inches (47mm), and 1.4 inches (51mm) |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 450 x 450 pixels |
| Features | Always-on Display | Always-on Display |
| Connectivity | ||
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Extra | ||
| Sensors | Pedometer, Heart Rate Monitor, SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) Monitor, Blood Pressure Monitor, Calorie Count, Step Count, Sleep Monitor | Pedometer, Heart Rate Monitor, SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) Monitor, Blood Pressure Monitor, Calorie Count, Step Count, Sleep Monitor |
| NFC | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Camera | ||
| Camera | No | No |
| Technical | ||
| Compatibility | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Multimedia | ||
| Music | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Backup | Up to 15 days | Up to 15 days |
| Features | ||
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Water Depth | 50m | 50m |
| Extra Features | Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, Timer, Reminder | Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, Timer, Reminder |
| Price | $499 | $899 (42mm), $799 (47mm), and $999 (51mm) |
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs. Epix 2: Design
Garmin devices are not made for styling; they are made specially for athletes, so we have to keep that in mind.
The Forerunner 955 boasts a fiber-reinforced polymer bezel, which is still durable and can protect the watch from wear and tear. In contrast, the Epix 2 boasts a stainless steel bezel and fiber-reinforced polymer casing, providing added safety from wear and tear. In terms of lens material, both devices use the same corning gorilla glass, protecting the watch from scratches.
The Forerunner 955 has a dimension of 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm and weighs 53g, whereas the Epix 2 has a dimension of 51 x 51 x 15.0 mm and weighs 98g. Its weight can be problematic during workouts or when individuals want a lighter watch on their hand, but it also has a larger size, so the weight is reasonable from that point of view.
In terms of watch straps, both devices come with a silicone strap, but the Epix 2 offers leather, metal, and fabric straps too. The silicone strap is nice too, for extra comfort and to wear for an extended period of time. You get multiple colour options with both devices, but it depends on the models you choose.
The Forerunner 955 comes with Garmin’s five-button setup, with two on the right and three on the left side. In contrast, the Epix 2 also has the same five buttons setup, two on the right and three on the left side. The buttons provide added usability and handy features when wearing gloves or for easy navigation during workouts. Additionally, you get touchscreen support on either of these watches, ensuring easy scrolling through maps.
The Epix 2 offers a 10 ATM rating for water resistance, compared to 5 ATM on the Forerunner 955. Both devices are good for swimming and can withstand being submerged underwater for up to 50 metres.
Overall, the build is awesome on both devices, but the Epix 2 metal build provides more added durability and protection from wear and tear. If you don’t love heavier watches on your wrist, then the Forerunner 955 will be a better choice for you. Both watches are good for swimming too, but they are not made for deep diving.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs. Epix 2: Display
Both devices offer a colourful and vibrant display, awesome readability, and a bright screen to use the watch even in direct sunlight.
The Forerunner 955 sports a 1.3-inch transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display with a screen resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. In contrast, the Epix 2 is available in three screen sizes: 1.2 (42mm), 1.3 (47mm), and 1.4 (51mm) inches. It offers an AMOLED display, but an always-on display feature is available on both devices. The displays are bright and colourful, and the content and fonts are easy to read, even in direct sunlight.
Overall, both devices feature the same screen sizes if we compare them with the Garmin Epix 2 51mm model. However, it also has multiple screen sizes, catering to wider audiences. The AMOLED display offers much more vibrant colours compared to the MIP display. However, the always-on display is available on both of these devices, which means the device will show something instead of a black or blank screen.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs. Epix 2: Health and Fitness Features
Both devices come with advanced health and fitness features, tracking key health metrics directly from your wrist.
The Forerunner 955 features a wrist-based heart rate monitor, daily resting heart rate, abnormal heart rate alerts, 24×7 respiration rate, pulse OX blood oxygen saturation, body battery, stress monitor, breathwork, sleep tracking, nap detection, hydration, women’s health, and health snapshot.
In contrast, the Epix 2 also has these features but has added two new ones. The skin temperature sensor, which can help you detect chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, plus a jet lag advisor are handy features if you travel a lot, as they will recommend when to avoid light, when to sleep, and when to be active to help your body adapt to the new environment.
One area where the Forerunner 955 falls short is the ECG app; however, the Epix 2 does provide this feature. This feature tracks your heart rate rhythm and can alert you to any early signs of atrial fibrillation, or AFib.
If we talk about activity tracking, both devices offer similar sports profiles, including strength, cardio, HIIT, swimming, biking, hiking, snowboarding, tennis, triathlon, and so much more. Both devices also have VO2 max, training load, interval training, recovery time, downloadable training plans, and so much more.
You can also track your usual activities, including distance travelled, calories burned, step counter, floor climbed, true up, move alerts, and much more. Additionally, they also offer safety features like incident detection, assistance, incident alerts, and live tracking.
Overall, both devices offer usual features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, women’s health, and many more. The Epix 2 excelled with a skin temperature sensor, a jet lag advisor, and an ECG app; all three are must-haves in your arsenal and came in handy in various situations. In terms of sports profiles, both devices offer similar features and multiple sports profiles to keep you fit and healthy.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs. Epix 2: Smartwatch Features
In terms of smartwatch features, both devices have multi-band GPS for more accurate GPS tracking, plus it can help you cut down on distraction from trees and buildings that hinder GPS accuracy, plus Garmin Pay for contactless payments and music storage to download and store music to listen offline.
Some usual features, like a timer, stopwatch, and alarm clock, are available on both devices. They also have GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO for accurate GPS tracking. Additionally, they also offer smart notifications, calendars, weather forecasts, finding my phone and watch, controlling smartphone music, morning reports, and much more. Both devices are also compatible with Android and iOS, plus they also offer Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ connectivity.
Overall, both smartwatches are identical in terms of features and offer contactless payments, multi-band GPS, and music storage as well.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs. Epix 2: Battery Life
If we talk about battery life, both devices can last for about 15 days in smartwatch mode, but the Forerunner 955 also has a solar model, which can extend the battery life to 20 days. With GPS mode, the Epix 2 can last up to 41 hours, whereas the Forerunner 955 can go for about 42 hours, and the solar model can extend the battery life to 49 hours.
In terms of charging, both devices come with Garmin’s proprietary plug charger, which takes 1.5–2 hours to fully charge the device to 100%.
Overall, both devices offer decent battery life that can go over one day in GPS mode, plus if you only use smartwatch mode, it can go up to 15 days, which is a decent time in my opinion. Charging time is the same on both devices; plug the charger at night and get a full-charged device the next day.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs. Epix 2: Verdict
Both devices are awesome, with advanced health tracking capabilities, decent battery life, colourful and vibrant displays, and affordable pricing.
If your priority is a larger display, advanced health tracking capabilities, and a metal build, and if you don’t mind higher pricing, then go for the Garmin Epix 2.
If you are on budget and can compromise on display and ECG, I don’t recommend doing so, but if you are, you can go for the Garmin Forerunner 955.