Verdict
The Garmin Forerunner 170 makes mostly software upgrades to the mid-range running smartwatch, serving both runners and non-runners well.
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Good GPS and all-round sports tracking performance
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Useful and glanceable training insights
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Runs on Garmin’s latest software
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Not a huge hardware upgrade on Forerunner 165
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Misses out on newer GPS and health sensors
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Battery life numbers have dropped slightly
Key Features
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Review Price:
£299.99
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Accurate sports tracking
The Forerunner 170 delivers reliable GPS and heart-rate performance across runs, swims and gym sessions.
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Smarter training tools
Features like Training Readiness, evening reports and quick workouts make it a more useful fitness companion.
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Everyday smartwatch extras
Offline music on the Music model, Garmin Pay and app support make it handy when you’re not training too.
Introduction
The Garmin Forerunner 170 is a smartwatch designed primarily for runners, offering a mix of features that make it a useful training and non-training companion.
The Forerunner 170 Music gives you the same features as the Forerunner 170, plus a built-in music player so you don’t have to rely on your phone for mid-run tunes.
You don’t have to just be a runner to get the most out of the 170, but that’s where its biggest appeal lies. Especially if you like the idea of paying more attention to your performance stats.
Design and screen
- Larger case than Forerunner 165
- Same AMOLED as Forerunner 165
- Available in four colours
Like its predecessor, the Forerunner 165, the Forerunner 170 is a pretty compact watch that comes in music and non-music editions. If you don’t care about streaming music from your watch, save some money and go for the standard 170 instead. All other features are the same.
That case is now 42 mm, down from the slightly larger 43mm case on the Forerunner 165. It’s still made from a lightweight polymer, with a removable silicone strap for a look that’s pretty much in keeping with other Forerunner watches. By that I mean it’s very sporty and screams exercise. It’s a very comfortable watch to wear, including taking it to bed to track sleep.
The screen size and resolution remain the same as the 165. That’s a 1.2-inch, 390 x 390 AMOLED touchscreen. It’s a colourful display that’s also nicely responsive to swipes and taps. You can adjust display brightness and opt to keep the screen on at all times, including during workouts.
You’re getting the same 5ATM water rating as the 165 as well, which means you’ve got a watch that’s safe to swim and shower with. I’ve taken it for a few outings to the pool, and it performs as well in the water as other swim-friendly Garmin watches I’ve tested.
Performance and software
- Features the latest Garmin user interface
- Adds Evening reports
- Lifestyle logging now available
All of Garmin’s smartwatches run on its in-house software, with the Forerunner 170 running on the latest version. That mainly does the job of bringing sports modes and smartwatch features together in one screen. It also means that the 170 is ripe for future software updates and would be one of the more desirable reasons to upgrade from the older 165.
I’ve been using it mainly paired with an iPhone. I have also used it connected to an Android phone, and the experience of using Garmin’s Connect companion app across both has been nearly identical.
I’m a fan of Garmin’s user interface in general, especially the Glances stream. Many features can go undiscovered, though, because they’re buried in the watch’s settings. It’s worth spending some time getting to know what this watch is capable of.
When you’re not tracking runs or other activities, Garmin’s smartwatch features haven’t changed much compared to the 165. You can still view phone notifications, control music playback, make contactless payments and download apps from the Connect IQ Store.
The music version also lets you stream music from services like Spotify and Deezer. Having that touchscreen makes a huge difference in using features like music controls and makes it feel more like a regular smartwatch.
The most notable upgrade is the addition of evening reports that summarise your day and make workout recommendations for the following day. You can now also access Garmin’s lifestyle logging feature, which lets you mark down activities and behaviours throughout the day. The idea is that doing this can help see what impact those behaviours might have on your energy or stress levels.
Tracking and features
- New quick workouts mode
- Added training insights
- Richer Garmin Coach access
If you’re a runner and looking for what’s really new for you here, I would say it’s mainly software-related.
That’s because the hardware on the 170 is basically the same as what’s on the 165. That includes Garmin’s older Gen 4 optical sensor and its multi-GNSS sensor for tracking outdoor activities. That’s instead of the newer multi-band support offered on other Garmin watches.
While the hardware might not be current, it’s still very much up to the task. I’ve been running, swimming, and doing indoor gym workouts with it on, and GPS and heart rate performance have remained very strong. I’ve tested watches with newer sensors, and the 170 has actually performed more reliably across many fronts.
As mentioned, it’s the software that’s changed. Mainly around giving you access to new training insights, richer integration with Garmin’s Coach platform and adding new quick workouts.
The new training insight I’m glad to see is Training Readiness. This gives you a very simple score of how ready you are to train, fuelled by data such as sleep, recovery status, and stress. The new quick workouts are an easy way to add structure to running time. It lets you pick the difficulty level, then gives you multiple workout options to tackle.
Garmin Coach is a great extra that you don’t have to pay for on Garmin watches. It’ll build you a running, cycling, or strength-training plan, then sync it to your watch to follow. The more strength-focused aspect is new to the 170 and adds easy-to-follow workouts as part of your running or cycling training plans.
This watch can also track daily step counts, monitor sleep time, tell you your fitness age, and assess energy levels to see how they deplete over the course of a day.
Garmin’s sleep tracking has been a weakness in recent years, though things have gotten better more recently. I’ve been wearing the 170 alongside the Oura Ring – one of the best sleep trackers in the business. For data like sleep duration, times fallen asleep and key sleep stages, the data on most nights told similar stories about that bedtime.
Battery life
- Up to 10 days of battery life
- 4 days of battery with always-on display mode
- 6.5-7.5 hours with music streaming
The Garmin Forerunner 170 isn’t a battery powerhouse like more expensive Garmins. Compared to the Forerunner 165, it’s actually worse off in terms of battery numbers. It’s down from 11 days to 10 days in smartwatch mode. The most accurate GPS battery life has also dropped an hour to 19 hours from 20 hours. You do have a battery saver mode, but it disables certain features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
I found battery life to be a bit off those numbers. Even when using the raise-to-wake display mode instead of the more power-hungry always-on display mode. The 170 typically lasted me just less than a week. With the screen kept on, that dropped to around 3-4 days.
I’d say it’s a watch that will cover you for just under a week’s worth of tracking, along with using available smartwatch features like music streaming and viewing notifications.
Charging is done using Garmin’s now-standard proprietary charging cable. It’s not the best cable for staying put in the back of the watch. It can at least power up the watch in just over an hour from fully flat.
Should you buy it?
You want a small running-focused smartwatch with useful training features
The Forerunner 170 offers great sports tracking and now adds insights and features that make it a more useful training companion.
You want the best-value running watch at this price
The also-excellent Coros Pace 4 and Suunto Run are worthy alternatives if you value more running features over the added smartwatch ones that Garmin will get you.
Final Thoughts
The Garmin Forerunner 170 is a capable mid-range running smartwatch that builds on the Forerunner 165 with useful software upgrades rather than major hardware changes. Its reliable sports tracking, helpful training insights and solid smartwatch features make it a strong option for runners, while enough everyday extras ensure it also works well beyond workouts.
That said, it is not a huge leap forward in hardware terms. Battery life has dipped slightly and it misses out on some of Garmin’s newer sensors, which means rivals like the Coros Pace 4 and Suunto Run offer better value if pure running performance is your priority.
Still, for those who want a smaller, easy-to-live-with watch with a good mix of fitness and smartwatch features, the Forerunner 170 remains a very appealing option. To see how it compares, take a look at our selection of the best cheap smartwatches.
How We Test
We thoroughly test every smartwatch we review. We use industry-standard testing to compare features properly and we use the watch as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.
- Worn as our main tracker during the testing period
- Thorough health and fitness tracking testing
FAQs
Yes, you can listen to music on the Garmin Forerunner 170 as long as you have the music edition of the watch.
Full Specs
| Garmin Forerunner 170 Music Review | |
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| UK RRP | £299.99 |
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Screen Size | 1.2 inches |
| IP rating | IP68 |
| Waterproof | 5ATM |
| Size (Dimensions) | 42.6 x 42.6 x 11.9 MM |
| Weight | 41 G |
| Release Date | 2026 |
| First Reviewed Date | 16/06/2026 |
| Colours | Black, White, Teal Green, Red Pink |
| GPS | Yes |
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
