Garmin Forerunner 170 And 70 Shake Up Affordable Garmin Watch Options

InnovationConsumer TechGarmin Forerunner 170 And 70 Shake Up Affordable Garmin Watch OptionsByAndrew Williams,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about fitness, health and wearable techFollow AuthorMay 12, 2026, 09:15am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Garmin Forerunner 170GarminGarmin has reworked its entry-level watch line-up with the Garmin Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170. They are follow-ups to the Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 165, released in 2021 and 2024 respectively, but Garmin has been careful in the features these models do and do not adopt.At the bottom of the range, the Garmin Forerunner 70 gets a heart rate sensor upgrade. It has four light sensor panels, compared to two in the now ancient Forerunner 55. This should help improve heart rate accuracy, which feeds into most of the stats the watch produces. It’s the same style of heart rate sensor as that seen in the Forerunner 170. The watch also offers the Training Status and Training Readiness metrics, missing from not just the Forerunner 55 but the Forerunner 165 too. This may be seen as a reaction to other brands adopting training readiness in their affordable watches.It also has the effect of compressing the gap between these two strata of entry-level Garmin watches. MORE FOR YOUGarmin Foreruner 170 Vs Forerunner 70The Forerunner 70 and 170 are fairly similar. Both even offer features like running dynamics, which were once only available in higher-end Garmins.“Purposefully designed with everything a runner needs to start their running journey, Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 include premium running and training features pulled in from our more advanced Forerunners, plus popular health and wellness metrics,” says Garmin vice president Susan Lyman.What’s the difference? The Garmin Forerunner 170 has a barometric altimeter, which unlocks counting of stairs climb...