Fitbit Sense 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 255
The Verdict
Fitbit Sense 2 excels with its vibrant 1.58-inch AMOLED display and comprehensive health sensors, including ECG and skin temperature monitoring, making it ideal for wellness-focused users. Garmin Forerunner 255 prioritizes endurance athletes with exceptional battery life spanning 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours with GPS active, plus WiFi connectivity for data syncing without a phone. Display technology differs significantly: Sense 2's AMOLED offers superior color and contrast, while Forerunner 255's MIP display consumes less power but appears dimmer. Health tracking favors Sense 2 with its advanced ECG capabilities, though Forerunner 255 covers essentials adequately. At $299.95 versus $349, Sense 2 delivers better immediate value for casual fitness tracking. However, dedicated runners and multi-sport athletes will appreciate Forerunner 255's GPS accuracy and training-specific features. For general wellness monitoring with style, Sense 2 wins; for serious athletic training, choose Forerunner 255.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Fitbit Sense 2 if…
- →Continuous EDA sensor for all-day stress tracking
- →ECG and skin temperature tracking
- →Lightweight and comfortable for 24/7 wear
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 255 if…
- →14-day battery life means weekly charging at most
- →Multi-band GPS for exceptional outdoor tracking accuracy
- →Morning Report with daily training readiness and HRV status
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Fitbit Sense 2
Pros
- Continuous EDA sensor for all-day stress tracking
- ECG and skin temperature tracking
- Lightweight and comfortable for 24/7 wear
- Up to 6 days of battery life
- Built-in GPS with Google Maps and Wallet support
Cons
- Removed third-party apps and music storage from original Sense
- No Wi-Fi connectivity
- Requires Fitbit Premium for advanced insights
- Limited smartwatch functionality compared to Wear OS
- Single physical button, no rotating crown
Garmin Forerunner 255
Pros
- 14-day battery life means weekly charging at most
- Multi-band GPS for exceptional outdoor tracking accuracy
- Morning Report with daily training readiness and HRV status
- Race Predictor estimates finish times for 5K to marathon
- Lightweight at 49 g and comfortable for 24/7 wear
Cons
- MIP display lacks the vibrancy of AMOLED competitors
- No touchscreen on base model — button-only navigation
- No ECG or blood pressure monitoring
- Limited smart features compared to Apple Watch or Wear OS
- Third-party app ecosystem is small
Full Specifications
| Spec | Fitbit Sense 2 | Garmin Forerunner 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Fitbit OS | Garmin proprietary OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 37.6 g | 49 g |
| Case material | Aluminum case | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 6 days, 12 hours with GPS | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.58 inch | 46mm |
| Type | AMOLED | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 336 x 336 | 260 x 260 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | — | Garmin custom SoC |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Fitbit products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Fitbit Sense 2 or the Garmin Forerunner 255.