Garmin Forerunner 570 review: the stylish mid-range running watch, with caveats

Garmin's Forerunner 265 was the go-to mid-range running watch for years. In May 2025, Garmin replaced it with the Forerunner 570, which sits below the flagship Forerunner 970. In September 2026 it is still Garmin's current upper mid-range Forerunner, while the newer Forerunner 70 and 170 from May 2026 cover the entry level.

This review is research-based, drawing on Garmin's product information, expert reviews and owner reports. It answers the question most runners ask: is the Forerunner 570 worth the extra money over the 265?

Design: the most stylish Forerunner yet

The Forerunner 570 comes in 42mm and 47mm sizes, each with three colourways, including bright bezel options that stand out from Garmin's usually conservative look. The aluminium bezel feels more premium than the 265's plastic. It is still light and comfortable enough for sleep tracking and long runs.

Garmin keeps its five-button layout, which works reliably with sweaty hands or gloves, alongside a touchscreen for quick scrolling. Discreet openings on the case hide the new speaker and microphone.

Both sizes use quick-release bands, so you can swap to a nylon strap for races or a more formal band for work. The 42mm model suits smaller wrists, while the 47mm version has a larger screen and battery.

Display

The AMOLED screen is the highlight. On the 47mm model it measures 1.2 inches at 390 x 390 pixels. Reviewers describe it as brighter, sharper and more readable in sunlight than the 265's display, making data pages, route guidance and notifications easy to glance at mid-run. An always-on mode is available, at a cost to battery life.

Tracking accuracy and training tools

The Elevate Gen5 optical sensor is Garmin's latest, and reviewers report accurate heart-rate readings, including during intervals and rapid changes in effort where wrist sensors often lag. GPS tracks were reliable in comparison testing.

Training features are Garmin's core strength. You get VO2 max, race predictions, lactate threshold estimates, Training Readiness, HRV Status, Training Load Ratio, heat and altitude acclimation, Morning and Evening Reports, and Garmin Coach plans. Garmin added more than 20 new activity profiles compared with the 265, including gravel biking, obstacle racing and rucking. Some metrics introduced on the Forerunner 970, like Running Tolerance and running economy, are not included.

The watch syncs with Garmin Connect on iOS and Android, where you can review training history, plan workouts and share data with apps like Strava. Garmin's daily suggested workouts adapt to your recovery, sleep and recent training load, which is a big help for runners without a coach.

• Training Readiness and HRV Status
• Training Load Ratio and acute load
• VO2 max and race time predictions
• Garmin Coach and multisport workouts
• Heat and altitude acclimation

Smart features

The new speaker and microphone let you take phone calls from your wrist when paired with your phone, trigger your phone's voice assistant and hear alarms. You also get notifications, music storage and controls, and Garmin Pay contactless payments. It is still more of a sports watch than a full smartwatch, with a smaller app selection than Apple or Wear OS devices.

Safety features include incident detection and live tracking through your phone, which can alert chosen contacts if a fall is detected during an activity. Sleep tracking, stress monitoring, Body Battery energy levels and women's health tracking round out the everyday features.

Forerunner 570 battery life

Battery life is good but slightly shorter than the Forerunner 265, a trade-off for the brighter display and new audio features. One expert reviewer got about ten days of mixed use with GPS workouts, while heavy users running daily with always-on display and music will charge more often. Turning off always-on mode and the speaker extends runtime. Runners who prioritise endurance above all should consider Garmin's Fenix or Enduro lines.

What is missing, and the subscription question

At this price, some omissions stand out. There are no offline maps, which Garmin reserves for the Forerunner 970 and 965. ECG is not available even though the same sensor generation offers it on cheaper Garmin models. Garmin's Connect+ subscription also places some newer insights and features behind a monthly fee, although core tracking and training data remain free.

Is the Garmin Forerunner 570 worth it?

If you want Garmin's training depth, an excellent display and a lighter watch than the 970, the Forerunner 570 is a very good choice. If you can find a discounted Forerunner 265, you will get most of the same running tools for less. If you need maps for trail running or navigation, the Forerunner 970 is worth the extra spend.

Key specs

Case sizes

42mm and 47mm, aluminium bezel

Display

AMOLED touchscreen (47mm: 1.2-inch, 390 x 390)

Heart-rate sensor

Garmin Elevate Gen5

Audio

Built-in speaker and microphone

Navigation

GPS with breadcrumb routes; no offline maps

Battery

Multi-day; about 10 days in mixed real-world use

Controls

5 buttons plus touchscreen

Released

May 2025

Alternatives to consider

• Garmin Forerunner 970: Adds offline maps, a flashlight, ECG and advanced running metrics.
• Coros Pace Pro: Offline maps and long battery life at a lower price.
• Suunto Race S: Strong battery life and maps for less money.

Frequently asked questions

The Garmin Forerunner 570 refines what made the Forerunner 265 so popular, adding a better screen, a more accurate sensor and handy smart features in a smarter-looking case. The price jump and missing maps and ECG hold it back from a higher score, but for runners who live in Garmin's training ecosystem, it is still one of the best watches you can strap on in 2026.

How we research: Reviews are based on the maker’s specifications, published independent tests and owner reports. Scores compare the product with others in its class.