94
ZelpioTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Sep 30, 2026
“If you want triathlon support or open water swim tracking, look elsewhere, but for everyone else this is the running watch to buy at this price.”
Staff review · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Watch
Garmin Forerunner 70
Garmin · From $249.99
Release date May 15, 2026
84
Recommended
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
5 with a published score, 4 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Oct 10, 2026
Early score: only 9 reviews so far
3 Rave6 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics see the Forerunner 70 as a big upgrade on the Forerunner 55, adding a bright AMOLED screen and Garmin's Training Readiness and Quick Workout tools for $249.99. GPS and heart rate accuracy are praised even without multi-band GPS. Reviewers note the higher price than the Forerunner 55 and the missing altimeter, Garmin Pay and music.
What critics loved
- Bright AMOLED display in a light, small case
- Training Readiness and deep training tools at a budget price
- Accurate single-band GPS and wrist heart rate
- Up to 13 days of battery in smartwatch mode
Common gripes
- Costs $50 more than the Forerunner 55
- No barometric altimeter, so elevation data is less precise
- No Garmin Pay or music storage
- No multi-band GPS
- No open water or triathlon modes
Critic Scorecard
9 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:Tier 1 outlet, weighted 100%100%Tier 2 outlet, weighted 75%75%Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%40%Tier 4 outlet, weighted 20%20%
91
DC RainmakerTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%May 20, 2026
“I’m legit surprised that Garmin packed as much as they did into the Forerunner 70, all for $249.”
By Ray Maker · Unrated, scored from textFull review
87
The Watches GeekTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Oct 10, 2026
“The Garmin Forerunner 70 is the right watch for someone starting their running journey, upgrading from phone-based tracking, or buying their first Garmin.”
By Luis Cooper · Unrated, scored from textFull review
84
RunMorphTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Jun 7, 2026
“For 80% of regular runners, the Forerunner 70 is the right answer.”
Page header and verdict box show 8/10; body text says 8.5/10. Header score used.
Staff review · Rated 8/10Full review
83
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jun 3, 2026
“The Garmin Forerunner 70 is an impressive entry-level running watch for a reasonable price.”
By Dan Bracaglia · Rated 4/5Full review
83
The 5K RunnerTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Aug 28, 2026
“Runners who need accurate elevation, contactless payment or a power meter should spend the extra on the Forerunner 170.”
By tfk the5krunner · Rated 86%Full review
Show 3 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
81
TechRadarTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jul 2, 2026
“It does still give you a great all-round performance and is the smarter buy over the Forerunner 170.”
By Mike Sawh · Rated 4/5Full review
81
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Aug 11, 2026
“The Forerunner 70 is a great running smartwatch that unfortunately isn’t as affordable as its predecessor, the Forerunner 55.”
By Michael Sawh · Rated 4/5Full review
81
RunToTheFinishTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Sep 18, 2026
“The Garmin Forerunner 70 might be Garmin’s entry level running watch, but it doesn’t feel particularly entry level anymore.”
By Stacey Gross · Unrated, scored from textFull review
87
The Watches GeekTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Oct 10, 2026
“The Garmin Forerunner 70 is the right watch for someone starting their running journey, upgrading from phone-based tracking, or buying their first Garmin.”
By Luis Cooper · Unrated, scored from textFull review
94
ZelpioTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Sep 30, 2026
“If you want triathlon support or open water swim tracking, look elsewhere, but for everyone else this is the running watch to buy at this price.”
Staff review · Unrated, scored from textFull review
81
RunToTheFinishTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Sep 18, 2026
“The Garmin Forerunner 70 might be Garmin’s entry level running watch, but it doesn’t feel particularly entry level anymore.”
By Stacey Gross · Unrated, scored from textFull review
83
The 5K RunnerTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Aug 28, 2026
“Runners who need accurate elevation, contactless payment or a power meter should spend the extra on the Forerunner 170.”
By tfk the5krunner · Rated 86%Full review
81
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Aug 11, 2026
“The Forerunner 70 is a great running smartwatch that unfortunately isn’t as affordable as its predecessor, the Forerunner 55.”
By Michael Sawh · Rated 4/5Full review
81
TechRadarTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jul 2, 2026
“It does still give you a great all-round performance and is the smarter buy over the Forerunner 170.”
By Mike Sawh · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 3 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
84
RunMorphTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Jun 7, 2026
“For 80% of regular runners, the Forerunner 70 is the right answer.”
Page header and verdict box show 8/10; body text says 8.5/10. Header score used.
Staff review · Rated 8/10Full review
83
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jun 3, 2026
“The Garmin Forerunner 70 is an impressive entry-level running watch for a reasonable price.”
By Dan Bracaglia · Rated 4/5Full review
91
DC RainmakerTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%May 20, 2026
“I’m legit surprised that Garmin packed as much as they did into the Forerunner 70, all for $249.”
By Ray Maker · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen with buttons
- Case
- One size, about 40 g
- Battery life
- Up to 13 days smartwatch, 16 hours all-systems GPS
- GPS
- Single-band GNSS
- Heart rate sensor
- Garmin Elevate Gen 4
- Water resistance
- 5 ATM
- Altimeter
- None (GPS-based elevation)
- Smart features
- No Garmin Pay, no music storage
- Price
- $249.99
