Garmin Forerunner 570 Review: Mid-Range or Middling?
The Garmin Forerunner 570 ($550) is a training-focused GPS watch that blends serious performance chops with everyday usability. We appreciated the range of smart features—including the ability to take calls from the watch—and found the training and recovery metrics consistently accurate, closely matching those of the higher-end Forerunner 970 we wore side by side. But it does suffer from middle-child syndrome: Its average battery life, mid-range materials, and breadcrumb-style navigation mean it’s not our top pick for long, demanding courses (like a 100-mile race) or backcountry use, and its price towers over entry-level watches that will get the job done for most recreational athletes. But for those who find its 'tweener elements appealing, the Forerunner 570 strikes a balance between performance and practicality without asking you to pay for features you may not use.
User Experience
Activity Tracking & Training
Health & Recovery
Mapping & Navigation
Quality & Durability
Battery Life
Battery life (w/ GPS)
18 hours (47mm)
Battery life (smartwatch)
11 days (47mm)
Display
AMOLED
Lens
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Bezel
Aluminum
Diameter
42, 47mm
Weight
50g (47mm)
Mapping
Breadcrumb
Band material
Silicone
Pros
Cons
Garmin Forerunner 570
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Running Watches.
Like most of Garmin's offerings, the Forerunner 570 is just about the best in class when it comes to user experience. The watch features a crisp AMOLED display, a five-button layout, and touchscreen capability. Coming from the Venu 4, I quickly came to appreciate the five-button layout (the Venu relies on two buttons and a touchscreen), especially during runs or in wet conditions. It didn’t take long to learn what each button did, and I was able to customize Hot Keys for quick access to the functions I used most—the upper-right button for the alarm, the lower-left for music. I found myself using the touchscreen more for the smooth user experience than for necessity. It’s a nice option to have, and you can disable or lock it during activities if needed.
The Garmin Forerunner 570’s bright, crisp AMOLED display offers a big upgrade in usability and overall enjoyment compared to duller Memory-in-Pixel displays. Combined with the larger 47-millimeter case, it’s easy to read and interact with in all conditions—bright sun, low light, rain, and mid-run. I know an AMOLED screen isn’t the most battery-efficient choice, but it’s hard to hate on something that’s so fun to use. And in terms of the display aesthetics and navigation, I found the Forerunner’s more structured, sharp-cornered interface easier to navigate and less visually distracting than the Venu 4’s softer, more “bubbly” design.
The Forerunner 570’s smart features are another way it sets itself apart as a sleek, easy- and fun-to-use watch. Like most Garmin watches, it offers morning and evening reports, weather forecasting, calendar notifications, on-watch music via streaming platforms, and the ability to receive notifications and take calls (as long as your phone is nearby). I mostly stuck to wrist-based notifications, which I found genuinely useful. Being able to preview texts and emails without reaching for my phone helped reduce unnecessary screen time. I also tested Spotify, which was easy to set up, though I didn’t end up using it much in practice. You can also further customize the Forerunner 570 using Garmin’s Connect IQ app, where you can download third-party and Garmin-developed apps, customize data fields, add widgets, and select or create new watch faces.
As I’ve experienced with all of the various Garmin running watches and devices I’ve tested, pairing with the Garmin Connect app was seamless, and syncing was fast and reliable. I also had no issues running multiple watches simultaneously, which I did frequently during testing. The app always recognized which device I was using and kept everything organized. I also set it up to automatically sync with Strava, and everything worked flawlessly. All told, the Forerunner 570’s user experience is sleek, making the watch feel like both a fun accessory and a high-tech training tool. Speaking of which…
Garmin’s Forerunner line-up is purpose-built for running, and the Forerunner 570 fits squarely in that lane while still offering enough versatility for other activities. Its deep, running-focused feature set includes detailed running dynamics like cadence, stride length, and ground contact time, daily workout suggestions, and integration with Garmin Coach training plans. In terms of tracking, it delivers best-in-class accuracy, with connections to five satellite systems, multi-band GPS, and a barometric altimeter. All told, the Forerunner 570 is a high-end training tool that offers all the key benefits of the Forerunner series (matching the Forerunner 970 pound-for-pound in training and performance features) at a mid-range price point.
That said, you don’t need to be deep into structured training to get a lot out of it. The watch is approachable enough for users who simply want to track workouts or hikes and stay consistent. I’m probably a good example of that—I didn’t spend much time using Garmin’s more advanced training tools, instead relying on the watch as a data collector and accountability buddy for tracking distance, pace, and overall effort while running, hiking, and walking. The data itself is excellent: GPS tracking was consistent and reliable, and when I ran with both the 570 and the Forerunner 970, the distance, pace, and heart rate stats were nearly identical (with only about a 100-foot difference in elevation gain/loss). For day-to-day use, it felt extremely accurate and trustworthy.
For those who want to use their running watch to track more than just running, the Forerunner 570 has plenty of depth. Garmin lists over 80 activity profiles, from climbing and archery to swimming, pickleball, and skiing. I tried it for a few one-off activities like pilates, bouldering, and sport climbing, but quickly realized I don’t need that level of data for those. For me, this watch works best as a tool for endurance-style movement, not everything under the sun.
Compared to the Forerunner 970, the 570 is nearly identical in terms of core training and performance features. The 970 adds a handful of advanced metrics—such as real-time stamina, endurance score, and a few niche running analytics—along with more specialized activity profiles for water and winter sports. But for most users, the 570 covers everything that actually matters, with the same level of accuracy as its pricier sibling. Altogether, this makes the 570 feel like a really strong value within Garmin’s lineup.
Health and recovery tracking is a big part of the Garmin Forerunner 570 experience, especially if you wear it around the clock. Under the hood, it packs a full suite of sensors—including a pulse oximeter, thermometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, and ambient light sensor—unlocking a wide range of metrics like VO2 max, heat and altitude acclimation, HRV status (a key indicator of recovery), and sleep alignment, which measures how well your sleep schedule matches your circadian rhythm. If you’re looking to geek out on health data, the 570 delivers Garmin’s high-end tracking tech—the same platform found in pricier models like the Enduro 3, Fenix 8, and Forerunner 970 (though it does skip ECG functionality).
I wore the 570 24/7 and primarily focused on sleep tracking, HRV, recovery time, and training readiness. The data felt accurate and consistent, especially after about a week, once the watch had enough baseline data to start identifying trends. I was surprised by how much sleep tracking influenced my habits. I found myself chasing better sleep scores (a little gamification never hurts), which pushed me to go to bed earlier and stick to a more consistent routine. I set a 9:30 pm bedtime reminder, and more often than not, it became my cue to wind down and put my phone on airplane mode. In that sense, the watch wasn’t just tracking my habits—it was actively shaping them.
Training readiness was another feature I quickly came to rely on. On days when my readiness was high, I took it as a green light to get outside and move more. When it dipped, I felt more comfortable taking it easy. More broadly, I appreciated how the watch helped me stay consistent. Being able to track weekly activity, monitor training load, and check recovery time made it easier to stay engaged and accountable. The insights strike a nice balance between actionable and informational—offering useful guidance without feeling overly prescriptive or overwhelming.
Mapping and navigation on the Forerunner 570 are among the clearest reminders that this watch is built primarily for frontcountry training, not backcountry use. Like the Garmin Venu 4, it relies on breadcrumb-style navigation rather than full offline maps. In practice, that means you’re looking at a mostly blank screen with your position represented by an arrow and a line showing your route—no contours, no trail names, and no surrounding context. You can upload routes through Garmin Connect, follow them on the watch, and use features like “back to start” to retrace your steps. But without detailed mapping, it’s not nearly as intuitive or information-rich as what you get with topographic mapping (as seen on the Garmin Fenix 8 or Forerunner 970).
There are some workarounds. Through Garmin’s Connect IQ store, you can download third-party apps that pair with your phone’s navigation tools (like Google Maps) to provide turn-by-turn directions on the watch. This could be useful in urban environments or while traveling, but it requires your phone to be nearby, and Google Maps integration is limited to Android. It’s a nice add-on, but not something I’d rely on in the mountains.
In practice, I didn’t use the navigation features much. I tested breadcrumb navigation on a few unfamiliar trails, and it worked as expected: I could follow a route, see my progress, and retrace my steps if needed. The interface is smooth and easy enough to follow on the large AMOLED screen, but it lacks the depth and context of a true map. Ultimately, it’s a secondary feature, something that’s nice to have, but not a reason to buy the watch. If I want real mapping, I’d rather pull out my phone and use Gaia, or step up to a watch like the Forerunner 970.
The Forerunner 570 strikes a strong balance between lightweight performance and long-term durability. It uses a fiber-reinforced polymer case paired with an aluminum bezel and Gorilla Glass lens, placing it squarely in the mid-tier of materials. While it doesn’t have the titanium-and-sapphire-glass construction of more rugged, adventure-oriented running watches like the Fenix line, it’s still more durable than entry-level designs with polymer bezels and standard glass. That said, the identically priced Garmin Venu uses a similar build but adds a stainless steel bezel, which offers slightly better scratch resistance at the cost of a bit more weight.
In practice, the watch held up well during testing. After weeks of consistent use across running, hiking, and daily wear, I didn’t notice any signs of wear on the case or screen. The construction feels solid without being overly bulky, which aligns with its identity as a training-focused watch rather than a full-on backcountry tool. If you’re regularly in rugged, rock-heavy environments, something like the Fenix or Enduro will offer more long-term protection—but the 570’s lighter, less overbuilt design is part of what makes it such a strong everyday training watch.
Battery life on the Forerunner 570 is solid but not a standout feature. Garmin rates the watch for up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 18 hours in GPS-only mode, and in my testing, that felt realistic depending on how I used it. With daily wear (time, notifications, sleep tracking) plus about 1 to 2 hours of activity tracking four days per week, I consistently got around 5 to 6 days before needing to recharge. That’s more than enough for most users, but it doesn’t approach the long-haul performance of battery-focused watches like the Coros Apex 4, which can last up to 24 days in smartwatch mode and 65 hours in GPS-only mode.
Garmin offers a range of GPS modes that trade accuracy for battery life, with estimates topping out at 18 hours in GPS-only mode, 16 hours in SatIQ (the watch auto-selects the best satellite systems), and 14 hours in multi-band mode. As expected, GPS tracking is the biggest drain on the battery, especially when paired with features like music, which can cut runtime down to around 8 to 9 hours. In practice, I found the battery performance to be very similar to the Garmin Venu 4—it’s reliable for regular training weeks, but not something I’d choose for multi-day efforts without charging.
Charging is quick and easy. I saw the watch jump from about 8% to 50% in roughly 30 minutes, with a full charge taking around 1.5 hours (Garmin lists it closer to 2 hours). The proprietary Garmin cable is simple to use, and I appreciated the low-battery alerts and the option to switch the watch into battery saver mode when needed. Overall, the Forerunner 570 strikes a nice middle ground: dependable for everyday use and regular training, but not built for extended trips or ultra-distance efforts.
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Longevity
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Recycled Materials
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Replacement Parts
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Responsible Manufacturing
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Repair Services
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Resale and/or Recycling Services
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Annual Impact Report
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The Garmin Forerunner 570 was the most comfortable watch I tested. Despite using slightly less premium materials than the Forerunner 970, it’s lighter (50g vs. 56g) and has a more streamlined, sport-focused feel that I preferred for daily wear and training. The aluminum bezel and Gorilla Glass give it a lighter, less “metal-heavy” feel than the 970’s titanium-and-sapphire build, which I noticed immediately on the wrist. It still feels high-quality and durable, but prioritizes comfort and usability over a more premium, heavy-duty build—exactly what I want in a training watch.
The strap design also plays a big role here. The Forerunner’s band has adjustment holes that run closer to the watch face, which allowed me to get a more precise and secure fit than I could with the Venu 4. Combined with its lighter weight and sportier design, the 570 felt more dialed-in during runs and all-day wear.
I tested the 47mm version of the Forerunner 570, which is also available in a smaller 42mm size. Even with a smaller wrist, I was able to get a secure and comfortable fit with the 47mm version, thanks to the strap design—though those wanting a more low-profile feel will likely prefer the 42mm option. The trade-off is screen size and battery life, as the smaller version is slightly more compact but won’t last quite as long.
Garmin offers the Forerunner 570 in a range of color options, all paired with silicone bands. The bands are interchangeable, so you can swap them out for different styles or materials to change up the look or improve the fit. I found the included silicone strap to be comfortable and easy to adjust, especially compared to some of Garmin’s more lifestyle-oriented designs (the Venu 4, cough cough).
Garmin Venu 4 ($550): Lean More Lifestyle
The Forerunner 570 and Venu 4 share a surprising amount of DNA. Internally, they’re nearly identical, with similar GPS accuracy, training metrics, health tracking, and smart features. The difference comes down to how that tech is packaged. The Venu 4 leans into everyday wear: It has a sleeker design and a more premium stainless-steel bezel, fewer buttons, and added features like an electrocardiogram, making it feel more like a true smartwatch. The Forerunner 570, on the other hand, is purpose-built for training. Its five-button layout is far easier to use mid-run or in bad weather, it’s lighter thanks to an aluminum bezel, and it offers a snugger fit. If you want a watch for running and structured training, go with the Forerunner. If you want something that blends fitness with daily life and looks a bit more polished on your wrist, the Venu is the better fit. For more, read our review of the Venu 4.
Garmin Forerunner 970 ($750): Add Mapping + Durability
The flagship model in Garmin’s Forerunner lineup, the 970 offers much of the same features as the 570, but with a more premium titanium-and-sapphire build, full mapping capabilities, longer battery life, and a few extra features, including a built-in flashlight and ECG. Those additions might be enough for some to justify the $200 price bump, especially for those who plan to use their watch in the backcountry. But for the average user, we think the Forerunner 570 is a better value, especially since it offers the same GPS accuracy, training and performance features, and overall user experience—though it's worth noting that many folks will be equally content with the $300-cheaper Forerunner 165. To learn more, check out our Forerunner 970 review.
Coros Apex 4 ($479): More Affordable, More Durable
The Forerunner 570 and Apex 4 represent two very different approaches to performance watches. The Forerunner leans into everyday usability, with a bright AMOLED display, a polished interface, and a full suite of smart features that rival something like the Apple Watch. The Apex 4, by contrast, is more of a backcountry tool, with a significantly longer battery life, full offline topographic maps that offer turn-by-turn navigation, and a more durable titanium-and-sapphire build—all for $71 less. If you’re primarily training for running and want a watch you’ll wear all the time, the Forerunner 570 makes a lot of sense. If you’re heading into the mountains, prioritizing battery life and navigation, the Apex 4 is the better tool and the better value. For more, read our Apex 4 review.
The Forerunner 570 is a training-focused watch that delivers high-end tracking and robust exercise and recovery metrics in a lightweight, everyday-friendly package. It lacks advanced features like mapping and premium materials, but for frontcountry runners and multi-sport users, it occupies a tempting middle ground.
User Experience
Activity Tracking & Training
Health & Recovery
Mapping & Navigation
Quality & Durability
Battery Life
The Venu 4 packs the performance capabilities of a running watch like the Forerunner 570 into a more polished, lifestyle-focused design. Most users will appreciate the vibrant display, strong health tracking, and intuitive day-to-day usability—and likely won’t mind the tradeoffs in battery life and navigation.
User Experience
Activity Tracking & Training
Health & Recovery
Mapping & Navigation
Quality & Durability
Battery Life
If you’re serious about training and pushing your activities farther afield, the Forerunner 970 is Garmin’s A-list option. It’s expensive and not a huge leap over the 570 for basic use, but for athletes who will take advantage of features like mapping, long battery life, and deep performance insights, it lands in a compelling sweet spot below the super-premium Fenix line.
User Experience
Activity Tracking & Training
Health & Recovery
Mapping & Navigation
Quality & Durability
Battery Life
Is the Forerunner 570 for You?
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is best suited for athletes who want top-of-the-line accuracy and training tools paired with polished smart features for daily use. It sits in the middle of Garmin’s Forerunner lineup on paper, but in practice, it feels much closer to a premium watch—delivering nearly the same training features, activity tracking, and health metrics as the Forerunner 970 at a lower price. What you give up is best-in-class battery life, topographic mapping, and ultra-durable materials, so serious backcountry users and ultra-distance racers may want to step up to the 970. But for most runners, triathletes, and multisport users, it’s Garmin’s go-to frontcountry training watch.
Go for it if you’re focused on training—whether that’s running, multisport, or a mix of activities—and want a watch with high-end accuracy and robust training and recovery insights that still functions as a daily smartwatch.
Pass on it if you proioritize batter life, topographic mapping, or maximum durability (backcountry users, we’re looking at you). On the other hand, those who aren’t too serious about training and just need a watch to track activities and sleep could save a lot of cash with something like the Coros Pace 4.
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