PickedTech
Comparison

Garmin Forerunner 570 vs Forerunner 970

Both watches have bright AMOLED screens, a speaker and microphone, and Garmin’s training tools. The 970 adds offline topographic maps, ECG, an LED flashlight, a sapphire lens with a titanium bezel, and longer battery life, for $200 more.

By PickedTech Editorial TeamLast updated Prices & specs checked Oct 2026

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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.

Quick answer

Pick the Forerunner 570 if you mostly run known routes and want Garmin’s core training features and a bright AMOLED screen for $549.99. It comes in 42mm and 47mm sizes. Pick the Forerunner 970 for $749.99 if you need offline topographic maps, ECG, a flashlight, a tougher sapphire and titanium build, and up to 15 days of battery life.

Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026

Check Garmin Forerunner 570 price (opens in a new tab)Check Garmin Forerunner 970 price (opens in a new tab)

Key facts at a glance

Key facts (prices checked Oct 2026)
Garmin Forerunner 570Garmin Forerunner 970
Price (MSRP)$549.99$749.99
Sizes42mm, 47mm47mm
DisplayAMOLED: 1.2-inch (42mm) or 1.4-inch (47mm)1.4-inch AMOLED (454 x 454)
Lens and bezelGorilla Glass 3, aluminum bezelSapphire lens, titanium bezel
MapsBreadcrumb navigation onlyPreloaded, routable topographic maps
Garmin Forerunner 570
Garmin Forerunner 970

Garmin Forerunner 570 vs Garmin Forerunner 970: side-by-side

Forerunner 570 vs 970 (Garmin, Android Central, Wareable)
Forerunner 570Forerunner 970
Price (MSRP)$549.99$749.99
Sizes42mm, 47mm47mm
DisplayAMOLED: 1.2-inch (42mm) or 1.4-inch (47mm)1.4-inch AMOLED (454 x 454)
Lens and bezelGorilla Glass 3, aluminum bezelSapphire lens, titanium bezel
MapsBreadcrumb navigation onlyPreloaded, routable topographic maps
ECG appNoYes
LED flashlightNoYes
Battery (smartwatch)Up to 10 days (42mm) or 11 days (47mm)Up to 15 days
Storage8GB32GB
Speaker and microphoneYesYes

How much do they cost?

Garmin Forerunner 570 plans

Forerunner 570 (Garmin suggested retail price)
OptionPriceNote
42mm or 47mm$549.99Aluminum bezel

Garmin Forerunner 970 plans

Forerunner 970 (Garmin suggested retail price)
OptionPriceNote
47mm$749.99Titanium bezel, sapphire lens

What are the pros and cons?

Garmin Forerunner 570: pros

  • $200 cheaper
  • Two sizes, including a smaller 42mm
  • Bright AMOLED display
  • Speaker and mic for calls

Garmin Forerunner 570: cons

  • No offline maps
  • No ECG
  • No flashlight
  • Shorter battery life than the 970

Garmin Forerunner 970: pros

  • Offline topographic maps
  • ECG and LED flashlight
  • Sapphire lens and titanium bezel
  • Up to 15 days of battery life

Garmin Forerunner 970: cons

  • $749.99, the most expensive Forerunner yet (Android Central)
  • Only one 47mm size
  • Running economy and step speed loss need the HRM 600 strap (sold separately)

Which should you choose: Garmin Forerunner 570 or Garmin Forerunner 970?

Wareable[2] says the 970 suits dedicated runners and triathletes who need full offline maps, the longest GPS battery life in a Forerunner and the most advanced training insights. It says the 570 suits runners who want a strong core experience and can live with breadcrumb navigation and no ECG. Android Central calls the 570 an excellent, slim and sporty running watch and doubts most runners use ECG or offline maps very often.

Choose Garmin Forerunner 570 if…

  • You run familiar routes and don’t need maps
  • You want a smaller 42mm watch
  • You’d rather save $200
Check Garmin Forerunner 570 price (opens in a new tab)

Choose Garmin Forerunner 970 if…

  • You run or ride unfamiliar trails and need maps
  • You want ECG and a flashlight
  • You want the toughest build and longest battery life
Check Garmin Forerunner 970 price (opens in a new tab)

Maps: the biggest difference

Wareable[2] calls maps the single biggest difference. The 970 comes with preloaded, fully routable topographic maps. The Verge[4] notes that the 570 doesn’t have offline maps, and Wareable says it relies on breadcrumb navigation.

Battery life

Garmin rates the 570 at up to 11 days and the 970 at up to 15 days in smartwatch mode. Android Central lists the 42mm 570 at 10 days. It also lists GPS-only battery of 18 hours for the 570, and 23 hours (SatIQ GPS) or 14 hours (multi-band GPS with music) for the 970.

Features only on the 970

Garmin lists a sapphire lens, a titanium bezel, a built-in LED flashlight and an ECG app as exclusive to the 970. It also adds running tolerance, running economy and step speed loss. Garmin notes that running economy and step speed loss require the HRM 600 chest strap, sold separately.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Forerunner 570 have maps?
Not full maps. The Verge[4] says it lacks offline maps, and Wareable[2] says it offers breadcrumb navigation only.
How much more does the Forerunner 970 cost?
$200. Garmin’s suggested retail prices are $549.99 for the 570 and $749.99 for the 970.
Do both watches have a speaker and mic?
Yes. Garmin and The Verge[4] say both add a built-in speaker and microphone for calls.

Sources

Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.

  1. Garmin newsroom: Garmin unveils the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 (garmin.com)
  2. Wareable: Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. 570 (wareable.com)
  3. Android Central: Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Forerunner 570 (androidcentral.com)
  4. The Verge: Garmin Forerunner 970 and 570 hands-on (theverge.com)
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The Forerunner 570 is the Garmin for most serious runners at $549.99. The 970 adds maps, ECG and a flashlight for $749.99. New runners should look at the $249 Forerunner 70 or $299 Forerunner 170.

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The Vivoactive 6 is the best Garmin for most people at $300. Runners should get the Forerunner 970, and the Fenix 8 is the best outdoor watch if you can afford it.

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