Side by side
Forerunner 970 vs Forerunner 570
Quick verdict
The Forerunner 570 covers what most runners need; the Forerunner 970 is worth it for trails, ultras and offline maps.
| Criterion | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | Forerunner 970 | Full offline maps |
| Battery life | Forerunner 970 | Longer battery life |
| Build | Forerunner 970 | Sapphire glass, titanium bezel |
| Case sizes | Forerunner 570 | 42 or 47 mm |
| Display | Tie | Both AMOLED touchscreens |
| Value | Depends | Depends on today's price |
At a glance
| Feature | Forerunner 970 | Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 47 mm | 42 mm or 47 mm |
| Maps and navigation | Full offline maps | Breadcrumb routes, no maps |
| Built-in flashlight | Yes, LED | No |
| Lens and bezel | Sapphire glass, titanium bezel | Gorilla Glass, aluminium bezel |
| Battery life | Longer | Good, but shorter |
| Display | AMOLED touchscreen | AMOLED touchscreen |
Swipe sideways to see both columns.
Which one should you buy?
Mister Magelo’s verdict
The Forerunner 570 covers everything most runners need: a bright AMOLED screen, accurate GPS and Garmin's full training features, in two sizes. The Forerunner 970 is worth the extra money if you run trails or ultras and want offline maps, a built-in flashlight, a tougher build and longer battery life.
Independent recommendation · Retailers can’t pay for rankingChoose Forerunner 970 if…
- you run trails or in unfamiliar places and want real maps
- you train for marathons or ultras and need longer battery life
- you want a scratch-resistant sapphire screen and a flashlight
Choose Forerunner 570 if…
- you mostly run on roads and known routes
- you prefer a smaller watch for slim wrists
- you want Garmin's training features for less money