Garmin Forerunner 170 Gets a Temporary Price Cut

Garmin’s entry-level Forerunner 170 is currently discounted at Joybuy, according to Les Numériques. The important point for runners is less the sale itself than what this watch brings to the lower end of Garmin’s running lineup: accurate GPS and heart-rate tracking, a bright AMOLED display, barometric altitude data, Garmin Pay and battery life rated beyond a week by the publication.

Built around training, not jewellery

Les Numériques describes the Forerunner 170 as a modest update to its predecessor, with a slightly altered case and a few software additions. That is a sensible approach if the fundamentals were already right. For endurance athletes, a watch does not need a dramatic redesign every cycle. It needs to capture a run reliably, stay readable during hard sessions and avoid becoming another device that needs charging every other night.

The reported strengths land well for this audience. GPS accuracy matters when we are using pace and route data to judge a session. Wrist heart-rate tracking is optical PPG, which measures changes in blood volume with light, and Les Numériques rates the sensor highly. For athletes chasing closer heart-rate fidelity during intervals or strength work, a chest strap still measures the heart’s electrical impulses via ECG, but strong wrist data is valuable for everyday training and easy runs.

The useful extras are already here

The barometric altimeter is a particularly welcome inclusion for runners and cyclists tackling hills, since it measures air pressure rather than relying on GPS satellite data for elevation. Garmin Pay is less central to performance, but it is the kind of feature that genuinely helps on a long run when we want to leave a phone and wallet behind. The AMOLED screen should also make post-run stats and navigation prompts easier to read than a basic low-resolution panel.

This is why the Forerunner 170 looks more compelling than a watch that wins attention with premium materials but compromises on sport basics. Les Numériques calls Garmin’s software ecosystem fairly comprehensive, and that matters over months of training: the value of a running watch comes from the consistency of its data and the usefulness of the tools surrounding it, not just the hardware on day one. If you are comparing current Garmin offers, our [roundup of Black Friday deals across the range](/en/articles/garmin-black-friday-deals-span-forerunner-70-to-fenix-8-2026-11-02) gives broader context.

The clear compromise is the plastic case. Les Numériques considers it somewhat cheap for the watch’s usual positioning, and we agree that materials are the least exciting part of this package. The source also does not establish advanced multisport, mapping or recovery features, so triathletes and athletes who need those specific tools should not assume they are included just because the Forerunner name is on the bezel.

Verdict: the Forerunner 170 is a strong fit for runners who prioritise dependable GPS, wrist heart-rate data and practical battery life over a luxurious case. It makes more sense than a fashion-first smartwatch if training is the job, while athletes needing proven higher-level multisport tools should compare it with Garmin’s more capable options.