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Verdict
The Garmin Forerunner 30 is a welcome addition to Garmin’s already extensive family of running trackers. At £129.99 it manages to deliver some really impressive features at a very reasonable price.
While Garmin has clearly attempted to make a more fashionable unit with this tracker, we still think it sits more on the side of function than fashion in terms of aesthetics. The battery life isn’t the best available, but is still very good.
Where the Forerunner 30 really comes into its own is as a running tracker. It delivers an impressive amount of data, and is incredibly accurate in terms of its heart rate sensor, VO2 max, and GPS. The screen is big and bold with easy to read text, the app is brilliant, and the menu interfaces are user-friendly.
Who’s it for?
The Garmin Forerunner 30 is ideal for someone who wants to take their running more seriously without breaking the bank. It’s comfortable, robust, waterproof, and has a commendable battery life.
It’s not the most stylish fitness tracker on the market, but compared to the other running trackers that it sits alongside in terms of functionality, it’s actually pretty fashionable.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 30 not for you? Then check these options out:
TomTom Spark 3
The TomTom Spark 3 has a significantly bigger screen than the Forerunner 30, but offers some pretty great features, like the ability to play music without you needing to bring your phone with you.
It also offers route navigation, meaning you can plan a route before you set off and then just focus on your run.
Read our full review: TomTom Spark 3
Garmin Forerunner 35
The big brother to the Forerunner 30, the 35 is aesthetically an identical device, but it’s got a lot more features, including the ability to specify which type of exercise you’re doing, which is something we felt was missing from the 30.
Those extra features do come at an extra cost though, and if your budget stretches that far it’s worth seeing what else you can get for your money.
Read our hands-on impression: Garmin Forerunner 35
Polar M430
The Polar M430 definitely looks and feels like a running watch, and if you really want to get into the data-crunching of cadence, pace and heart rate, this is an accurate and easy to use device.
It’s definitely not as good looking as the Forerunner 30, but it’s a comfortable and functional fitness tracker that has rightly earned its place on our best fitness trackers list.
Read our full review: Polar M430
