Garmin Forerunner 735XT vs 235 – Comparison of 2023

The role of smartwatches in the current age of technology is not unknown to us. They certainly play a huge role when you are trying to lose weight and not to mention, if you are an athlete.
Garmin Forerunner watches, manufactured by the GPS, are a series of such watches that are mainly made for athletes.
Read further down the article, and you will find details of Garmin 735XT and 235, two of their best productions.
These products are most useful in keeping track of your heart rate, daily activities, counting the calories you burn every day, and many more.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT vs 235 Running Watches

Now that we have a basic knowledge of the two products, let’s look at how they differ.
There are many subtle differences between the two watches. For now, we’ll talk about the major ones.
Sports They Can Be Used for
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is, as the name suggests, a hardcore sports watch.
This can be used in a variety of sports, including running, cycling, and swimming.
If used in the right way, with the chest strap, this watch can give a standard data of heart rate, VO2 max, lactic acid levels, stride length, stress score, contact time with the ground, and the longitudinal movements.
The Garmin 235, on the other hand, is a standard sports watch for runners.
This provides data pertinent to running such as heart rate, VO2 max, number of steps taken, and the calories burned.
There is no option for tracking swimming activities, though both the watches are waterproof and can stand up to 5-atmosphere pressure. The watch is also not suitable for triathlons.
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Battery Life
The Garmin 735XT has a higher battery life than that of 235. It runs for 14 hours in GPS mode and 11 days in smartwatch mode, whereas the 235 runs for 11 hrs in GPS mode and 9 days in smartwatch mode.
Cost
There is a difference of about a hundred dollars between the two watches. The Garmin 735XT costs about 233 dollars, excluding shipping costs. The 235, on the other hand, costs about 150 dollars.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
The Garmin Forerunner 735xt is a smartwatch that specializes in sports. This watch is made by GPS and is equipped with features that athletes of various sports can use with ease.
Not only that, the product is capable of reading your pulse rate when you exercise and when you are at rest. This is useful when you are training for an upcoming race.
You will be able to know your limitations and how much to push for when training.
It can also measure the volume of oxygen you use, your lactic acid values, and with a recovery advisor, it allows you with even more room for modification and success.
The watch functions as a regular smartwatch with the amazing features incorporated within the device.
It is easy to wear, a lightweight device, weighing about 1.5 ounces and measures to about 0.5 by 1.75 by 1.75 inches. The watch runs on a CR2 battery that comes with the product.
This watch is shock-resistant, waterproof, and offers a great battery life. It can run quite smoothly for 11 days on smartwatch mode and about 14 hours in GPS mode.
Moreover, you can connect to their IQ store and customize your watch with free apps and watch faces to suit your needs.
Now that you have a general idea about the watch, take a look at the pros and cons.
PROS
CONS
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Garmin Forerunner 235
Now, let us take a look at the Garmin 235. This smartwatch is aimed for runners mainly; it measures your heart rate constantly, the VO2 max, number of steps, and calories used.
Correct use of the watch’s data will enable an athlete to train and attain success in the chosen sport.
You can also use it to track your fitness to get back into shape as it comes with a unique feature that reminds you to keep moving.
In addition to these, the watch functions as a great smartwatch, allowing notifications about emails, calls, and messages.
It is also equipped with wireless connectivity, which can connect you to the Garmin IQ store and also give you weather updates.
This product operates on Android, iOS and runs using a single lithium metal battery. It measures and weighs about the same size as the Garmin 735XT.
The battery life is up to 9 days in smartwatch mode and about 11 hrs in GPS mode, which is not bad for a runner’s watch.
These specs, combined with the additional athlete-friendly features, make the product a quite decent runners watch. Now, let’s look at the pros and cons of the product.
PROS
CONS
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are they rechargeable?
Yes, both the watches come with a USB cable, but you can’t use an adapter as the power source is not compatible with that of many smartphones.
You will have to buy a separate charger from Garmin, or you can use the USB cable to charge through your computer.
Does the Garmin 235 only track one activity?
No, though it mainly tracks running both indoor and outdoor, it can also track indoor and outdoor cycling and walking.
It has another option as ‘others’ through which you can track other activities like HIIT. You can also download apps that are particularly for other activities through their IQ store.
Do I have to be worried if I forget to take it off in the shower?
No, both the watches are water-resistant up to 5 ATM. This level is not exceeded in the shower.
Can they be synced with smartphones?
Like most smartwatches, these can also be synced with smartphones, and thus their use is not limited to the watch.
You can go the extra mile with these if you download the Garmin app on your phone and sync it with the watch.
Which one should I Buy?
This depends on your usage and affordability. If you are an avid runner or you just want to track your fitness, then go with the Garmin 235. However, if you’re an athlete and training for triathlons, then 735XT is the watch for you.
Conclusion
If you have gone through the whole article, you have sufficient knowledge of Garmin 735XT and 235 to decide for yourself as to which one of the two you should get.
So why don’t you get the one you need and work towards your next fitness goal?