Main trade-off
Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
Its supplied band starts at 126 mm, despite a case size close to 570’s.
Head-to-head
Forerunner 170 Music vs 570: Small-wrist fit and calls
The short answer
Choose the 42 mm 570 when a 115–125 mm wrist or paired-phone calling is decisive. Choose 170 Music when its supplied fit and phone-free playlist routine cover the job. Their screens are both 1.2 inches and supplied weights differ by only 1 g. The 570’s calls still need the phone, while 170 Music’s stored audio does not add communication.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The smaller-wrist answer can reverse on a larger wrist
The case sizes are close, but the supplied bands solve different constraints. At 120 mm wrist circumference, 170 Music is outside its 126 mm lower limit while the small 570 is inside its 115–178 mm range. At 190 mm, 170 Music is inside its range and this 570 band is too short. That is a more actionable boundary than calling either watch compact. A different compatible band may change the answer, but it adds a separate fit and purchase check. Try the case too, because a listed circumference does not establish comfort or reliable sensor contact.
What this is based on
Two illustrative measured wrists crossed with exact supplied-band limits. No claim that everyone of a given age or body size has that wrist.
Main trade-off
Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
Phone calls still require a connected phone. The supplied band ends at 178 mm.
Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
- Choose it for
- Keep a compact music watch when the 126–203 mm band fits and calls can stay on the phone.
- Use current training readiness and power-meter compatibility without assuming only 570 has them.
- Main trade-off
- Its supplied band starts at 126 mm, despite a case size close to 570’s.
Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
- Choose it for
- Fit a 115–178 mm wrist with the supplied band and retain music.
- Speak through the watch with your connected phone in a bag, and use documented triathlon recording.
- Main trade-off
- Phone calls still require a connected phone. The supplied band ends at 178 mm.
About this comparison
Forerunner 170 Music vs 570 42 mm for small wrists, playlists and calls with the phone in a bag. Compare exact bands before paying for more features.
These compact Garmin watches are only 1 g apart with their supplied bands and both store music. They are realistic alternatives for a runner seeking a smaller watch. The supplied band and calling interface can decide the purchase before more advanced training features matter.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
120 mm wrist using the supplied band
570’s band starts at 115 mm. Try the case fit.
- Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
- Not suitable
- Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
- Better fit
190 mm wrist using the supplied band
The smaller 570 band ends at 178 mm.
- Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
- Better fit
- Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
- Not suitable
Speaking through the watch with the phone nearby
570 supplies the calling interface.
- Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
- Caution
- Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
- Better fit
A larger physical screen is the main goal
Both screens are 1.2 inches. Consider a different size if this is the hard requirement.
- Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
- Good
- Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
- Good
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The smaller-wrist answer can reverse on a larger wrist
The case sizes are close, but the supplied bands solve different constraints. At 120 mm wrist circumference, 170 Music is outside its 126 mm lower limit while the small 570 is inside its 115–178 mm range. At 190 mm, 170 Music is inside its range and this 570 band is too short. That is a more actionable boundary than calling either watch compact. A different compatible band may change the answer, but it adds a separate fit and purchase check. Try the case too, because a listed circumference does not establish comfort or reliable sensor contact.
How we reached this conclusion
Two illustrative measured wrists crossed with exact supplied-band limits. No claim that everyone of a given age or body size has that wrist.
Dog walks and a buried phone favor the call interface, not cellular independence
If a phone stays zipped inside a coat during a dog walk, 570’s microphone and speaker can avoid taking it out for a short call after you stop safely. The phone must remain connected and have service. A runner who already uses a suitable headset may get less benefit from the watch speaker. If the aim is to leave the phone at home, neither watch handles ordinary calls independently. The 170 Music can still supply downloaded audio. Keep the leash, traffic and ability to stop under control rather than treating a wearable call interface as permission to divide attention.
How we reached this conclusion
Cold-weather clothing plus dog handling and family calls. A bounded convenience inference, not a safety recommendation or call-quality test.
A bigger budget does not always create more useful screen space
Both selected watches have a 1.2-inch display and almost the same supplied weight. If the motivation for upgrading is seeing more data while moving, the small 570 does not enlarge the physical screen. It changes features and band fit. The 47 mm 570 is a separate alternative with a larger display, but its supplied band starts at 135 mm. Someone with a small wrist and a crowded data screen should try fewer fields and the actual watch layout before assuming that a higher tier solves the reading problem. No screen-size figure alone proves legibility.
How we reached this conclusion
Small wrist plus glanceable training data. Separates physical display size from software layout and price tier.
Choice A
Garmin, 010-03920-10
Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
Keep a compact music watch when the 126–203 mm band fits and calls can stay on the phone.
- Best matched use
- Keep a compact music watch when the 126–203 mm band fits and calls can stay on the phone.
Checked facts
- Supplied wrist range: 126–203mm.
- Screen and weight: 1.2 inches and 41 g.
- Phone in a bag: Connected notifications and music, without the 570 calling interface.
- Activity music ceiling: All systems plus music up to 6.5 hours.
Choice B
Garmin, 010-02970-00
Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
Fit a 115–178 mm wrist with the supplied band and retain music.
- Best matched use
- Fit a 115–178 mm wrist with the supplied band and retain music.
Checked facts
- Supplied wrist range: 115–178mm.
- Screen and weight: 1.2 inches and 42 g.
- Phone in a bag: Speaker and microphone for paired-phone calls.
- Activity music ceiling: Multiband plus music up to 8 hours.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Garmin Forerunner 170 Music | Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplied wrist range | 126–203mm. | 115–178mm. | A 120 mm wrist fits only the documented 570 band range. A 190 mm wrist reverses that result. |
| Screen and weight | 1.2 inches and 41 g. | 1.2 inches and 42 g. | This upgrade does not buy a larger display. |
| Phone in a bag | Connected notifications and music, without the 570 calling interface. | Speaker and microphone for paired-phone calls. | 570 can change how calls are answered while leaving the phone requirement intact. |
| Activity music ceiling | All systems plus music up to 6.5 hours. | Multiband plus music up to 8 hours. | These are different satellite modes. Use them as stated limits, not a measured percentage advantage. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
- 170 Music 010-03920-10, not the non-Music version.
If you choose Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
- 57042 mm 010-02970-00, not the 47 mm package.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
The supplied band must fit a 120 mm wrist
Choose Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm. 57042 mm meets the documented band range.
The 170 band fits and calls already work through the phone
Choose Garmin Forerunner 170 Music. The extra interface may not change your routine.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want a small running watch, but case diameter does not tell you whether the supplied band will fit or whether you can answer through it.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No sensor-accuracy, comfort or visibility guarantee.
- No matched runtime comparison between different satellite modes.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current sports watches comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 170 Music |
|
| |
| Garmin Forerunner 570 42 mm |
|
|
Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Garmin Forerunner 170 Music
Keep a compact music watch when the 126–203 mm band fits and calls can stay on the phone.
Use current training readiness and power-meter compatibility without assuming only 570 has them.
See price & reviews on AmazonGarmin Forerunner 570 42 mm
Fit a 115–178 mm wrist with the supplied band and retain music.
Speak through the watch with your connected phone in a bag, and use documented triathlon recording.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.