1 km Buddy Pokémon GO List & Best Strategies to Earn Candy Fast

Part 1: What are 1 km Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

These are largely common Pokémons you find in the wild, but some are very rare, while others only hatch from 1 km eggs.

Buddy System Candy Mechanics in Pokémon Go

In Pokémon GO, every Pokémon has a set buddy distance, which is the number of kilometers you must walk to earn one Candy. These distances are divided into four categories:

• 1 km buddies – You only need to walk 1 kilometer to get a Candy. Examples include Pikachu and Magikarp.
• 3 km buddies – Require a bit more walking but often include popular Pokémon, like Charmander.
• 5 km buddies – Usually mid-tier Pokémon with stronger evolutions, such as Dratini, but they need significantly more walking.
• 20 km buddies – These are Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, like Mewtwo and Luiga. Earning their candies is painfully slow.

Why 1 km Buddy Pokémon Are Special?

A 1 km buddy Pokémon is special because it gives you Candy much faster than any other category. This makes them the best choice for evolving Pokémon quickly, unlocking second moves, and finishing research tasks that require multiple evolutions or earning candies.

And because you loop candies so quickly with a 1 km Buddy Distance in Pokémon Go, you naturally also see way more Candy XL drops over the same walking time than with long-distance buddies.

For example, while a Legendary Pokémon like Mewtwo demands 20 km per Candy, a 1 km walk buddy in Pokémon Go only needs a single kilometer. That’s a 20x faster Candy gain! Over time, this small difference adds up, making 1 km buddy in Pokémon Go essential for trainers who want both speed and efficiency.

Part 2: Full List of 1 km Buddy Pokémon [2025 Updated]

When looking for the best 1 km Buddy Pokémon Go choices, you must prioritize their practical value in the game rather than just looks or popularity. The Pokémon listed in the table below were selected based on three key perspectives:

• Candy farming efficiency – how fast you can evolve or power them up using the buddy system.
• Battle and PvP utility – their usefulness in raids, gyms, or PvP leagues.
• Unique roles – access to strong evolutions, rare spawns, or regional exclusives.

This updated 1 km Pokémon Go Buddy chart above shows how diverse the fast-walk group really is. So whether your goal is quick evolutions, efficient Candy farming, or building competitive teams, always check this updated list before deciding your next 1 km Pokémon buddy.

Part 3: Best Strategies to Use 1 km Buddy Pokémon

Walking with a 1 km Buddy in Pokémon Go is one of the fastest ways to earn Candy in Pokémon GO. But to make the most of it, you need the right approach. Below are the top strategies every trainer should know to maximize Candy gains and evolve Pokémon faster.

Focus on Rare Evolutions

Some Pokémon evolutions, like Togepi into Togekiss or Machop into Machamp, need a lot of Candy but are worth the effort. Setting them as your 1 km Pokémon buddy helps you gather Candy faster, making these rare evolutions much easier to unlock.

Stack Candy During Events

Events can multiply your rewards. On Community Day, you earn 3× Candy, and during Spotlight Hour, you get 2× Candy. Pair these with a Pokémon Go 1 km Buddy and you’ll farm Candy much faster.

Use Star Piece & Adventure Sync

A Star Piece boosts Stardust while you walk, and Adventure Sync tracks steps even when the app is closed. Using them both at once can really make your 1 km Pokémon buddy level up fast and earn candies quickly.

Switch Buddies Strategically

Don’t stick with just one buddy. Rotate your 1 km Pokémon GO buddy often. This way, you can collect Candy for multiple Pokémon families instead of focusing on just one. This allows for balanced progression across your team.

Bonus Tip: The Easiest Way to Earn Buddy Candy Without Walking

One way or the other, whether it's 1 km buddy in Pokémon Go or 20 km, the fact remains the same: you have to walk to collect Candy. But do you know there is a clever way to bypass this restriction? Yes!

With PoGoskill, walking distance doesn’t matter, and you can quickly and efficiently earn candies for all Pokémons from the comfort of your home. PoGoskill is a top-tier GPS spoofer app that lets you teleport to any location and even create custom routes there to mimic natural movement.

PoGoskill Key Features include:

• 1-Click Teleport: With just a tap of a finger, you can teleport to any location.
• Cooldown Timer: Restricts the number of teleports based on the distance travelled, thus protecting your account from Niantic bans.
• Auto-Catch Pokémon: Tired of endless swiping to catch Pokémons? Let PoGoskill catch them for you!

How To Use PoGoskill

Free Download

Secure Download

Free Download

Secure Download

• Step 1Click on the Download button above and install PoGoskill.

  

• Step 2Connect your device and choose “Game Mode”

  

• Step 3Set any Pokémon as your buddy and find a good spot to walk on the PoGo map. Hit teleport and begin walking in the game.

  

Conclusion

As seen above, choosing a 1 km buddy in Pokémon Go is the smartest way to earn Candy fast, evolve rare species, and strengthen your team. With the right strategies, these Pokémon can save time, boost efficiency, and keep your journey exciting. And to progress even faster, use PoGoskill to farm candies while sitting in your home!