Garmin - Forerunner 265S

I prefer the 265, due to how vibrant and readable the AMOLED screen is

Forerunner 55 for the absolute basics. Forerunner 165 is the cheapest with a AMOLED screen. Forerunner 255, 265, 955 and 965 are just discontinued. In my opinion 955 is the most value for money as it includes mapping. 965 is the same watch as the 955, but with an AMOLED screen. If you don’t need mapping, then go for the 265. It is the same as the 965, but without maps. So if you can find a 955 that would be your best bet in my opinion. Forerunner 570 and 970 introduce unnecessary features, such as microphone & speaker, sapphire glass, shiny metal bezels all of which add nothing to running but do increase the price.

the improved battery life is going to go a long way for casual usage, and sleep tracking is a huge benefit it's worth noting that the 265 is rather large. you may want to take a look at the 265s, especially if you dont mind not using it as a smartwatch

Most of these calorie counters are estimates and not even close to accurate for any sport with high amount of directional changes, they're more accurate for more straightforward sports like running cycling and swimming, but even then those are broad estimates. I use a relatively high end garmin, fenix 7 pro which I wouldn't recommend for badminton as it is heavy and sometimes will smack into your racket and your racket will lose the clash. If you want to try one I would recommend the Forerunner 265, or basically any sports watch thats not too big, garmin has significantly better optical sensors but aside from hr data don't trust the calorie estimates too much.

I tried both 255 and 265, if you are okay not having the amoled screen, it is better to get a 255 and save around $180 (cad)

Absolutely in LOVE with my 265s. Although I prefer the look of Venu with the metal bezel, eventually went with 265s for the run stats. QI got the black/yellow 265s, which I feel is the most versatile for swapping for different color watch bands to soften the sporty look for everyday wear https://preview.redd.it/7xxfhw5jpa1e1.png?width=1891&format=png&auto=webp&s=8c07e0b0ac25789a46b475035072de284fad2bcb

Oh man, so many. Training readiness, training status, adaptive workouts, multi-sport tracking for triathalon training, etc. before 265s, I actually never used these features because I just used my watch to track time/distance.. But I was pleasantly surprised at how these stats are motivating me to do more and be more structured even when I’m not training for a race At the end of the day, for me it comes down to identity. I really loved the look of venu but after wearing it for a week it just didn't "feel" right; I feel more like a badass athlete with the 265s. And when i swap out the watch band with neutral colors i feel it’s not that out of place with my business casuals There is nothing wrong with the Venu for a casual runner esp if the look is important! Maybe chat with her first about why she wanted a garmin over an Apple Watch in the first place :)

Even the 265 doesn’t have real maps, only the “breadcrumb” style which is a lot of times insufficient. I seriously considered getting the 965 just to have real maps but it is enormous on my wrist (and I think most women’s wrists). Wish Garmin could come up with a 965S with a smaller watch face and then they can take all my money

I believe the 265s comes with music by default! Maybe you are thinking about the 165?

Since you’re a runner using Runna and want better battery life, the sweet spot is probably the Forerunner 265 if you want something light, run-focused and comes with AMOLED brightness which your Galaxy probably has. If you want more of a “smartwatch vibe” with a mic for calls then maybe the Venu 2 Plus is the only Garmin that adds voice assistant and call handling but its training metrics aren’t quite as deep as the Forerunner 955/965 series ones If I were you I’d also consider the Forerunner 955 or 965 for serious running and battery though, it’s pretty much the best watch you can get as a runner IMO or you could try [9 Best Smartwatches Worth Investing in 2025 for Running and Hiking](https://alaskanarrows.com/best-smartwatches-in-2025-for-hiking-and-running/) for others as well Cheers

It's a watch aimed at entry level runners but also allows to track other activities. so if someone doesnt care about all the fancy running stats and the more advanced life style tracking metrics then it probably is more than enough and way more than Gshocks offer from what I remember. I've not used it myself as i have a middle of the range FR265 but a friend of mine has FR55 and he seemed pretty happy with it, it is an older watch so there is also that. Gshocks definitely look amazing that's why I'd love a collab :D

Forerunner 965, can do it all at a better price and you still get the better display, over cheaper older models of other lines. If you don't need the maps function, then I would recommend the Forerunner 265.

No, the 165 Music versus not is just price point budget options thing. Forerunner 265 and 965 have the music functionality of downloading directly to the watch from YT Music. If you just want good basic run and training tracking I would do the 165 music, if you want more training support and data collection and management, I would go for the 264. Either way a focus on running I would only select between these 2 watches.

The 265 will probably be initially more noticeable, but I don’t think it will be a longterm weight issue. The Forerunner line a in my opinion then lightest most feature rich device from Garmin. I have a 965, and I don’t notice the weight at all.

Totally get that. I wouldn't recommend the 965 to anyone who isn't looking specifically for the features it offers. 265 is just as good for the average person.

I was also going to recommend the 165, but there isn’t an S version. In the relative specs its a 43mm 165 versus 41.7mm on the 265.

I am also deciding between these two. I have had the 265 Music for right at 3 years and two days ago the hole where the strap pin locks in broke. The watch itself still worked perfectly but this piece isn't replaceable to my knowledge since it isn't meant to detach. Anyway, I am wondering if I should save the $100 because I don't think I need any of the software/capability differences between the two BUT my hesitation has to do with the Gorilla Glass on the 265 (and 965) versus the slightly less durable face of the 165. I'm pretty rough on.. well .. everything so I don't want to scratch it early on. I know the watches last a long time and I plan to have it for 3+ years and don't want a scratched watch face. I think as I type this, I am talking myself into the 265 again. Let us know what you chose!

Honestly as a 27 year old that isn’t materialistic and didn’t realize how long my Garmin would live since I went through about 2/3 fit bits … I wish I would of spent the extra $50-$200 for the nicer 265. I got the 255s version and it does everything I need and want it to do. Occasionally it has brain farts but 99% of the issues are resolved by just restarting or refreshing the app. I’ve only had 1/2 runs out of 100s ever not record my distance properly. I’m looking forward to upgrading sooner then I probably would ever of thought because I wanna take my Garmin Forerunner account more seriously and improve on my stats.

It all comes down to the watch screen. MIP vs Amoled. If you haven't own a smartwatch before, then you won't miss what you don't have if you go via MIP route 255. I see my worker's fenix with MIP screen and I prefer the amoled's visibily. I have a 245 and I'm happy with the 265 jump. If budget is the issue I would just go with the 255.

I have the 245 and 265. I actually like the touch screen when scrolling my data versus the buttons. Especially when looking at the morning report. Very convenient when scrolling. I was hesitant to get the 265 back then but happy i did. Love the screen. Very bright. My next one will definitely the 970. I love the flashlight, sapphire and titanium features.

For what you said, I'd probably do the 265. The 965 has much better mapping when you don't have a phone on you, but that's the main difference. The 965 also has more storage, it's really designed for people who want to run without a phone on them. I have a 965 and am training for my first marathon. I love it. Really depends on how much you value offline mapping features. If you have your phone on you the extra storage doesn't really matter. So the 265 is cheaper and has everything you need, unless you want those extra mapping option.

That was my issue with the AWU1. I *loved* that it allowed me to not bring my phone on runs but I didn't like the weight of it on my wrist and it felt way too thick. My Forerunner 265 has been perfect. If Apple made a watch that was 265 size, a legit fitness device, and had cell connection I'd be all over it. EDIT: Looking a the spec the AWU3 is 1.6mm thinner but 0.4g heavier than the AWU1.

I just got the 265 and my battery life is a week max. I feel I’m doing something wrong

If you’re not training for races you’d be more than fine with a 165/265.

I opted for the 265s just because i prefer the smaller size. It works well with runna.

265 series can download from spotify and has a solid heart rate sensor.

I wouldn't say the 265 is any more beginner friendly, it's going to be a near identical experience besides the new HR sensor and a few new metrics that, once you get used to everything, you'll probably want. Just run with your watch for now, and maybe setup the Garmin Coach if you'd like to improve and get some daily suggestions. You're probably best off reading the manual, tap Help in the top right in the Connect app for metrics you're curious about, and ignore the things you don't care about yet. That said, if you want to save money, you'd probably be perfectly fine with the 265, especially if it's on sale. Just don't expect it to be any more beginner friendly.

If you want it only for running, then look at forerunner 255/265 or 955/965 (these with 5 in the middle have MIP screens, these with 6 have AMOLED). I’m recommending these since they’re smaller and lighter, but if you like the looks of fenix 7 go for it. In terms of HR recording you’re gonna need chest strap for running if you want to get accurate measurements. Measuring the heart rate from wrist is good until it come down to trainings with variable intensity, for example the watch alone is very bad at recording hr during intervals. In terms of GPS, fr 955/965 have the best one (multiband gps). The difference is visible when recording next to high building or in the forest. The type of screen is something where you need to see comparison between these two, I’m personally in love with MIP for its visibility when being outside and way better battery life. But everyone prefers something different so this decision is up to you. I personally have fenix 7s which i bought mainly for everyday use and hiking/biking. But I started to run with it and it’s perfect for me. Everyday training suggestions are very nice, especially if you wear the watch all the time. It’s taking many factors into account (for example sleep, stress, training load, your performance and many more) so every training is adjusted to you, no need to think what you should do.

Yes on the 265. Some other garmins I had a fenix 5 before and that had an indoor run mode. The accuracy is improved either with a footpod. Garmin make one or stryd I think it's called. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-F41EAFB3-6CC9-42DE-9C6C-9E358DBB0671/EN-US/GUID-3A4C7C6C-1FE3-4EB5-B38E-3F744A5C1F00.html%23:~:text%3DThe%2520watch%2520can%2520be%2520used,the%2520accelerometer%2520in%2520the%2520watch.&ved=2ahUKEwiVjO6nmcWLAxUeT0EAHVACBMQQFnoECBMQBQ&usg=AOvVaw2jd9brKIf5nZGMrm3N0SLa The watch can be used for training indoors, such as running on an indoor track or using a stationary bike or indoor trainer. GPS is turned off for indoor activities. When running or walking with GPS turned off, speed and distance are calculated using the accelerometer in the watch.

I don't know about the other ones, but the option to load Spotify music and podcasts into the 265 for offline listening without having to resort to my mobile to me is a huge plus.

I went with the 265. The 570 just didn't seem at all worth $150 extra. As far as I can tell the 265 and 570 are the same watch, the 570 is just newer?

Yes, the point is that the tests he normally performs are heart rate, sleep and GPS tests. The issue is that this data goes through X algorithms that will “interpret” it differently. For example, according to their videos, the Huawei watches have excellent sensor accuracy, on the other hand, the interpretation they make of data for sleep, for example, is very bad... even though there is an inaccuracy in Garmin watches for heartbeats, the Garmin algorithm is very good at estimating, for example, calories, number of steps, recovery, etc. and so on... now whether it's worth it, depends, I think that for the cost (at least in Brazil, where I live) it's not worth it, for example, the 165 costs practically 2 times more than any Huawei or Amazfit watch (some top of the line model from these manufacturers), and they don't deliver that much more... if it's for a 265 the cost is already 3 times.... So for the cost it doesn’t end up being worth it…

Get an older model if your concerned about budget. The new features are usually not that compelling. Only go 970 if you have to have a torch and 965 if you need maps. 265 is a great watch and sounds like it will do what you want along with the 100 series too. Great MIP options out there as well because...MIP is better!

Garmin watches are better for running, cycling, swimming. Basically any serious endurance training. Apple watches feel higher quality and are better for lifestyle features like calls, texts, nicer screen etc. That being said, the Fenix 8 is kind of overkill if you are just training for a half. I would return it and get a 265, which is half the price of the Fenix 8.

Venu (3 or 3S) and Vivoactive 5 are both cute and come in neutral colors. They're decent for running but are more "lifestyle" watches than running watches. The 265S (S means it's the smaller version) is better for a serious runner. It isn't super "cute" but it comes in white with light blue accents. You can buy aftermarket straps of course.

As a lifter, I love my 265S, but could still get most of the benefit from anything in the forerunner line. I like that I can program a workout and have the watch beep at me when I've been resting for X minutes and it's time to do the next set. That's about all the strength training feature is useful for, for me. Although tbh I don't track all my weightlifting workouts with a watch. The recovery metrics don't really account for it in any useful way, so it's more for time management than actual workout tracking. I love the running features on the 265S (especially training status, load, etc) which is why I went with that over a 165 or 55.

Definitely better for exercise (onboard GPS, better HR tracking), but I wouldn't say worse for sleep. The amount of coaching you get will vary with the exact model of garmin, but something like a Forerunner 265 will do sleep tracking, readiness, HRV, etc. Whether you like the app better or worse is a matter of preference, but I don't see any objective criteria by which it's worse than whoop. Maybe I'm missing something though, feel free to ask questions.

The 265 has training status, training load, lactate threshold tests, and a slightly more accurate GPS. It also comes in two screen sizes. If you aren't super excited about any of those things, the 165 will be fine.

I bought and returned a 165 (realizing I LOVED the Garmin system, coming from an Apple Watch) and got the 570 for the coaching, recovery and additional training metrics... But, before I jumped to the 570 I strongly considered the 265 Music. Music on the Garmin has been better for me than using my iPhone (using the Garmin Spotify app).

I ordered a 265 last spring and ended up sending it back. I know it’s made of a plastic that’s very strong and durable but I didn’t care for the look. It felt very light and cheap, but I also came from an Apple Watch Ultra 2 which is a CHONK of a watch. Sent it back and got the 965 on sale for Father’s Day and like it much better. The lower models are great watches, just wasn’t what I was after.

265. Battery degradation is a thing and the 265 has a newer HR sensor. Also whole watch is lightet and for me vetter suited for Running

I reeeally wanted something like the Vivoactive when I was last watch shopping - mainly because of the appearance + size, even the 265S (which is what I ended up with) still feels pretty chunky on my wrist.  However, the Vivoactive doesn’t support custom structured workouts, which is a must for me. Hoping they add that feature to their more casual lines going forward! 

I've had a Swim2 and upgraded to a 265 (which has a better accelerometer). Stroke detection probably won't get much better with an Apple. My watches sometimes confuse sprint free and fly, but otherwise it mostly gets it right. I find stroke detection matters a lot less than being able to count laps anyway. Auto lap counting on all watches is about the same.... all are 95%+ but if you want 100% you need manual stop/start and only Garmin has that

I focus a lot on strength training too and just got a 265...what watch did you end up with? My understanding is the garmin ecosystem is just not great for strength training really. I only am looking forward to doing the workout on the watch itself and not w/a phone...

Using aw meaning you need to charge ypur watch almost each day meanwhile garmin will last more than a week (if you take 265)

I know a lot of athletes. So, by extension, I know a lot of Garmin watch owners. Of all the 965 owners I reckon about 10% of them, max, use the watch to its full capacity. The other 90% use it in a way the 265 would satisfy without a shadow of doubt - and at a significantly smaller price point. Get a 265 (or a 265s) and watch, even then, the amount of things you barely make use of. Garmins are great (I wear one) but they flex a bucket load of features and IMO most people make use of two or three things for their sport of choice. This is why people get sucked in by the 900 series models.

My wife has a FR165 and she loves it. She's a relatively new runner. I really like my 265 but it's a bit more pricey.

I have awful Bluetooth issues with my Forerunner 265

I use 265 and I love it

Garmin has many different watches, some of them are cheaper than an Apple watch, e.g. forerunner 265. Apple watches focus on the communcation side of things but are not necessarily the best option for sports as they have shorter battery life and offer less functionality. There are however other good Brands such as suunto, coros(?) and Polar

I have the 265 and I like it.  It has almost every stat.  I think it’s just missing “Endurance Score.”  The heart rate sensor is the V4 and it could be better.  It doesn’t respond as quickly as I would like, and so it’s not great for tracking quick increases in HR like sprints/hill climbs, so it doesn’t always put those in the anaerobic bucket as it should.  The V5 sensor may be better at this but I’m not sure. If you want all of the run dynamics stuff Garmin can do, you need a separate sensor.  The obvious one to get is the Garmin HR strap, which solves the HR lag issues, but of course you have to wear the strap.

Garmin 265. Love it, never take it off

FR265 also has the latest multi-band GPS. The major differences with FR965 are maps, a longer battery life and few extra sport profiles and advanced metrics like stamina, but the FR265 has all the core advanced training tools like training status, pacepro, readiness) I think for a runner-only user, people are overselling the difference between FR265 and FR965 :)

No XP with the 165, but the 265 is an absolute workhorse. I’ve now trained for and ran three marathons with it. It’s a beast that has yet to let me down.

I went through the whole smartwatch search a couple months ago. I tried the Apple Watch and hated feeling like my phone was strapped to me (disabling all notifications did not work!!) Everyone told me to get a Forerunner if I’m a runner and I tried the 265 but the bulk and sporty look of it really turned me off. Returned and got the Garmin Venu 3s and it is perfect. It has everything I need, the battery lasts all week, it has all the running stats I care about and it’s just generally been a delight!! I also love that it looks classy with a nicer outfit so I can wear it all day without feeling like it clashes.

Easy FR970 Keeping smart features aside that AW gets with its apple integration. You don’t know how much AW or any apple watch in general lacks when compared to a mere Garmin FR 265. Let alone me FR570 or 970

Was holding out for a 270 but instead i got a 265 with mic and speaker and two days less battery life. I use my current 945 for running, WTAF do i want a mic and speaker for on a watch when i have to carry a phone as well to use them? The 970 doesnt appeal either as i'm too old and blind these days to use the mapping feature on the 9xx series. It seems the target market of this is influencers that like to pose as runners but actually spend most of their time looking at pictures of themselves on their phone or talking to like minded people. Its a Vivoactive by another name. Looks like i'll be picking up a 265 discounted and hoping for the best after that.

Think about your desired features and uses (future proof a little, maybe) and check the DC Rainakers comparison chart [https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-comparison-calculator](https://www.dcrainmaker.com/product-comparison-calculator) For Garmin (I love my Forerunner 265) the FR series is intended for runners. The 165 should be nice.

Garmin Forerunner 265, or Forerunner 965 are great for your needs.

Read over those features.... didn't even know these existed, wow. They seem quite useful as well (and seemingly available on my FR265 too). Thanks

Compared to the 265, you'll miss out on the animated weight lifting, bike stuff (power meters, etc), and multi sport mode. So if you aren't going to do a triathlon, the 165 is pretty great. Also the animated weights are neat but ONLY useful if you pick a weights plan by Garmin or spend the time programming the routine in connect.

Lower price sometimes. When I bought my 265 it was cheaper than the 255 Music because of the BCBS discount. OP: look at the 165 or 165 Music. The 2xx adds biking metrics you really don't need. If you have blue cross, it's $240. Then compare to the 55. The 55 does not do offline music at all, so it's $160 with the discount.

For biking I'd suggest a 265 instead, just cause the 265 supports power meters and multi sport while the 165 doesn't. Otherwise the 165 is pretty great.

The big thing is the 965 has full maps, the 265 can just follow courses with spoken directions (turn left in 0.1 miles). The 965 has a few other cycling things that the 265 doesn't. Both have lifting animations if you build lift plans in connect with the right exercises that have animations. Most my running friends have 2xx except one has a 920 that she's had for 10 years.

Feature updates (adding new stuff) won't happen. Garmin has stopped that for watches that have been replaced by a newer model (the 265 has been replaced by the 570) But minor bug fixes and security updates will still happen.

I made the switch. However, I find the body battery/sleep tracking better on the 55 than my 265. From reading online, I suspect some of the 265s have a faulty sensor. I use an external HRM and I find the training status and performance stats are really good.

I have a Fenix ​​7Pro, 265, and AWU1. I also used a 965 before. Unless you have a specific use or design preference, most Garmin watches are similar.

I'm assuming HS/collegiate XC... I'd find a Forerunner 255 or 265. They're older models, but don't let that fool you as they both will do everything you're looking for (and more!) at a much lower price point than a 570/965/970.

965 is the best watch garmin makes, its the same screen, internals, etc as the new Fenix 8. 265 is a slightly smaller screen that does just about everything that 965 does but lacks the on screen maps. 265s has an even smaller screen, and even the 165 has a better screen than the S model. All the garmin watches last well over a week between charges and the idea that you have to charge an apple/samsung watch daily is just idiotic. Get what makes you happy.

Do you want the best watch Garmin makes for half the money? Then get the FR965. Its the same 1.4"454x454 OLED screen and brains as the Fenix8 47mm&51mm that's twice the price. Although the 265 will probably do everything you need, but with a slightly smaller screen with only 415x415 pixels and 1.3" like the Fenix8 43mm watch.

If you want maps on watch you take the 955. If you dont care like I do take the 265. Navigation still works wothout the actual drawn maps and its easy and intuitive.

Check out the forerunner 255 not too bulky and will do that you need from it. I recently upgraded to the 265 and love it. You can't go wrong with the forerunner range

I went from 255 to 265. I prefer the 265.

Mostly used for running. Ran several marathons with it and it didn't drain my battery that much. I have the 265 now so don't know what GPS setting it had.

Not sure at all. lol Had no issues and now have the 265, also have no issues.

The 255 music is a great watch. I now have the forerunner 265. Just a point on fasting. It's not really recommended for runners. Try to ensure you are fuelling enough as you increase your mileage.

FR255 is not touch screen. I went from VA 4 to FR 255 then to FR 265. The 265 is really good and has the touch screen.

This is my 265. I love it. Yours will be smaller if you get the 265s. I've never had venu 3. https://preview.redd.it/56qkkn1o76lf1.jpeg?width=1311&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=536fee5e57d69c0a8ee8385367011540f296ff41

It's big enough. You can get difference sizes. I like it big so I can see the screen lol

I had 255 and recently bought the 265. 265 has touch screen and better features. Also looks better if you can afford the 265. 👌

I sold my last 2 Garmin watches on Vinted. EBay is also an option. Upgraded to a forerunner 265 this year and love it.

I also have the same use case as you and I’m happy with my forerunner 165. If your budget permits, go for forerunner 265, you will not regret.

If cost is not an issue, go for it. I have the forerunner 265 and it does everything you could want. I’ve had it for 2 years now I think

A 265 costs like…$300 bucks on sale. But sure…go get an Apple Watch for twice that or more and have to buy and pay for all kinds of apps! You will show Garmin!

Will the Apple Watch work, battery wise, for marathon training? Yes, for one year for sure. Beyond that I have had miserable luck with them over the years. Finally went back to Garmin (265) for this round and man, I love the battery life and not having to worry at all about it. I use run casts for pods and it’s pretty effortless.

265 all the way

first, you won't run any faster or better with a new garmin, so what do you expect from a new watch? I would go with the fr 265 as sombody wrote the 255 is outdated. But I have to admit, every Garmin is outdated after release because of their policies, you won't get any funcional updates after release, only bug fixes. So the 265 was followed by the actual 570. BUT, the only FR with maps and navigation (which was essential for me) is the fr 970 [Garmin Running Watch Comparison | Which Watch](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/which-watch/running/compare/) even the 570 lacks maps and navigation. You could go with the FR 965 which is the previous model to the fr 970... if you don't need navigation check with the 265 (cheaper) or 570 (newer one, mor features)

Go for the 265s, it’s a nice upgrade over the others and will kinda future proof yourself on missing out and getting more into the stats if needed

There are plenty of small differences between the 255 and 265, but the biggest and most obvious is the display. The 255 is a non-touch MIP display. It's basically a less laggy, more colorful Kindle display. The 265 is a touchscreen AMOLED. Will look and feel mostly similar to using an apple watch display. I'm personally an MIP fanboy. Always-on by design, great battery life, and easy on the eyes. But it's not gonna win any beauty contests sitting next to an AMOLED watch. If you can, I'd definitely check out the displays in person. My local best buy usually has a few running watches on display. They may not have the 255 specifically, but any MIP watch will give you an idea of what you're dealing with.

Bought the 165 and kinda wish I had went for the 265. Didn’t know at the time but I would like the multi sport option/triathlon training. I got to really enjoy running but have since gotten into mixed Hyrox style training as well. So mixing in Hyrox movements with a fair amount of running. I’d like to track that better and can’t with the 165. If I didn’t mix workout activities I’d be fine with the 165.

My Garmin Forerunner 265 died and I need a new watch for running. I liked the Forerunner but it was overkill for my needs - I only care about pace, distance, and heart rate. Any recommendations for a lower priced fitness watch with enough battery life for a half marathon?

Uh. Just turn off the notifications to the phone. It's easy. I did it. Forerunner 265.

Vivoactive was fine for me for about 6 months, then recently upgraded to a forerunner 265, I don’t think I could go back, way nicer, better in every way, and loving the extra data points.

This. I bought the Forerunner 265, which is probably a bit overkill for a total beginner like me (I even considered the even more expensive FR 965, but figured I didn't need maps for running around the blocks, also the FR 265 was expensive enough). However I found it very great and motivating (which might also be, because I shelled out so much money for it I kinda have to exercise to make it worthwile 😂). I like how the watch adopts to my current level and adjusts the C25K plan accordingly, so I never feel over- or underwhelmed. Also I like having my training plan on my wrist with nice graphics. Plus, I can track swimming, which is nice. Currently on week 7 of my 12-week C25k-plan from Garmin and today the first time I ran 2 minutes nonstop! (it's usually 8 or 10 x 2 mins walking, 1 min running in week 7)

I have a Garmin 955 solar my daughter has the 265s but my wife is much less into running than we are and she has the Fitbit versa four or three I forget which one whatever the latest one is, you could probably get by with the Fitbit and pro tip you can pick up new ones all the time on Facebook marketplace for like $60 versa four we got for $60 you can find Fitbit charge 6 for $60 all over the place at least where I'm located. The one I bought for my wife was brand new in the box $60

I own both of these in that I have the 955 and I bought the 265 for my wife. Whew, that AMOLED is hella nice….but the 955 does everything and more for what I need, but I sure wish I had that display.

I had the exact query a couple months ago… watched a ton of reviews on YouTube. I am personally more interested in the health and fitness data/functions over the smart watch, voice etc functions of the Venu 3. After about 6 weeks of use I couldn’t be happier with my 265.

I’ve had an Apple Watch and used it for lifting and running. Liked it very much but it died… don’t swim with it in salty water… Now a Garmin forerunner 265, also for the same sports. Like them both, different but they do the job. For the criteria you’re mentioning, I think the Apple Watch is a better choice since you’re already in that ecosystem (I’m too) and besides sports, it’s a great device.

I would get the 265 for 1 reason only: The dual band GPS tracking. I have the 6s Pro and sometimes it shows the wrong pace and is extremely annoying.

I mean I wouldn’t get the 965 because it is too big for my wrist, unfortunately garmin forgets some of us, mostly women also love to run….but tbh I don’t see any advantage of this over my 265s, less battery life, same music, etc, and I am fine not taking calls during my runs thank you…especially since I have an iPhone, I had an Apple Watch already and never used the microphone there anyways.

I bought the 165 at first. Unfortunately I haver very small wrists which meant the watch moved around and due to how the hr sensor is located it got cadence lock every time. So I returned it and got the 265s, which is smaller and due to a flatter design just works better for my wrist. In addition as it was an olde remodel I managed to get it 20% off (and that was 1.5 yrs ago, so you definetly can get it cheaper now) so the price difference was small. Honestly it ha s a lot of extras like much better gps, better battery life by a long shot and all have music. I love it and it still feels brand new!!!

The 265s has amazing gps and is small too. Love it!!!

I have a Garmin Forerunner 265. I have Garmin on my three bikes. I like have one ecosystem. I was an Apple fan boy 20+ years ago. After have SO many bricked products I'll never own anything Apple again.

I've used both wrist based HR and chest straps for years, and the difference isn't that big anymore with the exception of cycling. Wrist HR is completely useless on a bike (but HR isn't that useful when you have power data anyway). I've tracked runs using my fr265 on one wrist and another watch paired to a chest strap, and the 265 really only loses accuracy with acute changes in effort (hills, intervals). Other than that it's fine. That said, I always use the strap anyway since I don't like having my watch tight enough to read properly when I run.

I find the 200-series to be the absolute sweet spot for folks who want to run and not bike/golf/swim. Like several folks have already said, if you can fit it into your budget, I'd reach for the 265.

I would try to get the 265 if you can for the AMOLED touch screen alone.

I had the 265, but because of my work, I switch to the Instinct 3. As far as I can tell, both watches offer all the same metrics. I love the fact that I don't have to baby the watch at all, and the flashlight is a big plus.

265. All day. If you're at all serious about running. PM me if you're buying from Garmin

Forerunner 265, could probably have gone with instinct 2 but i wanted the pay function

Running, training? Then absolutely NOT the Venu 3 (my watch)-it is absolutely lacking Training metrics. Nice watch but not for the serious runner. Instead the FR265 (no maps) or FR965 has maps on board.

FYI: the FR255, compared to the FR955, 265, 965 less training metrics, missing Training Readiness. FR255/955 Mips display versus Amoled others.

If training effort monitoring is key, you should really consider the FR265.

Depends. If you are into sporting, training-build like running and looking for supporting metrics, then not those 2 watches but instead a Forerunner 265 or higher.

Not sure when preparing for a triathlon. The 255 (MIP’ display vs tge others Amoled) is lacking the training readiness & components huge feature set. Better FR265 (or successor 570) or 965 if maps required

If training (program) building up fitness, is your thing I’d not take the Venu 3 (my watch). Instead look at the FR265 which, at the same time has proper health tracking. When I’d be into training, I’d swap my Venu 3 for it.

Precisely that. Treaning readiness and components. See dc.rainmaker on the FR265. The Venu 3 is very limited in that respect. True it has the latest Elevate 5 HR sensor though. In the end a matter of priorities and budget.

since you don't do other sports other than running, why not get the 265? 965 is overkill unless you'll try triathlon in the future.

Just switched and the gps is much more accurate for me

The screen of the 955 would be a major drawback coming from an Apple. I would go for the 265 instead. Note that the 965 is also on sale quite often. Got mine for 450 euro.

Do you have a power meter or smart trainer? 265 vs 965 to my eye is mostly about maps and auto detection of FTP. Auto detection of FTP is pretty cool if you have the other gadgetry to support it, and not so relevant otherwise. The 265 has really good cycling support other than that. My 165 is kind of disappointing but that's somewhat mitigated by also using an Edge.

I had a 610 years ago and a 700-series a different time. Might be getting it backwards. I think there's always been a 900-series? The intermediate models tend to wander, though I think they've usually had a 200-series as well. I had a 230 for a while and I know there was a 245, 255 and 265, so it was a reasonable assumption that there'd be a 270. DC Rainmaker kind of hated the 165 and 265. Like his reviews really read like he thought we should get Instincts instead. He's also been talking about how Garmin is maybe trying to rationalize their line. So maybe now it's Lifestyle watches -> Instinct -> FR 570 -> FR 970 -> Fenix -> higher-end Fenix variants. I dunno... I was really waiting for this because I wanted to at least wait a generation before replacing my 165. But the price hike in the 970 is kind of a shock. Maybe I'll do a 965 in a bit, now that there's something to make it last year's model. Now that I have AMOLED I don't really want to go back, especially if part of my deal is wanting maps.

Sounds like a good plan. I can't remember which Fenix was the first to be a dive watch but the only other is the much more expensive Descent. If you don't need the additional features from the Descent and the Fenix replaces a dive computer, it seems like you end up getting a really good value. It's worth comparing to some of the Forerunners if the dive aspect doesn't look that strong to you. I think the 255, 265 and 570 do everything you need for actual training functions. The 955, 965 and 970 add maps and the 970 adds a running tolerance function that might be helpful for marathon training. How much do you run now? Do you have a training plan picked out? While Garmin has all of Daily Suggested Workouts, adaptive training plans, and fully pre-set training plans, they all have their issues for a marathon. I actually quite like DSW but more for filling in the gaps and helping maintain balance. https://lifehacker.com/health/what-its-like-to-train-for-a-race-with-garmins-training-plans

DC Rainmaker has some pretty good reviews, including of Amazfit et al. Generally people who like smartwatches generally find Garmin just ok at being a smartwatch. I feel like they're good enough to find out I really dislike them in general without spending extra money, but my wife and daughter both wear smartwatches most of the time. As a sports watch, I think the bottom-tier Forerunner is pretty disappointing. The 200- and 500-series models give you a much broader feature set, though of course it comes at a price. I think the 255 is probably still peak value since the 265 got a nicer screen and price hike without a lot of new features and the 570 came out earlier this year and is the current model. The Instinct 2 could also be a good pick. There's a comparison tool on Garmin's website. DC Rainmaker too, I think, and he'll let you compare across brands. When I came back to running in like 2011 or so, I just wanted an interval timer. Since then I've really appreciated pace and heart rate feedback and tracking and lately training load/load focus and Daily Suggested Workouts. Also lactate threshold auto detection because that field test sucks!

I just got a 265 and it has been great

I Had the FR255 and switched to a FR265 lately only for the amoled. I have never used the Touch since... Most Times it annoyes me because i am pushing it accidentally... The Buttons are so intuitive, you wont need the Touch. I Just didn't Like the mips

I came from a Samsung Galaxy watch and was used to the amoled for years. The mips is ok but the amoled is more fancy and i just Like it more. But i got it on a Sale for 250€... I guess i would still use the 255 otherwise because for me the 140€ for Just the Display would be too much too.

I have the Forerunner 265. I set up and sync matches with my phone. My bag with my phone in it is left in a locker room or elsewhere and is not connected to my watch during games. It works just fine. I do have to sync the matches afterwards, but not after every match necessarily.

You can turn notifications off on the watch. My Garmin isn’t my everyday watch so I just keep all notifications off.

Well, what do you want to track during your workouts? Find a watch that does that. The Forerunner 55 is more than enough if all you want is to track your time and mileage. Bump up to the 265 for better GPS and more coaching options. Not sure why you'd go for the 965 unless you want maps, in which case, sure, that's a fine option. On the Apple Watch, btw, you don't have to look at the stand hours at all. You can turn off all the complications and notifications about your rings, and then you can pretend they don't exist. Not really a problem then, right?

265 has load ratio and acute load. [https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-F41EAFB3-6CC9-42DE-9C6C-9E358DBB0671/EN-US/GUID-200689D7-F65C-40F0-BB82-3C51236C676A.html](https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-F41EAFB3-6CC9-42DE-9C6C-9E358DBB0671/EN-US/GUID-200689D7-F65C-40F0-BB82-3C51236C676A.html) [https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-F41EAFB3-6CC9-42DE-9C6C-9E358DBB0671/EN-US/GUID-AEDB0872-C5A1-4378-86D5-2239734B59E8.html](https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-F41EAFB3-6CC9-42DE-9C6C-9E358DBB0671/EN-US/GUID-AEDB0872-C5A1-4378-86D5-2239734B59E8.html)

The maps on the 955 would be worth it for me, since I use the navigation features a lot when trail running. The rest of the training tools are mild nice-to-haves, no real game changers. If you don't think you'd use the maps, and you prefer the AMOLED screen, then the 265 would make sense.

I have a watch (FR 265) with wrist based running dynamics, I obsess over all the training data I can get, and yet I cannot figure out how the running dynamics could possibly help me in any way lol. I don't think that would be my deciding factor for the vivoactive 6 vs 5. If someone wants the most possible running metrics, that points to a Forerunner over a vivoactive. If you use running dynamics in your training somehow, may I ask what exactly you get from them and how you use that information? Genuinely curious if there's something I'm missing besides looking at the pretty charts.

I love my Forerunner 265!

Switched from Apple Watch S5 to forerunner 265 this Black Friday. Haven’t looked back!

165 has AMOLED too. 265 has training readiness and training status. I personally prefer to listen to my body rather than relying on an algorithm. A gimmick imo. 265 has triathlon mode which is nice. Also some extra sports like skiing. Personally, the extra sports the 265 has I like to enjoy without having them to be tracked. Like skiing. 265 has multi band GPS but according to a lot of reviews this barely matters unless you’re in Manhattan or very dense forests. 265 is also 46mm and the 165 42mm. For me 46mm is way too big, but you could also get the 265S. Forerunner 165: €229 (about $230) Forerunner 265: €429 (about $450) So personally I would be paying almost double for triathlon mode, which I don’t use.

Just pulled trigger on Forerunner 265 off Amazon. Had a gift-card from retirement party so applied that which brought it down. I’ve been researching, asking GROK based on my workouts/runs/rucks and shopping on Marketplace.. had two on the hook that slipped away but no warranty with those.. look forward to setting it up and ruck/running to see what is what as well as the other options

I have a Forerunner 265 - it tracks runs, treadmill, weights.. but probably others out there that are easier to use. I love it and don’t use like an Apple Watch, but more just the daily stats on sleep, steps, stress, calories, water intake etc. I still haven’t learned all the details of this watch.. pretty advanced and most of them are nowadays. So to your question, I’d use chat GPT and ask that question. That’s how I found the model I purchased.

I have both. You can make either work for you. I actually prefer iPhone notifications on Garmin to those on AW. As a runner, I much prefer Garmin’s physical buttons to AW touchscreen. My daughter does boot camp several days a week. She switched from AW to Garmin 265s last year and loves it. Sometimes it’s just fun to play with something different.

Depends on where you ride and if you want or can use a phone for navigation. 265 doesn’t have maps and isn’t very suited for navigation. If the phone doesn’t work for you, you’ll need a watch with maps.

M61 VO2Max 56. Delighted with my 1 yr old 255 that replaced my 245. Love the display on the 265 but I’m certain the Amoled display won’t help me run further or faster

I just had this argument. 255 was reduced to £200, bargain, the 265 wasn’t worth the price increase to £320. But I wanted the 255M so no need for a phone when running, that’s £240. My friend then introduced me to the offer of the Epix Pro Gen 2, reduced to £370 from £740. It has maps, music, all the 255-265 and Fénix options, whilst looking beautiful and more watch like. Had it for a few days now and so glad I did. Everything the 255-265-955 and Fénix can do, at a fantastic price point, with the luxury feel of a £900 watch

970 has like sapphire glass and a flashlight over the 965, if you don't need/want those then get the 965, or even a 265 depending how long your hikes/ultras are.

No, 265 is more value for money.

If you are not going beyond 20k be it running, cycling or walking, map is not really a necessity. With that in mind, a 255, 165 or 265 would be more manageable without breaking your bank. You can check out their features.

Definitely 955 over 265. Ideally 965. 

I have a Forerunner 265 and the HRM Pro Plus and zero complaints. Would absolutely recommend.

i’m not too familiar with the coros so i wouldn’t be able to say. the only thing i know is that since the 570 came out the 265s can be bought second hand for cheap nowadays

I recently got the FR265. My Apple Watch screen cracked and I was tired of having to charge every night. I gotta say, I’ll never look back - garmin has been legit for everything so far. I do a lot of running and biking. The stats they provide like lactate threshold and FTP outperforms the Apple Watch by miles. It suggests the next days workouts and tracks my body fatigue levels to let me know when I should ease off. With that said, I decided not to track gym/weight lifting sessions on it because I have to push a button after each set. Too much work. The Apple Watch was better for that because I could set it to weight training and it’d just record the entire 60 minute session. But overall the fr265 is great! I’m still learning all about the features. Edit: also, the Apple Watch just gives average pace whilst this one gives me my real time pace all the time. Game changer

I have the 265. It’s great. I run once a week. Sometimes every other week. The biggest reason I chose Garmin over AW was the battery life. Went to Mexico for 7 days on a full charge never had to think about plugging it in. It does enough for my needs in regards to connecting to my phone.

I’ve done a ALOT of sea swims with Garmin 265, still good as new. Apple Watch is the most basic watch you can get, it does a lot of things at surface level but once you show more interest in a hobby/activity you’ll realise how little thought they have for user experience or should I say athletes experience. That’s the reason I moved to Garmin and have zero regrets.

Both are excellent for running. You can also look at the Forerunner 955 (MIP screen) if the AMOLED screen is not an important criterion for you, you will be able to save money. The advantage of the 955 compared to the 265 is that it has integrated mapping (so if one day you want to go hiking or trail running it will be very useful to you). In any case, both are excellent devices for progressing in running. Good luck to you 🏃🏻‍♂️💨

"Real time stamina" is pretty much the most useless feature that exists on the watch. The main improvement the 955 has over the 265 is the maps.

Maps are a big gaping hole for the 265

It saved me when I went off course during the middle of the night during a 100 miler. Maps are totally worth it

If you use a powermeter get the 265 or higher. I've used the 165 but the lack of powermeter support made me swith to 265 rather fast. Now I'm using the 970 and I only use my edge cycling computer for convenience, all the evaluation is done by the watch as my main training hub.

I own the 265 and honestly I barely use touch or training readiness. Training readiness is more like a folder for me to access sleepscore and recovery...if I go by feeling I have the same results but it's a nice gimmick.

The forerunner's will be fine. It comes down to preference, do you want LED or MIP screen? Do you need maps? Something like the 165 or the 255/265 will be more than fine. 955 if you want maps. 965 if you want maps+LED screen. Instinct 2 and 3 will work too, its just more rugged basically. All of them are solid, road and trail runner friendly.

My advice is don't byut a watch for your current fitness needs but one that would serve you well if your needs expand. Fitness needs have a high rate of expanding upon the purchase of a watch. Anything from the FR265 upwards is ideal. I would say the Vivoactive and Venu range might leave you wanting later down the line as they are closer to lifestyle than fitness.

FR 265 medyo mapang lait nga lang tong watch na to. eto din gamit ko ngayon 😂😂😂

I’ve got an ultra 2, you can either use the runna app for spoken cues and a bit more of a “guided run” or have the runs in the native workouts app where it’s a bit more basic where your watch beeps and vibrates as you run (which I prefer). If you’re only using the watch for runs then I’d def reach for a Garmin 265 or similar with dual band GPS (will sort those gps issues)

165 would be more than enough watch for you. 265 has a longer lasting battery, bigger screen, more training metrics. The dual band gps on the 265 will hardly ever be noticeable. 265 has “training readiness”, which is a nice little feature but far from a game changer.

An AW is horrible to run with - its interfaces are truly not designed for ease of use for working out. I have the 265 and it’s just enough.

Just got a 265 I am happy with

Same here. Loved my 645 but I am happy with the upgrade.

I’d go [Forerunner 265](https://www.reddit.com/r/DecideWise/comments/1m6dtw6/my_forerunner_265_experience_using_it/). I’m using one now for running and it checks everything on the list without paying 965 or Fenix money. You get multiband GPS for very solid tracks in cities and on tree-covered routes, plus Garmin’s newer training tools like Training Readiness, HRV status, race widget, race prediction, training load and recovery time.

I've research a few Garmin models for running, and honestly the [Garmin Forerunner 265](https://www.reddit.com/user/wajid123_/comments/1ncraze/best_android_smartwatches_under_300/) hits the sweet spot. GPS accuracy is excellent, battery easily handles long runs, and the AMOLED display is super clear even in sunlight. It's got VO2 max, training readiness, and race prediction built in basically all the advanced metrics without paying fenix level prices.

If you want a mic and speaker your cheapest option is the venu 3, whith likely best option the forerunner 570 (there is also the more expensive and fully featured FR970 and the top end fenix 8 or the multi-use venu x1 if you want rectangular). If you can live without mic and speaker your cheapest option is the FR165 Music, however I personally think you get way more by going for the Vivoactive 5 or 6 as it offers more in terms of other recreational leisure activities, or if you want more training metrics and fitness features around running, cycling and swimming then the FR265

Apple watch ultra 2 is your only real option for longer battery life and esim and the rest of the features you want. You do know that if you have a spotify premium sub you don't have to have an e-sim to listen to music, as you can download playlists and save them onto the device, unfortunately offline spotify is only available on wear os watches (not an option for iPHone as locked to android), apple watches and garmin. Garmin may be a good option as can do offline spotify playlists, and has built in route options or can pull them from strava, syncs data with strava way better than apple does; and the models that offer music all offer at least up to 10 days battery life, and they can offer way more than garmin does in terms of built in training metric and analytics and features. Note offline music + gps on watch is a heavy battery drain - so 1hr or gps activity + offline music and you are looking to recharge every 4-6 days (maybe longer) depending on the model, compared to multiple charge per day on AW (assuming you sleep with it) or daily charge on AWU2 If you want a mic and speaker look at venu 3, FR570, FR970, Venu x1 and Fenix 8 series. Otherwise you could go with vivoactive 5 or 6; FR265, FR965, FR955 and prior fenix 7 (and its variants like Epix 2 etc).

I would recommend against the Pace 3. It's a great deal and a great running watch, but I can't recommend it for swimming. The biggest problems with it are that 1) you can't customize the rest screen, which is the only screen that matters while swimming, and 2) the default rest screen doesn't show what Garmin calls "Repeat On" time (last lap time + current rest). For example, if you are doing 10x100 @ 1:30, you won't see a timer counting up to 1:30 so you know when to send off again--you'll see something like Last Lap: 1:22 and Rest: 0:05, so you have to do mental math and wait for rest to be 0:08 to know when to send off again. That's not feasible during hard sets with short rest. Get the Garmin 165/255/265. I got the 265s, and while it's more expensive, it actually has everything I need while swimming. I have no regrets in returning the Pace 3 for it.

Get the Garmin 165/255/265. I would recommend against the Pace 3. It's a great deal and a great running watch, but I can't recommend it for swimming. The biggest problems with it are that 1) you can't customize the rest screen, which is the only screen that matters while swimming, and 2) the default rest screen doesn't show what Garmin calls "Repeat On" time (last lap time + current rest). For example, if you are doing 10x100 @ 1:30, you won't see a timer counting up to 1:30 so you know when to send off again--you'll see something like Last Lap: 1:22 and Rest: 0:05, so you have to do mental math and wait for rest to be 0:08 to know when to send off again. That's not feasible during hard sets with short rest. I got the 265s, and while it's more expensive, it actually has everything I need while swimming. I have no regrets in returning the Pace 3 for it.

Advantage of the 265 is better battery life and larger screen size. The GPS in the 165 is still excellent. Also, the 265 comes with ability to store music. The 165 that’s a $50 add on. I ended up getting the 165 music for around $250 about 6 weeks ago and it’s worked great so far, but I’m probably going to give it to my wife who needs a watch. I’ll probably get the 265 mostly due to battery life. Streaming music while running eats battery and I run every day, sometimes twice a day. One advantage of the 165 is the smaller size is more comfortable for sleeping at night (tracking RHR, HRV, sleep) I have a Stryd power pod paired with my 165 so the pace is extremely accurate, more accurate than the 265 or 965 https://preview.redd.it/uvl2jfaqej0e1.jpeg?width=2297&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=804001387de828f5748ef2a2f1c5c9b570316ba1

Garmin 165 but you have to select each sport swim bike run as separate activities. Or get a 255 / 265

I recently switched from Fitbit to Garmin and I'm extremely impressed with the Garmin. I bought the "relatively inexpensive" Forerunner 265. I use it for runs, cycling, Zwift and lifting. For lifting it can do set tracking, and maybe rep counting(?) but I just set it to strength and let it be essentially a timer so I don't spend hours in the gym. It pairs with everything seamlessly, heart rate to Zwift, auto exports data to Strava, and connects to my bike's power meter without fuss. The watch will even will tell me if the battery on the power meter is low. The future is cool. I'd owned Fitbits since 2013 but their purchase by Google has left me feeling like Fitbit is a forgotten acquisition by Google to try to sell you a Pixel watch. I'm slightly nervous about Garmin+ being a subscription model but so far at least no features I care about are being held behind that paywall.

You are right, my mixup. 965 has hill score which the 265 doesn’t but other than that they are the same in terms of running dynamics

How far do you want to run, when you say XC do you mean defined courses or trail where mapping might be useful? If Mapping may be useful 955/965 these are bothe premium watches. The 955 comes with MIP display and I think is the best value watch out there. 965 same watch with amoled screen. If you may want mega distances (100km plus) maybe enduro 2/3 but that is lots more money. If you don’t want maps 255 or 265. Same as 9 series, the 255 is MIP

I did have a 265 and was really happy with it. Back then, both the 955 solar and the 265 were reduced to $599. I did pick the 265 for the following reasons: - Noticeably slimmer on the wrist as it’s not as thick - More recent release meaning it will receive updates more frequent - AMOLED screen is nice and battery life more than ok even with AOD. I got a week easily out of it I think the only thing setting the 955 apart is the longer battery life and Navigation maps. So I would pick the 265 given your use cases but I would wait for another deal. Stack it with e.g. Rebel gift cards that one usually gets for 8% off. PS: I recently sold my 265 because I upgraded to a Fenix 8. Otherwise liked the watch very much…

If all she wants for running is something that will tell her her pace and heart rate, venu is fine. If she wants a coach on her wrist, 265s is the way to go.

Get the 265. Main reason is it has multi-band GPS. If you run in cities or forests, the extra accuracy is helpful if you want the most accurate pace data.

The 265 also had multi band GPS, which gives more accurate pace and distance data. It's particularly helpful if you run near tall buildings, mountains, or in forest. The 165 is missing that feature.

Then definitely get the 265. I have the same GPS in my 965 and it's phenomenal.

If you want your watch to help you become a better runner, go with 265. It has way more training features. My wife has a venu 3 and is jealous of some of the features I have (eg daily suggested workouts, lactate threshold detection). Neither of us are "professional runners". We just like to run and get better at it.

The forerunners are designed to be sports watches, and Garmin would prefer you to buy another watch for daily use. It's marketing.

The 165 is a very bare bones running watch. If you want better battery life, more metrics and AMOLED screen go w the 265, but the 955 is a VERY good watch w essentially all the bells and whistles as the 965 sans amoled. There is a handy little comparison tool on garmin website so you can side by side the specs, though. Welcome to the cult!

To make my point, even the “Swim” tracks running and the Forerunners all track swimming. The Fenix is supposed to be for multisport, but the Forerunners also support multisport. A clever idea is to look at the size of the watch from the specs, cut out a piece of cardboard that size, and compare it to your wrist. I note that the Forerunner 265 is on sale in two sizes in your price range. It has both pool swim and open swim tracking (and all the other stuff). Nice model!

IMO, if you aren’t all in on the 965, it’s overkill for you. You’re getting a flagship running watch and aren’t planning on using it fully. You might be better off going with a 265 or something which has 95% of the features and hardware at a lower price point. Unless you’re doing it because it will make you feel good or something, I wouldn’t recommend the 965 for this use case.

That generation will be fine. The 265 is also nice if you want the vibrant colors LED offers. It’s the same watch, just different screen. I would recommend with the 255 that you specifically look for the music edition, as it has a little more memory that brings additional under the hood functionality. The 265 is equivalent to the music edition.

There are watches with less stuff, but the 265 and 965 (amoled) are great watches that are more affordable and still really packed with tech. It’s beginner friendly and at first there will be lots you probably don’t use, but it’ll give you the chance to grow into it as you get further into your fitness journey. AKA a watch you won’t feel the need to upgrade or trade in, a year or two later

I went for the 955. Just arrived and loving it. I wanted maps navigation for running abroad and trail running (just getting into this). That was the big decision maker for me, so the 265 was a no go. The significant extra cost for the 965 wasn’t worth it for the AMOLED. The 955 is probably the best value watch you can get from Garmin right now.

I’ve heard mixed things about the breadcrumbs navigation and I like the security of having a map with road names. I don’t always run with my phone. The tech is pretty much identical to the 965. One note on the 265 is that I’ve seen many mention lots of glare issues with the screen. Not sure why as it doesn’t seem to be an issue on the 965. Bottom line, it comes down to personal preference. Garmin have been good with long term updates. I was still receiving updates on my Vivoactive 4S that was released in 2019. The next gen FR could see a new HR sensor, but not sure what else. As long as the tech supports a feature, the older models within that line usually get it. If you want to wait it out for a 265, then the expectation is a 2025 release of the 275 and 975 around March-April. We shall see. But I plan on using my 955 for quite a few years. I’m seeing people only now upgrading their Fenix 5s.

Like many of you, I am deep into the Apple ecosystem. I never had an Apple Watch though until this past year as I never really wanted all the extra dings, beeps, and distractions coming from my wrist. I eventually got a series 9 for fitness tracking and was largely happy with it. However, I \*only\* used it for fitness tracking and didn't care much for other features. Most notifications were off. Also, Apple's health app is surprisingly clunky, IMO. I run, cycle, and lift, so the rings were fun and motivating at first, but over time I stopped caring about them. Sometimes I need a rest day. (Yes, I know that now you can pause your rings, but whatever.) Ultimately my reason for switching was just that I got the itch to try something new. Did I really need to? Probably not, but I wanted a dedicated fitness tracker. The better battery is great, of course, but not the end of the world. Even my AW would probably last a full marathon, which I am not planning to do anytime soon anyways. I still charge the Garmin for a few minutes every few days, even if I dont need to, because I get battery anxiety and prefer to keep it between 20%-80% anyways. My absolute favorite thing so far is having actual buttons. I LOVE BUTTONS! There were so many times where I struggled to stop my workout because my watch was wet, or my hands were sweaty. So... buttons. Love 'em. Garmin also syncs better with my trainer's app. Thats more of a personal thing that may not apply to everyone though. I know this isn't a super detailed spec review or anything, but it's my experience. So far I am very happy with Garmin. I like a more simple watch. I dont really miss any of the things I liked about my AW like I thought I might. The size was nice (I have small wrists), and I loved the WorkOutDoors app, but the trade off is worth it so far. I was hanging on to the AW for a bit in case I changed my mind, but I think I am gonna sell it now. I spent so much time going back and forth on this but I am glad that I tried the Garmin. I can always switch back, but for now I am a Garmin Guy.

same situation found a 265 for 60$ more than the vivo 6 , decided on the 265 im happy, also I really love the stats the 265 offers (training readiness) and tri athlon will probably be useful going down the road :)

Go for 265 has multiband and pace pro if not mistaken

I'm not sure but the only feature that the Venu 3 did not have but the f265 is the basic navigation by running without phone. It's nice for runs in areas you don't know or change your normal route. That the biggest difference.

I'm in a similar boat. Started running not too long ago and bought a Venu3 in the first week. It's fine and it works, but in hindsight, I think I might have preferred a FR265 instead. The metrics appear to be a bit broader and more focused on running on that watch. I think it is more a "nice to have" than essential set of features. I don't use the smart features on the Venu at all, and sometimes I wished I had a button instead of just the main screen to adjust a screen while running in the rain or when I'm really sweaty. The touchscreen is fine, except for those conditions. I do like the spoken-word instructions in Garmin Coach and Runna workouts, I don't think the FR265 has those... I'm looking to buy a FR 570, 970 or F8 47mm now.

Super super good. Have had mine for 2 years. Some friends and my dad have the 265 and the only noticeable difference to me is the better display

Garmin is not great for tracking any kind of lifting or strength training, it is really an afterthought for them. As for running I would recommend the Fr265 or FR965 if you want a bugger battery and maps. You can use the compare feature on the Garmin website to compare specs. Just choose all watches and the compare feature is right at the top.

They are plastic/resin and they do look cheap, they are substantially overpriced for what you get. The software is outdated and buggy and UI/UX is terrible. The FR265 has been having some significant heart rate tracking issues since an update in 2024 that Garmin has yet to fix. You will need a chest strap to get any accurate data especially for strength training. I had a FR265, it was a decent watch but certainly not worth the price I paid for it. If you like the FR265 have a look at the Suunto Race S - essentially a FR965 at half the price. Coros, Apple, are better options as well. You can do better than Garmin, they are relying on their reputation that was built years ago, they are no longer the best fitness watches available yet they are priced at a premium, other brands have better sensors and better platforms all at lower cost. No watch is accurate for calorie tracking - how could it be? You are better weighing yourself and tracking your food intake.

I used a Garmin FR265 and now I use an U2, I found the U2 to be better than the FR265 from the get go. The heart rate data immediately better. I currently run with Stryd but initially got it because it gets quite cold here in Eastern Ontario and lots of snow and ice and I was stuck on the treadmill for most of the winter and no wearable is really accurate for indoor running even with calibration the data can't be trusted because even then neither the treadmill or the watch are accurate. When I compared the native running dynamics of both watches to those from Stryd the U2 was much closer to the data Stryd provided than FR265 was.

I have had several Garmin watches over the years I used them, including the Venu 2, the Fenix 7 and my last was the FR265. All were terrible at sleep tracking for me. No wearable is accurate at sleep stages but for me apple reflects how I feel. I found Garmin had me getting terrible sleep every night, never catching my actual sleep properly and having me sleep when I was wide awake. The nap feature was a total disaster for me, giving me 3-4 naps daily while I was a work at my desk, certainly not sleeping. Oura overestimates deep and Rem significantly, no way I am getting 3 hours of deep sleep a night. As for sleep scores they are junk science. Sleep is complex and the idea that a watch/ring can pair it down to a simple number when it can't accurately measure sleep stages is ridiculous. Even sleep labs are not accurate in doing this. If you have 2 techs look at a the data in a sleep lab they will not agree. It just is far too complicated. It is better to look at the amount of total time slept if you are going to look at sleep at all. Body battery and stress scores in my opinion are just gimmicky features that I never paid attention to. I prefer to listen to my body rather than a watch. I did appreciate the activity tracking of the Garmin but again when the sleep data is being used for a great deal of the metrics the data became useless for me. The idea that more HRV readings is better has been created by the fitness world, just like the idea that you should take 10000 steps a day. More HRV measurements, particularly continuous measurements are not needed, one reading in the morning is really sufficient.

The Lily is not a place to start they are an insult and described by Garmin as a fashion watch it doesn't even have built in GPS unless you buy the Lily 2 Active, the Vivoactive series lack altimeters. Coming from an Ultra and running at a few marathons a year the Fr255/265/955/965 would all suit you at a reasonable price. Garmin has outdated software and the UI and UX is terrible but they track activities well. Any of these watches will give you a great deal of data that is fun to look at but around 80% of it is not needed. You can use the compare tool on the Garmin website to compare the features of 5 watches at a time. That is a good place to start. Are you set on a Garmin or would you be interested in another brand? Sunnto and Coros have great watches at far better price points and with better feature to price ratios. As for you U2 you can control what notifications you get (FYI you don't have to get any) and you would get a great deal more battery if you just bought a chest strap for your runs.

The Vivoactive 6 is a lifestyle watch, a health and fitness device, the Forerunner 165 is a running watch. If you want to get into running the FR165 is the better watch. The Fr265 would be the better choice of you want something that looks better.

Understand that even though Garmin has introduce a strength trainer, strength training has always been and always be an afterthought for Garmin, you will need a third party app to get any decent data. People have suggested the FR970 - overkill wth features that most will never use, understand or take action on, are they fun to look at - yes but they certainly are not needed unless you are a professional runner and even then you don't need half of them. The Fr255/265/955/965 would all suit your needs.

It's funny that these people also fail to look at their battery health or don't even know that battery health is a thing. They will be rocking a Series 3 with 62% battery and not understand why is doesn't make the whole marathon distance. Absolutely astounds me, they think that a new watch would be exactly the same. I have used both Garmin and Apple over the years, I left Garmin for good last year when I got my U2. I had a Forerunner 265 that got on average 4 days of battery with my use if I didn't start turning off features, that is not the great battery that Garmin promised and it was like that from the first week I got it. I could get around 8-9 days if I turned off features but I paid for them and wanted that data. There are only a few Garmin models that get the really great battery life 3week+, every thing else is mediocre.

Garmin already has battery issue on watches such as the one you use. I have used several different Garmins and there are only a few models that really have great batteries unless you start turning off features. I never got more than 4-5 days with the amount of activity that I did on FR265 unless I turned off features that I had paid to use. I used a Venu3 it was at best I could squeak out 4 days with the same use. I am still in the Garmin echo system but I don't use the watches anymore, the software is what eventually pushed me away - it is just terrible for a company of that size and the almost biweekly updates that broke more than they fixed just frustrated me to no end. For the prices they charge it is completely unacceptable. There are so many other brand options honestly. Yes Garmin offer a great deal of data but 80%+ users don't even understand or use what they are looking at and even those that do don't really need that data. The GPS is good but the watches are mostly cheap looking and the premium feel gets less and less as the bezels shrink. Garmin was once the best in the business but their priorities have changed and the direction they are taking seems to be in conflict from what they used to be.

I had a fr265 and sold it. The software is outdated and the smartwatch features are very basic and nothing like what Apple provides, you need your phone close by to get notifications and you can’t respond. The FR255 also has a MIP screen which is very dull and drab especially compared to the S10. The heart rate data is also off - you’ll need a chest strap to get accuracy for running with the FR255.

I left Garmin and came back to Apple for a number of reasons. Garmin has outdated lagged big software that is infuriating with every update never knowing if it will fix the issue, break 3-4 other things or brick your watch, having to sync all my data to Garmin servers to take advantage of all the features is not ideal and they have frequent enough outages to make it frustrating. All that said the biggest reason was that I could leave my phone at home and have LTE on my watch. Garmin users go on and on about battery but in reality I was only getting 4 maybe 5 days with my Fr265 without having to turn off features, I get minimum 2 days with my U2 with the same usage and I have LTE. I often run later in the evening in the city, as a woman that is just another level of security for me. Apple just gives me far more than Garmin did, I can get all the fitness data, more health data, and the ability to unlock my doors, turn on my lights, check the transit schedule, check on my dog through the dog camera, track my medications, make reminders and notes, respond to texts and emails, make and accept calls, stream music, pay of things with Apple Pay (no Garmin Pay where I live) the list goes on and on.

I wouldn't buy the FR570, well overpriced for what you get, the FR265 is the better watch in this scenario. The FR255/955 would be good choices as well.

Most people here are Garmin loyalists, they will never say anything and about the brand. Connect is stuck in the early 2000s in respects to design, it is outdated and you are stuck with swiping, clicking, scrolling, and clicking to get to menus to find what you are looking for. I used Garmin of several watches for many years, the last was the FR265. It was a decent watch but the hr rate data was not great, the sleep tracking was terrible which is quite well known for Garmin, and that feeds a lot of the other data making it questionable. Cadence lock is when you are running and the watch gets stuck tracking cadence (your steps) as heart rate instead of your actual heart rate. Garmin software is also outdated and buggy. The UX and UI is lacking you will notice a huge difference from you Apple Watch experience in that regard.

Based on what your're looking for I would recommend the Forerunner 265. Got one myself and I'm more than happy with it!

I have a 255s, mine is pink (which is neutral with my skin tone) and it comes in other colors. Compared to 265s it was a better price and I liked that the MIP screen lets me keep the screen on without using as much battery life.

Fully agree with this. I have Apple everything and wore the watch for about 4 years. It broke and then I started looking at Garmin. Forerunner 265 for 2 years now and it’s way more rugged and durable, great battery life, and training stats and metrics are insane compared to that of Apple Watch. I’ve worked out all my life but I feel like the training metrics, data, and recommended pace setting workouts have increased my fitness even more since I bought this watch. Great for avid lifter and runner or sports and outdoors.

A forerunner 165 or 265 might be good. Or a Vivoactive if you want a sleeker look. I run and do weights as well and find the 165 is sufficient! It can only do so much with weights (guessing the actual exercise you're doing, rep counting, etc). I usually go back into my saved workout afterward and edit any info that was wrong.can only ask so much from a watch but it's nice to have the rest timer and general log of the workout.

I mean if you have the budget for the 265, I would go for it. I have the 165 and feel like it's definitely more than enough for me (it was my first ever watch and I only ever trained for half and full marathons with my phone previously) so I kept it entry-level. However if a more accurate gps is important because of your surroundings, that's definitely something to consider. Training readiness seems like a cool feature but kinda just bonus info.

It's already outdated (but still do more than 165). That why you can buy it at that price so don't expect anymore new update (same as 165,265,955, 965, Epic Pro etc) but the good thing is it's more stable/less bugs.

Those are basically the same (including 965,570,970). However, I hate 265/965 curved screen which can get scratched easily and only worked with plastic screen protectors.

Forerunner 265 or 955 both could do open water and pool swim at almost similar price around 300$. 955 has more features but 265 has a better screen.

I thought you're better with 955 instead of 265. Almost the same price but 955 has more feature for runners, hikers such as ClimbPro, Maps etc unless you really needs an vivid screen. 255 has almost everything from 265 except Training Readiness which some feel it's useful. So you can make a swim workout plan in Garmin app and upload to 255 or 265.

Even at the same price, go for 955. The real problem with 265 (and 965) is the curved screen get scratched easily and because of its curve , only plastic screen protector can be used and because of plastic material, the screen protector also get scratched easily

From forerunner 55 to 255 to 265 and currently apple watch ultra 2. With the ultra 2, you can leave your phone since it has lte and can receive calls and txt during your activity (can’t receive messenger calls). You can also listen to podcasts and audiobooks (via audible) without being connected to the phone. With Garmin you get to enjoy the Garmin coach and the daily suggested workout which is a big help para di na problem anong run gagawin mo. You just let the watch choose for you. You can get Runna app if you want a coach sa apple but it’s not free. All in all Im very satisfied with my ultra 2 for my use case. Maybe different from yours as you may want to bring you phone for taking photos which I see a lot of people do nowadays.

Since you’re running 10–20 km almost every day, the FR570 or FR965 make the most sense. They’ve got the latest sensors, the most accurate GPS, and all the running metrics that actually help you keep pace, watch your cadence, and avoid injuries. The 570 is the straightforward runner’s watch, while the 965 gives you the same tools but with a sharper AMOLED screen and a bit more of a smartwatch vibe. The 265 is fine if you don’t need every advanced stat, and the 165 works for casual use, but for the long haul the 570 or 965 will serve you best:)

I’d go **Forerunner 265** unless you expect to abuse your watch heavily (workshop, construction, etc.). It tracks gym, jogging, swimming, sleep, and stress beautifully and it looks sleek. The **Instinct 3** is built tough (rugged, reliable), but you’ll sacrifice some of the nicer interface and comfort of the 265. If your environment’s mostly benign (gym + pool + light outdoor), the 265 gives you more daily joy. If you’ll drop it, bang it, leave it in harsh places, the Instinct’s durability becomes appealing

Another vote for the 265s! Mine is pink but other colours are available. Stats are excellent, I’ve come away from Apple Watch after 8 years and I don’t miss it!

This depends on how you want to track your sessions. Some people prefer to start "strength training" when enter a gym and stop it at the end. I use my watch to follow my program like described here: [https://gelberhut.com/strength-training-with-a-garmin-in-a-gym/](https://gelberhut.com/strength-training-with-a-garmin-in-a-gym/) If you want to do the same - a watch which allows to adjust weight/rep number using the touch screen is handy. I know that venu3 and F8 support this, not sure about other models. PS: Not that long ago, Garmin released strength coach (https://gelberhut.com/garmin-strength-coach-what-is-it-and-what-can-it-do/), if you want it: check one of Garmin Venu 3, Garmin Fenix 8, Garmin Vivoactive 5, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955, Forerunner 965.

A forerunner is a fitness product with lifestyle features. An Apple Watch is a lifestyle product with fitness features. Whilst it’s not overkill to have a Garmin if you’re a casual runner, it’s not going to do the day to day lifestyle stuff as well as the aw will. Conversely the aw won’t do the running stuff as well. Personally, if you’re interested in a garmin and not a super serious runner I’d look at a 255 before a 265 - largely the same watch barring a different screen and a much lower price tag.

If you just want fitness tracking get a garmin imo

I went from Apple Watch to FR265s. I didn’t love my Apple Watch, it on my gave basic tracking features and battery died quickly, but the communication/phone functionality was definitely better. I much prefer the 265s to get more in depth training stats and love that it’s not as easily connected to my phone so I don’t have a mini phone on my wrist and get a break lol

I hardly even run anymore and I still adore my Garmin 265. It’s a great watch for other types of workout modalities too.

I’ve been rocking an Epix gen 2 47mm and recently tried on my buddy’s forerunner 265 and wow. I almost immediately went and bought it. So much lighter and low profile than my Epix. Really considering switching out my Epix

Yes, FR265 is great especially if you can get it on discount. You should be able to since it's meant to be replaced by the latest FR570. But from hardware perspective, the upgrades can be ignored due to the price difference. They are mainly a mic, a speaker and the latest Elevate v5 sensors. (FR265 has v4)

I love my 265. It’s perfect for what I do (run, cycle, hike and walk). I couldn’t be happier with it. I’m a stats nerd, so all of the metrics that Garmin provides is a dream for me. And only having to charge once a week is just a nice bonus.

Forerunner 255 Music or 265 unless you need fully fledged mapping. Forerunner 165 should also work but features fewer fitness related metrics. You should be able to compare these models on the website.

I have a 265 how much difference is there

Replace 965 with 265. Afaik, there is nothing the 965 does when it comes to tracking health that the 265 isn't also doing. (It's only stuff like e.g. maps that the 965 has, none of that impacts health tracking)

IMHO, Forerunner 165 is not good enough (it lacks some firmware features like metronome). If I were you, I would look at Forerunner 265 (or 255, if you do not mind Garmin's MIPS screen). Pace 3 is quite good for running, however it may be not that accurate in HR and training load measurement when it comes to some other kinds of sports (like cycling). You wrote that you always carry your phone with you, which means that the biggest pros of Garmin watches (like Spotify and Garmin Pay) make no difference to you. In other aspects, there is no much difference between Pace 3 and Forerunner 255/265, only different ecosystem experience. You could download and check out both apps and decide which one is better for you.

I have the 265 and I love it. Also here in Canada.

I had the 265 it was great I loved it. Was my first Amoled and it worked so very well. You would be totally fine with this one. I'm only running halfs and fulls here and there so I chose the 570 because I don't need mapping. I will upgrade to one like that later if I decide to try Ultras or something, but the 570 has a beautiful screen, it's insanely bright, Evening Report, which might come to the 265 as well ,and better sounds as well as more training options. I am very happy with it. I also bought the HRM 600 to go with it too. I am selling my AWU2 but keeping my Series 10. Garmin does not make a great smart watch. Though they are getitng better all the time. And of course battery life for days unlike our Apple Watches. Good luck and let me know what you end up doing!

I had forerunner 245 and used it for running and swimming. It was great, but I fell and trashed it. Had forruner 165 but didn't get training readiness so I upgraded to forruner 265 and happy with my choice. Ony downside with forruner 245 is that it didn't have hrv stats.

Basically any Garmin watch can do all that, so you have to decide what other features you prefer. Vivoactive 6 is very cheap and pretty, with most functions you'll want in a smart watch (besides talking to it). Also nice and light. The only major limitation in exercise tracking is that it doesn't have triathlon mode. Otherwise it will have all the running metrics you care about. Forerunner 55 is probably the cheapest but very barebone. Forerunner 255 has a theoretically more accurate GPS (if you run in environments under a lot of tree cover or buildings), and some very advanced running features that you aren't going to need unless you take running extremely seriously. MIP screen which saves battery life and is marginally more readable under direct sunlight, but isn't pretty. Forerunner 265 is basically the same as 255 but has a pretty screen (and slightly worse battery life). Most of these, except for 55 and basic version of 255 (255 has a separate Music version) support music without phone. The forerunners are quite chunky if you have a small wrist, though some have a smaller version (255S, 265S). I switched from a 255 to a Vivoactive 6 and have been really happy about it.

Garmin forerunner 265. But it has a lot of running functions so probably a bit overkill for what you're looking for.

I use forerunner 265. For unknown routes for hike or cycling, I download gpx file as courses. And it works out fine.

I wear a garmin forerunner 265 its good for all you describe. Personally I think it’s short money to skip on the OT band yet pay the cash to join. Having your heart rate on your machine - data in the app - and splats in front of you while working out plus the subsequent calibrations the OT band does as you get more fit (I had to Adjust my garmin to match the same zones) is part of the OTF draw. 120 bucks or whatever to maximize your enjoyment ? Eat out twice less this month and there ya go.

Go with the 265. FR255 is also a great alternative to the FR265.

Me too. But I wish I took something more elegant (haven’t thought of it 😅🙈), bcs it looks weird with work clothes or any outfit that’s not sporty 🥹

Maybe a forerunner 265. It’s a little over your budget but they have been marked down. Dual band gps, good battery, can get that’s stats you’re looking for and can upload directly to Strava if you link your accounts. Also if you have a bike computer you can connect to that as well

I was using an Apple Watch but the data is lacking so I got a Garmin FR 265s. It’s amazing! You could easily get one of the older models (or look online for a used one) that’ll fall within your budget.

No one has mentioned form factor. This is something to keep into consideration, size and weight. I’m very happy with my 265, which I feel is much smoother than the 165 after using it for about a month.

Garmin Forerunner 265 Amoled screen - game changer! Rainmaker review: https://youtu.be/EOemVB_wcBk?si=YUp4aI1L6CxzlnVL

Agree --I have 265 and it has met absolutely all of my needs (and needs I didn't even know!) The differentiators for 970 seem to really be about: \- screen: sounds nice how interactive it is, but, not worth $400 \- battery life. Battery life on 265 is great (I charge like every 10 - 14 days) \- more storage - maybe it's just me but a garmin is not a phone replacement. too annoying to get music etc on the device, so i just run with my phone as well. And thus storage doesn't really matter.

I guess 965 is the best value. It’s a predecessor of the 970 but it doesn’t really lack any important features. I would avoid 570, it’s arguably worse than 965 and it’s more expensive (at least in the EU). 265 is a great watch, tho it might not even be that cheaper than 965

Yeah- it has the features, but not that magnificent AMOLED screen. the 970 is pricey, but a 965 or 265 would make an outstanding choice.

265 if you are doing anything off the bike too, which you really should.

Same, it's a very nice watch. I would like a MTB specific activity though. Golf would be nice as well, but the 265 doesn't have that either.

I think the 165 is enough. One potentially handy feature that's missing is execution score if you do a daily suggested workout. The 265 has quite a few extra features, but I wouldn't say they're must haves. Nice to have though. [New to running. Should I get the Garmin 165 or 265? : r/garminforerunner](https://www.reddit.com/r/garminforerunner/comments/1b8x9nn/new_to_running_should_i_get_the_garmin_165_or_265/) [Garmin | Product Compare](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/compare/?compareProduct=886785&compareProduct=1055469) The product compare tool isn't always accurate or up to date because Garmin adds new features via FW updates. The user manuals seem to be updated though.

965 if you want / need maps, 265 if you don't. 265 still has breadcrumb style navigation. 265 vs 265s: The s is smaller, with slightly better battery life. [265 v 265S - picture : r/Garmin](https://www.reddit.com/r/Garmin/comments/12i2d1m/265_v_265s_picture/) [Help me pick a size - 265 vs 265s : r/GarminWatches](https://www.reddit.com/r/GarminWatches/comments/184wk3k/help_me_pick_a_size_265_vs_265s/)

Garmin are great for sports, but pretty much garbage for everything else. If you’re a new runner that primarily wants a sports watch that can do some smart stuff, something like a Forerunner 265 should be plenty. If you primarily want a smart watch that can so sports stuff, avoid Garmin like the plague.

Garmin FR265 on sale should be close to that, I bought one earlier this year and am in love with it

Both the length of the battery and time to charge is amazing! I’m sure Apple Watches must be nice but I can’t imagine having a fitness device that I don’t have on almost 24/7 including at night.

I booked F265 last night for Amoled display as my previous watch was F55 & 265 was around 400$ in India after sale. Dint want to get the pricey one as I am not an athlete & until I get fit won’t get latest…

I am upgrading to a forerunner 265 from vivoactive because it can't do custom swim workouts or swim drills. but it does give you a fair amount of data for pool swim if you aren't concerned with that (time, distance, spm, pace, swolf, speed, heart rate, etc.) the vivoactive just went down to $200 and you may be able to find a refurbished or used one cheaper on ebay. Edit to add that I swim 5 days a week and there's no concern about water resistance that I have seen or heard of for vivoactive.

Man, I don't know if 265 can be considered durable or not. I swim & unless the glass is made out of sapphire, it's gonna get scratched (whenever it makes contact with pool lane lines). I applied hydrogel screen protector to mitigate the damage. I would probably get Instinct 2, if I were you, because of its similarity with G-Shock in term of durability. Older models of higher end lines, such as Fenix, should also be considered as well.

I got the garmin 265, where I am it was going for $375. But I think the 255 is as good but cheaper than that. The only difference I remember is better screen and also touch screen functionality.

I had the 265 for a few months and I liked it, features wise it didn’t feel any different from my 965 for my use case. The only draws for me were the larger screen and nicer screen, colors look better on the 965 don’t know why, and the metal bezel makes it feel more premium than the 265 full plastic. If you want to save cash and don’t need maps, the 265 is the best value. If you don’t mind splurging a bit, or find a good deal like I did on the 965 it’s totally worth it

I am using the smart features of AW7 and fr 265 for training and workout

Garmin! I get the small versions of their watches. I started with a Venu 2S, switched to the 255S, then just upgraded to the 265S for the AMOLED screen. Wasn't a fan of the MIPS of the 255. They have great features and I am a sucker for all the data they provide. I also like chasing the fun badges on the challenges they offer. I also have some of their products for cycling. Great customer service, too.

FR265 / FR255 But personally I find the HIIT, cardio and strength activity tracking underwhelming with Garmin.

The Garmin website has a very good comparison function. https://www.garmin.com/nl-NL/compare/?compareProduct=1611937&compareProduct=886785 I would buy the 265, it has a bit more advanced metrics. The one I would value most is the training readiness and recovery time. It helpt to not overload yourself so there is less risk of getting injured. The 965 is even better, it has navigation and can create interesting routes for you if you frequently want to hike in New environments. Know that there are rumours a 'new 270' model is coming out. But you will pay probably full price for that one in the coming months.

The 165 will be fine, but is limited as you can see in the comparison. With the 265 you get more functionality and a better size. I wouldn't buy the 165 or any watch that's 'not right for you' for being for instance too small and lacking features. The (older) venu 2 is a bigger size for a similar price, and the 265 is bigger but more expensive. Feature creep (wanting the options the other watch has, and yours doesn't) is a thing with Garmins, so in the worst case you will like your 165 so much you wish you bought the 265. That's in the Garmin ecosystem totally different thing than with apple watches, that all can run the same apps. If budget is a big thing, and you don't mind the lower brightness/resolution MIPS screens you could also opt-in for a 255. It offers almost everything the 265 does without the amoled screen.

I used to run for exercise, worried a garmin might be overkill. Got a 265 2 years ago. Now I’m running faster and further than ever before. Love the DSW and coach, find the training load useful, different types of run, heart rate zones. I had no knowledge of any of this before so maybe I’ve seen a rapid initial improvement that will level off, but garmin has transformed how I train. Never had an AW so don’t know how it compares, so I guess you just need to work out what features you want.

That absolutely sums up my opinion. I sold my Coros Pace 2 because my ageing eyes had issues with the MIP display on the smaller screen, and moved on to amoled displays on the FR265 and Race S. But now, with the Pace Pro, I would definitely go back to the Coros because it offers a good balance of features, purpose and stability. If you think Suunto's software quality has been better than Garmin's in recent months, you're clearly not affected by the inferior software quality (sleep tracking, OHR, WiFi, etc.) of the last two Suunto FW releases.

I own both the Race S and the 265, I much prefer wearing the Race S because it has a certain personality that the 265 completely lacks. But yes, I have tried pointing out the shortcomings on the Suunto forum, such as the far inferior interval mode. I think Suunto has lost the ability to relate directly to its loyal user base for the most important use cases, otherwise there would be some progress in use cases that the typical Suunto user cares about. But hope dies last.

I personally don’t get the hype with AMOLED display and touch screen for a Garmin. I would get 255 (MIP display and no touch screen) over the 265 even if the pricing was reversed. Touch screen feels completely pointless. I have had both an Apple Watch and a Galaxy Watch with touch screens and it is just annoying.

My partner (nurse) got the Forerunner 165 (get the S if you can), which is significantly cheaper than the 265S and has nearly all the same features and loves it. I have the 265S and love it myself -- but I paid about twice the cost.

I went from a series 4 to a forerunner 265 bc I can choose to turn off notifications from my phone which was such a big distraction. Because of this, I only need to charge my watch every 2 weeks. I also think the sleep metrics and HRV is great. My forerunner 265 was only $400, with REI giving me a 10% rebate. I can’t see myself going back to an Apple watch ever again!

Now it's the forerunner 265 And it comes in sizes s for small. I'm sure that one's still quite nice though

If you're over 40 or 50 the a m oled screen, it looks like neon LED lights. It's preferred over the mips screen because of well eyes and aging. You can't see the dull black and white screen underwater if you're a swimmer too, it doesn't show up. Well. Get the 265 because of the a m oled screen

I have a 255, but I bought it after I knew I wanted to get more serious about running (I ran for a year without one). If we're talking best in terms of features, that's the 9xx series. If we're talking best value, the 265 is probably your best bet right now, maybe even a 965. If you're not too sure about this running business, the 165 is enough to get you started. PS: Be aware the 9xx series only comes in one size, whereas watches like the 265 and 570 come in two sizes. Perhaps this plays into your decision.

If you can afford the difference definitely 265 Swim 2 was released in 2019. 265 was released in 2023 so is much newer with better internals. Previously had swim 2, now have 955

Yeah, the difference is the weight/size, price, and some details in the battery runtime of different GPS and/or music modes. Also, if you don't see yourself making use of the on-watch mapping, then the FR265 is going to do all the running things at an even better price.

Went from a fenix 5 to a 265 and love it. Music, great screen and training plans. If you need maps though look at the 965.

Apple Watch user since 2017 here and Garmin “dabbler” for the past 3 years, Instinct, forerunner 255, forerunner 265. Avid runner, 20+ miles per week. It’s all really dependent on your needs. I like the metrics that Garmin provides although I do find it to be a bit harsh. Apple Watch is a bit more let’s say liberal with their metrics. I mainly use my Garmin for training blocks like when I have a race in mind to train for. If I’m not training I just run in my Apple Watch, I currently have a 1st gen Ultra. I keep coming back to Apple Watch simple because of the smart watch features and cellular connectivity. I like being able to reply to messages and leave the house without my phone. Personally I get more joy when I wear the Apple Watch, but I wouldn’t trust it with anything over marathon distance due to battery constraints. I do find gps and heart rate data to be close enough for me. All that to say it’s entirely subjective, I will say the Apple Watch has made a ton of overall improvements over the past 10 years with their health metrics, but the battery life is lacking in comparison to other brands. Hell even some of the newer garmins don’t have the battery life as some of the older ones. Like the 955 has about 28 days of battery vs 14 days on the new 970. I’m happy to answer any other questions.

On that budget FR265

255 very good, with MIP, 265 the same but AMOLED. Both very good options.

Yeah the 570 pricing is completely bonkers when you put it like that. Garmin really shot themselves in the foot here - it's like they forgot their own product lineup exists The 265 is still right there being way better value and the 970 makes the 570 look like a joke for only $200 more. Classic Garmin moment tbh

Forerunner 265 is all you need. 

You can set an alert on the Garmin 265 to indicate walk run.

I agree with others on Garmin Forerunner 265. I love mine. Check your health insurance for discounts. I got 20% off my Garmin.

Wife has the 265 and I have the 965. Battery life is good on the 235 and excellent for the 965. Maps as mentioned is the biggest difference.

use here the FR 265. is good with tracking lanes and strokes

265 has more features (barometric altimeter, multisport, power meters, training readiness / training load etc). Smart Alarm will probably be rolled out later this year to the current watches.

i bought the 265 a month ago when i knew nothing about garmins. if budget is not an issue, just get the 970, otherwise 265 works great.

In short: 965 for maps, 265 if you don't need/want that feature. No-one knows what features a 970 or 975 will have. Likely it will be priced a reasonable amount higher than 965, and 965 may be further reduced in price as a result. Plenty of reviews about. DC Rainmaker on YouTube goes into great detail. Garmin website has side-by-side comparison tool for all watches.

Garmin 100%. I hated my apple watch for running. I’ve had multiple Fitbit models too but after switching to Garmin Vivoactive 5 I am a complete convert. I can’t wait to upgrade to Forerunner 265 when the time eventually comes that I need a new one.

Garmin Fēnix looks sharpish but costs $$$($?). But you can buy a midrange watch like a Forerunner 255/265 and wear a different watch when dressing up, or just leave it off altogether. Not having all your data for a few hours will be fine. 

255/265 are the lowest model with a full triathlon mode. I'd say the 965 doesn't have anything with the extra money if money's tight

Forerunner 165, 255/265 if you think you're going to get a power meter. 

My Apple Watch is better quality than my forerunner 265, and was cheaper. Arguably you could say that Garmon is overpriced garbage for poor durability design and longevity.

I got a GWU for about 1/3 of retail, to replace my garmin, and it lasted 2 days. My forerunner 265 is slimmer, more comfortable, lighter, and the battery lasts alot longer. Sure the GWU is built better, but I use it for sports, so it will get bashed about, and I think the plastic is better for that as scuiffs aren't as painful on the wallet, or as visible.

If running is your main aim, go for FR 165 or even the FR 265 (if your budget allows it, I would recommend thsi for future proofing too). Vivoactive and Venu series will never get any important feature updates. FR series on the other hand will always get some update (better than Vivo and Venu). Skip the Vivoactive and Venu series. Edit: I have the Venu 3 and it is almost 2 years now (it was launched in Sept 2023) and until now, it has received only 1 proper feature packed update. So updates are a big NO for Venu and Vivoactive series. Garmin neglects them severely.

I switched from the Apple Watch SE to the 265 and love it!

I have the forerunner 265 (the smaller size), it’s comparable in size to an apple watch and it has a great screen.

I second this. Love my AWU2, but if I was only using a watch for runs, a Garmin Forerunner 265 would be the no brainer.

265... Someone mentioned GPS is better. I can attest to that. Also, it's got the 4th gen heart rare monitor which is highly reliable. You might not think you need it but I've quickly grown to love my hrm. It can help with running by effort instead of pace.

265 is as much watch that you need. The 165 would likely suffice but I usually recomend the 265 if you can afford it because of the top notch heart rate monitor it has. People into running will be confused if they see the 970 and all you do is run. We don't care that much but we're a frugal bunch and it will seem odd. I'd immediately assume you do triathlons.

255 if you can still actually find it and want to save some money. I don't buy all the 265 scrren is better thing. The 255 screen works fine.

I bought the 965 (at 25% off) and sold my 265 to a friend. Apart from increased battery life, it was a waste of money. I never use the maps or the golf features. The 265 was super stealth on my wrist. I couldn’t tell whether I was wearing it or not. The 265 is a killer watch. I don’t regret having the 965, but in hindsight, it was completely unnecessary.

I have the 265. I find a lot of the metrics fun to look at but not all that reliable. The sleep metric is nuts. I can lay in bed awake all night and get a great score the next morning. And vice versa. As for Training Readiness (which depends on sleep quality, among other things), here is mine for today. Although I have a strength session scheduled, at least it’s my rest day for running. https://preview.redd.it/hqmswfa8nh0e1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d781c0870c4fd90a8a9bbc1557b55e61337cadad I am not guided at all by Training Readiness. That said, I’m in a training block for a spring marathon. I listen to my body and do what my coach tells me. I also have the Morpheus chest strap and app that I use for HRV (but again, I just listen to my body and my coach, more than any of Garmin’s metrics). I use the watch primarily to track pace and HR, and distance and time. So basically, I could get away with pretty much any model. The workout function is nice too for setting up speed work in advance. The PacePro function is interesting for race day. All that said, I want a 965. Lmao. More for the slightly bigger screen than anything else. And less glare. The lens glass is slightly different between the 265 and 965. In super bright sunlight, I can’t see the data screen on my 265 on the fly, til I hit shade. My buddy’s 965 doesn’t have the same effect.

I have the 265s and I am a runner! I have the music version in white.

I too have thin wrists, but I really enjoy my Garmin Forerunner 265. I'm used to the big watch, it's good to see my stats in :D It's also waterproof and plays music, so I leave my phone at home when going running in my neighborhood 

I also wear mine on the ankle when I can't wear it on my wrist lol

265 and 265s have music (regular) versions only, they did away with the non-music ones with 255 I think

265 and 265s have music (regular) versions only, they did away with the non-music ones with 255 I think

Is switching seamless? I already have a 265, and I am considering a prettier watch for backup.

My garmin FR 265s works seamlessly with Runna. It’s incredible. Unlike with Apple Watch, you don’t have to download the Runna app onto the watch. It simply sends the workouts to the garmin and your watch walks you through the workout. When I hit the “run” option on my garmin it will give me the option to start the workout that was sent by Runna or to bypass it and do a free run. It’s awesome.

The 265 is an awesome watch also if Golf isn’t important to you.

Forerunner 265, expensive but great.

A lot of Garmin watches cover lots of sports. The Forerunner 265 is a great watch. If hiking a lot and want maps, the Garmin 965 has maps. If money is no object, the Fenix or Epix models cover it all. I have a Fenix 6 Pro as well as a Forerunner 165.. Fenix watches are bulky and heavy. The FR 165 is very good for tracking swims and running but leaves out skiing but is thin and light on the wrist and still gets very good battery life.

I'm an Apple guy with an iPhone, 2 iPads, and 2 Macs. But when it comes to a watch for swimming, I much prefer the Garmin. The Apple Watch is wonderful smartwatch but its native swimming app is pretty sparse. I had one but no longer use it. I had a Vivoactive 3 years ago. I'm not up on the VA5 but I really prefer the 5 button Garmin watches anyhow. I'm currently using a Forerunner 165 which gives you a lot of bang for the buck if you are mostly just swimming, running, or cycling. If you do lots of other activities, the the FR 265 or 965 is the better option. They all give you the choice of 5 button use or touchscreen.

I assume you use cellular version? I went from AW5 to FR265S and besides connectivity it replaced everything pretty well. Has some quirks with music sometimes but all in all does the job.

Sure, both can: [https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-676967A0-1B23-4384-9BC9-76F3D643F1C8/EN-US/GUID-AC68D94C-821E-4567-8705-F433CDEA5525.html](https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-676967A0-1B23-4384-9BC9-76F3D643F1C8/EN-US/GUID-AC68D94C-821E-4567-8705-F433CDEA5525.html) Personally, I prefer the 255 over the 265 due to the MIP display which is perfectly readable in bright sunlight.

Forerunner 265 much better

I have a Fénix 8 but for the use you are going to give it, the Forerunner 255 or 265 would be good for you

Bought my mother (83 yo) a FR265 to monitor her heart rate while cycling and to use the live track feature in case she has an accident while out riding. Garmin decided to put live track behind a subscription, so there's no way I'd recommend it anymore. Samsung galaxy watch has some useful health tracking data, but battery isn't as good as Garmin's. When they do, I'm off Garmin.

I currently use both. I take my AW Ultra 2 on every run with cellular data turned on so I don’t have to take my phone. I also use the timer on the AWU to time my fueling in runs. For some reason, my Garmin FR265 reminders to eat do not work while doing structured workouts. I prefer to use my Garmin for all of my runs. I prefer its integration with Runna for structured workouts and its navigation ability during runs if needed. My bike computer is also a Garmin so it is nice having all of my workouts in one place, and I would not want to use a watch for a 60-100mi bike ride.

I use an AW Ultra 2 and a Forerunner 265 during my runs. In general, I find the GPS to be better with the Garmin, and I prefer the UI on the Garmin more during intense workouts. But both are great options!

The app is capable of handling multiple devices. Garmin hasn’t made a screenless device for the wrist yet. The Index sleep monitor is an option. I wear it in my bicep when not wearing my Garmin FR265. The negative is that it doesn’t track steps. The other option would be to buy a bicep strap for your Garmin and to wear it in your bicep.

The screen is the most important feature by far. If you prefer AMOLED definitely go 265.

As a runner and a nurse, I second this! I love my 265s :)

The 265 doesn't offer a proper map/navigation. Depending of OP needs, it can be a deal breaker. Has been for me. From having use a Samsung Tyzen OS watch, then a Suunto Android Wear one, and now the FR965, I'd add the 965 is not as integrated as an Android Wear device, but it still works fine with Android (I heard its far worse with iOS but never tried it myself).

I just went from Forerunner 45 to Forerunner 265. I love it. Wish I’d changed sooner. GPS is far more accurate. HR is more accurate. There are specific Hyrox training pans that you can sync into the watch from the ROXFIT app.

I just upgraded from Forerunner 55 to 265. It is amazing. I run and lift too. When I put it on a workout for weights it even picks up what type of weights I’m doing eg upper/lower body. I had been waiting for the new forerunner 570 to come out. But when I compared the specs between the 570 and the 265 there wasn’t a huge difference to justify the price jump. You should be able to get a 265 for a good price at the moment due to the 570 release.

I've had a FR265 for 2 months and it does everything I need and more. IMO a good watch is a must if you want to get into running and it will motivate you to see your progress documented. If I had to do it over I'd be tempted to upgrade it whether that's overkill or not. Get what you think you'll enjoy the most!

I'd get the FR265. I got the 265S for myself and the 265 for my fiance and I feel it's the perfect mid tier solution that still gives you very running specific insights and insights in general

I actually bought my fiance the Venu 3 at first but we exchanged it for a FR265. Hes a beginner casual runner but he wanted the FR running metrics. Also the Venu doesn't show hiking trails as maps or breadcrumbs just a directional arrow, that's all. During activities Venu 3 allows you to pause but on FR you have the option to resume later and exit out fully and then continue later. It also gives you better data screen options for during activities. Venu 3 just looks a lot better, it's more streamlined. I got myself a Venu 3S after seeing his Venu 3 that we returned on. I wear the FR for workouts and the Venu the rest of the time.

My 165 is plenty for me. Coming from an Apple Watch. 265 etc are nice but not at an extra $200.

I have a Garmin Forerunner 265 and it's great. I'd suggest getting a Garmin in your price range, although Coros and other competitors are gaining fast on Garmin.

I have the 255 and my wife has the 265. Other than the screen and some fun animations on the 265 they're more or less identical (for our needs anyway, mostly running, hiking, and walks). I actually find her screen way too bright. I also had a bit of buyer's remorse because I also got mine on sale but seeing both of them I'm happy with mine.

Probably Forerunner 265, 965 or Fenix7 shud fit his needs.

My Garmin Forerunner 265, in hiking mode, with settings to not leave screen on, lasts a very long time. Also the battery charges fast and while i dont know its MAH rating, it isn't that high. Can charge it many times on a bank. My Wife has the 265S and its a bit smaller. [https://support.garmin.com/en-CA/?faq=daNp4hnaAZ9Fg1XdFcZez5](https://support.garmin.com/en-CA/?faq=daNp4hnaAZ9Fg1XdFcZez5) Music kills the battery faster then anything though. But nature is the soundtrack, right

I got my 265 exclusively for the mapping on the watch which I like for when I’m out on my bike. Besides that, I could have gotten a less expensive watch.

I never had a smartwatch or anything before to compare it to. I got it because I wanted to start getting more serious about my runs after 2 decades as a casual runner. I wanted to start doing tempo runs, sprints, etc and needed something that would show me the data. I've had mine for 4 weeks and I'm obsessed with it. Best feature is put in your target race event and the time you want to hit, and then all the daily suggested workout are tailored for you to hit that time, while adjusting based on your health stats daily as well. It's amazing. Music sucks, I can't use it because I don't have YouTube premium, just poor mans YouTube, and I don't have any music downloaded. I just run w my phone for jams. But for a runner, for this runner, it's truly life changing and I will never go back to being barewristed again.

Yep, helped me beat my last target time for my last race in 2024 by 2 min. Definitely think a PR is easily achievable now for me (sub 1:47 hm) in 2025 with this, and I'm signed up for about 12 hm through the year to work through to get there by the last one. It's just so great having a coach on my wrist saying "do this today", and while some are harder than others, nothing feels like it's too crazy or unachievable. My only complaint is I'm generally a short sleeper, usually getting 6ish hours a night, so it often tones downs runs. In some ways it's helped me focus on sleep more, but it's also fighting my innate biology a bit. I pass out at 9ish, wake up once or twice to pee, and then am fully awake at 3am, my watch thinks it's a rough night, but that's just a normal night for me. But overall it doesn't have a major impact, and if I really disagree I'll just find a harder run for later in the week and do that instead of whatever base/recovery it changed my harder workout to.

Which training features would you miss on the 265 versus the 955? The 955 has maps, that would be a factor for me personally, but when breadcrumb is enough, I'd definitely go for the 265 (which I did a few weeks ago, great watch).

I like my forerunner 265s for both - but just be aware all watches are kinda flawed fro swim tracking. Scratching your nose indoors can count as a lap. Outdoors, gps sketchy as your wrist is dipping in and out of water

FR265 is great

This is a great way of putting it, not sure I’d put the AW at 80%. I used Garmin watches back in the aughts and early twenty-teens but then got an Apple Watch and really liked it. I eventually bought a new one and still liked it, but I found myself mainly interested in the fitness features, which are just okay while the battery life was horrible. I went back to Garmin with the Forerunner 265 and I absolutely love it. Great fitness features and I get over a week on a charge (and I run 5 days most weeks).

Very true. After having two Apple Watches I realized that I mainly used it for fitness. And while it’s a great smart watch, it’s a mediocre fitness device (that’s required my phone to get the most out of it). I made the switch back the Garmin a few months ago with the Forerunner 265 and I love it. Fitness watches have come a long way in the past decade.

I’m not all that interested in shelling out that much for an Ultra when my Forerunner 265 lasts a week or more on a single charge with 5 days a week of running. AW is a great device, I just don’t see myself using the features that aren’t available on the Forerunner.

I run and use the 165, I'm not into advanced analytics but I do like tracking. I also do strength training but only use the watch to track activities and time. The 165 has been 100% great for me, sounds like we have similar needs. I couldn't justify the 265 and I don't think I'm missing anything.

## Why is the Forerunner better for running than the Instinct or Fenix? The Forerunner series is specifically designed for runners. It offers precise running metrics, a wealth of training features, and specialized performance analytics like Running Tolerance, Running Economy, and even biomechanical values such as pace decrease on ground contact (Forerunner 970). Forerunner models often have better screens (touch, higher resolution) and detailed training suggestions for runners. The Forerunner 265, for example, has a bright AMOLED display that is easy to read while running. Instinct models typically use older sensors and are more geared toward outdoor adventure than pure running performance. The Fenix is also excellent for running but is positioned more as a hybrid multisport watch with a focus on outdoor activities and rugged design [9][10][11][12]. ## In what way is the Forerunner less suitable for hiking/backpacking? Forerunner models are less rugged and lack some of the outdoor-specific sensors and navigation aids of the Fenix or Instinct lines. Battery life is generally shorter, which is a disadvantage for long trekking tours. Features like a barometric altimeter, special navigation functions, and inReach compatibility—which are crucial for hiking—are limited to higher-end Forerunners or are better represented in Fenix and Instinct models. For hikers, map quality on Forerunner watches is also limited or only available on premium models like the 970 [10][13][14]. ## How useful are animated workouts and training suggestions? Animated workouts (yoga, strength training, etc.) are easy to follow on Garmin and motivating, especially for learning technique and form. For runners, the suggested training programs on newer Forerunners are highly useful. They provide daily personalized plans that factor in your fitness level and recovery status. Users report that these features simplify planning and improve training consistency, as the watch dynamically adapts the training [15][16][17][18]. ## Are maps on the watch actually useful for running or hiking? For anything else? Full watch-based navigation and mapping features—found particularly on the Forerunner 970 and Fenix series—include offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and visual guidance. For everyday runs on familiar routes, they matter less, but for trail running or hiking where orientation is crucial, they’re invaluable. Maps offer extra value for safety, route planning, and are also popular among cyclists and those exploring new routes [19][12][20][14]. ## Does the Forerunner 970 passively monitor heart rhythm to trigger an ECG? Yes, the Forerunner 970 is the first in its series with an integrated ECG feature, which uses case sensors to record an ECG for issues like atrial fibrillation in about 30 seconds. While the function is always present, the ECG is only triggered manually and does not replace a doctor’s visit. Heart rate is constantly measured, but for a full ECG you must actively launch the function [13]. ## Smartwatch features: Can you read texts or see who’s calling? Does Garmin support RCS messages? Garmin supports push notifications for calls and text messages, and (on Forerunner 570/970) you can answer calls directly from the wrist using the speaker and microphone. However, full support for Rich Communication Services (RCS, e.g. Google Messages) is not yet widespread; Garmin generally handles SMS/MMS, and you can reply with pre-set responses. RCS compatibility is under development and not guaranteed [21][22]. ## Is the speaker/microphone on the 570/970 useful for anything besides answering? How playful is it? The Forerunner 970 has improved audio hardware to make phone calls and use voice assistants (Google Assistant, Siri, Bixby) directly from your watch. The speaker is for calls and notifications but not for music playback. No particularly playful functions are supported; it's aimed at practical uses like telephony and voice commands. The 570 offers more limited audio features but still allows basic call management [23][24][25]. ## What makes a Garmin better than competitors Coros, Suunto, Amazfit? Garmin is regarded as a market leader due to its extensive ecosystem, powerful sensors, wide variety of sport profiles, and detailed analytics. Garmin watches generally provide robust navigation features with maps, access to third-party apps (Connect IQ), precise GPS/heart sensors, and strong accessory support. Coros impresses with battery life and durability, Suunto with simplicity and outdoor focus, and Amazfit mainly with budget-friendly offerings. Garmin is overall more versatile, especially for ambitious athletes and users seeking a deep combination of fitness analytics and smart features [10][23][25]. *** [9] Forerunner 265/745/965, Instinct 2 or fenix 7S https://www.reddit.com/r/GarminWatches/comments/1bl6twt/help_me_choose_forerunner_265745965_instinct_2_or/ [10] Garmin Instinct 3 vs Garmin Fenix 8: Every Difference ... https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/01/garmin-instinct3-vs-garmin-fenix8-very-detailed-review.html [11] Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Garmin Instinct https://versus.com/en/garmin-forerunner-265-vs-garmin-instinct [12] Garmin Forerunner 570 and 970: Advanced Tech for Those ... https://runlovers.it/en/2025/garmin-forerunner-570-and-970-advanced-tech-for-those-who-want-to-run-better/ [13] Garmin Forerunner 970 im Test: Die beste Sportuhr 2025 ... https://www.heise.de/bestenlisten/testbericht/garmin-forerunner-970-im-test-die-beste-sportuhr-2025-hat-jetzt-ekg/xx73c4h?wt_mc=rss.red.ho.beitrag.atom.beitrag.beitrag [14] Garmin Forerunner 570 vs. 970: An Easy Choice! All ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jLMnfnER8c [15] Support: Animated Workouts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0noz60nliY [16] How the Garmin Tracker Reignited My Love of Running https://www.wellandgood.com/fitness/garmin-watch-daily-suggested-workouts-review [17] How to Use Animated Workouts on Garmin Enduro 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p6LzkJw9Hw [18] Garmin Coach Review https://stephaniehnatiuk.com/garmin-coach-review/ [19] Garmin Watches + OS Maps: The Ultimate duo for easy ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19HBRpmPhFw [20] New to Garmin Watch Maps - Need Your Advice for Hiking ... https://www.reddit.com/r/Garmin/comments/16eznyf/new_to_garmin_watch_maps_need_your_advice_for/ [21] Google Messages may work with Garmin for satellite ... https://9to5google.com/2023/08/28/google-messages-satellite-connectivity-garmin-evidence/ [22] Garmin fenix 8 RCS Text Messages? https://www.reddit.com/r/Garmin/comments/1inrdo6/garmin_fenix_8_rcs_text_messages/ [23] Garmin Forerunner 970 In-Depth Review: Brillance at a ... https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/06/garmin-forerunner-970-in-depth-review-brillance.html [24] Garmin Forerunner 970 speaker and microphone quality? https://www.reddit.com/r/GarminWatches/comments/1ktyxq2/garmin_forerunner_970_speaker_and_microphone/ [25] Garmin forerunner 970 Review ❌ all the cr*p bits ❌ a ... https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/28/garmin-forerunner-970-review/

I would avoid 165, it seems to me so software crippled - doesnt even have so basic running watch feature as AutoScroll data screens during activities. Would recommend 255, 955 or 265 if amoled is a must. You dont need any subscription for any Garmin features.

I also have tiny wrists and I agree! I love my 265s!

Just got a 265S two days ago from an Apple Watch 6. Kinda regretting the switch TBH, the Garmin is too complicated. I just want to start my run timer and stop it. I was looking for more accurate GPS than Apple…. Kinda annoyed at the user interface.

I loved my 265s. It was a great running watch with a ton of features. Compared to the 965, it really only lacks maps and turn-by-turn navigation. I sold mine on marketplace for $200. Try looking at Marketplace or Swappa for deals.

Oh, apparently it does. It never seemed to work for me but I am probably just an idiot. My bad!

I actually sold mine for $200 recently. I wanted maps and more features. Got a deal for 20%+ another 10% off a Fenix 8 43 mm

I have a 265S and I love it. I want one that has the ability to track EMOMs & AMRAPs (I lift and run a ton) and turn by turn directions, like the Fenix 8 or the 965), but I have tiny wrists so alas. The 265 may be overkill depending on how much you run, but I absolutely love mine. Battery life, function, lactate threshold (with the chest strap), music (they finally added YouTube music!)...it's a great running watch.

You should buy watch with gyroscope sensor . For example fr165 doesn't have it. Fr265(5 atm) or instinct 3 amoled (10atm) do have gyroscope.

If i remember correctly swim 2 was very similar watch to fr245? (gen 3 sensor, outdated in 2025) instinct 3 amoled doesn't have touch and music but have flashlight and stronger built quality. i3 solar have small memory. fr265 have lover atm rating (if you go regularly to swimming poll there is good chance to cloge barometar hole after a year of swimming) and don't have flashligh. As usual with garmin: pick you poision. Both watches have 5 buttons, and swim drill log mode, that's good. Both watches have gen 4 sensor that is ok for average hr, but pretty slow to adapt to intervals. Gen 5 sensor is little better. In newer watch models i think there is swim coach but didn't track that part. 50mm i3 is probably to bulky for swim, but 45 i3 or 46/42 fr 265 should be ok size.

I'll trade you for my 265. I'm not enjoying it.

I had an Apple Watch Series 8. Jut made the switch to a Garmin Forerunner 265. Can’t wait to use it next week!! 😃

Finally, a lot of personal things happened and didn’t run much. The best thing is that you can stop/pause the watch without having to scroll on the screen. I plan to really start to try it Tuesday. Oh! Second best thing is the battery life!! Only charged it once since I have it!

I have a 265, which does everything I could want and ticks all your boxes at half the price. However, it’s your money, and even though it probably won’t make much of a difference to your running, if you want something cool like the 970 then go for it. I also have a £5,000 watch that does nothing other than show the time, so who am I to tell you otherwise!?

Honestly the Forerunner models at the lower end have tremendous capability. I'm not sure what metrics you are looking for, but the 265 has stress monitoring, sleep tracking, training readiness, workout suggestions, and a ton of activity tracking. The 965 has pulse ox (not on the 265), so if that is important stick with the 965. The 965 also has better mapping features and golf course information (distance to green and hazards). The 265 is a little smaller and lighter, easier to wear all day. The 965 is better on battery life - almost double the 265. I'm not big on the extra stuff like music storage, messaging, etc. They both have those things if you want it. If you want to make sure you get everything Garmin has to offer, the 965 is tough to beat. The 265 (or even 165) will save you bucks and get a good deal of what Garmin has available.

I went from a Forerunner 45 to a 735, then to a 945. The latter two support golf course distances which sold me on the upgrade. If I didn't golf, I'd look at the 265.

- 255 music if you want bare bones utility at an unbeatable price - 955/965 if you care about mapping - My personal choice: 265 for the better screen if you can find one at a reasonable price (~$350) Oh, and DO NOT get the 570 under any circumstances. Heavy on its price, light on features compared to anything else.

Sounds like the 165 fits with what you’re looking for. If you change your goals and habits in the future you can always upgrade. I rocked an Apple Watch for years and finally got tired of it running out of battery, especially on longer races. The forerunner 265 is what I got and it’s been a game changer now. 

see reviews by Des Fit or DCRainmaker. IIRC both have a video comparison of exactly those two watches. I went with the 265 as I didn't need maps and rhe 965 is bigger and more expensive. (it was a lot more expensive when I was looking for a new watch)

The Vivoactive 4 line never got a real successor. The new VAs are Venu 3 without a barometric sensor and without the bluetooth-handsfree speaker function. I went from a VA4 to a Forerunner 265 (grudgingly, I wanted to stay with MIP actually, but the touch screen made me buy a FR265 instead of a 255M). I wish it at least had a metal bezel like the VA line does :-/ My wife went from a VA3 to a VA4s when the Venu3 was out already because she loathes OLED screens but didn't want an expensive watch. To comfort you, the watch faces will eventually work (if they worked for the VA5, they author just needs to green-light them for the VA6, too). Have a go at the free Skating Pro app - even if your Garmin has a roller skating activity, the Skating Pro app is better. (the skating activity on my FR265 is very basic. The Skating Pro one gives you cadence, gliding time and steps, while the Garmin one only tracks GPS route and HR.

Go for a 255M then. Or for a 165 if you dont need one of the features it lacks vs. the 265 (can't remember what it was, something made me put the 165 off my list). I bought an 265 last year because I wanted a watch with a touch screen. Today I realized I could get around without it easy enough - so a FR255 would be my watch of choice today. 255M vs. 265: 255 has MIP screen, 265 has OLED 255 has models with and without music on watch, 265 always has music capability 255 misses touch screen 255 misses Training Readiness score (but has all others and also the same activities like the 265) 165 (can't reme.ber all the differences) cannot connect to bicycle power meters IIRC it had some analysis missing, either running metric such as vertical movement, left right balance a d ground contact time and or on watch running power estimation. It lacks multi system GPS support (but the normal one is ctually good enough in normal conditions outside of walking in ravines, deep canyons, in between sky scrapers or under thick tree cover) Reviews by Des Fit and DC Rainmaker are very thorough on accuracy and practicabilty of fitness features. They are recommended by many. There also are other great reviewers, but those two really put the sports modes to the test.

There were some limitations of the 165 that made me choose the 265. The features can be compared on the Garmin site. And chances are, some reputable reviewer such as DesFit or DCRainmaker has made an in deep comparison between the two. Ahhh... here is one https://youtu.be/pD77vx9x0Ig?si=o9NNSmrrqm29_RrO I was reluctant to get the 955 because I know I do not need navigation on my watch and the 900 series are pretty big watches (I wear them at night to also monitor sleep). But function-wise, it is a good choice. Especially if you prefer a MIP screen. From a budget vs. function perspective, the 255Music is a great running watch....if I crashed my 265 today, I'd likely get one. I'm still bemoaning the MIP display that I gave up with getting the 265.

TIL. My 265 doesn't tell me anything Stress related. Ah...yes, sometimes it suggests breathing work amidst driving or something - is that it?

oh, you are right!! Don't know if I would recommend *that* to a person who has a medical need for this, though.

my FR265 has indoor rowing. But needs a third party app for Canoeing. (SUP is supported and rowing)

Mind not all watches track rowing. The Forerunner 265 do. They excel at training specialties for running, but also work for your other activities. If you'd rather have a "fitness" type of watch (vs. a run trainer), check if Venu 3 has all your activities. Otherwise, just go with the Forerunner.

What the 265 has over the 255 (Music) \* OLED display vs MIP - I would have preferred MIP. Neither is a pro or con. \* Touch Screen - I wanted a touch screen, coming from a 2-button Vivoactive 4 \* 265 always has on-watch Music while there are 2 versions of 255 / 255 Music \* 255 did get some activity profiles, but DID NOT get the Training Readiness score - I can live without the training readiness score. Most 3rd arty watch faces don't display it anyway, even the new Venu 4 All Stars version of that watch face sold by Garmin does not have a data field for Training Readiness (currently, it's full of bug, I expect updates) \* 255 has better battery life, but 265 isn't terrible. - I charge my 265 about once a week with 30min to 1.5h GPS activity every day. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* \* The 255 and the 265 share the same mold for their watch body.- They wear the same \* They have the same strap style, albeit the 265 ones come in cheesy 2-tone colors. - Replace them with a strap of your choice anyway. \* They have the same set of activities \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* When I got my 265, I actually wanted a MIP watch that also had touch screen ( the 955 was as expensive as the 265 then and I felt it was too big for me to wear 24/7 and I knew I didn't need the map features of it anyway.). I did not want a Venu 3 either and found the Vivoactive 5 a slap in the face for Vivoactive 4 owners. The FR165 missed indoor rowing and some other tidbits in the Garmin shop listing, so I did away with that one. I basically bought the 265 because of FOMO, for me the OLED wasn't even desireable. Now, after over a year with the 265 I can say: \* I rarely use the touch screen on it (it doesn't work as well as the one on my VA4. The touch targets for OK and cancel are tiny and at the brim of the watch (next to the buttons). I forget to use it for scrolling, which works well. \* I can read the OLED pretty well, but I still miss the MIP's true always on. \* Always on with the OLED is a false friend. It halves the battery life and for most watch faces is so dim that you hardly can read it in daylight. If it's bright enough to read it, you live in constant fear of burning out your display.... \* Forerunner x65 watch faces suffer from overuse of gradient high-glow color schemes. To me, they appear gaudy. Also of the 10+ designs, only a few make for a readable and informing watch face. There is no good "classic" watch face in analog. The basic digital watch face is very barren. I have a selection of 3rd party watch faces that I wear. Most recently I bought the Venu 4-style All Stars Watch face from Garmin - while not perfect, it shows someone at Garmin can design a readable and modern looking but not gaudy watch face. TL;DR: So for me, a 255 Music would have been better. But not by so much that I would change my 265 for a 255M now that I have it already.

Pretty much everything is overpriced these days but this Forerunner 265 has really gotten my fat butt off the couch.

I’ve got a 265 and it’s pretty sweet. Works well. Great battery. Gives me way more data than I could possibly need. Highly recommend.

Hi, I made the same switch. Enjoyed my charge 6 but I feel that Google will gradually phase out the line. Also, my charge often lost GPS after I started a run. I have a Forerunner 265 and it’s excellent. I tried a 165 first and it was excellent too, I just prefer the glass crystal on the 265. Otherwise they function more or less the same. Haven’t lost GPS on a run with the garmin yet. I feel like the garmin gives me better recommendations for runs and I like the plethora of watch face options and customization. Also the variety and depth of data is definitely superior on the garmin. The interface is a little wonky and takes some getting used to. Highly recommend you find the DC Rainmaker YouTube video for whatever model you end up going with. About a month in, I was very comfortable with the garmin app and interface. But it was more complicated than the Fitbit at first and took some getting used to.

My Garmin 265 easily reports double the actual distance. I do have to admit that I swim like a wrench 🔧 I suspect that better technique yields better results. But I’m somewhat not impressed. Edit: Not impressed, considering that it sort of magically guesses pretty fairly correct when doing strength training.

If running is your main focus, both are solid choices, but here’s how I’d break it down: * **Forerunner 955** – better value at that price, especially since you’re getting full mapping, multi-band GPS, and longer battery life. If you do longer runs or want navigation on trails, you’ll definitely appreciate it. * **Forerunner 265/265S** – nicer AMOLED display, feels more modern, and the 265S will probably sit better on slimmer wrists. You’d be trading off some of the advanced mapping/navigation tools, though. For slim forearms, the **265S** is the most comfortable fit. The 955 isn’t overly bulky, but it’s still noticeably larger. If size/weight is a big concern, that could be the deciding factor. Personally, if you’re planning to do a lot of running-focused training with occasional multi-sport, the **955** is the best bang for your buck. But if aesthetics/comfort are more important and you’re not fussed about maps, the **265S** will feel like a better everyday wear.

I had a Fenix 5X, and I upgraded to a Forerunner 265, and I'm really happy with it. I would've gone with the 165, but I wanted to be able to keep using the heart rate strap that I had for the Fenix, so I did the 265. I like that it has the sleep tracker as well and pulseox. This one seems like it is more accurate on distances as well from the Fenix 5x. The 265 is a composite case and wears a lot lighter, too. All of that being said, I wear an automatic watch outside of runs/biking/rucking and sleeping, but the 265 does everything i need and more than the Fenix 5X that I upgraded from.

I have the Forerunner 265 and couldn’t be happier

At that price point a Garmin is way better for sports. Look into Forerunner 265 and a heart rate strap. That should total about the same as an Apple Watch S11.

Well 4-5 days on my Ultra 2 was when I first got it and had almost nothing installed on it but the bare basics. 3-4 days now that I actually use it is closer to my upper limit and 3 days is more typical. I’m also at home most of the time so there’s always a pretty strong WiFi signal. That might make a significant difference. Weak signals cause power drain. What you report with your Forerunner was about what I experienced when I had one of those for about a month.

I had one of the lesser versions… I think it was the 265. I think it was the always on display that killed my battery life.

I totally agree starting with the 165. It can do a lot of things. A second thought would be if you'll actually use unnecessary stuff you really don't need on the 265.

Yeah, I was overwhelmed at first. While watching TV, I would just go in and out of menus and just exploring. Then after a while it's actually kind of nice. I prefer to use the buttons as opposed to the touch screen of the 265. Much faster.

Hey man, would recommend on of the 255 or 265 series for a good value/price. If u are more of a rougher person I would pick the instinct 3.

I have a 165 for running and cycling and while it's fantastic, I kinda wish I got the 265 since it's got a lot more sport profiles like badminton that I would occasionally like, some more metrics like training readiness and training status. Though I will say that you can basically work those out yourself also by looking at HRV and recovery time on the 165. The 265 just kind of combines the data into a new metric even though the data it's gathering from your body is the same.

Went from Apple Watch to FR265 and I love it. The metrics and battery life is amazing. Perfect amount of smartwatch mixed with running watch.

255 and 265 have the same software hardware and functionalities… and they won’t get anything more. That being said they are great watches.

In comparison, Garmin 265 had about 60% battery left after a marathon while listening to music and using multiband GPS the entire time.

TL;DR: Garmin is sooo good—it saves money and gives me more features. I used to wear a Whoop band and an Apple Watch Ultra together: one mainly for running data and notifications ,the other mostly for sleep tracking. Recently, it was time to renew my Whoop subscription, and honestly, paying $200–300 a year without even getting the latest model didn’t make sense. So I canceled the subscription, sold the Apple Watch, and picked up a Garmin 265—(a recommendation I got from here) which costs much less than that old combo. What I like: It’s light, so wearing it to sleep doesn’t bother me. I even swapped the strap to make it more comfortable. It gives me a sleep score that motivates me to go to bed earlier, and it also tracks nightly numbers. The numbers aren’t exactly the same as Whoop’s, but they’re in the same range. What’s better: it has the Body Battery feature, which tells me when I should rest, and it even suggests training plans. The second time I went for a run, it popped up a pacing plan and reminded me to stick with it. I’d never used a feature like that before—it takes away the guesswork of “how much should I run today?” and I think it might actually help my performance. I used to stay away from Garmin because of all the comments about its not-so-friendly UI and apps. But after this week, I really wish I had tried it earlier.

i love my 265, can make workouts in the app as well. I don’t use much for workouts i’m scared to break it in the gym. But i love love love it for running. Switched from an apple watch and used apple watches last 8 years. I’ll never switch back now.

I got a 965 specifically because I wanted the golf tracking. If thats not you, you're probably fine with a 265.

I have used the Garmin forerunner 55 and currently use the 265S

I only use my Forerunner 265 to track runs & I love it. I turned any notification from my phone completely off.

I'm using a non-music fr 165 pero for your needs, I think fr 265/265s ang bagay sayo. Yung gps nyan is multiband so mas reliable especially kapag nasa city ka na maraming buildings. Battery life, wala ring problem. Pwede rin for swimming. Lastly, fr 265 ay may music capability na by default. Sa fr 165 kailangan mo pa yung music edition if you want to store music. >Planning to get a Garmin this time since I heard their watches also last for about two weeks in a single charge, which is what I'm used to. Ito, depende sya. Kung nakasmartwatch mode ka lang, yes pwede umabot ng 2 weeks pero kung lagi kang tumatakbo at nakagps, mas mabilis madedrain yung battery.

My current 265 is my 4th forerunner and it has been great. It has everything I need. That said, all these metrics are good on paper, but in practice I find I don't need it to tell me I should rest today because I already woke up feeling like crap. Adding too many metrics at the start ends up being detrimental, IMHO. That said I'd much rather suggest you to get an FR165 and get either an HR arm band or HRM-Pro chest strap since weight training is notoriously challenging for any optical wrist HR because of wrist movements. The HRM-PRO also enables you to play team sports with the watch safely in your bag, which is great for volleyball in my case. 165 or 265, you will have good watches, regardless.

I have an FR265 and my wife a Venu 3s. We both like our watches quite a lot and would not change for the other's. My 265 has some extras like the breadcrumb navigation and bike power meter connection that I use, while my wife does like answering quick calls on her wrist. Neither functionality is perfect: breadcrumb is by no means mapping and the sound quality in the Venu does not mean you will enjoy doing it. I'd rather see my calls in the watch and answer them with my Openrun Pro headphones. I have a bit more metrics on training while she has the newer optical HR sensor with ECG, which she does not use since neither of us have any cardiopathie. Both are good watches and will do the job for your recreational aspirations, I think. So maybe you should go with the one you like the most on your wrist.

The 2x5 line is much better for running than the 165, so I wouldn't recommend the 165. I find that Garmin watch are pretty bad at handling audio content (music, but especially podcasts and audiobooks). Coming from running only my Apple Watch, I switched to running with my 255 and my phone. So personally, I wouldn't recommend getting the music version. As for the 955, it does have maps and little more over the 255/265. It really comes down to how much you like to run in new places where maps are needed (and even then, the breadcrumbs map on the 255 can be handy).

My Forerunner 265 plays my Spotify without much trouble. I have had the odd track skip or get distorted for a moment. I only listened to one podcast, and that seemed to work just fine. You just need to "sync" the Spotify playlist ahead of time. My bigger issue with streaming from the watch is the additional battery drain.

I think the 265 has pretty much reached the end of its run for getting enhancements. The 265 was released on March 2, 2023, so it is over 2 years old now. The last major update was released earlier this month, but it didn't add much.

I have a FR265, bought it about a year and a half ago. The only issue I really have is when I am recording 1-2 hour activities each day I have to recharge it about every 3-4 days. I would like a longer battery life.

Garmin Forerunner 265 has a very good, clear heart rate display while swimming.

I absolutely *love* Garmin watches — not just for the sleek design and durability, but because I genuinely enjoy collecting stats on myself. There's something incredibly motivating about seeing the data and tracking my progress over time. That said, I’ll be honest: I don’t even fully understand *all* the stats I collect! But that’s part of the journey — learning what the data means and how it can help you improve. My journey with fitness trackers started ages ago with the Nike Fuel Band, and since then, I’ve upgraded every couple of years as my goals and training needs evolved. I used the Forerunner 265 for a good while — it’s a fantastic watch. But when the FR 970 came out, I decided to take the plunge. And honestly? No regrets. It’s absolutely brilliant. That said, for most people — especially depending on your goals — the Forerunner 265 is more than capable. It's packed with features, the display is stunningly bright and crisp, and it's reliable enough to support everything from everyday training to serious endurance work. If I had one piece of advice, it would be this: rather than upgrading every time a new model is released, go for the best and newest model you can afford upfront. Garmin watches are built to last, and if you take the time to understand the metrics, they’ll repay you in spades — not just in running data, but in overall health insights. Beyond the usual pace and heart rate stats, Garmin offers deeper health metrics like sleep tracking, HRV status, and endurance scores — all of which can give you a more complete picture of your wellbeing and recovery. If you’re looking to train smarter, not just harder, these tools are incredibly valuable. Garmin isn’t just about tracking runs — it’s about understanding your body, your effort, and your potential.

Garmin is still selling the 255, 955, 265, and 965. Those are much better value than the 570. The price of the 570 puts it in such a bad spot sandwiched between better options. The watch is fine but it should've been a 2xx level pricing. It's the 265 successor after all.

The 955, it's a no-brainer imo. You get almost all the top features, great battery, etc. One of the best values you can get from Garmin. The 265 and, the 965 for that matter, have no advantage over the 955. The exception is amoled and looks, but these are subjective and a lot of people prefer MIPS.

I have a FR265, battery lasts most of a week, I have turned off the touchscreen so I can do everything with the physical buttons, and the performance and FOCUS on fitness is exactly what I need. For me it is this: \- If you want the best possible smartwatch with solid fitness features, get an Apple Watch. \- If you want the best possible fitness watch with decent/solid smartwatch features, go with Garmin. It is all about your focus. For my wife, the Apple Watch rules, for me it is Garmin.

That joyous mix of no FOMO and an emptiness in your bank account! Edit - I have the 265 and while I love it, the 255 satisfies THAT need as well!

if you need maps buy 965, if not go for 265. If you even do not need OLED go 255. If you need battery go for the one with more battery capability. Don’t get fooled by fancy metrics you’ll never use. I have a 955. Very happy with it. I was happy also with my 245 without mapping and using the preloaded tracks. Only reason I upgraded was screen size e possibility to have 5 fields on the screen. Other than that it was perfect, and I still miss how it was disappearing on my wrist in terms of weight, bulkiness and band size. Consider used to try it out or go to a local shop to play with it and see how it feels at your wrist. Also consider a nylon band (ultrafit by garmin or a similar amazon one) since it is mor stretchy, secures better, breaths better then silicon.

if you need oled no maps go 265. If you need no oled no maps 255. If you need maps and oled 965, if you need maps no oled 955. Must say I was also happy with my 245 using preloaded tracks to follow (you just do not have tha background image only a track. I switche to 955 because I needed more fields on my screen (fr245 had only 4) and I do trail running. I am happy with my 955 but I dont really am a fun of maps, I still use my phone for that. I could have been ok with the slicker and lighter 255. I still miss how the 245was disappearing on my wrist in terms of weight, bulkiness and band size. Consider to buy used to try it out or go to a local shop to play with it and see how it feels at your wrist. Also consider a nylon band (ultrafit by garmin or a similar amazon one) since it is more stretchy, secures better, breaths better then silicon. Trust me, you dont need touch screen on a sport watch. Garmin one is also bad in my experience. Also dont get fooled by fancy metrics you will never use.

They'll all get the job done just fine, but reading your post it sounds like you want the Forerunner 265. Animated workouts, route planning (no maps on watch), better sleep and training readiness tracking, and a touch screen.

https://preview.redd.it/a1ih92yd3yif1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ae2ef9c8e4b1a4a1d6e926d43035104fa1f9ba7 Got my 265 yesterday, happy with it! 👌

She’s going to have to choose between function and style. I myself got the 265s because it’s the smallest watch available that met my needs (battery life + phone-free music streaming). Still wish it was even smaller and more stylish. I customize the watch face to make it look less sporty.

FR265 has a lot more features like training load, training effect, etc. The Venu 3 on the other hand has the newest HR sensor (elevate v5 vs v4 on the forerunners), but is missing a lot of the in-depth training features.

Not OP, but I currently own a forerunner 265 Vivoactive is Garmin's budget lineup. It's a pretty solid watch if you're just into basic stats tracking. Compared to the more expensive lineup, it can still provide decent stats, but will be lacking in providing "recommendations" or some of their lineup specific stats (some example provided below). Their more premium lineups are Venu and Forerunner and the top ends are like Fenix. The Venu lineup is more into "lifestyle" tracking such as sleep / ECG. Iirc, it has one of the better heart-rate monitors out of the other watches. The Forerunner lineup is more into "sports" tracking. I would only recommend this if you're a highly active person. It'll provide more detailed activity based stats for different sports. Regarding the lineup specific stats, forerunner provides a "Training Readiness" stats that calculates the perceived readiness of your performance from various recorded metrics such as your past sleep history, your recent activity performance, and your VO2 max. Think of it as a summary statistics calculated across various metrics. Caveat though, this stats is only available on the higher end Forerunner series. You might want to consider the following details too when choosing between watches/brands: - Battery life - Integration with current smartphone ecosystem (Depending if you're using Apple/Android) - Comfort features (Phone calling or texting / Music / NFC)

I recently got a 265s after my 645 died. Very happy with the 265s, it's small (I'm small) and I find the screen size fine. I had a very long conversation. With chat gpt about different garmins and landed on this one. Maybe do that? Easy for it to create side by side tables, and i could tell it to add more info and comparisons to the tables as I thought of them. Also 265s is one of the cheaper ones but has a lot of functions

Don’t forget to check out the Forerunner 265.. it’s what I currently have until I upgrade to the Fenix 8. It’s a great watch if you don’t need maps and just want to track health and fitness data.

I have no idea why people are recommending the FR255 over a 265. Either a 265 or a 165.

I got a forerunner 965 which I quite like, if you don’t care for the OLED screen then get the 265 and if it’s in your price range the fenix line looks more serious and is more durable. Also has some extra features.

Forerunners could be used as everyday watches, these are usually quite slim and have a good battery life. But they usually have a plastic case and might look quite cheap. FR 265s for instance. Regarding the features, none of them have a speaker / microphone, and none uses the most advanced Elevate V5 HR sensor, but everything else is good. I would say this is actually the best Garmin product line, as I don't like heavy and bulky watches

Definitely the forerunner 265, or a 965 if you can afford it.of you’re coming from an Apple Watch the Venu 3 may also be of interest.

Forerunner 255 or 265 if you prefer AMOLED screens Most bang for your buck

All garmin’s work really well. I have the forerunner 965 and it works great. Garmin also sells a speed and cadence sensor that connect to your watch for 40 usd and also improves data capture. I ride exclusively w/o a head unit because I prefer no screens on my ride. I like to track calories, heart rate, elevation, and routes along with speed and cadence. The 965 has the best experience I’ve found so far, I’ve also used the vivoactive, venu 2, and forerunner 265. 965 offers incredible battery life (6 2-3 hour rides per week along with other activities for a weekly charge). You can also bring up and use maps on the watch. Syncing is a PITA and is useful in a pinch if you REALLY need it, but if you are looking for map integration I’d suggest a head unit instead of a watch.

I just got the 265 and while i don't swim, it has the option to track pool swim and open water

You can build your own routines in the app on your phone and sync them to the watch.

Sorry, I feel this is on you for not having read the specs properly, or not knowing what you want. I have a Lily2 workout GPS and I use my phone to track distances. But for training I bought a FR265, which is more expensive, uglier but more useful. I use the Lily now for work events.

Not "extra maps". The FR265 doesn't have ANY maps, only breadcrumb trails and the like. If you want to download Outdoor+ Maps or see your real-time location on a TopoActive map, you need the FR965, not the FR265. HUGE difference in navigation and mapping capabilities between these two watches.

Yes, I was just clarifying for anyone else that might be considering the 265 vs 965. I upgraded from the 265 to the 965 specifically because of the on-watch Outdoor+ Maps. I made the mistake of thinking it was just a "nice to have" feature, but being able to take a quick glance at my wrist while hiking out in the woods is extremely helpful. I can see topographic details, parcel lines, hydro features, trail POIs, etc. at a glance without breaking stride or having to hold a phone in my hand. For people that don't do any hiking it might not be worth the added cost, though.

Personally, I'd stretch to a 265 but the 255 is still great - I reckon the extra features are worth the price difference.

I recently got the 265s and I'm loving it. I prefer the screen to that of the 265, and I like having training readiness.

With your budget, I suspect you'd be a lot happier with the Forerunner 255 or 265. They're very similar but fuller featured. I just got a 165 as an upgrade from Vivoactive 4. I think the 165 is a good choice if you are budget-conscious (I am). But if you have the budget, 255 or 265 are worth the extra money. I don't find that watches add much value for lifting - I still track it, but the heart rate monitoring etc for various cardio activities is much more accurate and actionable. The 165 will make it's best guess at treadmill distance, then ask you what distance the treadmill said when you end the activity. I don't value GPS tracking very highly, but all my other indoor training has been tracked very well by the watch. You can edit activities in Garmin Connect easily; what you can edit on the watch itself varies.

If you are a runner, definitely 265

Dude I did over 5 hours of GPS training in the last 7 days with 2 hours of music played and still have 20% battery on my forerunner 265 music - what watch do you have??

I had the same issue with the FR265

Seconding the 265s! I had the Venu 2S before starting running seriously, it worked fine but didn’t have all the features I wanted (not compatible with external heart rate monitor for better data). Upgraded to 265S after my first half marathon and it’s a game changer!! Has built in workouts in the watch (my Venu never did, or at least I couldn’t figure it out), gives excellent data, and I LOVE the multiband GPS - I’m no longer teleporting when I’m near tall buildings and dense forested areas. Aesthetic-wise, 265S is very similar to Venu minus the metal bezel and has extra buttons, and those extra buttons are awesome!

I just got the 265 and I am adjusting to it….no complaints thus far.

I was also a pixel watch user. I switched to the Forerunner 265 and have been blown away by it!

Hi!! I have a 255, I lift about 3 times a week, run about 3 times a week. I’ve had my 255 since it came out 3 years ago and I haven’t had a single problem with it, it is the older version of the 265, but if you don’t want to pay for the 265, 255 is still amazing for me and battery still lasts over a week even though it’s 3 years old. I was overwhelmed too and worried I wouldn’t have enough features if I didn’t spend a million dollars on a top model one. And I have never wished for a feature I can’t use with this watch!! So I don’t think you need anything more than the 265. Also I’ve used mine in the shower, pools, lakes, and oceans, snowboarding and in the desert and it’s been perfect everywhere.

garmin forerunner (255 or 265 are good choice )or instinct series both have solar models if you want even more battery, or garmin fenix 7 or 8 but they are bit more expensive. also coros pace 3 its a great price to performance sport watch with great battery life

I'd take advantage of a sale on the Epix 2 or Fenix 7. Garmin's last, and think of it more as an investment and not a purchase. I'm not sure what your long-term fitness goals are, but a Forerunner or Fenix/Epix model will be able to cover anything you throw at them long-term. The biggest thing I've been telling my friends is, if you ever have dreams of doing a triathlon, get a Forerunner 255/265 and above since that's when the multi-sport/triathlon mode starts.

For the things you described any would be good. Even a FR165 (or F255/265 slightly bigger screen) or a basic Vivoactive. With that budget you can buy even an Epic if you like it (though would be overkill in terms of features). I would go on a shop, try them and pickup what you like the most in terms of size, look and comfort on your wrist.

I know people LOVE their MIPS for the simplicity and battery life and because it’s familiar. I was recently gifted an AMOLED Forerunner ahead of a half marathon and the screen was excellent and a nice upgrade over my previous Garmins. Battery life is still more than sufficient.

Ive had a few Fenix versions, they are great/ top of the range. Last few years ive been using forerunners which have all the functionality - 9xx series is great, or 2xx for something easier on the pocket. My activities include trail running, hiking, triathlons (and running/swimming/riding only), golf/disc golf. Navigation and battery are good, and glass is strong. Lifestyle is great for sleep, general hr tracking, step counts, tap to pay. The 955 i have also has great multimedia (music). Cant go wrong with a forerunner (solar if you are doing ultra's or multiday). Fenix is a nice splurge

>Its a Vivoactive by another name. ironically i've been looking at the FR series to upgrade my old vivoactive. lack of altimeter is deal breaker for me.

I second this. Exact same use case run 3x/week and weight train 3-4x/week. I found the epix pro gen 2 sapphire to be best utility and bang for buck. I tried the FR but was too run focused and I preferred the more tactical look. The fenix 8 was nice but at double the price with same sensor technology it didn’t felt worth it. You do forgo the mic and voice features but I didn’t need it and didn’t want a true smart watch but prioritized a fitness forward watch. 3 months in and I love my Epix pro gen 2 47mm

Garmin - They have a lot of watches at different price points. There is built-in GPS and the battery lasts for several days, unlike a smart watch that you typically need to charge every night. The Garmin app easily syncs with other fitness apps, if that's important to you. If you have a smaller wrist, go for the "S" models that will look and fit better.