I’ve examined and reviewed dozens of health watches within the final couple of years, however I all the time return to the Garmin Forerunner 965 and 265 when I’m completed due to the coaching load options and health insights. The Garmin Forerunner 265, the location’s #1 finest working watch choose, hit $349 ($100 off) for the primary time since its launch, whereas the premium Forerunner 965 hit its personal all-time-low at $499 ($100 off).
According to Camelcamelcamel, Garmin briefly discounted each watches $50 throughout October Prime Day and Black Friday final 12 months, however stored each at full worth earlier than and after. Since Garmin normally focuses its larger PD and BF offers on older watches, there’s actually no assure that the Forerunner 265 and 965 might be any cheaper this November. I’m not attempting to promote you something once I say that if you need both watch, now’s the time. I’d purchase one if I did not have already got it.
If you are undecided which watch to purchase, I made this useful Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. 965 information some time again that runs by means of all the variations. The reality is, the Forerunner 265 actually has many of the working options that Garmin gives, except for area of interest instruments like Endurance/ Hill scores and excessive sports activities modes like Cyclocross and Backcountry Skiing. You primarily pay for the trendy titanium bezel, further battery life, and on-wrist maps with the 965.
Personally, though I really like my Forerunner 965, I’ll level extra folks in direction of the Forerunner 265 as a result of, at this worth, it prices about the identical as different mainstream smartwatches, without having a month-to-month subscription for the AI insights like Fitbit and different manufacturers. It’s an ideal Garmin start line that ought to final you years earlier than you resolve if you would like a extra premium expertise.
✅ Recommended if: You need the most effective Location Services accuracy in the marketplace, plus dependable HR and HRV information, every day exercise options, and weeks-long battery life. You’re a solitary, data-driven runner who wants steerage on tips on how to get quicker.
❌ Skip this deal if: You want correct apps and smarts to go together with your exercise suggestions — take a look at the Pixel Watch 3 — otherwise you need one thing even cheaper — attempt the $250 Garmin Forerunner 165, which I referred to as “barely a compromise” in comparison with the 265.
