Fitness Tracker

Garmin Forerunner 265

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is an excellent choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts who want a vibrant display combined with Garmin's renowned training and recovery analytics.

4.6/ 5
4.6
Verified by SweatNook · Garmin
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The Verdict

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is an excellent choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts who want a vibrant display combined with Garmin's renowned training and recovery analytics. It strikes a strong balance between advanced features and everyday usability, making it a top pick in the mid-to-upper range fitness tracker market.

Specifications

Display
1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen
Battery Life
Up to 13 days (smartwatch mode)
GPS
Multi-band GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Water Resistance
5 ATM
Weight
47g

Key Features

  • AMOLED touchscreen display
  • Built-in GPS with multi-band support
  • Advanced training metrics (VO2 max, training readiness)
  • Pulse Ox and heart rate monitoring
  • Up to 13 days battery life in smartwatch mode
  • Personalized daily workout suggestions
  • Music storage and playback
  • Sleep tracking with sleep coaching

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Bright, vivid AMOLED touchscreen display
  • Excellent GPS accuracy for running and outdoor workouts
  • Comprehensive training and recovery insights
  • Lightweight and comfortable for daily wear
  • Long battery life for a smartwatch with AMOLED screen
  • Supports music storage for phone-free workouts

Cons

  • Touchscreen can be less responsive during workouts with sweaty fingers
  • AMOLED display drains battery faster than transflective screens on other Garmins
  • No offline maps like higher-end Garmin models
  • Premium price point compared to basic fitness trackers

Owner Reviews

Best running watch I've ownedJason M. · 2024-03-12
★★★★★

The AMOLED screen is gorgeous and the GPS accuracy has been spot on for all my trail runs. Battery life easily gets me through a week of training.

Great features, slight learning curveElena R. · 2024-02-20
★★★★★

Took me a bit to get used to all the training metrics, but once I did, the insights on recovery and readiness have been super helpful for my marathon training.

Perfect balance of style and functionTom H. · 2024-01-15
★★★★★

I love that it looks like a regular smartwatch but packs in all the serious training tools. The touchscreen combined with buttons is very intuitive.

Solid upgrade from my old ForerunnerPriya S. · 2023-12-30
★★★★★

The display is a huge upgrade and the sleep tracking has been surprisingly accurate. Only wish the battery lasted a bit longer with always-on display enabled.

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