Garmin Forerunner 265 Review (2024): Lightweight and Packed With Features

With so many options on the market, choosing the right fitness tracker can be very confusing. Even after you’ve decided which brand you want to try, you still need to choose the right fitness tracker, which isn’t always easy as many have similar features and designs. 

Thankfully, we’ve tested plenty of trackers over the years here at Garage Gym Reviews, and in this article, I’ll share our honest thoughts about one of the highest-rated fitness watches we’ve tested so far. 

In this Garmin Forerunner 265 review, the watch that won the title of “Best for Runners” in our guide to the best Garmin fitness tracker, I’ll be explaining the pros and cons, key differences between this watch and other models, and who this watch is best for. Even if you’re not a runner, there’s plenty to love about this fitness tracker.

Extensively Tested by Fitness Experts

When it comes to fitness trackers, we don’t simply read the specs, try one on for a photo, and write a review. The GGR testers, who include certified personal trainers, athletes, gym owners, and more, have plenty of experience using a variety of trackers, and we know how to tell the good from the bad.

Each review is based on extensive testing, and our product score is carefully calculated using our equipment testing methodology. For this review, GGR Senior Staff Lauren Strong, CPT, tested this watch and even had her husband wear it for nearly two months. After testing, she rated the Forerunner 265 on a scale of 1 to 5 in several important categories from our testing methodology, including: 

• Durability and construction
• Tech capabilities
• Battery life
• Comfort and style

Garmin Forerunner 265

Garmin Forerunner 265

GGR Score: 4.3

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Fitness tracking watch designed for runners
• Up to 15 days of battery in smartwatch mode
• Comes in 2 sizes
• Tracks heart rate, sleep, stress levels, hydration, and more
• Morning report feature presents readiness levels

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Long battery life
• Multiple sizes
• Available in 6 colors
• Morning report feature presents readiness levels

Cons

• Pricier fitness tracker
• No wireless charging option

Bottom Line

The Forerunner 265 is one of Garmin’s latest fitness trackers for runners, available in six colors and two different sizes. It has a few more features than the Forerunner 165, but not as many as the 965, which gives it a middle-of-the-road price. Along with heart rate monitoring and sleep insights, the morning report presents readiness levels, each day.

A Quick Look at the Garmin Forerunner 265

Garmin has a reputation for making some of the best fitness trackers and smartwatches on the market, designed for serious fitness enthusiasts who want to track nearly every health metric imaginable. While other competitors, such as the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, are smartwatches with fitness tracking features built-in, functioning like a miniature version of your phone, Garmin watches prioritize fitness and health tracking. 

Garmin offers a wide range of watches designed for various activities and budgets, including the Venu smart watches, the Forerunner series, as well as top-of-the-line options like the Garmin Fenix 7 and Garmin Epix. While it’s great to see so many watches available, choosing the right Garmin can be quite confusing, as many Garmin watches look very similar at first glance. 

The Forerunner 265 is an upgrade from last year’s mid-range watch, the Garmin Forerunner 255, and is somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to the variety of Garmin watches available. It features a bright AMOLED screen that’s easy to read in nearly all lighting conditions, though some say bright light can make it difficult, as well as a comfortable silicone band for all-day comfort.

As a result, this fitness tracker is lightweight and comfortable, tracks more health metrics than most people will ever need, and has an impressive battery that can last up to two weeks, depending on the usage. It also pairs seamlessly with an iPhone or Android phone, allowing users to access plenty of data and customization options with the various Garmin apps available.

Before You Buy

• The Forerunner 265 is packed with features and has a very impressive battery life.
• It’s smaller than several other Garmin trackers, making it a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want a bulky watch.
• While it’s designed for runners, all fitness enthusiasts can benefit from this watch.

Is the Garmin Forerunner 265 Worth It?

Fitness trackers come in a wide range of prices, and while the Forerunner 265 goes on sale throughout the year, the $450 price (at the time of writing) certainly isn’t cheap. 

As Lauren Strong, CPT, said, “This isn’t the fitness tracker for beginners. It’s something you buy when you know you’ll utilize all the features.”

If you’re interested in tracking the data and want to start wearing a fitness tracker, which has been shown to improve physical activity¹, body composition, and fitness levels, the Forerunner 265 is a great option.

Garmin Forerunner 265 Specs

Using the Garmin Forerunner 265

The Forerunner 265 is similar to many other Garmin models, as it’s packed with features that may take a day or two to explore, but once you’ve got it down, using the watch is quick and easy.

When you pair the watch with your smartphone via the Garmin App, you’ll be able to track your metrics, change the settings on your watch, set up training plans, and much more. You can also use Garmin Connect, a free online app-based fitness community that allows you to connect with others, share your fitness milestones, complete challenges, and earn badges. 

RELATED: Getting the Most Out of Your Fitness Tracker

Lauren pointed out that the watch is a little bulky, which wouldn’t interfere with daily use but could make the watch uncomfortable to wear while you sleep. This isn’t a huge deal for those who don’t want sleep tracking and may extend the battery life, but those who want to track their sleep will need to get used to wearing a watch all night.

Fitness and Health Tracking

If you’re considering a Garmin, you’re probably looking for a watch that can track as many health metrics as possible. The Garmin Forerunner 265 is packed with tracking features and can provide more information than most people will ever use on a regular basis. 

Even after nearly two months of use, Lauren said that both she and her husband would likely never use all of the available features, which provide all sorts of data. 

Here are some of the many health metrics the Forerunner 265 can track. 

• Training readiness score
• Heart rate
• Resting heart rate (RHR)
• Respiration
• Body battery
• Blood oxygen levels
• Sleep
• V02 max
• HRV status
• Training load
• Calories burned

The watch also tracks specific metrics for runners, like cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and more. The app will provide plenty of helpful graphs and charts to track your performance and progress over time. If you’re using the race plans and daily suggested workouts, the watch will suggest a workout designed to improve your fitness without compromising your recovery time, using things like your HRV recovery scores.

RELATED: What Is V02 Max?

When you’re performing any sort of outdoor workout, the built-in GPS can track every step you take. The watch also has SatIQ technology, which provides optimal GPS accuracy to record your training without draining unnecessary power.

SatIQ automatically switches between different types of GPS modes depending on your needs. It can use multi-band tracking if you’re near tall buildings or running in the woods, or switch to a low power GPS mode in open spaces.

Durability and Construction

For durability and construction, Lauren gave the Forerunner 265 a 5-out-of-5-star rating.

She had her husband wear the watch and said that even though he’s very hard on his stuff and didn’t go out of his way to take care of it, it still looked brand new after 6 to 8 weeks of regular use. 

The 416 x 416-pixel AMOLED display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a scratch-resistant material used in many watches and smartphones, and the bezel is made of a fiber-reinforced polymer for extra durability. 

Everyone’s usage will be different, so we can’t promise that everyone’s watch will look flawless after nearly two months of use, but this is a great sign, especially as we’ve tested other fitness trackers that scratch quite easily. 

Technology Capabilities

We’ve already covered the Forerunner 265’s health-tracking aspects, so let’s examine its technology capabilities, which earn a 4 out of 5. 

While this running watch is very powerful, the most notable feature it’s missing is the ability to use cellular data and act as an extension of your smartphone. This is standard for Garmin watches, but I found this a bit surprising when I tried a Garmin for a month after years of using an Apple Watch. You can see notifications from your phone as long as it’s nearby, but you won’t be able to leave your phone at home. 

That’s our only callout, and the rest of the technology built into this sports watch is very impressive. If you do want to listen to music, you can pre-download songs from Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, or YouTube Music and listen to them without needing your phone, but you can’t stream music you haven’t already downloaded. 

When you wake up each day, you can view a morning report that shows an overview of your sleep quality, your training readiness, and even the weather forecast. The watch includes a powerful built-in GPS to track your outdoor workouts, race training plans with personalized suggestions for runners, the ability to download music to your watch, make contactless payments with Garmin Pay, and more. 

If you use the Garmin Connect app, you can also pair your watch and have it share data with some of the best running apps, like Strava and MapMyFitness. You can also use Garmin Connect IQ to customize your experience with watch faces and widgets. 

For those who aren’t sold on the idea of wrist-based heart rate tracking during a workout, you can also pair your watch with a compatible chest strap for the most accurate heart rate data possible.

Battery Life and Charging

Garmin claims that the Forerunner 265 can last up to 13 days when used in smartwatch mode, but Lauren found the watch lasts at least 15 days and may last even more if you don’t use it for sleep tracking.

Of course, certain features may reduce the battery life, such as longer endurance events where your GPS is running for hours, using features like music streaming, and more. However, if you’re simply wearing this throughout the day and tracking a workout each day, you should get nearly two weeks of usage before recharging the battery. 

Comfort and Style

Most people will be more concerned with the data provided by the watch, but comfort and style still matter, especially if you plan on wearing this watch in non-gym settings where a bright digital display may seem out of place.

For the overall aesthetic, Lauren gave the Forerunner 265 a 4.5 out of 5. She commented that it has a big face with neon numbers but still looks pretty neutral for a smartwatch.

However, the watch suffers a bit from adjustability, earning only a 3.5 out of 5 rating. While there are two sizes, even the larger size with the default band may be too small for some users. 

“There are two watch face sizes to choose from, 42mm or 46mm,” said Lauren. “I accidentally ordered the 46mm, and it’s too big for my wrist. Instead of returning, I let my husband test this watch. The band itself has quite a few adjustments, but my husband is on the last few holes—it’s a bit small, and I wish it came with an optional longer band.”

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Garmin Forerunner 965

Garmin Forerunner 965

Garmin Forerunner 965

GGR Score: 4.4

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Garmin running watch
• Color AMOLED display
• Features multi-band GPS and built-in maps
• Provides suggested workouts and training readiness
• Shows on-wrist running dynamics and training status
• Includes USB C cable and manual

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available in 3 colors
• Both touchscreen and button control
• Live location tracking and incident alerts with location data
• Built-in maps and multiband maps
• Tracks sleep data and provides a readiness score in the morning

Cons

• Short 1-year warranty
• Expensive at almost $600 dollars
• No ECG heart rate tracking
• No wireless charging capabilities
• Very mixed reviews on the Garmin Connect App

Bottom Line

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is a running watch with multi-sport functionality. It features an AMOLED display, multi-band GPS, and built-in maps and tracks your activity, recovery, and sleep. Customer reviews for that watch are mostly positive. However, multiple customers dislike the Garmin Connect interface.

If you like the features of the Forerunner 265 but want a bit more durability and luxury in your watch, the Forerunner 965 is a nice upgrade for those with extra spending money. 

As both watches are part of the Forerunner line, many of the software features and data tracking are nearly identical, but the 965 has better hardware, which may appeal to some. 

The Forerunner 965 is slightly larger, has a titanium bezel, and has a longer battery. Those are the key differences, aside from the cost, which is a difference of $150 at the time of writing. 

If you want the higher-end Forerunner and don’t mind spending a little more money, the 965 is a great choice. However, if you don’t want to spend extra money to upgrade the hardware, the 265 is still an excellent watch and you won’t be missing out on any important features. 

To learn more about the Forerunner 965, you can read our complete Garmin Forerunner 965 review. 

Customer Experience 

For the customer experience, Garmin earns a 4.5 out of 5. 

You can receive a full refund within 30 days, and if you keep the watch, there’s a one-year warranty when you order from Garmin. If you purchase your watch from a different retailer, you’ll have to follow that store’s individual return policy.

Garmin offers a customer support center on its website, but there is no listed phone number or email to reach out to the team. 

Ordering the Garmin Forerunner 265

Lauren said that the ordering process was very simple, and the watch shipped quickly. All orders from Garmin over $25 ship free, and you have the option to finance your purchase with Klarna.

When she ordered her watch, she noted that several colors were back-ordered, so inventory may vary depending on when you order. Garmin watches are also available at many other retailers, so you may be able to find different prices, colors, and financing options depending on where you shop. 

Customer Reviews

Garmin doesn’t publish any customer reviews on its website, so we turned to Amazon, where the Forerunner 265 has a 4.7 out of 5 score based on 368 ratings. 

Many customers love the battery life, durability, and technology, though several mentioned technical issues with streaming music and other technical difficulties at times. 

Final Verdict of Our Garmin Forerunner 265 Review

Whether you’re looking for a durable fitness tracker with long battery life for your next triathlon or you simply want to wear a multisport smartwatch that will track the most important health metrics, the Forerunner 265 is a great choice.

It doesn’t feature all of the smartwatch features you may be used to, like cellular data or calling and texting from the watch, but it’s one of the best trackers we’ve tested for monitoring your health and fitness performance. 

It’s not cheap, but if you’re looking to invest in your health with a fitness tracker, this is one of the highest-scoring options we’ve tested. 

Full Rating

Garmin Forerunner 265

The Forerunner 265 is one of Garmin’s latest fitness trackers for runners, available in six colors and two different sizes. It has a few more features than the Forerunner 165, but not as many as the 965, which gives it a middle-of-the-road price. Along with heart rate monitoring and sleep insights, the morning report presents readiness levels, each day.

Product Brand: Garmin

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 449.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.3

Garmin Forerunner 265: FAQs

References

1. Ferguson, T., Olds, T., Curtis, R., Blake, H., Crozier, A. J., Dankiw, K., Dumuid, D., Kasai, D., O’Connor, E., Virgara, R., & Maher, C. (2022). Effectiveness of wearable activity trackers to increase physical activity and improve health: a systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The Lancet. Digital health, 4(8), e615–e626. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(22)00111-X

Matt Dustin, CES, PN1-NC

Matt is a writer and fitness coach who's been working in the fitness industry for 11 years. Before joining the GGR team, Matt was a freelance health and fitness writer for 11 years, writing for dozens of fitness websites, influencers, and wellness brands. He's also the author of three nutrition books published through Simon & Schuster. He currently lives in Las Vegas, NV.

Further reading

Push-Up Mistakes: Avoid These Common Traps To Maximize Your Progress

by Matt Dustin, CES, PN1-NC

If you’re using push-ups in your workout routine, make sure you’re avoiding these common push-up mistakes that could limit your progress. Read more

What Is a Creatine Cycle? The 3 Phases Explained

by Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD

A creatine cycle is a method that’s commonly practiced in the fitness community, but does this supplementation technique actually work? An RD weighs in. Read more

Kettlebell Core Workout for a Stronger Midsection

by Shane McLean, CPT

With so many options on the market, choosing the right fitness tracker can be very confusing. Even after you’ve decided which brand you want to try, you still need to choose the right fitness tracker, which isn’t always easy as many have similar features and designs. Thankfully, we’ve tested plenty of trackers over the years here at Garage Gym Reviews, and in this article, I’ll share our honest thoughts about one of the highest-rated fitness watches we’ve tested so far.   » Read more about: Garmin Forerunner 265 Review (2024): Lightweight and Packed With Features  » Read more

5 Signs You’re Making Progress in Your Workouts

by Shane McLean, CPT

You’ve been working out, but are you making progress? Here are signs to watch for. Read more