Garmin watches offer a wide range of features for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, and at COMPARE.EDU.VN, we understand the importance of making an informed decision. This detailed comparison of the Garmin Forerunner 165 and Forerunner 265 series will help you choose the best watch for your needs. We’ll break down the key differences, from display and size to training features and sensor compatibility, so you can confidently select the Garmin that suits your fitness journey. Ultimately, understanding these nuances will help you find the perfect device to optimize your workouts and achieve your fitness goals, all while considering activity tracking capabilities and heart rate monitoring technology.
1. Sizing Up: Display and Size Differences
The first noticeable difference between the Forerunner 165 and 265 lies in their display and physical dimensions. Here’s a breakdown:
- Forerunner 165: Features a 1.2″ display with a resolution of 390×390 pixels and a 43mm case size.
- Forerunner 265S: Comes with a smaller 1.1″ display (360×360 pixels) and a 42mm case.
- Forerunner 265: Boasts the largest display at 1.3″ (416×416 pixels) and a 46mm case size.
Despite only a millimeter difference in size, the Forerunner 265S often feels smaller on the wrist than the Forerunner 165. The Forerunner 265 series utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with a slightly curved edge, while the Forerunner 165 uses chemically strengthened glass with a flat surface.
When it comes to weight, the Forerunner 165 and 265S both weigh in at 39g, while the larger Forerunner 265 is slightly heavier at 47g.
| Feature | Forerunner 165 | Forerunner 265S | Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 1.2″ (390×390 pixels) | 1.1″ (360×360 pixels) | 1.3″ (416×416 pixels) |
| Case Size | 43mm | 42mm | 46mm |
| Glass Type | Chemically Strengthened | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Weight | 39g | 39g | 47g |
2. Training Readiness: A Key Differentiator
One of the most significant software differences between these models is the Training Readiness feature, which is exclusive to the Forerunner 265 series. Training Readiness is a comprehensive score that evaluates your body’s preparedness for training by considering various factors. This feature gives you a daily score indicating how ready you are to train, leveraging data from sleep, HRV, training load, and recovery.
The Training Readiness score incorporates six key components:
- Sleep: Evaluates the quality of your sleep from the previous night, assessing factors like sleep duration, sleep stages, and sleep disturbances.
- Recovery Time: Considers the amount of recovery time needed from your last workout, adjusting based on intensity and duration.
- HRV Status: Compares your 7-day heart rate variability trend to your historical baseline, indicating if your body is under stress or well-recovered.
- Acute Load: Analyzes your training load over the past 7 days, providing insights into whether you’re maintaining, increasing, or decreasing your training intensity appropriately.
- Sleep History: Examines your sleep patterns over the last three nights to identify any trends or inconsistencies that may impact your readiness.
- Stress History: Reviews your daytime stress levels over the past three days, helping you understand how daily stressors affect your ability to train.
Training Readiness offers valuable insights into your body’s ability to handle training stress, helping you optimize your workouts and prevent overtraining. While not a strict guideline, it serves as a useful tool for gauging your readiness and making informed decisions about your training schedule.
3. Understanding Training Status
While Training Readiness is not available on the Forerunner 165, it’s important to understand its components. Training Status is one such piece, focusing primarily on the training aspect of your fitness routine.
Training Status evaluates your recent workouts to provide feedback on the effectiveness of your training regimen. For example, if you consistently perform high-intensity interval workouts without incorporating recovery or low-intensity sessions, Training Status will indicate that your training is “unproductive.” This feature helps you maintain a balanced training diet for optimal performance and improvement.
4. Diving into Training Load Metrics
Training Load is another critical component of Training Status and Training Readiness, providing insights into the intensity and volume of your workouts. The Forerunner 265 offers a comprehensive suite of Training Load metrics, including per-workout load, acute load, load focus, and load ratio.
The Forerunner 165 lacks these detailed training load metrics. Here is a view of FR165 vs FR265 Training Load.
- Per-Workout Load: This metric quantifies the training load of each individual workout, primarily based on heart rate zone time. Higher-intensity workouts will typically have a greater training load.
- Acute Load: Acute Load tracks your total training load over the past week, with more recent workouts having a greater impact. This metric provides insights into your short-term training intensity and volume.
- Load Focus: Load Focus analyzes the distribution of your training across different intensity zones, helping you assess the balance of your training diet. This metric indicates whether you’re focusing too heavily on high-intensity or low-intensity workouts.
- Load Ratio: Load Ratio compares your current training load to your historical norms, indicating whether you’re increasing or decreasing your load too rapidly. This metric helps you avoid overtraining or undertraining.
You can see the Load Focus and Load Ratio in the images below.
These Training Load metrics provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and balance of your training regimen, allowing you to make informed adjustments to optimize your performance and prevent overtraining.
5. Triathlon and Multisport Capabilities
For triathletes and multisport enthusiasts, the Forerunner 265 offers dedicated triathlon and multisport modes, which are not available on the Forerunner 165. This includes comprehensive support for tracking transitions and combining different activities into a single, cohesive workout. The FR265 Triathlon Mode is show below.
While the Forerunner 165 can individually record swim, bike, and run activities, it cannot combine them into a single workout with transition times. This makes the Forerunner 265 the preferred choice for athletes who participate in triathlons or other multisport events.
6. Skiing/Snowboarding Sport Profiles
If you enjoy winter sports, the Forerunner 265 offers dedicated skiing and snowboarding sport profiles, which are absent from the Forerunner 165. So, if you wanted to go skiing, you’ll need to choose something else. At least until they add it here…which, I sincerely hope they do. Garmin FR265 Ski Mode is shown below.
7. Sensor Compatibility
The Forerunner 265 offers broader sensor compatibility compared to the Forerunner 165, supporting a wider range of external sensors and accessories. Most notably, the Forerunner 165 lacks support for cycling power meters, a key feature for serious cyclists. The Garmin FR265 Sensor Pairing is shown below.
Here are the key sensor types missing from the Forerunner 165:
- Power meter sensors (ANT+/Bluetooth)
- eBike sensors (ANT+)
- Extended Display connectivity (ANT+)
- Running RD pod support (ANT+)
- Smart Trainer connectivity (ANT+)
- VIRB connectivity (ANT+)
8. Extensive Sport Profiles
While both watches offer a variety of sport profiles, the Forerunner 265 boasts a significantly larger selection, catering to a wider range of activities. The Forerunner 265 features 37 additional sport profiles. Garmin FR265 Winter Sports is shown below.
The Forerunner 165 includes the following profiles: Run, Track Run, Treadmill, Virtual Run, Indoor Track, Trail Run, Ultra Run, Hike, Walk, Walk Indoor, Bike, Bike Indoor, Pool Swim, Open Water Swim, Cardio, Tennis, Pickleball, Padel, Strength, Yoga, Pilates, Breathwork, HIIT, Floor Climb, Elliptical, Stair Stepper.
The Forerunner 265 expands upon this list with: Run, Track Run, Ultra Run, Trail Run, Virtual Run, Indoor Track, Treadmill, Hike, Walk, Walk Indoor, Bike, Bike Indoor, MTB, eBike, eMTB, Pool Swim, Open Water Swim, Triathlon, Multisport, Row Indoor, Strength, Cardio, HIIT, Yoga, Pilates, Elliptical, Stair Stepper, Floor Climb, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Jump Rope, Archery, Inline Skating, Ski, Snowboard, XC Classic Ski, Ice Skating, SUP, Row, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Cricket, Softball, Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer/Football, Ultimate Disc, Tennis, Padel, Table Tennis, Platform Tennis, Pickleball, Squash, Racquetball, Badminton, Breathwork, Other.
9. GPS and Navigation Capabilities
The Forerunner 265 series incorporates multiband (dual-frequency) GNSS systems, offering improved GPS accuracy in challenging environments. This technology allows the watch to connect to multiple satellite frequencies, enhancing positioning accuracy in areas with obstructions or signal interference. FR265 Multiband GPS is shown below.
The Forerunner 265 also features Garmin’s SatIQ technology, which intelligently switches between multiband and single-band modes to optimize battery life based on signal conditions.
10. Battery Life Comparison
Battery life is an important consideration for any smartwatch, and the Forerunner 165 and 265 series offer varying levels of endurance. Here’s a comparison of their battery specifications:
Forerunner 165:
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days (4 days always-on display)
- Battery Saver Smartwatch mode: Up to 20 days
- GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 19 hours
- All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 17 hours
- GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 7 hours
- All-Systems GNSS mode with music: Up to 6.5 hours
Forerunner 265S:
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 15 days (5 days always-on display)
- GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 24 hours
- SatIQ (AutoSelect) Mode: Up to 18 hours
- Multiband/Dual Frequency GNSS mode: Up to 15 hours
- GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 7.5 hours
- SatIQ (AutoSelect) mode with music: Up to 7 hours
- Multiband/Dual Frequency GNSS mode with music: Up to 6 hours
Forerunner 265:
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 13 days (5 days always-on display)
- GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 20 hours
- SatIQ (AutoSelect) Mode: Up to 16 hours
- Multiband/Dual Frequency GNSS mode: Up to 14 hours
- GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 7 hours
- SatIQ (AutoSelect) mode with music: Up to 6.5 hours
- Multiband/Dual Frequency GNSS mode with music: Up to 6 hours
Notably, the smaller Forerunner 265S offers longer battery life than the larger Forerunner 265 due to its smaller display, which consumes less power. Garmin FR265 Battery Life is shown below.
11. The Nitty-Gritty: Additional Differences
Beyond the major distinctions, numerous smaller differences may influence your decision. Here’s a comprehensive list of features exclusive to the Forerunner 265:
- Lap Undo feature
- Ability to create organizing folders for widgets/glances
- Sleep Coach
- ABC widget (Altimeter/Barometer/Compass)
- Altimeter quick-access button
- Barometer quick-access button
- Compass quick-access button
- Ability to calibrate altimeter
- RedShift mode
- Training Readiness Morning Report option
- Barometer alerts
- Ability to set Voice Prompt alerts to Male or Female
- Critical Swim Speed metrics/settings
- Cycling power zones/settings
- XC Ski power zones/settings
- Max HR Zone detection
- Lactate threshold detection (running, with chest strap)
- Dedicated navigation data screens
- Heading “bug” option
- Navigation alerts and options for: Final Distance, Final ETE, Off Course, and Turn Prompts
- Ability to turn off vibration alerts in one shot/setting
- Ability to turn off touch during sleep entirely
- Dedicated automatic Do Not Disturb timeframes
- Performance condition alert
- Running Metronome feature
- Auto Climb option
- 3D Speed and 3D Distance options
- Auto scroll option
- Record Temperature option
- Dedicated compass data page for sport profiles
- Extra data fields for barometric pressure and a barometric pressure chart
- Training load data fields
- Support for up to 8 data fields per page
- Ability to add specific structured workout data fields to custom data pages
- Race an Activity feature
- Guided Lactate Threshold test feature
- Curved glass
- Muscle map (in strength workouts)
Conversely, the Forerunner 165 uniquely offers Walk incident (fall) detection, a feature strangely absent from the Forerunner 265. Garmin FR265 Small Differences is shown below.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
To further assist you in making an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Forerunner 165 and 265:
- What is the main difference between the Forerunner 165 and 265?
The most significant difference is the Training Readiness feature, which is exclusive to the Forerunner 265. This feature provides a comprehensive assessment of your body’s preparedness for training. - Which watch is better for triathletes?
The Forerunner 265 is the clear choice for triathletes due to its dedicated triathlon and multisport modes, which are not available on the Forerunner 165. - Does the Forerunner 165 support cycling power meters?
No, the Forerunner 165 does not support cycling power meters, while the Forerunner 265 does. - Which watch has better GPS accuracy?
The Forerunner 265 incorporates multiband (dual-frequency) GNSS systems, offering improved GPS accuracy in challenging environments. - Which watch has longer battery life?
The Forerunner 265S offers the longest battery life among the models, with up to 15 days in smartwatch mode. - Does the Forerunner 165 have music storage?
The Forerunner 165 is available in two versions: a base model without music storage and a music edition that supports offline music playback. The Forerunner 265 includes music storage on all models. - Does the Forerunner 265 have a touchscreen?
Yes, both the Forerunner 165 and 265 feature vibrant AMOLED touchscreens. - Which watch is more suitable for skiing and snowboarding?
The Forerunner 265 offers dedicated skiing and snowboarding sport profiles, making it the better choice for winter sports enthusiasts. - Does the Forerunner 165 have fall detection?
The Forerunner 165 has Walk incident (fall) detection, somehow the FR265 doesn’t - Where can I find more detailed comparisons of Garmin watches?
You can find comprehensive comparisons and reviews of Garmin watches at COMPARE.EDU.VN.
Make the Right Choice with COMPARE.EDU.VN
Choosing between the Garmin Forerunner 165 and 265 depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you’re a serious athlete who values advanced training metrics, multisport capabilities, and extensive sensor compatibility, the Forerunner 265 is the clear winner. However, if you’re a casual fitness enthusiast looking for a reliable and affordable smartwatch with essential features, the Forerunner 165 may be a suitable option.
At COMPARE.EDU.VN, we’re committed to providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions. Whether you’re comparing Garmin watches or exploring other products and services, our comprehensive comparisons and reviews can help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and budget.
Ready to explore more comparisons and make confident decisions? Visit COMPARE.EDU.VN today and discover a world of possibilities.
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