Garmin - Forerunner 265S
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 10, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
34
11
"the battery piece is huge for me. ... I can go more than a week without charging— and that’s with running 5 days a week."
"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"
"My AW was dying on me on 2.5 hrs workouts plus music, once I hit into serious running it became obvious it couldn’t handle it. ... Did a 10k turkey trot and went straight into our woods cabin for 4 days forgetting my charger in the city. Went hiking twice while there, was fine and still had 20% when I got home! ... 5+ days of battery life."
27
2
"I LOVE the multiband GPS - I’m no longer teleporting when I’m near tall buildings and dense forested areas."
"The dual band GPS tracking."
"the Apple Watch just gives average pace whilst this one gives me my real time pace all the time. Game changer"
44
5
"training stats and metrics are insane compared to that of Apple Watch. ... 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."
"It literally recommended double what I was expecting today so guess what? I ran double 😭 ... this Forerunner 265 has really gotten my fat butt off the couch. ... When I open up a run using the exercise list on the forerunner, it recommends a workout. For example, it might recommend a 1:06 run maintaining a heart rate at 148. ... I’ve got my run target set for heart rate, not pace. ... But I obey her guidance on heart rate range whenever possible. ... Exactly! Watch knows best."
"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. ... 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" ... nothing feels like it's too crazy or unachievable."
32
2
"you haven’t seen how bright, sharp and clear the AMOLED displays are in full sun. they are even better. I know- hard to believe."
"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"
"In darker rooms the AMOLED is way better to read than the MIP without backlight."
12
1
"I love it and it still feels brand new!!!"
"Forerunner 265 for 2 years now and it’s way more rugged and durable"
"the 265S is significantly smaller and lighter than the 165 ... fit is quite different for me"
Disliked most:
14
8
"the bulk"
"The forerunners are quite chunky if you have a small wrist"
"Now I'm wearing the bigger watch. Yes, too big."
6
7
"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."
"Wrist HR is completely useless on a bike"
"I had the same issue with the FR265 ... the heart rate isn't correct. When doing intervals, it will easily ready at half or two quarter heart rate, and that SUCKS"
3
18
"BUT, the only FR with maps and navigation (which was essential for me) is the fr 970 ... if you don't need navigation check with the 265 (cheaper)"
"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"
"The 265 doesn't offer a proper map/navigation. Depending of OP needs, it can be a deal breaker. Has been for me."
1
5
"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."
"missing the... phone connectivity."
"if you have to take your phone anyway, there's a much better device on you for making calls. ... apple watches can have sim cards and place calls *without* having your cellphone on you. that's a real use case -- go for a run, leave the bulky phone at home."
0
4
"Garmin's software is so outdated, laggy and buggy - no way you can say it is better than Apple. The UX and UI is terrible. ... 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"
"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."
"The software is outdated and buggy and UI/UX is terrible."
I prefer the 265, due to how vibrant and readable the AMOLED screen is
r/Garmin • Curious: Can Forerunner 255 or 265 show swim workouts? ->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.
r/Garmin • What's the best Garmin for running these days? ->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
r/Garmin • Best Garmin Watch for me? ->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.
r/badminton • Fitness Tracker for Badminton players ->I wore both an Apple Watch Ultra and Whoop for 3 years. Just cut both for a Garmin Forerunner 265. Haven’t missed the other 2, and I’m fully in the Apple ecosystem.
r/whoop • Wearing an Apple Watch AND a Whoop? ->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)
r/GarminWatches • Garmin forerunner 265 pros and cons? ->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
r/GarminWatches • Best Garmin watch for a runner who also wants some smart watch features? ->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
r/gshock • I want a Watch for Gym and Running, which is the better Choice? ->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.
r/GarminWatches • Best “do it all” watch for hiking, gym/Pilates, running? ->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.
r/GarminWatches • Which Garmin watch should I get as a first pair? I am looking for one that can download music from YT music. I’m using it for daily uses and for running. ->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.
r/GarminWatches • Is the forerunner 265 good for strength training recording? ->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.
r/GarminWatches • Is the forerunner 265 good for strength training recording? ->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.
r/Garmin • What garmin watch has the best blend of style and battery life for a woman? ->I used to only weight train before I got my forerunner 265. Now I drink way less alcohol, am more focused on good sleep and started running at least 2 times per week to also improve my condition. So I don't use it that much for weight training (I still turn it on to have a good overview of my total activity) but it is significantly improving my health and taken away the focus from only superficial muscle gains. So really depends what your priority is
r/Garmin • Is it worth it if I mostly weight train? ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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