Packing high-end features into an affordable design, this smart sports tracker excels in the mid-range segment
Garmin’s newest smart sports watch condenses high-end features from its pricier Forerunner models into a more affordable, simpler running tracker. With a bright OLED screen and long battery life, the Forerunner 165 is the new base model in Garmin’s lineup, priced at £250 (€280/$250/A$429) compared to the £430 Forerunner 265. The watch offers a choice of colors but only comes in one size, featuring a 1.2-inch screen and a 43mm case, placing it between the small and large sizes of the more expensive 265.
The watch features a crisp OLED display that is easily readable at a glance, while maintaining a slim, light, and compact design on the wrist. It retains the excellent combination of touchscreen and five buttons found in recent Garmin watches. Data can be synced to an Android or iPhone using the Connect app, via USB cable to a computer, or directly to the internet through Wi-Fi if you opt for the more expensive version with offline music playback.
The battery lasts approximately five days with the screen constantly on, tracking sleep overnight and a single 40-minute run. While this is shorter than the 265 by a few days, it exceeds the battery life of mainstream smartwatch rivals by more than double. Setting the screen to activate only when you rotate your wrist extends the battery life to over 11 days. During runs, the battery drains about 6% per hour, or 14% when playing offline music from Spotify, which is sufficient for most users. A full charge via the USB-C cable takes about an hour.
Specifications
Screen: 1.2-inch AMOLED
Case size: 43mm
Case thickness: 11.6mm
Band size: standard 20mm
Weight: 39g
Storage: 4GB
Water resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
Sensors: GNSS (GPS, Glonass, Galileo), compass, thermometer, heart rate, pulse oximeter
Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+ (Wi-Fi with music)
Sport tracking prowess
The key distinction between the 165 and Garmin’s pricier models is the absence of multisport tracking, which includes automatic transitions between runs, cycles, and swimming for triathlons. However, it does track a total of 24 individual sports, including various forms of cycling, running, swimming, walking, hiking, gym activities, and racket sports. Notably, skiing and snowboarding are absent from the list.
For running, it monitors typical metrics like time, distance, pace, cadence, and laps, along with running dynamics and power, which are less common but appreciated features for more dedicated runners. During a workout, you can display up to four metrics on the screen at once, with a clear and easily readable display. In most running scenarios, the 165 operates almost identically to the 265 or the top-of-the-line Forerunner 965, which is excellent.
It does not have dual-band or “multiband” GPS, which means its location tracking may not be as precise as higher-end Garmin models on paper, especially in challenging environments like cities with tall buildings or dense forests. However, in a side-by-side test with a 965 model featuring this technology, both watches quickly obtained a GPS lock and stayed very close to the correct track and pace, which was impressive.
The watch can alert you when you stray from a planned route but does not offer full offline maps to show your location, a feature still exclusive to Garmin’s top watches.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 lacks training readiness, status, and load features found in the brand’s high-end watches. These measures are useful for assessing training effectiveness for goals like improved fitness or marathon preparation.
However, the Forerunner 165 does include Garmin’s full suite of general health tracking features, such as sleep and nap detection, daily calorie and step tracking, stress monitoring, and other standard smartwatch functions like phone notifications and contactless payments. The only missing feature is the ability to take an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is likely not essential for a sports watch.
Sustainability
The Forerunner 165 is typically repairable, with options for out-of-warranty exchange and refurbishment. The battery is expected to last for at least a few years of frequent charge cycles, retaining at least 80% capacity. The watch does not incorporate any recycled materials. Garmin commits to providing at least two years of security updates from release, but it generally supports its devices for much longer. It also offers trade-in programs for certain product lines and complies with WEEE and other local electronics recycling regulations.
Price
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is available for £249.99 (€279.99/$249.99/A$429) or £289.99 (€329.99/$299.99/A$499) with offline music support.
For comparison, the Forerunner 265 is priced at £429.99, the Apple Watch Series 9 at £399, the Google Pixel Watch 2 at £349, the Coros Pace 3 at £219, and the Polar Pacer Pro at £289.
Verdict
The Forerunner 165 stands out as a top-notch running watch, incorporating the best features from its high-end counterparts into a simpler, more affordable model.
Featuring a fantastic OLED screen that is clear, bright, and easy to read during runs, it offers all the essential metrics for monitoring pace and performance. Its long-lasting battery meets the needs of most users, while its compact and lightweight design ensures comfort even during extended training sessions. The combination of touchscreen and buttons sets a new standard in usability.
The main features absent are offline maps and more advanced training metrics. Surprisingly, the lack of advanced, multiband GPS tracking does not seem to significantly affect tracking accuracy, an area where Garmin remains the leader.
The primary drawback is the price. Priced at £250 or £290 with offline music, it is more expensive than most entry-level running watches. However, it is on par with OLED-equipped smartwatches from competitors, offering a £180 savings over the Forerunner 265. If you do not require features for tracking triathlons or offline maps, the Forerunner 165 is the ideal Garmin running watch to choose.
