Why We Like The Garmin Forerunner 265 Watch
When we're hungry for the podium, we train and race with the Garmin Forerunner 265 Watch. As soon as we open our eyes in the morning, the AMOLED touchscreen display uses less battery power to give us a crisper, clearer view of our metrics, including the night's sleep quality, the day's weather, and our current training readiness. The battery lasts up to 20 hours in GPS GNSS mode for reliable tracking of our long runs and races, while the training status rundown, personalized daily suggested workouts, and preloaded cross-training exercises keep us on course toward a new personal best.
Details
- Multi-sport watch for well-rounded training and race-day readiness
- AMOLED display enhances colors, contrast, and responsiveness
- Fortified polymer bezel for wear-, impact-, and corrosion-resistance
- Tough Corning Gorilla Glass 3 face is light and scratch-resistant
- Silicone strap is flexible, lightweight, and sweat-proof
- Rechargeable battery lasts up to 13 days in smartwatch mode
- 5ATM rating means this watch is submersible up to 50 meters
- HR and energy monitoring, adaptive coaching, real-time stamina, and more
- Item #GRMF067
- Housing Material
- fiber-reinforced polymer
- Strap Material
- silicone
- Face Material
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Movement
- digital, AMOLED Optional Always-On Mode, touchscreen, 416 x 416 pixels
- Pedometer
- yes
- Odometer
- yes
- Altimeter
- yes
- Barometer
- yes
- Heart Rate Monitor
- wrist-based, constant
- Technical Features
- Please see size chart for complete list of technical features
- Wireless
- Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
- Operating System
- Garmin Connect
- Date Indicator
- yes
- Weekday Indicator
- yes
- Alarms
- yes
- Backlight
- yes
- Battery Type
- rechargeable
- Battery Life
- [smartwatch] 13 days, [GPS-only GNSS] 20hr, [SatIQ AutoSelect GNSS] 16hr, [All-Systems GNSS + Multi-Band] 14hr, [GPS-only GNSS + music] 7hr, [SatIQ AutoSelect GNSS + music] 6.5hr, [All-Systems GNSS + Multi-Band + music] 6hr
- Low Battery Indicator
- yes
- Includes
- Forerunner 265, USB-C charging/data cable, documentation
- Claimed Weight
- 1.7oz
- Submersible
- 5ATM (submersible up to 50m)
- Face Size
- 32.5mm (1.3in)
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 1 year
- Activity
- running, triathlon, training, yoga, floor climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, rowing, road cycling, ebiking, trail, swimming
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 141 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageMay 20, 2024
Excellent Features, Easy to use
I was trying to decide between the Forerunner 265 and the Apple Watch. Definitely the correct choice for a person that wants to track all facets of their fitness and healthspan journey
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 18, 2024
Excellent Runner’s Watch
Couldn’t be happier with this purchase. I had been using an Apple Watch 7 for everyday use and a Forerunner 35 for runs. The Apple Watch battery life became an issue and I wanted a running watch that had more features than the 35. After a ton of research I landed on the 265. It does everything my Apple Watch did (except play Apple Music) and the health and training features are fantastic. Oh, and the battery life is great too. I get 5-6 days on a single charge with the always in display and 12-14 without that on. This includes using it for about 30 minutes/day with GPS. The GPS connection is way faster than my old 35 and I haven’t had any delays so far. Would definitely recommend
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 18, 2024
My first Garmin watch
I purchased this watch about a month ago and I’m happy I did. I was a prior Apple Watch user, but it was on its last leg. I wanted to take my runs more serious so I started to do my research. After some time reading and watching reviews, I decided the Garmin FR265 was the best fit for me. Battery life is crazy good! I would consider myself an average user of the watch and I charge it once a week (usually charge at 9-12%, I’m sure I can squeeze out a few more days if I wanted too)
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 17, 2024
Awesome running watch!!!
I’ve had other smart watches - the Forerunner 265 is BY FAR the best watch for runners! I only wish I’d listened to others and made the switch sooner. The data and tools it provides to help track overall fitness, give suggested workouts (based on upcoming races), keep you on pace, track sleep, etc. is awesome. The user interface takes a little getting used to - but after a few days, it’s now easy to get around and to see the data/info I want/need. The display is bright and easy to read - and a perfect size to clearly show everything you want to see in a clean format. I also enjoy the morning report! The Garmin Connect app is easy to use and provides a great summary of everything I want to know to help improve my running. Very happy I made the switch!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 15, 2024
265-Review
Great product. However there is no option for just "Walking".
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 11, 2024
Perfect with one exception
This watch really is the best watch specifically for runners. I love being able to see my live place, and the recovery suggestions are helpful. My one complaint is that the watch’s calorie counts for anything other than exercise and rest are way off. I felt like my Apple Watch was great at calculating my non-exercise calorie burn, based on me eating the calories it said I burned and maintaining my weight easily. Unless I workout for over an hour, the FR 265 thinks I burn very, very few calories a day, even if I hit 10,000+ steps and never sit down for a break.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 10, 2024
Great Features
Love this watch has hundreds of features. Heart rate works well and accurate. Having a hard time figuring out how to customize all the settings but you-tube videos help with it. Colors and display are easy to read and bright. Great watch so far hope it lasts.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 9, 2024
Great overall
It's a great watch that covers everything like the big boys. I wish it had an easier band-changing option like fenix.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 5, 2024
Great fitness watch
This is my first fitness watch. I had been using Strava on my phone for a few years to track my running. I love the 265 easy to read faces especially while running and I don’t have to carry a phone anymore. The sleep monitoring helps me see patterns and how to improve. Not all controls or functions on the watch are intuitive. There have been a few things or functions I’ve had to lookup online to understand. Overall I’m very pleased. I debated between the 265s and 265. Very glad I went with the 265. It is not too large on my wrist.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
May 1, 2024
Very useful device to track my progress
I bought this a month ago and immediately started my training plan with Greg McMillan (coach included in Garmin app) for a 10k race. I am able to keep a detailed track of my progress which helps me with aware of my progress while continuously been motivated
Originally reviewed on Garmin
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This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.