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
What do you think about this product?
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 359 ratings
Review Summary
Fits True To Size
Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.Customer Images
Here's what customers have to say
This is a well-designed running watch with a color display, touchscreen, and customization options. Users find it easy to use and an upgrade from previous models, praising its accurate tracking, long battery life, and helpful training features. Customers are generally satisfied with the watch's quality and performance, and would recommend it to others seeking a reliable running companion.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews.
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageSeptember 1, 2025
Exactly what I wanted
Great battery life, good tracking, and just smart enough. I use this for general health tracking and cycling.
Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
August 30, 2025
Thank you Jesus
I like it. It’s cool. Thank you Jesus! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 KJV
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 27, 2025
Worth the Switch!
Ditched my 2nd Apple Watch: it wouldn’t hold a charge during marathon training and Apple refused a new battery. It’s necessary to pair my headphones with my iPhone instead of my Forerunner 265. During long runs, I listen to music, but may have to take a call from family, and my Bluetooth Shockz can only pair to one device at a time. Otherwise, I loved my music playlist working from my Garmin. I can’t read any texts during a run because the words are too tiny, but I do get a notification that family is texting me, often a needed boost, and I pull my phone to take a look. I love the stats that my Garmin gives me and that I can post it directly to Strava, where my coaches can analyze them. Programming a workout in Garmin connect on my iPhone and sending it to my watch has really been a boon: I don’t have to mark out 200 m, 400 m on our trails where we train, nor do I have to count, timed intervals, nor recovery distance/time. And seriously, it has shown when my HRV is out of balance alerting that I’m having an issue that may need medical attention. I wear it 24/7: the alarms I’ve set are necessary and work seamlessly. The alerts during a run keep me focused: eat, drink, walk, turn around, etc., are, again, crucial to my training success. Would love better compatibility with my iPhone, but I may switch to an Android with the greater productivity in my fitness tracking and assistance because of my Garmin. —Apple user since 1982.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 25, 2025
Overpriced for being discontinued
Took it back way Overpriced for being discontinued
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 24, 2025
Love my new Garmin 265
Went on my first bicycle ride with it this morning, and it is great, and syncs easily with my Garmin app on my phone. Love all the data! Also, bought snacks and a drink with it at QT, no phone or wallet or cash needed!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 20, 2025
Great Watch.
I bought this about 3 weeks ago. I love all the things it can do.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 15, 2025
Mostly love…
I do love my Garmin, but I fear there may be something wrong with mine. Since I have gotten it, I cannot get a good sleep score. It read in the 40s almost every single night, or even lower. I also have an Oura ring that tracks my health, and I will get a 86 sleep score with them and a 42 with Garmin. I am worried a sensor or something is faulty in my watch.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 13, 2025
Very nice upgrade to my Garmin 935
I have used Forerunners dating back to 2006, and have loved my Garmin 935 for the last 3 years. I wanted more color and features so stepped up to a new 265 last month. I am pleased with many of the 265 features, specifically a richer colorful display for everyday and race use, and the expanded health metrics compliment my smart ring daily health data. I will be honest that the cool new color watch I use all day does drain the battery more than my 935 did, with me getting about 5 days normal use of training runs, 24/7 wear, between charges rather than the 7-9 days with the 935, but I still have not tweaked my battery consumption with features yet so who knows if that might improve. Another minor issue is that the bezel on the 265 is curved downward on the edges such that my old glass screen protector for the bezel don't fit tight and other plastic options are sub par. Would love to find a complete minimal bezel protector if I could in the future to protect the Gorilla glass from major scratching which I inevitably do to it. Overall I am pleased with the 265 in most all respects, and would highly recommend the watch.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 12, 2025
Garmin 265
I bought month ago and lit bit disappointed with to thing size of the display is too small or too big, and why it no microphone or speaker? 965 no microphone or speaker as well so I used both way like running and smartphone and so I will maybe return and find another one
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 11, 2025
Great for some fitness
I love this watch for running and tracking stats — it’s accurate, reliable, and great for fitness. I just wish it had more smart watch features, like voice commands, to make it even more versatile. Some functions can be tricky to find at first, so there’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a solid choice for runners.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
Do you have a question about this product?
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.
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