I don’t know about you, but these days it feels like I can’t even accept a dinner invitation without diving into reviews, Reddit threads, and AI. Shopping for tech? Forget it. As a tech editor, I already over-research—and overthink—every purchase I make, so I get why choosing between the Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. 965 can feel unexpectedly stressful.

Released back in March 2023, both watches offer many of the same training features and recovery insights. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, training for your first marathon, or somewhere in between, the differences between them aren’t always obvious at first.

Related: Garmin Venu 3 vs Forerunner 265: One Wrist. Who Wins?

And yes—they’re still worth buying in 2026. Garmin has a strong track record of long-term support; even older models like the VivoActive 3 still sync reliably, so you can expect the Forerunner 265 and 965 to stay relevant for years.

So, if you’re stuck deciding which one to get, I’ve done the overthinking for you. Let’s dive in.

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 965: Price and Availability

When these watches launched in March 2023, one of the clearest distinctions was the price. The Garmin Forerunner 265 debuted at around $449–$499, depending on size (265S or standard). This positioned it as a strong mid-tier option for serious runners. The Garmin Forerunner 965, on the other hand, launched at $599.99—clearly aimed at athletes willing to pay more for premium features.

Both watches are still widely available through Garmin’s website, Amazon, Best Buy, and other major retailers. You’ll also see periodic discounts, often more frequently on the 965 as newer models enter the lineup. On Reddit, many buyers point to the price gap as the deciding factor, noting that the 965’s higher cost doesn’t always make sense unless you’re training competitively or plan to use its advanced features.

At the time of writing, both models are discounted on Amazon, with the Forerunner 265 seeing deeper price cuts than the 965.

Verdict: If budget matters most, the Forerunner 265 wins. It’s a more approachable entry point, especially for runners who don’t need every premium feature the 965 offers.

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 965: Design and Display

The 265 and 965 brought the Forerunner series into the AMOLED era, finally giving these watches a bright and modern look. The 265 comes in two sizes: the standard 46 mm and the smaller 265S. Overall, the design is lightweight and comfortable. The display is sharp and vibrant, and while it doesn’t have the largest screen on the market, it’s perfectly readable in most lighting conditions.

The Forerunner 965, by contrast, sports a larger 1.4″ AMOLED display and a titanium bezel, giving it a more premium feel and better durability. Users frequently note that the 965’s display is easier to read outdoors, particularly in bright sunlight. The bigger screen also makes maps and stats more discernible mid-run. The tradeoff is size: the 965 can feel bulky on smaller wrists, while the 265 or 265S tends to wear more comfortably throughout the day.

User perspective: On Reddit, many 265 owners are happy with its readability and overall look. However, those who have tried both often say the 965’s display is noticeably better for trail runs or quick glances during intense training.

Verdict: If you prioritize a larger, premium-looking screen and durability, the Forerunner 965 wins.

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 965: Battery Life

Battery life is super important for smartwatches: you don’t want to charge constantly. Luckily, both the Forerunner 265 and 965 offer solid runtime, though one pulls ahead. No surprise here, it’s the Forerunner 965, with up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode.

The Forerunner 265 is no slouch, though. It offers up to 13 days in smartwatch mode, or about 20 hours in GPS mode (the times are a little longer on the 265S). It’s true that real-world experience varies a lot depending on use. Still, the 965 has a noticeably longer battery life.

User feedback: Reddit users commonly report not seeing the full quoted battery life during daily mixed use. One said his 965 lasts about 13 days with regular activity, not 23.

Verdict: The Forerunner 965 wins. Its longer GPS and smartwatch modes give you more freedom on long runs, multisport days, or adventures where charging isn’t convenient.

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 965: Health and Fitness Features

When it comes health and fitness tracking, the watches have a ton of the same features, including: training readiness scores, HRV status, VO₂ Max, advanced sleep tracking, recovery insights, morning reports, and a suite of running metrics. Of course, they track pretty much every sport under the sun and even have incident detection safety features. So it’s clear that these watches are primed for an in-depth look at your physical exertion.

There are, however, some features that are unique to the Forerunner 965. It has comprehensive mapping capabilities like road, trail, and topographical—particularly useful if you’re a serious outdoor runner. It also has advanced training features like Load Ratio. It displays the dynamic between your Acute Load and Chronic Load. The Forerunner 965 also has Golf as a tracked sport.

User feedback: Most runners on forums agree that the core health metrics and training data are extremely similar between models. A few say the extra advanced stats on the 965 don’t feel game-changing.

Verdict: Tie. Both watches offer a pretty similar suite of health and training metrics. Unless you’re chasing the very advanced stats like load ratio or stamina tracking, the Forerunner 265 delivers everything most runners actually use.

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 965: Smartwatch Features

This one’s another toss up, since both watches share so many of the same capabilities. Both support smartphone notifications, Garmin Pay, music controls (and downloadable music, though the Forerunner 965 has more storage), Connect IQ apps, and safety features like incident detection and LiveTrack when paired with your smartphone.

User perspective: In Reddit discussions and forums, many runners praise the 965’s mapping features, but several note that for most road runs, simple breadcrumb navigation on the 265 is more than enough. The extra maps and storage are nice-to-have rather than essential for everyday use.

Verdict: Tie. Both watches cover essential smartwatch needs—notifications, payments, music, and safety.

Which One Is Best for You?

Choosing between the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 really comes down to how you train, what you want from your watch, and how much you care about extras.

If you’re a daily runner or someone who mostly sticks to the roads you know, the Forerunner 265 is your best bet. It’s lighter and more comfortable for all-day wear. Plus, it offers all the core training metrics you actually need, with nothing extraneous. It’s perfect more advanced daily training.

The Forerunner 965, on the other hand, is geared toward serious athletes, trail runners, and adventure seekers. The premium display, longer battery life, and built-in maps make it ideal for anyone tackling multi-day events, or unfamiliar routes. If you want a watch that can do it all (especially when it comes to running), the 965 is your best choice

All in all, both running watches are excellent, offering top-of-the-line specs, durability, and features.