I tested the Garmin Forerunner 165 vs. Suunto Run for a week — which running watch should you buy?
The entry-level AMOLED watch in Garmin's sports watch range offers a lot of impressive features to runners in particular, and has a slick user interface plus useful smart features. It's a little pricier than the Suunto Run, and lacks the dual-band GPS you get on the Suunto.
Suunto's entry-level running watch undercuts the competition, including the Forerunner 165, and offers great sports features including extensive training analysis and dual-band GPS. Its smart features are limited though, and it's not as good a fitness tracker as the Forerunner 165.
The Suunto Run and Garmin Forerunner 165 are both among the best running watches available, offering great value in particular as the entry-level AMOLED options in the Suunto and Garmin ranges.
While the Forerunner 165 offers a more polished user experience and better smart features, the Suunto Run has a more extensive array of sports tracking features, including dual-band GPS, and comes in cheaper than the Forerunner 165 on MRSP.
I've tested both watches individually and worn them at the same time for the past week to track my runs and other workouts. I'll cover the key differences I've noticed between the two watches below, and for more information on them check out our Garmin Forerunner 165 review and Suunto Run review.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 launched in February 2024 and costs $249.99 / £249.99 for the standard version of the watch and $299.99 / £289.99 for the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music.
It's more expensive than the Suunto Run, which launched in May 2025 and only comes in one model that costs $249 / £199 and has music storage. However, the Forerunner 165 is now often in sales that bring the price down to $249 for the music model, matching the Suunto Run's price.
Winner: Suunto Run
Suunto Run
Garmin Forerunner 165
Price
$249/£199
$249.99/£249.99; $299.99/£289.99 (Music)
Size
46 x 11.5mm
43 x 11.6mm
Display
1.32in 466 x 466 AMOLED
1.2in 390 x 390 AMOLED
Bezel
Steel
Polymer
Screen
Gorilla glass
Glass
Weight
36g
39g
Water resistance
50m
5ATM
Battery life (watch mode)
Up to 12 days
Up to 11 days
Battery life (GPS)
Up to 20 hours (dual-band)
19 hours (all-systems GPS)
Storage
4GB
4GB
The Suunto Run and Garmin Forerunner 165 are both small, lightweight watches that are comfortable to wear 24/7. The Forerunner 165 is a little smaller than the Suunto, and has a smaller screen at 1.2 inches vs 1.3 inches for the Suunto Run.
Both watches have bright AMOLED displays, but I found the Forerunner 165's a little clearer and easier to read during runs in bright sunlight. I also prefer the five-button setup on the Garmin to the three buttons on the Suunto, one of which is a dial.
While both watches are mostly made from plastic, the Suunto does have an steel bezel surrounding its screen. Both watches feel well-made and study, and have a more premium look than you might expect for entry-level sports watches.
The Suunto comes with a nylon band as standard, whereas the Garmin comes with a silicone strap. I find the nylon band more comfortable, but both bands can be replaced with third-party straps — the Suunto uses 22mm bands while the Garmin uses 20mm ones.
You get four color options for the Suunto and four for the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music, but just two for the standard Forerunner 165 model.
Both watches have an impressive array of sensors including a pulse oximeter and barometric altimeter, but one advantage the Suunto has is dual-band GPS tracking, whereas the Forerunner 165 only offers all-systems GPS.
Winner: Suunto Run
Both watches are mainly designed for running and have dedicated track run modes, but both also offer a lot of other sports modes, including open-water swimming.
While neither has a multisport mode, on the Suunto Run you can switch from one sport to another when you pause an activity, and the watch will record your transition, so it will be more useful to triathletes.
There are more data field customization options on the Suunto Run, in that you can show more stats on your screen during activities — the Forerunner 165 tops out at four, whereas you can adjust six on the Suunto Run.
The Suunto Run also offers a lot more training analysis than the Forerunner 165, and more experienced athletes will enjoy the level of detail you get from the watch compared to the Garmin, which keeps things simple.
You can pair external sensors to both watches, though neither support cycling power meters, but the Forerunner 165 offers connectivity via both Bluetooth and ANT+, whereas the Suunto Run only connects to other devices through Bluetooth.
Winner: Suunto Run
Throughout my testing of both watches I compared their heart rate readings to that of a chest strap, which I always find more reliable than optical sensors on watches.
I checked their GPS accuracy against other watches, including the Garmin Fenix 8, and also by looking over the tracks after my runs.
During my testing I had both watches in their most accurate GPS modes, which is dual-band tracking on the Suunto Run and all-systems tracking on the Forerunner 165, as the Garmin doesn't offer dual-band.
Despite this, I found that both watches recorded very similar GPS tracks on all my runs, and the pacing stats were also very similar. Both have been reliably accurate for me throughout testing, though in hard GPS conditions such as city centers you might well get better results from the dual-band on the Suunto.
With regards to heart rate accuracy, both matched up to a chest strap's readings well during bike rides, strength workouts and yoga sessions, but the Forerunner 165 was a little more reliable for me during runs.
The Suunto Run would sometimes show too high a heart rate, especially at the start of runs, and while it usually eventually locked onto the right heart rate, it was not as quite as accurate as the Forerunner 165 for me.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 165
Both watches offer music storage, but this is a better feature on the Forerunner 165, which can link with streaming services like Spotify as well as storing MP3 files. The Suunto Run can only store MP3 files, so if you use a streaming service, the Garmin is the better pick.
The Forerunner 165 also offers NFC payments through Garmin Pay, whereas you can only use the Suunto Run to pay for things in China using Alipay.
Both show notifications from your phone and have a weather forecast widget, but the Forerunner 165 has access to more third-party software through the Connect IQ app store.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 165
On paper the two watches offer similar battery life at up to 11 days for the Suunto and up to 12 for the Garmin in watch mode, then 20 hours of GPS tracking on the Suunto and 19 hours on the Garmin.
In practice, the battery drained at almost identical rates for me when using both watches at the same time. I had the screens set to always-on, which shortened the battery life considerably, and both lasted me three to four days on a charge when running every day.
Winner: Tie
This is a really tough call, because these are both watches I rate very highly that I'd be happy to use as my daily driver as a keen marathoner.
I prefer the user interface and music storage on the Garmin, which I find easier to use, but the extra training analysis and data fields you get during activities on the Suunto will be important to runners, and the dual-band GPS will also be a big plus if you regularly run in city centers.
If both are at full price I think the Suunto Run is the better way to go, but at the same price the choice will depend on what features you value the most.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
7 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Early Amazon Prime Day deals are live from $6 — here's everything I'd shop this weekend
By now, you've probably heard that Prime Day deals are returning this July with an unprecedented 4-day savings event. And although we're still a few weeks out from the big sale, that doesn't mean we can't start taking advantage of the best Amazon deals of the year now. We're already seeing tons of great early Prime Day deals across nearly every category. Plus, with the start of summer, you can start shopping epic seasonal deals on apparel, patio furniture, grills and much more. Just keep in mind that the event is for Amazon Prime members only, so you'll need to be a member to get access to the deals. Fortunately, I've done the heavy lifting and rounded up some of the best discounts I'm seeing for the weekend. Here's everything I'd shop from the early Amazon Prime Day sale. For more ways to save, check out our Amazon promo codes. YETI sale: up to 25% off @ AmazonIf you're a fan of YETI, you know that a sale doesn't come around often enough. That's why now is the perfect opportunity to save big on drinkware and cooler deals starting at just $15. So don't wait — snag a new cooler or water bottle before these discounts disappear! Garmin sale: deals from $99 @ AmazonI have to admit: I wasn't expecting to see a surge in Garmin deals. That said, Amazon has various Garmin watches and some accessories on sale from $97. It's easily the best Garmin sale I've seen this year with discounts on some of our favorite models like the Editor's Choice Forerunner 55 on sale for $169. The Blink Outdoor is a fully wireless home security camera that records video in 1080p, lets you store video locally (or in the cloud) and has a two-year battery life. The Editor's Choice camera holds a spot in our list of the best home security cameras. At just $49, the best value Ring Video Doorbell got even better. The newest of Ring's doorbells has head-to-toe video and package detection. You can't replace its battery, but it's a fantastic option at this price. The AirPods Pro 2 pack Apple's new H2 chip to provide 2x more noice cancellation than their predecessors. They also offer Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive audio experience. In our AirPods Pro 2 review, we said they take everything we loved about the original AirPods Pro to the next level. This new model includes a USB-C charging case. The Beats Studio Pro are specifically designed to bring back that thumping bass Beats is known for. They offer improved active noise cancelation and boosted battery life (up to 40 hours with ANC turned off). There's also Spatial Audio support and Beats' signature strong brand look. However, our Beats Studio Pro review found the clamping force high, which may affect comfort levels for some wearers. This 3-in-1 floor cleaner can vacuum and mop at the same time to deep clean hard floors and refresh area rugs. What's more, it comes with a self-cleaning system, antimicrobial brushroll, and Odor Neutralizer for hygiene and to get rid of lingering smells. It's powerful enough to quickly suck up dirt, debris, wet messes and stains to cover all your needs. Note: You'll also get a free $10.51 Amazon credit when you purchase this vac via check: $229 @ Shark Fueled by all-natural hardwood pellets and controlled with a digital controller, this grill can cook up anything from a rack of ribs to a freshly baked pie. All you have to do is set the grill temperature like you would your oven and let your Traeger do the work for you. You'll get consistent results every single time. Announced in November 2024, this is Amazon's first Mini-LED TV. It features a 144Hz refresh rate in tandem with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support to give gamers ample juice for fast-paced games. The TV also has an Ambient Experience feature, so when it's powered off it displays dynamic artwork. This is also the first Amazon Fire TV to support Dolby Atmos audio. The 2025 iPad Air packs Apple's M3 processor, an 11-inch LED (2360 x 1640) display, 128GB of storage, 12MP rear camera, and 12MP front camera. The tablet packs a more powerful 8-core CPU, which makes the M3 up to 35% faster for multithreaded CPU workflows than the iPad Air M1. There's also a 9-core GPU on board with 40% faster graphics performance than the M1. In our iPad Air M3 review we said its fun Apple Intelligence features, reliable battery life (9 hours w/ 41 minutes), and overall thin design make it a winning Apple slate. In our MacBook Air M4 review, we said the Editor's Choice laptop is irresistible thanks to its speedy performance, sharper camera and lower starting price. The MacBook Air M4 supports dual external monitors, even when you have the laptop's lid open. And it packs a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (2560 x 1664), Apple's M4 CPU w/ 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. Nothing adds outdoor ambiance like a killer playlist and the very best solar lights. This outdoor-rated pack is built with shatterproof plastic bulbs that are currently 54% off at Amazon. Plug them in when the sun sets and enjoy 27 feet-worth and up to six full hours of a soft, white glow. The Jumbo Joe Grill is the highest-rated portable charcoal grill on Weber's site. And while it's also the most expensive, it's the biggest one too at 18-inches. Thankfully, it's on sale and that means you can own a premium compact grill, that can cook up to eight burgers at a time, for less. So, if you're looking to grill on-the-go, this one's for you. Perfect for a compact space or balcony, this 3-piece set consists of two, high back armchairs with sponge-filled cushions for extra comfort, and a tempered glass tabletop for your drinks and food. With its premium PE rattan design, these are sturdy, weatherproof and easy to clean/maintain. A stylish addition to any backyard. Whether you want to stay shaded all day, or you're hosting a spring fling, this 10 ft, solar patio umbrella is ideal. Designed with a 3-tired, vented top, this umbrella will protect you from the sun and wind, whilst providing enough air-flow. It's easy to use, with a crank system for easy storage, and a push-button tilt to suit your needs. What's more, the 24 solar-powered lights are pre-installed on the eight frame ribs, to illuminate your yard when the sun comes down. Lounge in your backyard, on your patio or poolside in ultimate comfort with this set of padded, weather-resistant reclining chairs. The chairs conform to your body while an adjustable headrest adds an extra level of comfort. They also feature a lightweight, folding design so you can bring them along with you to the beach, park or your next tailgate. This 7-piece modular wicker patio set comes with 4 single chairs, 2 corner chairs and one glass-topped table, giving you all you need to relax outside. The gray wicker is complemented with matching cushions and two striped pillows. Its biggest bonus (aside from the discount) is that the modular design allows you to customize the seating to suit your patio or deck. Carhartt sale: deals from $9 @ AmazonIf you're looking to upgrade your wardrobe, Carhartt has tons of rugged and stylish pieces you'll want to rock all season long. With deals starting at just $9, this is a sale you don't want to miss. Adidas sale: deals from $6 @ AmazonThe Adidas Store at Amazon is offering a wide variety of deals on men's/women's/children's sweat pants, hoodies, socks, and more. After discount, deals start as low as $6. Timberland sale: deals from $9 @ AmazonAmazon is hosting a huge Timberland sale with up to 60% off. Timberland has tons of rugged and fashionable footwear and apparel to boost your style. Skechers shoes/apparel: from $11 @ AmazonAmazon is having a massive Skechers sale post Prime Day. The sale includes sneakers and apparel for men, women, and children on sale from $11. As part of the sale, you can get the Skechers Hands Free Slip Ins for $54 (was $110, pictured). Cushionnaire sale: up to 40% off @ AmazonIf you're in the market for some Birkenstocks this summer but don't want to pay the hefty price, I have the recommendation just for you. Cushionnaire is a brand that makes super comfy slides (among other styles) that resemble Birkenstocks — except they're a fraction of the price. I have a pair of the pictured sandals, which are now up to 40% off and I absolutely love them. I suggest grabbing a pair while they're this cheap! New Balance sale: up to 50% off @ AmazonAmazon is currently hosting a huge New Balance sale that knocks up to 50% off select running shoe styles and athletic apparel. Whether you're looking for a training shoe, a casual pair of sneakers or some new fitness clothing, there's a little something for everyone in the New Balance sale. This vacuum is certified Pet Proven for its ability to effectively remove stubborn pet stains and odors, removing muddy paws, embedded dirt and bio messes. The long hose and cord allows you to easily clean hard-to-reach messes, and the two tank technology simplifies filling and emptying while keeping clean and dirty separate. The appliance comes equipped with a self-cleaning tough stain tool, specialized pet hair removal tool and trial size Bissell cleaning solution. Compatible with over 30 blends of capsules, the Vertuo Next can make 5, 8, and 18-oz. cups of quality coffee as well as a single and double espresso. What's more, its sleek and attractive design makes it compact for small worktops. We gave this model an excellent 4-star rating in our Shark NeverChange air purifier review and named it the best air purifier for small spaces. It suits rooms up to 650 sq ft, although this is based on one change of air over an hour. With an auto mode, it adjusts the fan speed based on the quality of the air and displays the corresponding data on the panel. It also has Odor Neutralizer Technology that releases a fresh scent in the air. This pretty KitchenAid stand mixer has a large-capacity mixing bowl, three attachments to knead, beat, and whip ingredients, and a pouring shield that prevents splashes. It's super intuitive and has 10 speeds to ensure everything you're mixing is blended perfectly. It also houses a central hub for extra attachments, including a pasta maker or spiralizer.
Tom's Guide
8 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 reasons why the Garmin Venu X1 could be my new favorite Apple Watch Ultra 2 alternative
Garmin has officially declared war on Apple with the launch of the Garmin Venu X1, a square-shaped wellness-tracking powerhouse with an enormous AMOLED screen, slender titanium case and several high-end smartwatch bells and whistles. In short, it looks a whole lot like an Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a similarly heady price tag to match: $799. Full disclosure: I've yet to get the Venu X1 on my wrist — my colleague Nick has — but based on specs and initial impressions alone, Garmin's new sporty smartwatch seems to have a lot going for it. Will it be enough to lure away prospective Apple Watch Ultra 2 customers? It could be! As someone who reviews smartwatches for a living, I field a lot of questions from folks considering ditching their Apple Watch for something new. While their biggest Apple Watch complaint is regarding battery life… or lack thereof, a deficiency of advanced fitness tracking and training tools is another criticism I hear a lot. That, and a shortage of support for nuanced workout types. While Garmin watches don't have nearly as many third-party apps and smart features found on the best Apple Watch models, they generally excel when it comes to battery longevity, holistic tracking reliability and high-end exercise features. The brand also supports well over a hundred workout types, including everything from disc golf to boxing. Prior to the X1, Garmin already had solid alternatives for the Apple Watch Series 10 with the Garmin Venu 3, and the Apple Watch SE (2022) with the Garmin Vivoactive series. Now, the Kansas-based brand has a potentially worthy model to take on Cupertino's premier flagship. With that in mind, here are the five biggest things the Garmin Venu X1 has going for it, along with three things that could potentially hold it back from competing with the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Not only is this Garmin's first high-end smartwatch with a square face, but the screen, which stretches from bezel edge to bezel edge, is the brand's largest ever. In fact, it's slightly bigger than even the Apple Watch Ultra 2's display. Garmin doesn't provide max brightness figures for devices, but 2,000 nits is a likely bet. That's not quite as bright as the Ultra 2's 3,000 nit max brightness figure, but it's still impressive and means that the X1 will be visible even in very bright light. At just 7.9mm, this is also Garmin's thinnest smartwatch case to date. Compare that to the Apple Watch Ultra 2's 14.4mm case depth, and suddenly it feels downright clunky. Fortunately, despite the thin case, my colleague Nick reports that it feels anything but flimsy on the wrist. On a similar note, the sapphire crystal offers peace of mind when it comes to screen protection. By the way, at 9.7mm in thickness, even the latest Apple Watch Series 10 isn't as thin as the Venu X1. For its price, the Garmin Venu X1 ought to sport Garmin's latest and greatest holistic sensor tech. Thankfully, it does, which means you're getting equally as reliable (if not more) heart rate data from the X1. Garmin's sleep tracking insights are also the best in the biz, and more detailed and actionable, IMHO, than Apple's. Plus, Garmin's workout training and recovery tools blow Cupertino's out of the water. And that's not an opinion. That's a fact. Like the Garmin Instinct 3, the sporty, new Venu X1 has a built-in LED flashlight, something you won't find on any Apple Watch. Tucked into the top of the case, the nifty onboard 'torch' has an adjustable output and can be set to white or red light. Perfect for late-night dog walks and finding items in a darkened bedroom without waking a sleeping partner, this is a feature I truly wish Apple (and Google and Samsung, etc.) would rip off and add to their own devices. The best Garmin watches aren't exactly known for their smart features. While most higher-end Garmins offer the basics, like onboard music storage, NFC payments and mirrored smartphone notifications, that tends to be where the list ends. The Venu X1 offers a bit more. It isn't Garmin's first smartwatch with an onboard microphone and speaker, but it's a nice addition for folks who want to take phone calls from the wrist, as you would with an Apple Watch Ultra 2. Of course, Garmin doesn't offer cellular connectivity on any of the brand's smartwatches, so you'll need to have a paired phone nearby to make the most of the mic and speaker. While the Garmin Venu X1 has a lot going for it against the Apple Watch Ultra 2, battery life is one area it doesn't impress. Sure, in smartwatch mode, you can get up to eight days of usage, but that drops to just two days when using the always-on screen mode. And when using GPS to track an activity, battery life is just 14 hours. By comparison, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is good for roughly 36 hours in smartwatch mode (or 72 hours in low-power mode) with the always-on display and 12 hours when using GPS to track an activity. Another downside to the Venu X1 compared to the Ultra 2 is that the former doesn't have multiband GPS; the latter does. The advantage of multiband is better tracking reliability, particularly in areas where the sky may be obstructed. Finally, the Garmin Veny X1 has just 50 meters of water resistance. That's enough for brief periods of surface-level swimming but nothing more. The Ultra 2, meanwhile, offers 100 meters of water resistance and is suitable for scuba diving.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I walked 5,500 steps with the Apple Watch 10 vs Garmin Forerunner 570 — here's the winner
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is one of Garmin's newest AMOLED-screen sporting smartwatches aimed at runners. It boasts loads of training tools, Garmin's best heart rate sensors and a small smattering of smart features. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 10 is perhaps the best full-featured smartwatch on the market today. It's also no slouch when it comes to fitness and wellness tracking. While the Garmin Forerunner 570 is a tad pricier than the Apple Watch Series 10, both are well equipped to keep tabs on your daily workout efforts, whether you're a runner, walker, hiker or prefer the gym. Each watch sports an onboard GPS and the best holistic tech offered by Apple and Garmin, respectively. The question is, which one is more accurate when it comes to tracking a basic workout? I decided to find out. The Apple Watch Series 10 is my favorite full-featured smartwatch in 2025, sporting a thin and attractive design, gorgeous screen, endless apps and loads of useful onboard features. It's also a mighty reliable fitness and sleep tracker. The Garmin Forerunner 570 is one of the brand's latest smartwatches aimed squarely at runners and outdoor athletes, boasting Garmin's best holistic tech, excellent training and recovery tools, a bright AMOLED screen and a fun, colorful case design. For this walk test, I wore the Apple Watch Series 10 on my left wrist and the Garmin Forerunner 570 on my right wrist before setting out on my manually-counted jaunt around Seattle, Washington, on the longest day of the year. To keep track of my steps, I clicked an old-school tally counter every time my count hit 100 before starting over again at one. With my left foot taking only odd-numbered steps and my right foot only making even-numbered ones, I trekked three miles before ending tracking and examining the results. In addition to the manual count, I also recorded my walk using Strava as a control for distance, elevation and pace data. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. See all the results below: Apple Watch 10 Garmin Forerunner 570 Control Step count 5,568 steps 5,542 steps 5,500 steps (manual count) Distance 2.99 miles 2.98 miles 3.00 miles (Strava) Elevation gain 216 feet 207 feet 212 feet (Strava) Average pace 18 mins 23 secs per mile 18 mins 28 secs per mile 18 mins 6 secs per mile (Strava) Average heart rate 128 bpm 128 bpm n/a Max heart rate 163 bpm 164 bpm n/a Calories burned 437 calories 375 calories n/a Device battery usage 12% 6% n/a Both the Garmin and Apple Watch were within 100 steps of my manually-counted total, an impressive showing for sure! However, while the Series 10 overcounted by 68 steps, the Forerunner 570 only overcounted by 42. Strava, meanwhile, calculated my total steps at 5,548. All three devices measured roughly the same total distance covered and fairly similar elevation gain metrics. Assuming Strava is correct here, both watches are within five feet of the actual total. Pace data also matches up nicely across the board. It's worth noting that both Garmin and Strava offer two average pace figures, including a moving average and an elapsed average, the latter of which is reported above. Garmin's average moving pace for my walk was 16 minutes and 4 seconds per mile and Strava's was 16 minutes and 48 seconds per mile. Despite the Apple Watch being worn on my right wrist and the Garmin adorning my left, heart rate data is a near match between the two, though Apple calculated slightly more calories burned during my roughly 50-minute walk. Finally, the Series 10 burned roughly twice as much battery using its onboard GPS to track my trek compared to the Forerunner 570. Before acknowledging our winner, it's worth pointing out that both the Garmin Forerunner 570 and Apple Watch Series 10 did extremely well in this walk test, and I'd gladly reach for either before recording my next adventure. However, the Garmin Forerunner 570 officially takes the belt in this bout against the Apple Watch Series 10. The margin may be razor thin, but a win's a win. Which smartwatches or fitness trackers would you like to see me test head-to-head in a future walk test? Let me know in the comments below. Until then, get those steps in!
