Latest news with #GarminForerunner265
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Amazon knocks up to 50% off Garmin watches — here are 15 deals worth shopping now
Amazon's summer sale is slashing the prices on the latest and best Garmin watches. And if you're looking to upgrade your running gear for summer, consider these smartwatch deals from $149 to be your perfect excuse. For instance, the Garmin Epix Gen 2 is down to $479, a whopping 47% off, and the Garmin Forerunner 265 is just $349, saving you $100. Another fan-favorite is the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED, which is currently sporting a $200 discount. Whether you need a rugged adventure watch or a sleek smartwatch, the Garmin sale on Amazon has a little something for everyone. Keep scrolling to check out all my favorite picks from the sale. The Garmin Approach S12 has all the features you could want out of an entry-level golfing watch. It's affordable, has accurate GPS tracking and is pre-loaded with 43,000 courses. The watch lasts for 10 weeks of battery life with GPS off or 30 hours with GPS on. Our Garmin Approach S12 review said this is "good entry-level golf watch with most basic features and solid battery life that lasts several rounds." This is the Garmin to get if you're buying a running watch for the first time. It offers a bright screen, easy to read stats, and long battery life. You'll also have access to PacePro suggested workouts, which is like having a running coach on your wrist. In our Garmin Forerunner 55 review, we said this watch was like having an expert coach on your wrist. The Garmin Venu Sq 2 offers 11-day battery life, 24/7 health tracking, 25+ sports apps, and smart notifications, keeping you connected on both Android and iOS. This sporty mid-range watch is a great training companion with a bright AMOLED display, onboard GPS, advanced heart health monitoring, sleep tracking and tons of tools for training. It also has a SpO2 sensor, 11-day battery life and water resistance up to 50 meters. Check out our Garmin Forerunner 165 hands-on review for the full lowdown. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a comprehensive fitness tracker that comes in at an affordable price. In our Garmin Vivoactive 5 review, we loved this device's gorgeous AMOLED display, access to multitude of sports apps and its advanced health stats like sleep and stress coaching. The Lily 2 Active is easily one of the sleekest-looking designs Garmin has come out with, and this new discount only sweetens the deal. Now, we'd not only recommend a watch on looks alone, but you're also getting access to a built-in GPS and a wealth of different sports modes. While it lacks the flashy AMOLED display of the Forerunner 265, the Forerunner 255 is otherwise a good match for its successor, and the memory-in-pixel screen is still clear to read in all conditions. It's a great triathlon watch that has dual-band GPS tracking plus useful training analysis and music storage, and it's back at its lowest ever price courtesy of this Amazon discount. The rugged Instinct 2X Solar is built for adventure, with features like dual-band GPS tracking and a built-in flashlight helping you enjoy the great outdoors. It also has solar panels on the front to stretch the already impressive battery life even further in sunny conditions, and comes in a range of eye-catching colors. The new Garmin Forerunner 570 now supersedes the Forerunner 265 in the Garmin range and has a bigger, brighter screen plus a mic and speaker, but the Forerunner 265 is $200 cheaper thanks to this deal and matches the Forerunner 570 well on sports tracking features. The Garmin Venu 3S combines sleek design with powerful health and fitness features, including advanced sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and a bright AMOLED display. This discount on the Garmin Venu 3 equals the lowest price it's ever gone for, with both the standard Venu 3 and smaller Venu 3S reduced by $100 at multiple retailers. It's a sleek AMOLED smartwatch with features like NFC payments and music storage on top of Garmin's reliably excellent sports tracking. In our Garmin Approach S62 review, we said this is the best golf watch an avid player can get. It's got accurate GPS measurements, great virtual caddy analysis and excellent battery life in GPS mode. It's pricy, so if you're a beginner the Garmin Approach S12 may be a better pick. The Garmin Epix 2 is currently on sale for 47% off The watch comes in three different colorways, but it's the white titanium design on the silver band that is the cheapest. The black titanium and slate steel models are also on sale but are more expensive. The Garmin Forerunner 970 has just launched, meaning now's the time to look for discounts on its predecessor the Garmin Forerunner 965, and this $100 discount doesn't disappoint. The Forerunner 965 is an incredible AMOLED sports watch with offline maps and a wealth of sports tracking and training analysis features all packed into a lightweight design. The Forerunner 970 has a brighter screen and some new features like a built-in flashlight, but will set you back $749 right now. The Fenix 8 is the top dog in Garmin's smartwatch range. The Garmin Fenix 8 only came out last August so to see the entire range reduced by $200 is remarkable.
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
The best running watch I've tested for most people is $100 off — get the lowest price ever now
If I got a dollar every time someone asked me which Garmin watch to buy, I'd probably still need to work for Tom's Guide, but I'd be a lot richer. My recommendation, and one of my favorite Garmins ever, is the Garmin Forerunner 265, and it it's $100 off right now. The fantastic little watch just dropped to $349 from $449 on Amazon in both the 42mm and the 46mm versions. The watch has been replaced by the newly released Garmin Forerunner 570 as the brand's mid-tier Forerunner, but don't let this put you off — it's still a fantastic running watch to have on your wrist, whatever you're training for. The Forerunner 265 is on sale in both sizes right now on Amazon. In the larger 46mm watch, it looks like the deal is on the aqua and black color watch. In the 42mm version, the watch is on sale in black/yellow, white, and pink. Act fast, this deal won't be around forever. In Garmin Forerunner 265 review, I said it was the best Garmin running watch for most people, and I stand by my decision, even with newer, snazzier watches on the market two years later. The Forerunner 265 is extremely light and comfortable, with a stunning AMOLED screen, and it has a lot of the advanced training features usually reserved for Garmin's more premium watches. At the time I wrote, 'The Forerunner 265 feels like a more premium running watch and it's all thanks to its beautiful screen. I've loved having this watch on my wrist — it's slim, it's lightweight, and when next to my Garmin Fenix 7, it looks so much brighter, whether I'm in the gym, or out in direct sunlight.' Next to my Apple Watch, the Forerunner 265 is lighter and more comfortable. I wear the 42mm version, which has a 15-day battery life in smartwatch mode, and a 24-hour battery life in GPS mode. The larger 46mm 265 has 13 days in smartwatch mode, and 20 hours in GPS mode. Normally, it's the larger of the two watches that has the longer battery life, but it seems with the bigger and brighter screen, the larger 265 will need charging ever so slightly sooner. If you're training for your first race or just hoping to get faster and stronger, this watch has plenty of features to help you train better and recover faster. It's a fantastic gadget to have on your wrist, and at $349, it's a fantastic price right now.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Amazon weekend sale live from $4 — here's 31 deals I'd shop on Carhartt apparel, Yeti, grills, TVs, appliances and more
Amazon's sales are looking especially great this weekend. Right now Amazon's sale section is full of discounts on everything from apparel to appliances, and I've found a bunch of awesome deals you don't want to miss. For starters, right now you can shop Carhartt apparel from $4. This is the perfect place to find gifts for Dad, as well as apparel to help you beat the heat this summer. Or, if you're looking to keep cool and hydrated, you can get up to 20% off select Yeti tumblers and coolers at Amazon. Or, if you're more interested in staying indoors and catching up on your favorite shows, our choice for the best TV is now on sale for $150 off. That's the Hisense 65-inch U8N 4K Mini-LED TV on sale for $899 at Amazon. Check out all my favorite Amazon deals below. Plus, check out our Amazon promo codes coverage, and see the deals I'd get from $19 in Best Buy's weekend sale. Carhartt sale: deals from $4 @ AmazonIf you're in need of the perfect gift for Dad, there's a massive Carhartt sale happening right now at Amazon. He is sure to love a rugged wardrobe refresh — and with deals starting from $4, you'll love the prices, too. Just check your delivery times to make sure it'll arrive for Father's Day. YETI sale: up to 20% off @ AmazonYETI has some great deals to help you stay cool and hydrated, with deals on tumblers and coolers starting as low a $17. 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. TV sale: deals from $79 @ AmazonAmazon has smart TVs on sale for as low as $79. Keep in mind, the cheap TVs tend to be smaller, 1080p models (which are more suitable for a children's room or guest room). However, the sale also includes larger sets. These are among the cheapest TVs we've seen from Amazon. By comparison, Best Buy is offering a similar sale with prices from $ check: from $69 @ Best Buy | from $88 @ Walmart 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. Garmin sale: up to 37% off @ AmazonAmazon is taking up to 37% off a range of Garmin smartwatches, GPS, range finders and more. The sale includes some of our favorite models, like the Garmin Forerunner 265 on sale for $349. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are far more than just a pair of specs with a camera. Meta AI features give them all the smarts to answer any questions about the world around you. All of this is underpinned by a stellar-looking set of specs that feel great to wear all-day round. Plus, boasting water resistance always check: $239 @ Meta You can now score a discount on the updated Kindle Scribe. This e-reader comes with a Premium Pen that lets you annotate, write notes and draw on your e-books. You can also create digital notebooks and convert your handwritten notes into text. In our Kindle Scribe review we loved this device's large 10.2-inch 300 ppi display and found the stylus comfortable to use. If you want a versatile outdoor cooker, this Ninja grill is the answer. Our Ninja FlexFlame Grill review praised its excellent cooking and smoking performance. Plus, with its easy set up and speedy heat-up time, you'll be able to get grilling in a flash. On the downside, it requires electricity, and it gets pricy if you want to add Ninja accessories. The Insignia F30 (2024) is one of the cheapest 4K TVs you can buy. In our Insignia F30 Fire TV review, we called it one of the best bargain TVs around. This 4K TV features HDR10 support, DTS Studio Sound, an Alexa-enabled voice remote, and three HDMI ports. Plus, as a Fire TV, you've got easy access to all the streaming apps you could want. The Hisense U8N Mini-LED 4K TV is one of the brightest TVs we've seen yet, hitting an incredible 3,469 nits in our tests. It also delivered excellent results for color accuracy and contrast. For gamers, it offers two HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K/144Hz gameplay and Dolby Vision Gaming support. It's our top choice for the best TV. Part of LG's 2025 TV lineup, the LG C5 OLED is here as the value pick of the year. Offering a slew of features, like a range of HDR certifications and gaming specs for the PS5 Pro crowd, the C5 proves a major improvement over its predecessor. We called it "nearly flawless" and gave it a 5-star rating in our LG C5 OLED TV review. Despite being but a mere LED TV, the X90L still has a lot going for it. It uses full array local dimming to give you clear and concise contrasts. There are also PS5 exclusive features like Auto Genre Picture Mode and Auto HDR Tone Mapping, which means you can expect to get the best performance from your gaming console. In our Sony Bravia X90L review, we hailed its HDR performance, anti-glare properties, and black levels, making it the ideal choice for cinematic movie enjoyers. Carhartt sale: deals from $4 @ AmazonIf you're in need of the perfect gift for Dad, there's a massive Carhartt sale happening right now at Amazon. He is sure to love a rugged wardrobe refresh — and with deals starting from $4, you'll love the prices, too. Just check your delivery times to make sure it'll arrive for Father's Day. 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. Whether you're at the beach, gym or grabbing a coffee, these sandals do the job. They feature a contoured footbed that makes them comfy to walk in, and a hook-and-loop bandage upper dries quickly. Additionally, they complement everything perfectly. Note that prices vary based on your choices of size and color. This relaxed fit pocket t-shirt features a comfortable and roomy in the chest and the shoulders, making it easy to move when you're on the job. Made of 100% cotton, the jersey knit tee is comfortable, durable and comes in a variety of colors. It's a staple for summer. Note that prices vary based on your choices of size and color. These Skechers are on sale for a great starting price, so don't sleep on this deal. They have a pretty metallic pattern across the side, with a super comfortable Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole underfoot. Note that prices vary based on your choices of size and color. Starting at just $123, this is one of the best prices we've seen for these lightweight running shoes. The Gel-Kayano 31 is the latest version of Asics' popular stability shoe, with the main updates being a new outsole material and a more breathable upper. We called it "Asics' top stability shoe" in our Asics Gel-Kayano 31 review. Note that prices vary based on your choices of size and color. 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 56% 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. 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. The latest Apple Watch model has a larger display than its predecessors, as well as a performance bump to include sleep apnea notifications, faster charging, and temperature sensing. The design is extra sleek, too. In our Apple Watch 10 review we said the optimized watchOS 11 experience and faster charging are worthwhile and make this the Apple Watch to get for most people. Plus, you can't go wrong with a pastel blue band for springtime. The 2025 iPad features a larger 11-inch (2360 x 1640) screen, A16 CPU, 12MP rear/front cameras, USB-C connectivity and Magic Keyboard Folio ($249) support. The base model features 128GB of storage, which double the capacity of its predecessor. It's available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities. 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. The Ninja Crispi is an air fryer like no other. With a removable air frying lid and a selection of glass containers that can be used to prep, store, cook and serve your food in one go, it's reinvented what you can do with the best air fryers. The Ninja Crispi Cooking System includes a cooking pod, two cooking and storage containers, complete with lids and crisper plates. 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. If you're willing to live without active noise-cancellation, these Soundcore by Anker P20i buds are fantastic value for money. Offering 10mm drivers for impressive "big" bass, along with Bluetooth 5.3, 30-hour battery life, water-resistance, 22 preset EQs and in-app customisation, which is great for this price. Stay safe and motivated on your runs with the Shokz OpenRun bone conduction headphones, now 31% off. With an IP67 rating, they're rain and sweat-proof — perfect for outdoor workouts. Beats' new workout earbuds are an all-around upgrade from the previous version. In our Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review, we loved their stylish design, strong bassy sound and stable fit. You also get 10 hours of listening time on a charge, or up to 45 hours with the included charging case. They also have some unique features on board, like handy physical button controls and a heart rate monitor. We rank them as the best wireless earbuds for fitness on the market. The XM5s are Sony's premium noise-canceling headphones and our pick for the best headphones on the market. The large, over-ear cushions are incredibly comfortable and the active noise cancelation is excellent. Plus, despite ANC being a drain on battery life, these amazing headphones still give you up to 30 hours with ANC enabled. You can push that up to 40 hours of battery life with ANC turned check: $298 @ Walmart | $299 @ Best Buy
Business Insider
11-06-2025
- Business Insider
I've tested dozens of fitness watches and the Garmin Forerunner 265 is the one I keep wearing
Garmin is easily one of the most reputable brands making top-tier fitness watches. Its on-wrist heart rate sensor and GPS are arguably the most accurate on the market — two things crucial to accurate activity tracking. As a longtime health and fitness editor, I've tested a lot of fitness wearables across many brands. I've been testing the Garmin Forerunner 265 nearly every day — on high-altitude hikes, long ski days, strength workouts at the gym, and daily neighborhood walks. This model is billed as Garmin's mid-range running watch, ideal for folks whose main activity is running and racing but who don't need full triathlon capabilities. But after two months of testing this watch, I've come to a conclusion: The Forerunner 265 may be the best Garmin watch for active people who train regularly across almost any sport, not just runners. The Forerunner 265 hits the sweet spot between functionality and comfort without being bulky or overly techy. In my experience, it's a better option than the Vivioactive 3 for most (with a few caveats). So, if you're someone who just wants a running watch that nails the basics (and then some), is super easy to use, and has some smartwatch capabilities, the Forerunner 265 deserves a closer look. Just a note: the Forerunner 265 (46mm) is available in a smaller size (42mm), which has a different model number (Forerunner 265S). Other than size, they are functionally identical. I tested the 265S, as it was the best size for my wrist. What I like most You don't have to customize much — but you can A lot of Garmin watches come packed with data and widgets, which is great for the tech-heads. But most average people just want to be told their basic fitness data for the day — sleep score, step count, and recovery index. The Forerunner 265 nails the default setup. Out of the box, the pre-loaded stats, which you access with a simple swipe up, had almost everything I cared about on the main screen — steps, sleep, recovery, body battery, heart rate, and active minutes, along with a few nice to haves like weather, sunrise/sunset time, and altimeter (a must in the Colorado mountains where I live). I only tweaked a few things — like adding a moon phase tracker — but there's a long list of at-a-glance stats you can add, like text notifications, calendar info, sleep coach, stress levels, women's health info, and alternate time zones. I also found the interface intuitive to use; any basic info it displays, you simply tap to learn more, like training history details or how many miles your step count equates to. The workout screen is perfectly informative Whether I was doing a strength workout, going for a hike, or even just walking the dog, the Forerunner 265's default display was exactly the info I wanted to see in real time. On the Vivioactive 3, the watch Garmin often plugs for active generalists (e.g., people who aren't dominantly runners or swimmers, etc.), I found the mid-workout screen a bit unhelpfully simplistic — you can see which set you're on, your current heart rate, or the timer and total calories, but not all at once. On the Forerunner 265, during a workout, the screen shows your heart rate (with color-coded zones), total workout time, rep count, active calories, and the current time. On runs, it shows total time, pace, and distance. It's all the info you want at a glance mid-workout, but never feels like information overload. The Forerunner 265 has over 30 activity profiles to choose from (though they aren't automatically detected on this model — you'll have to manually select the workout type), including triathlons, skiing, and Pilates. It also has built-in music storage and GPS, so you can leave your phone at home. It really is great for runners While this is a great watch for any active lifestyle, it's pretty tricked out for runners. It has: A race widget that helps plan your training strategy and gives you an on-watch countdown every day till race day. A suggested daily workout every morning (e.g., tempo run 3x8:00 @ 7:55/mi) based on this week's previous activity, your past running pace, and your current recovery. Audio prompts that act as a real-time, in-ear coach, reporting your current running pace, whenever you've completed a full mile, and, on interval training, timing for your next sprint to start. A mid-run interface showing heart rate with color-coded zones, cadence, and ground contact time (GCT). A post-run report that covers time spent in different run power zones (i.e., how hard you're pushing), training effect (how this run will improve your anaerobic or aerobic fitness), and performance analysis to improve next time. The ability to find new running routes nearby on the Garmin Connect app. PacePro feature to plan race-day strategy using pace guidance for a selected course or distance. It has great recovery insight One thing that's really hard about training or being active is waking up feeling bleh and not knowing if you should push through or give your body a rest. When you wear your Garmin every day, the watch does a really good job taking into account all the different factors influencing your recovery — this week's stress levels, last night's sleep, the last few workouts you did, how much recovery time you got in between, early signs of getting sick — and suggests whether your body can handle hitting it hard or if you should ease up for a better tomorrow. Other recovery features include: Training Readiness: A 1-5 color-coded scale that reflects how well-recovered you are and how ready your body is to be used again. Training Effect: A measurement of the impact of your last workout on your aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Body Battery: A score of how ready your body is to perform, based largely on sleep quality, previous workouts, and overall stress. Sleep Score: Garmin's advanced sleep tracking records when you fall asleep and wake up, how much time you spend in each sleep stage, and your resting heart rate throughout the night. This culminates in a number score and a quality meter. It's also worth noting that I've worn the Forerunner 265 to sleep most nights alongside my Oura Ring, and the sleep score and Body Battery are more or less always aligned with similar metrics reported by my Oura Ring. That's all to say — Garmin's sleep and heart rate trackers are very accurate. The bright AMOLED display reads easy (with one caveat) While some Garmins use the older MIP screens, the Forerunner 265 has a vivid AMOLED display that looks super crisp and bright (like your phone). Some athletes prefer the traditional MIP display to see better in sunlight, but I found this screen easy to read indoors and most of the time out in full sun, though sometimes I had to take polarized sunglasses off for better visibility. The AMOLED display also goes far in making the watch feel more modern and seamless and less like a traditional running watch. It's comfortable enough to sleep in The Forerunner 265 has that Goldilocks fit: not too sleek and fragile-feeling like the Venu or Vivoactive, but not too bulky and tactical like the Fenix or Enduro. The watch is super lightweight and doesn't trap sweat or water underneath, which is a small but important detail. I never had to take it off after a shower, or even while sleeping. The tracking is actually accurate I've tested enough smartwatches to know not to trust every heart rate reading or step count. But this one's been spot-on in every scenario — from high-altitude hikes to HIIT workouts. The GPS locks in fast, and tracking is consistent. The battery life is incredible One of Garmin's biggest chokeholds on the fitness watch industry is its batteries last for seemingly forever. The Forerunner 265 has up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 20 hours of battery life in straight GPS mode. I found in using my 265s watch everyday across my life, including running the GPS for about 1-2 hours, I have to charge it every 12 days or so — so basically, once every two weeks. This is incredibly convenient — or rather, incredibly not inconvenient like having to charge your watch every three to four days is. It's also nice to have a long battery life to leverage that sleep tracking rather than charging it at night. Other perks I love Multiple size options: The Forerunner 265 comes in two size options, 42mm (known as the 265S) and 46mm. I have the 42mm Forerunner 265S and it is the perfect size for a small, female wrist. Garmin's app and coaching features: I don't personally use the Garmin Connect app much — I have my training routine dialed — but if you're a new runner, training for your first race, or aren't sure where to begin with cross-training workouts, the app's ample features can be a super helpful tool. Garmin offers built-in training plans with adaptive coaching, plus you can join community challenges (like "365 miles in a year") that are great if you're motivated by goals or competition. Music storage: If you're a Spotify or Amazon Music user, you can download playlists directly to the watch and leave your phone behind on runs. (Note: Garmin doesn't support Apple music.) Garmin Pay: You can set up Garmin Pay and use contactless payments right from your wrist. Smart notifications: The Forerunner 265 has basic smart notifications when paired with your phone — you can receive emails, texts, and alerts on your wrist as you would on your phone. It doesn't have the advanced built-in microphone to answer calls or text messages from the watch; you'd have to upgrade to the Forerunner 965 or Fenix 8 for that. Where it falls short It's still a sports watch, aesthetically. While the Forerunner 265 looks cleaner than many, it's not something I'd wear to a wedding or out to a nice dinner. I live in Colorado, so this vibe is fine most of the time, but I always take it off for a night out. If aesthetics are a priority, the Garmin Venu 3, Vivoactive 3, or even an Apple Watch might be better. It doesn't have every bell and whistle for big athletic endeavors. The Forerunner 265 will carry most people through most activities, and I love that it has an internal altimeter and barometer for accurate outdoor adventures. That said, if you're a big triathlete, you probably want the Forerunner 965 with its longer battery life; full-color, built-in mapping for trails, road, and topography; and larger internal storage for maps and music. If you do a lot of backpacking or adventure racing, the Fenix 8 is a better pick with its offline maps, flashlight, longer battery life, and solar charging option. Sleep tracking and body battery are nice, but they're not that helpful. Garmin pushes both these features heavily as a pro to the watch, but I've found they just report facts to you rather than providing guidance and insight on how you can improve your habits. I know if I had a terrible night's sleep and I know when I need a rest day because my body doesn't feel recovered; I don't need data to tell me this. That said, I definitely know people who do two or three workouts a day and never rest and then wonder why they feel so exhausted, so perhaps there is a target audience for these Garmin features. But personally, I find the sell of a Garmin to be in recording how hard I'm pushing myself and how active I am over the course of a day. I think if you're most interested in your biometrics, a smart ring like the Oura would be more helpful to you than a fitness watch. Garmin's app experience is still… Garmin. It's functional, but not always intuitive or modern-feeling. How it compares to other Garmin and running watches Below are my experiences with other Garmin and fitness watches. For more options, check out our guides to the best Garmin watches, best fitness trackers, and best running watches. Garmin Forerunner 255: The 265 is basically a slightly upgraded version of the 255, namely with a full-color AMOLED display and touchscreen. If you're fine with a simpler display and want to save $100, the 255 is still a great pick. Garmin Venu 3: More lifestyle-forward than the 265 (think: Apple Watch competitor), the Venu also has features like a built-in mic and speaker for calls. But it doesn't feel as optimized for running and training as the 265. Read our full Garmin Venu 3 review. Garmin Fenix 8 or Epix: These watches are both for multi-day mountain missions or ultra training. They're much pricier and bulkier. That said, some people prefer the rugged aesthetic of these watches. Apple Watch Series 10 or Ultra: Best for iPhone users who want smartwatch features first and fitness second. But they don't match Garmin's training tools or battery life. The bottom line The Garmin Forerunner 265 isn't the flashiest running watch out there, but it's easily one of the best designed. It gives you all the data you actually care about both throughout the day and during a workout — without asking you to set up 20 widgets or navigate five submenus to find your resting heart rate. If you want a watch that's comfortable, accurate for fitness, and easy to use whether you're training for a half-marathon or lifting in the gym, this one checks every box. It's the running watch I'd recommend most for everyday athletes and most runners who want to track their performance and recovery and don't care about every smartwatch bell and whistle.
Forbes
05-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Polar Grit X2: Cheaper Than Garmin, Classier Than Coros?
Polar Grit X2 Polar Polar has expanded its watch line-up with the Polar Grit X2, which fills out the company's line-up and provides a reasonably affordable option for fitness watch shoppers. The Polar Grit X2 now sits below the Grit X2 Pro, which was announced in March 2024. This new watch's screen is smaller, water resistance isn't as strong (5ATM) and battery life is shorter. But a huge drop in cost, from 749 Euro to 479 Euro, arguably more than makes up for it. U.S. pricing is yet to be confirmed. While the Polar Grit X2 has launched in the UK and Europe the "US launch [is] Pricing elsewhere places the Polar Grit X2 in the ballpark of the Garmin Forerunner 265, while it provides higher-end build and some additional features. For example, the Grit X2 has a highly scratch resistant Sapphire crystal screen covering, and a stainless steel watch surround. The Polar Grit X2 also provides offline maps, a feature not available in Garmin's range until you reach the higher level of something like the Forerunner 970. And the watch has a healthy 32GB on-board storage for mapping info. Other key features include an AMOLED display, measuring 1.28 inches across, dual-band GPS and support for more advanced readings like ECG heart monitoring and skin temperature. Polar rates its stamina at around seven days of use, down from 10 days in the larger Polar Grit X2 Pro. While on paper it's tempting to pit the Polar Grit X2 solely against Garmin rivals, as it clearly has a few more aggressive, impressive elements, it's rivals like Coros that are perhaps more pertinent. At this price you could pick up a Coros Pace Pro, which has a similar AMOLED screen and (mostly) comparable core features, but does not have the Polar Grit 2's high-end glass and bezel material. Polar's Grit X2 is a compelling proposition, and certainly more so than last year's Grit X2 Pro, which many concluded was just a little too pricey to stand out in a positive way. As per testing from DC Rainmaker, though, the Polar Grit X2 may not get you quite as good heart rate tracking accuracy as a Garmin Forerunner 570, which is consistent with my own previous experience with Polar watches. I'll be keeping an eye out for news of a U.S. release of the Polar Grit X2, which has — as seen among many tech manufacturers — been derailed by market instability. 'We have made the decision to postpone the US launch because of the current macroeconomic situation, causing uncertainty,' reads Polar's statement. "This includes rising prices, higher interest rates, and new international trade tariffs, all of which are creating uncertainty currently for many companies. For us specifically, this means for instance reassessing the timing of product launches to better align with the evolving market conditions.' It's not yet clear when enough stability will return to let companies such as Polar more safely launch products like the Polar Grit X2.
