Garmin Forerunner 165 Review: Mid-Tier Winner Verdict
The Garmin Forerunner 165 has been drawing surprising levels of praise from both casual runners and serious endurance athletes, with many calling it the “sweet spot” in Garmin’s lineup. Across Amazon, Reddit, Trustpilot, and specialist reviews, it scores consistently high — often 4.7 to 4.9 out of 5 — largely thanks to its AMOLED display, reliable GPS, and training features trickled down from more expensive models. Based on aggregated user sentiment, it earns a 9/10 for value and all-round performance.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Yes — best for runners, walkers, and multi-sport enthusiasts who want advanced training tools without the bulk or price of Garmin’s top-tier models.
| Pros (User-Reported) | Cons (User-Reported) |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and comfortable for 24/7 wear | GPS lock can take up to 45 seconds |
| Bright, crisp AMOLED screen readable in sunlight | Limited sport profiles compared to FR265 |
| Reliable HR and GPS accuracy for most users | No dual-band GPS |
| Strong battery life (up to 11 days smartwatch mode) | Music storage costs extra (Music edition) |
| Adaptive Garmin Coach training plans work well | Garmin Connect app has a learning curve |
| Excellent swim visibility vs. MIP displays | Plastic build feels less premium to some |
Claims vs Reality
Garmin markets the Forerunner 165 as offering “up to 11 days of battery life” in smartwatch mode and “training metrics and recovery insights” usually found on higher-end devices. Verified buyers on Best Buy back up the battery claims. User daniel wrote: “5 day battery with daily 45min run. Charging time 2h. Great GPS signal… very light and comfy.” Others, like Reddit user track me, confirmed Garmin’s estimates: “Battery claims are spot on — I’m getting 5 days with always-on display and about 2 hours of workouts.”
The company also touts “crisp AMOLED visibility”, and this is echoed repeatedly. A Reddit reviewer noted: “As a long-time MIP display user, the AMOLED is a good affordable option to try… visibility is excellent when swimming in a pool.” Trustpilot feedback from janae reinforced this: “The AMOLED display is crisp and easy to read even in bright sunlight.”
Garmin promotes its adaptive Garmin Coach plans as a differentiator. NBC Select testers found them genuinely useful: “You pick a running goal… after an initial benchmark run, Garmin will create a schedule of suggested workouts… the plan automatically adjusted… every step of the way.” This matches the marketing, though TechRadar pointed out the absence of a “training readiness score” found in pricier models.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The most consistent praise is for the comfort and weight. Multiple Reddit users described it as “hardly noticeable” even during sleep. One veteran of Garmin’s Fenix series said: “With a third-party nylon band it’s a mere 22g… this is by far the best form factor I’ve found on the market.” Best Buy buyer danielj echoed: “Comfortable, light and very easy to start and use right away.”
The display is another standout. Whether in bright daylight or underwater, users report exceptional readability. Reddit swimmers specifically called out its superiority to older MIP displays. On Garmin’s own forums, Toby Gadd said: “The screen is incredible. Being able to use button or touch screen is nice.”
Battery life is the third pillar of praise. Compared to Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch, owners appreciate multi-day endurance. NBC Select testers averaged 10–11 days without GPS, and 5 days with always-on display. A Best Buy customer mario wrote: “Battery is amazing… lasts up to 10 days… unlike my Apple Watch which I had to charge every night.”
Lastly, training features — especially Garmin Coach, PacePro, and running dynamics — are viewed as unusually strong for the price. Trustpilot reviewer briand called it “best bang for your buck if you’re a beginner–intermediate runner because of the features it offers.” Tom’s Guide noted that body battery, VO2 max, and recovery time estimates bring higher-end capabilities to a mid-tier watch.
Common Complaints
The most frequent gripe is GPS lock time. Tom’s Guide measured a 45-second wait in dense urban areas, which is slower than dual-band models. Serious trail runners or triathletes may find the limited sport profile list restrictive — snow sports and certain niche activities are missing. Reddit user epix pro owner lamented the absence of skiing and SUP modes unless added via Connect IQ apps.
Material feel is another point. TechRadar remarked the plastic build “feels overly light and plasticky” compared to metal-backed Garmins. Some buyers missed Gorilla Glass, though several countered that the chemically strengthened glass has held up fine in real use.
Newcomers to Garmin also struggle with the Garmin Connect app’s learning curve. NBC Select’s Harry Rabinowitz described it as “encyclopedic (and labyrinthian at first),” requiring time to master.
Divisive Features
Heart rate accuracy sparked debate. The Reddit reviewer ranked Polar’s optical HR slightly higher, especially in cold weather, but concluded differences were “not big enough to justify choosing a different watch.” Some users felt four data fields per screen was limiting, while others noted the ability to create multiple custom screens mitigated this.
The music edition upcharge is another split point. Some see it as essential for phone-free runs; others, like briand, said: “Wish I got the music edition… but the standard is best for the price.”
Trust & Reliability
No widespread defect patterns emerged in Trustpilot or Reddit threads. Garmin’s long-term reputation for durability appears intact. One Reddit user compared it to their Instinct Crossover glass, noting “no major scratches so far.” Best Buy buyers praised the build despite the plastic: kaywest appreciated that “the glass watch face is set under the watch frame… less room for damage.”
On forums, users reported no crashes or anomalies after weeks of use. Garmin’s incident detection and LiveTrack safety features were also mentioned as functioning as expected.
Alternatives
The Forerunner 265 is the closest sibling, offering more sport profiles, dual-band GPS, and Gorilla Glass, but at nearly double the price. TechRadar noted that serious marathoners or trail runners may prefer it for navigation and endurance scores.
Coros Pace 3 was mentioned in TechRadar’s comparison: similar plastic build and competitive price, longer battery (up to 24 days), but a dimmer MIP screen and less smartwatch polish. Polar Pacer Pro offers slightly better HR accuracy for some but lacks Garmin’s training ecosystem.
Price & Value
At listing prices around $249.99 USD (standard) and $299.99 USD (Music), community consensus is that the Forerunner 165 delivers strong value. eBay listings show resale in the $179–$249 range for standard models, suggesting decent value retention. Several buyers on Best Buy and Reddit recommended waiting for sales if music storage isn’t a priority.
FAQ
Q: Is the Garmin Forerunner 165 good for swimming?
A: Yes. Multiple users report the AMOLED screen is highly visible underwater, and it supports both pool and open-water swim tracking with stroke detection and SWOLF scoring.
Q: Does it work with cycling power meters?
A: No, unlike higher-end Forerunners, it does not support cycling power meter pairing. Cyclists can still track rides with GPS and cadence sensors.
Q: How accurate is the heart rate monitor?
A: Most users find it accurate for steady-state efforts, but cold weather and very intense intervals may still require a chest strap for best results.
Q: Can you store music on the standard Forerunner 165?
A: No. Music storage requires the “Music” edition, which costs about $50 more and supports offline playlists from Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music.
Q: How long does GPS take to lock?
A: Reports vary. In open areas, it’s quick, but in urban canyons or dense forest it can take up to 45 seconds.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a runner, swimmer, or active walker wanting a light, capable, mid-priced Garmin with excellent training tools and battery life. Avoid if you need niche sport modes, ultra-precise GPS lock, or cycling power support. Pro tip from Reddit: install Connect IQ apps to add missing activities like skiing or SUP.
