Garmin
Garmin Forerunner 265
2023 · Fitness + health
86
/ 100
From $449
VS
Garmin Forerunner 965 wins by 2
Garmin
Garmin Forerunner 965
2023 · Fitness + health
88
/ 100
From $599
Specdex verdict
Garmin Forerunner 965 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Garmin Forerunner 265 lands at 86 and Garmin Forerunner 965 at 88. That puts Garmin Forerunner 965 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Garmin Forerunner 265 if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Pick Garmin Forerunner 965 if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Garmin Forerunner 265 86
vs 88 Garmin Forerunner 965
Score breakdown
Garmin Forerunner 265
86 battery 94
display 88
fitness 86
health 84
durability 86
Garmin Forerunner 965
88 battery 94
display 88
fitness 88
health 86
durability 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2023 | 2023 |
Garmin Forerunner 265
Pros
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
Cons
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
Garmin Forerunner 965
Pros
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
Cons
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
FAQ: Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Garmin Forerunner 965
Which is better, Garmin Forerunner 265 or Garmin Forerunner 965? +
Garmin Forerunner 965 scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Garmin Forerunner 265 worth the price? +
At $449, Garmin Forerunner 265 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in battery.
Is Garmin Forerunner 965 worth the price? +
At $599, Garmin Forerunner 965 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.
Does Garmin Forerunner 265 or Garmin Forerunner 965 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.