Ratings & Reviews for Garmin Forerunner 265 Smart Watch with Step Counter, Heart Rate Monitor and GPS Enabled
Ratings may include incentivized customer reviews.
What Customers Are Saying
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a feature-rich running watch that provides accurate GPS and heart rate tracking, comprehensive training metrics, and customizable data screens. Users praise the bright AMOLED display, long battery life, and seamless integration with the Garmin Connect app for detailed data analysis. The watch offers a user-friendly experience and is highly recommended for runners and triathletes seeking advanced tracking and coaching capabilities to improve their performance and fitness.
Customer review summary generated by AI, including incentivized reviews.Garmin Forerunner 265
Amazing watch!!! Everything I want and more!! Excellent battery too!
From Garmin
Not the same quality it was…
I bought this a month ago and already had to be replaced..my last watch completely died too, it at least lasted 3 years but still…not for these prices. My first Garmin I ever bought in 2020 is still working but gave it away once I got a new one with more features l wanted for training.
From Garmin
Watch is great for activities
This watch is great for all activities. I use it with my gym workouts and runs. Unfortunately, after one of the last updates I am no longer receiving text messages to the watch. I have done all the troubleshooting, but nothing is working. This is very disappointing.
From Garmin
Exactly what I wanted
Moved up from the 165 to the 265 and its exactly as advertised. Slightly bigger screen, battery life, slightly better recovery/activity metrics (like training readiness ) and can store music ! Wish it had apple music or tidal but not a big bummer . Only 2 things I dislike think: 1. the original garmin strap, for me personally it is very annoying (like it was for the 165). Solid purchase 2. The charger isnt USB type C
From Garmin
I use this watch to track my runs and weight lifting sessions. It makes it very easy to see progress and it’s very motivating to keep up on physical activity. Perfect balance of price and functionality. Would recommend it for someone who is wanting to try out a fitness watch or upgrading from a cheaper one.
From ExpertVoice.com
Well worth the upgrade
Switched to garmin after going from an apple watch to a whoop. Really enjoy the screen aspect and all the different exercise options (mainly use for triathlon). The GPS system is great with no phone and music without phone is great.
From Garmin
A watch that smiles
I upgraded from a FR45 to an FR265. I love the 265’s happy colors, range of readable stats, and instant uploads of all kinds of activities to Strava. It keeps going and doesn’t let me down. There are still more usable features than I haven’t figured out yet.
From Garmin
So many features!
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is exactly what I am looking for! I received it for Christmas and it wears very durable - not too flimsy on the band, yet not too stiff! So many great features - plethora of exercise options, stress and heart rate alerts, and so much more!
From Garmin
Like the Watch
I up graded to a better garmin watch. So far so good. Wish it came with instructions on how to set it up. Trial and error is getting frustrating.
From Garmin
Upgrade to the 265
I replaced my 245 with the 265. The new features and the color is amazing. The screen is so much easier to see. Garmin does a great job with the keeping the functions user friendly. Battery life is better. Only issue seen with the 265 is the heart rate is not accurate. Would invest in a strap for this watch. Felt the 245 had a better heart rate accuracy.
From Garmin
Easy to use
Convenient, easy to use. The battery life is strong.
From Garmin
Great Upgrade
I bought my Forerunner 265 and one for my wife for Christmas. We had 935 that where over 7 years old and had served us well. The 265 does everything our 935 did and a lot more. Love the tough screen, it's lighter and much better battery. W are have with our upgrades.
From Garmin
Really liked it at first.
The watch paired with the App out of the box. I have since lost the connection to the App and have tried everything in the instructions to no avail so, for the last week, the watch is fairly useless to me.
From Garmin
Not bad
Watch is nice. Garmin IQ! Keeps popping up because of some fault in the apps
From Garmin
OURSTANDING SMART WATCH
I bought my Garmin Forerunner 265 last month and I really love it . It is easy to see how I am doing at my run no matter if I am running at night or during the day time . My new watch is very accurate and it is easy to go back and compare my other runs .
From Garmin
Battery dies too fast
New watch and the battery dies too fast. I have to charge daily.
From Garmin
All the Features I Need!
I had the Garmin Forerunner 245 and liked it very much. After it died (lasted nearly 6 years w/ daily, heavy use!) I briefly tried the newest Apple Watch and just couldn’t make the switch. It felt like Garmin was so much more intuitive. Briefly tried the Garmin Lily 2 Classic because I wanted something that looked more feminine and classy, which it did, but it wasn’t able to broadcast my heart rate to my bike trainer or track my activities independently of my phone. This Forerunner 265 is fantas...
From Garmin
IN LOVE WITH IT!
I received this as a birthday gift and I’m loving it. It’s just perfect for my running activities.
From Garmin
too complicated
I am not so happy with the watch, is complicated to connect to other apps or devices, not easy to program and the metrics are not accurate, always differs from other devices. Pace is always different.
From Garmin
Great watch correct price
Purchased Dec 2025. Enjoying it more than the instinct 2, also great watch. Blah, blah blah. It’s a garmin, works great and exceeds expectations.
From Garmin