The Forerunner 165 looks destined to be one of the best running watches of 2024, with some great depth despite its $249 price tag. The question is, can you give up on the upgrades that the Forerunner 265 offers?
Garmin running watches are among the best, but they're not cheap. The Forerunner 165 should offer upgrades over 55 and 255; the only question is how much it'll cost.
Some long-requested features like the ability to undo accidental lap presses or switch from one sport to the next automatically are now available, if you're willing to download the beta.
Though the Garmin Lily 2 and Lily 2 Classic don't make that many changes from the original, they at least bring back the petite, waterproof, and long-lasting design that you liked the first time.
The Garmin Connect app, as it stands today, is an inscrutible labyrinth to navigate. The redesigned Home page puts all of your most important data upfront, so it's easier to find.
Garmin is the only brand we know of that tracks individual exercise moves like push-ups or deadlifts, with thousands of options. But it doesn't do nearly enough with this concept.
The Garmin Venu 3 is our favorite fitness smartwatch, while the Venu Sq 2 is a compromise pick that costs much less. They're both relatively mainstream compared to most rugged (aka ugly) Garmin watches, so you'll want to start with one of these. But which?
We called the Forerunner 265 the best running watch on the market, but it's actually the 965. The only problem is that the 965 is quite expensive, so you may want to save money with its mid-range sibling — which has most of the same tech.
The Forerunner 265 has more accurate GPS and better training tools, while the Venu 3 has a mic & speaker, a more stylish design, and ECG/ skin temperature readings. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Garmin's four new watch faces in Connect IQ let you build a snowman, golf with Santa, decorate a Christmas tree, or go skiing on the slope.