Forerunner 265S
GarminReleased Feb 1, 2023 · Analysis updated Aug 14, 2026
Lightweight smartwatch with a vibrant AMOLED display, accurate GPS, and long battery life for dedicated runners. The Garmin Forerunner 265S scores 84/100 based on 27 expert reviews in the fitness trackers category. Coverage includes reviews from Lifehacker, Weeviews, Financialexpress, and The5krunner.
Critic Score
What's this?based on 27 expert reviews
Pros
- Long battery life(18)
- AMOLED display(16)
- Accurate GPS(14)
- Lightweight design(9)
- Accurate heart rate(6)
Cons
- Limited features(30)
- High price(19)
- Connection issues(4)
- Easy to use(3)
27 Publication Reviews
AI summary of this review
The Garmin Forerunner 265/265S is the sweet spot in its running watch lineup, offering physical buttons, recovery metrics, a bright, colorful screen, and even built-in training plans.
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AI summary of this review
My first Garmin and I have no regrets! I love the way it tracks my run, my steps, my training readiness & the daily suggested workouts.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265S is a great running watch that combines a top-shelf always-on AMOLED display with fantastic battery life and a comprehensive feature set.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a complete watch for runners it negates the need to buy an all-out triathlon watch like the FR965 but its premium price makes the cheaper FR55 a more sensible alternative ...
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AI summary of this review
The Garmin Forerunner 265 offers premium features like an AMOLED touchscreen and Training Readiness Score while maintaining excellent battery life and ease of use for runners of all levels.
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AI summary of this review
The Garmin Forerunner 265 and 265S are the latest iterations of Garmin’s flagship Forerunner series, featuring a redesigned watch case and an all-new AMOLED screen.
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AI summary of this review
The Garmin Forerunner 265S offers the perfect balance of OLED display and battery life, making it the Goldilocks of running watches.
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AI summary of this review
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a feature-packed fitness tracker designed for runners, offering extensive health metrics, long battery life, and a bright AMOLED display.
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AI summary of this review
The Forerunner 265 ushers in a new era for Garmin, bringing bright and sharp OLED screens to its class-leading running watches while keeping week-long battery life.
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Garmin's mid-range running watch got a touchscreen and a beautiful, bright AMOLED display, and it's a huge improvement.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265 is an exceptional fitness watch that can serve as a reliable lifestyle accessory as well.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265 is undoubtedly one of the best running watches available today, improving on the recent 255 with a more readable AMOLED display and two key software tools.
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Despite a high price, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is one of the best running watches you can buy.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265 is an excellent all-rounder that offers pretty much everything (barring maps) that most runners need.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265 is an excellent watch that offers almost all Garmin's best features in an attractive package with a bright AMOLED display.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265 is not only your perfect running companion, but also serves as an everyday smartwatch.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265 series offers an AMOLED display, Training Readiness, and wrist-based Running Dynamics in a lightweight package, making it a compelling choice for endurance athletes.
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AI summary of this review
An athlete-grade fitness watch with an OLED screen that doesn’t cost as much as the company’s flagship bands, the Forerunner 265 is the watch many people have been asking for.
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AI summary of this review
The Garmin Forerunner 265S is a brilliant running tool for women with a vibrant AMOLED touchscreen and in-depth insights, though heart rate tracking can be inconsistent.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265/265S offers a brighter AMOLED touchscreen, Training Readiness, and comprehensive multisport features at a competitive price point.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265S offers a compact design with a stunning AMOLED display, enhanced battery life, and comprehensive fitness tracking features, making it ideal for users with smaller wrists.
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The Garmin Forerunner 265S is a versatile, lightweight sports watch with comprehensive features, accurate GPS, and good battery life, though it has a learning curve for new users and some limitations ...
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The Garmin Forerunner 265S offers sports tracking power in a smaller package with an AMOLED display, though battery life is reduced and it's not a major upgrade over the previous model.
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AI summary of this review
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a superb wearable, but the £130 price increase over the 255 makes it a very tough sell.
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Good in many ways, but awkward viewing and lack of mapping means it's not well suited to bikes
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The Garmin Forerunner 265s is perfectly built for athletes with accurate sensors and great battery life, but its high price and overwhelming UI make it less suitable for casual users.
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