The Forerunner 165 series is the budget training watch Garmin needs.

If you’re training for a race, few multisport watch brands do it better than Garmin. But there are two things I don’t like about him. The prices are high and the platform can be intimidating to new users. Have you looked at our online store? For beginners, it’s difficult to analyze which of Garmin’s dozens of watches offer basic features without hurting your wallet. Not anymore. After purchasing the $299.99 Forerunner 165 Music over the past few weeks, I’m convinced that this, the $249.99 standard version, is the best Garmin watch for me.

The 300 Smartaroos may not seem budget-friendly until you look at Garmin’s flagship watches. Prices can range from a whopping $700 to well over $1,000. Even mid-range watches like the excellent Forerunner 265 series retail for $450. me I was loved Forerunner 265 series. The only thing I didn’t like was the price. And that’s what makes it this The watch is especially attractive. It’s close by It’s a clone of the smaller 265S, but costs $150-$200 less. In fact, the only thing missing is dual-frequency GPS and EKG for atrial fibrillation detection.

Earnestly. When placed side by side, it is difficult to distinguish between the 165 Music and the 265S. The buttons on the 265S are a bit nicer. Thankfully my units come in different colors. Otherwise, I don’t think you would be able to tell at a glance.

As for performance, 95% of what I use every day is I didn’t notice any difference. Accurate outdoor activity tracking is possible without dual-frequency GPS. I tested 165 Music using my phone and Apple Watch Ultra 2 simultaneously. Both products feature dual-frequency GPS. The reported maps and distances all matched within a tenth of a mile. I would have seen more of a difference if I had run. In challenging environments like Manhattan’s financial district. That said, I did the following: many You can run with a multisport watch with or without dual-frequency GPS. While dual frequency GPS is To be more precise, it mainly helps those who train in GPS deadzones. Unless you are, you probably won’t notice.

Heart rate data was also on par with the Ultra 2 and Polar H10 chest straps. I have never missed an EKG feature since I am not at high risk for AFib. (Even if I did, an EKG-based AFib feature is not a diagnostic tool and you should still see a doctor.) Unless it runs in your family or you know you’re at risk, an EKG isn’t a useful feature for everyone. This is especially necessary because high/low heart rate notifications are still available.

For activity profile and health tracking metrics, you can get basic information about your training watch. And Garmin’s default definition is generous. Would you rather go snowboarding or boxing? no. Niche activities like triathlon, golf, mountain biking, or team sports will require the more expensive Forerunner or Garmin. But what happens if you generally go to the gym, bike, run, swim, hike, play tennis (or pickleball!) and keep up the occasional yoga or Pilates session? You are good. Of course, the more you spend, the more you get. But this will give most people everything they want. necessary.

Aside from these few things, you get everything that makes a Garmin a Garmin: long battery life, durability, and tons of training. data. Even with the more power-hungry OLED display, the 165 Music lasted nearly a week on a single charge with the always-on display enabled, and closer to 10 days with the display off. 165 Music survived being chewed by a cat and could handle being dunked in a swimming pool. You’ll still have access to features like Garmin Coach, adaptive training plans, nap detection, sleep tracking, Body Battery, and Morning Report. And luckily, the redesigned Garmin Connect app organizes a lot of that information and makes it easier to see at a glance.

Typically, I would start my TED talk talking about why Garmin has a complex product lineup. less clock. That said, the Forerunner 165 stands out for its combination of price, feature set, and product design. Garmin is missing out on good training watches, with most options in the sub-$300 category like the Venu Sq 2 or Vivomove Trend. This watch is aimed at the average user or those looking for a more sophisticated vibe. This is real training This watch takes both design and function into consideration.

The only bad thing about the 165 series is that it further confuses the already crowded Forerunner lineup. Lord knows Garmin has the Forerunner 55, 255, 265, 745, 955, 965 and a few others that I missed. There are other watch lines that are very similar to the Forerunner, such as the Instinct. But amidst it all Scattered around, The Forerunner 165 and 165 Music are my entry-level Garmin choices for training. This is great for beginners to the platform, as well as intermediate and advanced athletes who aren’t interested in bells and whistles.