Wear Radar

Fitbit ChargevsGarmin Forerunner 265

Fitbit Charge
Buy/Wait:bad

Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming

Best for: Anyone who wants serious health and fitness tracking without the bulk or cost of a full smartwatch. Works with both Android and iPhone, making it the most accessible Fitbit tracker in the lineup.

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Garmin Forerunner 265
Buy/Wait:superseded

This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 570.

Best for: Regular runners who race 5K to marathon distances and want accurate GPS and detailed training load management.

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Fitbit ChargeGarmin Forerunner 265
TierFitness TrackerSports GPS
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
Battery7 days13 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorsecg, spo2, eda stress, hrhr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness
ReleasedSep 28, 2023Mar 1, 2023
Cycle length731 days806 days
Cycle advicebadsuperseded
Deals advicegreatclearance
Next modelFitbit Charge 7 (Expected 2026)

Why buy each?

Fitbit Charge

ECG and EDA stress in a slim band

Full ECG, electrodermal activity stress sensing, SpO2, and continuous heart rate in a tracker thinner than most smartwatches.

Google apps integration

Google Maps navigation, Google Wallet NFC payments, and YouTube Music controls — more useful on-device apps than any previous Charge.

7-day battery with GPS

7 days of typical use, dropping to around 30 minutes per GPS workout session before needing a charge.

Garmin Forerunner 265

Multi-band GPS accuracy

L1+L5 multi-band GPS reduces position drift in urban canyons and dense forest.

Training readiness score

Daily score combining HRV status, sleep, acute load, and recovery time.

Race time predictor

Estimates finish time for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon based on current fitness.