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 It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 570.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.
Full details →Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming
Best for: Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Full details →| Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin vivosmart 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Sports GPS | Fitness Tracker |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Battery | 13 days | 7 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Health sensors | hr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness | hr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, pulse ox |
| Released | Mar 1, 2023 | Apr 26, 2022 |
| Cycle length | 806 days | 700 days |
| Cycle advice | superseded | bad |
| Deals advice | clearance | great |
| Next model | — | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026) |
L1+L5 multi-band GPS reduces position drift in urban canyons and dense forest.
Daily score combining HRV status, sleep, acute load, and recovery time.
Estimates finish time for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon based on current fitness.
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.