Discover the Value of the Garmin Forerunner 165: A High-Performance Sports Watch at a Great Price

Introducing the Garmin Forerunner 165

Essential Highlights by ZDNET

Garmin advances its watch lineup with vibrant AMOLED displays, upgrading the features of its budget-friendly running watches. The Forerunner 165, now more affordable at $199 (previously $249) due to a Black Friday offer, and the 165 Music version, also reduced to $249 from $299, boast striking display improvements.

Designed for those with smaller wrists or preferring lightweight models, the Forerunner 165 offers an enhanced display for clearer fitness data visualization. Initially released at $249, the 165 Music model is priced higher at $299. After a week of using both, I've gathered key insights to help you decide which to purchase.

A Closer Look at the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

Ideal for runners and those with petite wrists, the Forerunner 165 and its Music variant integrate a touch screen alongside five physical buttons for seamless navigation. It mirrors customization options available in Garmin's pricier models, making setting up and enhancing workout plans effortless.

Dedicated primarily to runners, the Forerunner 165 features adaptive training plans, and capabilities for tracking wrist-based running dynamics and performance metrics. It caters to various sports with 25 activity profiles, covering disciplines such as swimming, yoga, and pilates. However, it lacks specific modes for activities like indoor rowing.

I particularly appreciated the 'Morning Report' feature, which reviews previous activity and outlines upcoming training plans. Sleep monitoring tools, offering both scored assessments and nap detection, add significant value. Health metrics, including training impact and recovery periods, provide a holistic perspective beneficial for daily planning.

Garmin claims up to 19 hours of GPS tracking; in my trials, these estimates were realistic. Without extensive features enabled, the watch lasts up to 11 days, though the always-on display option may halve this.

The Music model supports offline library access from platforms like Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music, allowing Bluetooth playback without a smartphone. This exclusivity extends to audio cues within workouts, appealing for audio-driven exercise sessions. I often engage Amazon Music during training, finding the audio integration remarkably useful.

Both Forerunner models include female-centric health tracking features like menstrual and pregnancy monitoring. Although too small for my larger wrist, it provides attractive options for smaller wrist sizes seeking premium functionalities of higher-end Garmins.

Testing out the Forerunner 165 integrated with the app revealed an intuitive interface, featuring customizeable widgets, clear training statuses, and essential data direct on the home screen.

ZDNET's Expert Purchase Advice

Garmin offers an extensive lineup of wearables catered to diverse needs, with the Forerunner 165, despite being on the market for a year, still standing out for its emphasis on runners and those preferring smaller wrist fittings. Garmin's comprehensive app and wellness features enhance value without elevating the cost, starting competitively at $249, making the Forerunner 165 a compelling choice.