Garmin Forerunner 255 vs 265: Choosing the Best Watch for Your Active Lifestyle

When it comes to fitness wearables, Garmin has consistently set the bar high with its versatile and reliable smartwatches. Among its popular offerings, the Garmin Forerunner 255 and 265 stand out as strong contenders for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone looking to monitor their health with precision. 

If you're torn between these two models, this comprehensive guide will help you understand their differences and which one might best fit your needs.

Garmin 255 vs 265: The Verdict

Before diving into the details, let’s start with a quick verdict based on various criteria. Whether you’re looking for the best overall, the most budget-friendly option, or the top choice for health monitoring, this section will help you make a quick decision.

Best Overall: Garmin Forerunner 265

The Garmin Forerunner 265 emerges as the overall winner, thanks to its advanced features, improved display, and superior health-tracking capabilities. It offers more comprehensive health monitoring and better training tools, making it the ideal choice for serious athletes and those who want the latest tech.

Best by Price: Garmin Forerunner 255

If you’re budget-conscious, the Garmin Forerunner 255 offers incredible value for money. It delivers many of the essential features found in the 265, but at a lower price point, making it perfect for those who need a reliable smartwatch without breaking the bank.

Best for Health Monitoring: Garmin Forerunner 265

With enhanced sensors and more detailed health metrics, the Forerunner 265 is the best choice if health tracking is your primary concern. It offers more insights into your body’s metrics, including advanced sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and more.

Best for Battery Life: Garmin Forerunner 255

For those who prioritize battery life, the Forerunner 255 edges out with slightly better battery performance. While both models offer impressive battery longevity, the 255 can last a bit longer, especially in GPS mode.

While these verdicts offer a quick overview, the next sections will dive into a detailed comparison to help you fully understand why each model stands out in different areas.

Certainly! Here’s an expanded and more detailed comparison between the Garmin Forerunner 255 and 265.

Garmin 255 vs 265: Detailed Comparison

Now that we’ve provided a quick verdict, let’s dive deeper into the specific features of the Garmin Forerunner 255 and 265. This detailed comparison will help you understand how these two models differ and which one aligns better with your needs.

Design and Display

When it comes to wearable tech, the design and display of a smartwatch play a crucial role in user experience. Not only do these aspects affect aesthetics, but they also influence usability, especially during workouts or outdoor activities.

Garmin Forerunner 255

The Garmin Forerunner 255 sports a functional design that emphasizes comfort and durability, which are essential for long-distance runners and fitness enthusiasts. It features a 1.3-inch transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display. The MIP display is energy-efficient, contributing to the Forerunner 255's impressive battery life.

However, the resolution of the Forerunner 255’s display, while adequate, might feel somewhat outdated to users accustomed to the crisp, high-definition screens of modern smartphones and other smartwatches. The overall look is practical rather than flashy, which might appeal more to those who prefer a no-nonsense, straightforward design.

Garmin Forerunner 265

In contrast, the Garmin Forerunner 265 introduces a more premium feel with its larger and more vibrant AMOLED display. The 1.4-inch screen is not only slightly bigger but also significantly brighter and more colorful. 

This display is particularly beneficial for those who enjoy using their smartwatch for more than just fitness tracking, such as receiving notifications, viewing multimedia content, or simply appreciating a more visually engaging interface.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265
The Forerunner 265 takes the lead in this category with its superior AMOLED display and enhanced design features. This model is ideal for users who prioritize visual quality and a more modern aesthetic without sacrificing functionality.

Health Monitoring

Health monitoring is a core feature of any fitness smartwatch, and both the Garmin Forerunner 255 and 265 excel in this area, although the 265 offers some additional perks.

Garmin Forerunner 255

The Forerunner 255 comes equipped with Garmin’s robust suite of health tracking features. It includes continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO2 (blood oxygen) measurement, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring. 

Additionally, the 255 tracks respiration rate, hydration, and menstrual cycle, offering a comprehensive overview of your daily health metrics. Sleep tracking provides insights into your sleep stages (light, deep, and REM), giving you a better understanding of your sleep quality and how it affects your overall well-being.

Garmin Forerunner 265

The Forerunner 265 builds upon the health features of the 255 by integrating more advanced sensors and offering additional metrics that provide deeper insights into your health. 

In addition to all the features found in the 255, the 265 enhances sleep tracking with more detailed analysis of your sleep stages, including personalized sleep scores and recommendations for improving your sleep quality.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265
For users who want the most comprehensive health tracking available, the Forerunner 265 is the clear winner. Its enhanced sensors and more detailed health metrics provide deeper insights, making it the better choice for those serious about monitoring their health and wellness.

Fitness and Training Features

Fitness enthusiasts and athletes often rely on detailed training metrics to track their progress and optimize their performance. Both the Forerunner 255 and 265 offer extensive training features, but the 265 takes things a step further.

Garmin Forerunner 255

The Forerunner 255 is well-equipped with essential fitness and training tools. It offers GPS tracking, VO2 max estimation, training load, training effect, and recovery time suggestions. These features are invaluable for runners, cyclists, swimmers, and multi-sport athletes. The watch supports various sports modes, including running, cycling, swimming, yoga, and more, making it versatile enough for different types of training.

Garmin Forerunner 265

The Forerunner 265 enhances all the fitness and training features found in the 255, adding advanced metrics and more personalized coaching options. For runners, the 265 includes advanced running dynamics like ground contact time, stride length, vertical oscillation, and running power. These metrics provide a detailed breakdown of your running form, helping you make precise adjustments to improve efficiency and reduce the risk of injury.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265
For serious athletes and those who want the most detailed fitness data, the Forerunner 265 is the superior choice. Its advanced metrics and enhanced training features provide a more comprehensive training experience, making it ideal for those looking to optimize their performance.

Battery Life

Battery life is a critical factor for many users, especially those who engage in long training sessions or outdoor adventures where recharging may not be convenient.

Garmin Forerunner 255

The Forerunner 255 excels in battery performance, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode. This longevity makes it a reliable choice for athletes who need their watch to last through extended training sessions, races, or multi-day events. The energy-efficient MIP display plays a significant role in conserving battery life, especially during GPS usage.

Garmin Forerunner 265

The Forerunner 265, despite its advanced AMOLED display, offers commendable battery life, though slightly less than the 255 due to the higher energy demands of the vibrant screen. It provides up to 12 days in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode. While still impressive, this reduced battery life might be a consideration for ultra-endurance athletes or those who prioritize maximum longevity.

However, the 265’s battery life is still more than sufficient for most users, including those who engage in regular long-distance training. 

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 255
For those who prioritize battery life, the Forerunner 255 is the clear winner. Its longer battery duration makes it a more practical choice for endurance activities and extended outdoor adventures.

Price

Price is often a determining factor when choosing between two similar products. Both the Forerunner 255 and 265 offer great value, but they cater to different budget levels.

Garmin Forerunner 255

The Forerunner 255 is priced more affordably, making it an attractive option for those who want a feature-rich smartwatch without spending too much. Despite its lower price point, it doesn’t compromise on essential features, offering comprehensive fitness tracking, health monitoring, and smartwatch functionalities. This model is ideal for budget-conscious buyers who still want a high-performance device.

Garmin Forerunner 265

While it offers superior health tracking, fitness metrics, and a more vibrant display, the increased cost might be a barrier for some users. However, for those who can afford it, the 265 provides excellent value through its advanced capabilities and superior user experience.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 255
For budget-conscious consumers, the Forerunner 255 offers the best value for money. It delivers a robust set of features at a more accessible price, making it the better choice for those looking to maximize their investment.

3 Alternatives to Garmin 255 and 265 That Might Fit Better to Your Needs

If the Garmin Forerunner 255 and 265 don’t quite meet your needs, or if you’re looking for something different, here are some alternatives that might be a better fit. These options cater to specific features that the Garmin models might lack, giving you more choices to find your perfect smartwatch.

Aether X: Better Design and Customization

Aether X Powered by TikTik – This smartwatch stands out with its unique design and customization options. The Aether X is perfect for those who prioritize aesthetics and want a smartwatch that not only tracks fitness but also complements their style. It offers all the basic fitness tracking features but with a focus on design, making it an excellent choice for fashion-conscious users.

Apple Watch Series 8: Best for iOS Users

The Apple Watch Series 8 is the go-to choice for iPhone users. It offers seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, advanced health monitoring features, and a wide range of apps. While it’s on the pricier side, it provides unparalleled connectivity and user experience for iOS users. The Apple Watch is also known for its sleek design and high-quality display.

Fitbit Sense 2: Best for Health Insights

Fitbit Sense 2 is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a device focused on health metrics. It offers advanced stress management tools, ECG monitoring, and skin temperature tracking. While it may not have as robust fitness tracking capabilities as the Garmin models, it excels in providing detailed health insights, making it ideal for users focused on wellness.

Conclusion

For those who want the latest technology, advanced health metrics, and a superior display, the 265 is the clear winner between the Garmin Forerunner 255 and 265. The Forerunner 255 is a great budget-friendly option that provides solid performance.

If neither of these models perfectly suits your needs, there are plenty of alternatives like the Aether X, Apple Watch Series 8, and Fitbit Sense 2 that might offer the features you’re looking for. Ultimately, the best smartwatch for you is one that aligns with your lifestyle, fitness goals, and budget.

With this detailed comparison and list of alternatives, you should have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Whether you choose the Garmin Forerunner 255, 265, or one of the alternatives, you’ll be investing in a powerful tool to help you achieve your fitness and health goals.