Customer Reviews for Garmin Forerunner 165 Smartwatch, GPS, 43mm, Mist Gray & Whitestone Silicone Band (010-02863-21)
426 reviews
Most helpful positive review
Posted Feb 20, 2026
Great basic fitness watch
Garmin Forerunner 165 does everything that I need to keep track of my fitness metrics. It is easy to navigate the watch menu and customize the watch face according to your needs.
VS
Most helpful critical review
Posted Feb 7, 2026
Doesn’t work at all
I have had this watch for a little over a year and as of the new update, the phone doesn’t work at all. I had spent hours upon hours with chat and watching videos of how to fix it. Now it’s just an expensive paper weight. I can no longer recommend Garmin.
linp26
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Feb 24, 2026
Forerunner 165
I bought this about 1 month ago and really like it. I am not a runner, I am a walker but it still work great. Only think that I am struggling with is chaging the face so that it shows walking not running. But that doe sot stop me from waring it as there are other ways to get to the steps walked. I love it and woudl recommend it.
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CJR14
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Garmin
Posted Feb 21, 2026
Still Learning
I got this watch about a month ago and I’m still trying to learn features.
Wish the features were more explanatory and simpler to figure out. But overall a nice watch. I had the XT 735 before and this is a close replacement.
Wish the features were more explanatory and simpler to figure out. But overall a nice watch. I had the XT 735 before and this is a close replacement.
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JVC1
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Feb 20, 2026
Great basic fitness watch
Garmin Forerunner 165 does everything that I need to keep track of my fitness metrics. It is easy to navigate the watch menu and customize the watch face according to your needs.
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Aqua Warrior
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Garmin
Posted Feb 18, 2026
Ending a Lap Swim Training Session
I bought this watch 3 weeks ago to use in place of my Venu3 (although heavier, it was simple to stop and save session - works perfectly). My older Swim 2 (which stop and saved the session as venue 3). On the 165 I have to press the start/stop button numerous times to save the session. It makes me go answer several screens (how I felt, stress levels, etc. - instead of ...
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Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Feb 17, 2026
Why didn’t I get this sooner
I had the vivo active 3 and loved it. Did everything I needed it to, but the forerunner 165 is the next level. If you take running and fitness seriously, then you need this watch. The features it has with HRV, recovery, sleep coach, body battery are game changers. They really give a more complete understanding of your body which then leads to a healthier life and better...
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DB123
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Garmin
Posted Feb 16, 2026
Great entry level watch
You can't beat this watch for the price. Great watch for anyone that wants the basics or just wants to see what all Garmin has to offer.
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Mike Delta
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Garmin
Posted Feb 10, 2026
Underappreciated until I realized!
I had a FR235 since 2017 that finally failed while swimming in the Atlantic in 2025(8 years later). I purchased this FR165 and found that it actually improved upon just about everything the 235 did. I recently 'lost' this watch and after searching for a while I went and purchased the much hyped Pixel Watch 4. Big mistake...I found its Fitbit based training seriously lac...
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Glendor
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Feb 7, 2026
Great watch!
My wife bought me a165 for Christmas as a daily driver so I wouldn't beat-up my 935, but I like it so much and it has all the features I usually use; I've pretty much stopped using my older 935 altogether. I love the color on the screens and the images included with texts. In my humble opinion, it a really awesome watch.
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Naomi
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Feb 7, 2026
Doesn’t work at all
I have had this watch for a little over a year and as of the new update, the phone doesn’t work at all. I had spent hours upon hours with chat and watching videos of how to fix it. Now it’s just an expensive paper weight. I can no longer recommend Garmin.
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Theseller
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Garmin
Posted Feb 3, 2026
Love this watch
I love my Garmin recommend it to all fitness trackers.
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Dave1953
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Garmin
Posted Feb 2, 2026
Easy to use
Very large face, bright colors, light weight, and even a senior citizen can use it with ease. Very happy with this watch.
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seanman
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 29, 2026
Tons of features and easy to use
I got this to replace my Venu SQ and it is far more advanced and easy to use. They battery life is great as well, even when using GPS.
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Old lady runner
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 29, 2026
Upgrade!
I went from my Forerunner 55 to the even better 165. I enjoy all the data, training suggestions, clear and colorful display screen, etc. I'm very happy with the purchase. I mostly use the watch for running, yoga and hiking.
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Kapono
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 28, 2026
Forerunner
Love my forerunner 165 but I would love to have the forerunner 265 instead
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ney98
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 25, 2026
Great features
I receive the Garmin forerunner 165 from my friends and i love it
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RL-Fitness
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 21, 2026
Data Screens Charts & Graphs
The main reason I purchased the FR165 was the ability to add charts and graphs to the Data Screens within activities. Using "Heart Rate Chart", Heart Rate Zone Ratio Graph" and Time in Heart Zones (1,2,3,4 & 5) is very helpful when doing HIIT on the Treadmill.
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CateGuns
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 21, 2026
Wildly user friendly
Over the past 10yrs, I’ve had a Garmin forerunner 295 and a 55 , both held their value and versatility for the athletic life I lead.
The upgrade to the 165 with tough screen has been welcomed change for the better. Still have all the great features, but with added simplicity in touch screen usage.
The upgrade to the 165 with tough screen has been welcomed change for the better. Still have all the great features, but with added simplicity in touch screen usage.
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Keller
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 20, 2026
Great product
I had an RR 235. It was broken, so I got a RR 165
Perfect replacement
Perfect replacement
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Ethanhh
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 17, 2026
The good and bads
Overall great but don’t like how it gets my heart rate wrong when I’m working out a lot. I don’t know if its to tight or to loose I keep trying different lengths and it will be off a lot.
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Lucas2319
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 17, 2026
Love the Sleep Score
What I love is the battery life, sleep score, and body battery.
Great wqtch
Great wqtch
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