Customer Reviews for Garmin Forerunner 165 Smartwatch, GPS, 43mm, Mist Gray & Whitestone Silicone Band (010-02863-31)
Garmin Forerunner 165 Smartwatch, GPS, 43mm, Mist Gray & Whitestone Silicone Band (010-02863-31) is New at Staples
Item # : 24678697
Model # : GRM0286331
- Easy-to-use running smartwatch with built-in GPS for pace/distance and wrist-based heart rate; brilliant 1.2-in. AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 43mm size and fits wrists with a circumference of 4.96 in. to 7.99 in. (126 mm to 203 mm)
- Reach your goals with personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt based on performance and recovery; use Garmin Coach and race adaptive training plans to get workout suggestions for specific events
Price is $316.79
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167 reviews
Most helpful positive review
Posted Mar 26, 2026
Best investment of my life!
I am beginner and I didn't expect an entry level running watch to be this good. It has only 4GB of memory to store songs. Initially thought that would be a problem. But I have around 100-150 songs in my watch and it holds good. Fully happy with the product. Garmin any day from now on!!!
VS
Most helpful critical review
Posted Mar 24, 2026
Not Satisfied
I’ve been using the Forerunner® 165 Music, and I’ve noticed a couple of frustrating issues.
First, the sleep score doesn’t seem to calculate correctly. The data often feels inaccurate and doesn’t match how well I actually slept.
Second, the swim tracking appears off compared to my previous watch. It consistently shows that I’m swimming much slower than I know I am, whic...
First, the sleep score doesn’t seem to calculate correctly. The data often feels inaccurate and doesn’t match how well I actually slept.
Second, the swim tracking appears off compared to my previous watch. It consistently shows that I’m swimming much slower than I know I am, whic...
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gxkl7
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Mar 26, 2026
Best investment of my life!
I am beginner and I didn't expect an entry level running watch to be this good. It has only 4GB of memory to store songs. Initially thought that would be a problem. But I have around 100-150 songs in my watch and it holds good. Fully happy with the product. Garmin any day from now on!!!
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Starr
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Garmin
Posted Mar 24, 2026
Not Satisfied
I’ve been using the Forerunner® 165 Music, and I’ve noticed a couple of frustrating issues.
First, the sleep score doesn’t seem to calculate correctly. The data often feels inaccurate and doesn’t match how well I actually slept.
Second, the swim tracking appears off compared to my previous watch. It consistently shows that I’m swimming much slower than I know I am, whic...
First, the sleep score doesn’t seem to calculate correctly. The data often feels inaccurate and doesn’t match how well I actually slept.
Second, the swim tracking appears off compared to my previous watch. It consistently shows that I’m swimming much slower than I know I am, whic...
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shugak
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Garmin
Posted Mar 18, 2026
Converted Apple user, Great Battery life
I bought the watch for running and a better battery than my apple watch and so glad I did. The metrics it gives are helpful to improve my running. I still can't believe my battery last this long. I also really like the body battery feature as I have a chronic condition this helps me track flares with. This was a great option for me and I will recommend Garmin to my frie...
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PMD63
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Garmin
Posted Mar 11, 2026
Easy to Use
I have really enjoyed my Forerunner 165 Music. It has been very easy to use and is quite accurate. I have used it on bike rides and walks. The variety of faces is also a plus.
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Aoreilly984
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Garmin
Posted Mar 11, 2026
The best thing ever
This was the best purchase I have ever made in my life. 100% worth it and so impressed with all the features. Can't believe this has Jump rope mode!
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Shesarunner
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Garmin
Posted Mar 8, 2026
Love it
After 5ish years, my forerunner 245 music broke apart on me. Since I loved it so, decided to find the newer version of it. And after a couple months with it, I can say I love it. This one has a touch screen, a nap function (which is amazing since it silences the notifications that would come on the watch and wake me), sleep score on both the watch and the app and the cy...
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verasrunning
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Garmin
Posted Mar 8, 2026
Love it
I am an amateur runner and bought this watch for two things: security and advanced stats and measurements. This is a rave review. I like the watch's functions and 24/7 wear. It's fun and informative looking through the reports each day of how much sleep I'm getting, how effective my recovery is, and more. I've found myself progressing in my training since wearing it at ...
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ChapFast
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Garmin
Posted Mar 5, 2026
Great Features
It is a great garmin watch! This is my third garmin watch and I love them all.
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Regular Joe
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Garmin
Posted Mar 1, 2026
Disappointed
No golf gps features/compatibilty which is very disappointing as my vivofit 3 had that capability. Watch face and options are over complicated and there are too many unnecessary options. Really just wanted text/call interface, music controls, steps , and golf gps. Set up is a pain and poor instructions provided in box
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ROLO
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Garmin
Posted Feb 27, 2026
it's ok
I wanted something different than an Apple Watch, I am familiar with the Garmin brand but not there watches, so upon downloading the manual this watch was a bit hard to get use too regarding the features. I basically bought this for running and for the music instead of having to carry my phone while running. I still need to sit down and mess with it a bit more whether t...
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Garminlover69
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Garmin
Posted Feb 13, 2026
Best Watch Ever
I had an Apple Watch SE prior to this, and anytime I would do a long run, it would die. One time it died .13 miles before a ten-mile PR with 53% battery life, and I got so mad I bought this watch. Best purchase ever! Battery life is awesome (I've never been below 90% and I just charge it when I'm showering), features are great, and I love how it's touch screen but also ...
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sime
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Garmin
Posted Feb 3, 2026
Good features
IT so far has been good. I like the amoled screen. The music part has drawbacks. It doesnt connect well to earbuds with a low antenna connection becasue of a weak signal so i definintely dont like that. That is really the only thing wrong with it. If there was a way to increase the signal on the watch so it could connect to cheaper earbuds it would be way better and mor...
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GG79
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Garmin
Posted Jan 28, 2026
New to Garmin Family
Recently purchased & converted from a Suunto watch to the Garmin Forerunner 165. There are a lot of cool features I’ve never seen or had with the Suunto. Big difference & game changer. It’s affordable & very light fitting not as heavy as Apple or the Suunto I previously owned. I don’t run much but do CrossFit workouts & this one even has the AMRAP & EMOM feature which i...
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Coco555
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Garmin
Posted Jan 27, 2026
Great reliable watch.
My last four Runner was super reliable and lasted me many years. I’m glad to stick with Garmin, and I even bought one for my son.
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BrandonG
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Garmin
Posted Jan 26, 2026
fantastic for tracking running
Garmin has been great at tracking my running and allowing me to see how it effects other aspects of my health and my daily patterns.
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Melissa P
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Garmin
Posted Jan 20, 2026
I love it so much
I am new to garmin watches, but this thing is amazing. It accurately keeps track of so many biometrics and makes it easy to stay on track even when you’re super busy. One of my favorite features during workouts is that sweat does not affect the touchscreen.
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azstorko
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 19, 2026
Enjoying but....
I am enjoying my Forerunner 165 Music watch. However, I have challenges with keeping the music that is on my watch connected to the wifi or a cellular connection. the Music regularly cuts in and out and not sure what the cause is for this. But...it is a bit annoying.
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Johnahen
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Garmin
Posted Jan 17, 2026
Lousy connection to earbuds, thinking of returning
Got for Christmas, earbuds keep going in and out. Tried 3 different pairs of earbuds and all 3 go in and out!
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SoccerSarah
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Garmin
Posted Jan 16, 2026
A Fit(ness) for the Whole Family
I purchased this watch and 2 others for my daughter's (we are a Garmin family) for Christmas. After reading and watching several reviews, the 165 Music gave us more than we needed at a great price point. Each one of us had different features we were looking for in a watch. The music was the most popular ask, with the ability to listen and not be connected to a phone. My...
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Gump637
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Garmin
Posted Jan 16, 2026
Enjoying the Music
A Christmas gift that I greatly appreciate. Had been using an old iPod for my music and it was being more and more difficult to charge. Resulting in numerous complaints from me. This gift from my wife corrected all of that!!! I've been VERY pleased with the features and the ease of use. Currently the battery life seems a little bit short. Though that could be on me. I n...
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