Garmin is well-known among fitness smartwatch enthusiasts, and if you’re a runner, the Forerunner 265 is the best option in the Garmin lineup. The Forerunner 265 is without question the best fitness watch for runners, according to Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki’s review. While it’s typically a costly smartwatch at $449.99, it’s currently on sale for $349.99, which is the lowest price it has ever been, according to price tracking tools. (Both the 46 mm model and the smaller 42 mm model are on sale for the same price.)
The Forerunner 265 comes with a bright and colorful AMOLED screen that makes it easily visible out in the sun. There are also physical buttons, which are much easier to hit without needing to look down mid-run. The GPS is surprisingly accurate, as is the heart rate tracking feature.
The watch also calculates your VO2max and uses that data to predict your race times for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon. These predictions are pretty accurate, but usually a bit on the optimistic side, according to Beth’s review. As you can with most Garmin watches, they are very customizable, from screen watches to workouts. The data you see or don’t see can be easily edited in the companion Connect app.
Daniel Oropeza
Staff Writer
Daniel is a Staff Writer for Lifehacker. He served in the U.S. Navy, where he reached the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class as a Logistic Specialist and was awarded a Navy Community Service Medal and Navy Letter of Commendation for his exemplary service aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier. He earned his bachelor’s in Environmental Science from the University of California, Davis, and earned his master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Daniel was a business reporter for the Miami Herald before joining Lifehacker. He lives in Atlanta, GA.
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