For gym-goers
The Venu 3 strikes a fragile stability, giving mainstream watch followers the Bluetooth calling, ECG readings, sleep teaching, and exquisite AMOLED show they’ve come to anticipate, whereas additionally including instruments like run restoration time, Garmin Coach, Body Battery, and animated exercises that solely a Garmin watch can ship.
ForThinner with bigger displaysStainless metal bezelECG and pores and skin temp readingsMic & speaker for calling, assistantWheelchair modeAgainstNo coaching load or exercise suggestionsNo dual-band GPSFewer, much less ergonomic buttons
For critical runners
The Forerunner 265 is not considering stability; it provides you 90% of the working instruments that critical marathoners want (with a couple of options reserved for the 965). It lacks a whole lot of the sensors and {hardware} that make the Venu 3 particular, but in addition runs rings round its sibling for coaching software program and pinpoint GPS accuracy. It’ll information you to your subsequent PR.
ForDaily exercise suggestionsTraining load focus & effectMore correct GPS trackingBetter watch strap & buttonsTrack working & multisport modeAgainstSmaller displayThicker all-plastic designNo mic/speaker, fewer sensors
Garmin sells three watches at $450: the Garmin Venu 3, Forerunner 265, and Instinct 2X Solar. Putting apart the rugged battery behemoth, Garmin’s Venu flagship and second-tier Forerunner will attraction probably the most to “mainstream” Garmin followers or to critical runners, respectively.As each price the identical, it is unsurprising that they share a whole lot of options and qualities. They’re each long-lasting, correct, and provide you with helpful coaching information. But every has particular areas of energy that the opposite lacks, such because the Forerunner 265’s coaching load and readiness instruments, or the Venu 3’s mic, speaker, and additional well being sensors.The Venu 3 is one of the best health smartwatch out there, whereas the Forerunner 265 is one of the best working watch out there. They’re each nice, in different phrases, however you’ll be able to solely select one. Let’s evaluate the Garmin Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265: Design and displayWhy you’ll be able to belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you’ll be able to select one of the best for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryGarmin Venu 3 / 3SGarmin Forerunner 265 / 265SDisplay1.4-inch (454×454) or 1.2-inch (390×390) AMOLED touchscreen1.3-inch (416×416) or 1.1-inch (360×360) AMOLED touchscreenMaterialFiber-reinforced polymerFiber-reinforced polymerBezelStainless steelPolymerDimensions45 x 45 x 12mm; 41 x 41 x 12mm46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9mm; 41.7 x 41.7 x 12.9mmWeight47g; 40g47g; 39gQuick launch bands22mm; 18mm22mm; 18mmProtection5ATM; Gorilla Glass 35ATM; Gorilla Glass 3Colors3: Silver/ Whitestone; Slate/ Black; 3S: Slate/ Pebble Grey; Silver/ Sage Grey; Soft Gold/ French Gray, Dust Rose, or Ivory.265: Black/ Whitestone & Tidal Blue; Black/ Black & Powder Grey; Black/ Aqua & Black; 265S: Black/ Black & Amp Yellow; Black/ Whitestone & Neo Tropic; Black/ Light Pink & WhitestoneIf you are involved about how trendy your health watch appears, the Garmin Venu 3 is the plain alternative, due to the chrome steel bezel and the skinnier, extra tapered case design. The Garmin Forerunner 265, with its thicker, all-plastic look, is for runners who’re extra involved about what’s beneath the floor.Both Garmin watches provide small “S” sizes, giving small-wristed athletes some flexibility. The distinction is that the Venu 3S, although 1g heavier than the 265S, provides you a extra useable 1.2-inch show — a extra palatable downgrade than 1.1 inches.The 1.3-inch Forerunner 265 additionally has a bigger bezel, making the Venu 3’s 1.4-inch show look comparatively huge. In this case, although, a 1.3-inch show is pretty normal for any smartwatch, so it’s best to have loads of room for information and notifications.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Although each watches provide you with an AMOLED touchscreen, the Forerunner 265 is much less depending on it due to its five-button format with devoted up/down buttons. They’re not a lot to have a look at, however they offer you tangible buttons to press throughout a run as an alternative of counting on contact controls with sweaty fingertips.The good thing about the Venu 3’s three-button design, apart from their extra trendy, refined look, is that it has a devoted center button for shortcuts that may pull up your favourite instruments. The draw back is that these buttons are more durable to truly press than the Forerunner 265 buttons; they take extra getting used to.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Both have the identical Gorilla Glass 3 safety, which is not as superior because the sapphire glass you typically get on this value vary. You do not get the Gorilla Glass DX normal, both, which has a greater anti-reflective coating; you will want the costly Forerunner 965 for that.Each works with Quick Release 22mm or 18mm bands, so you’ll be able to swap them out very simply. Of the 2, the Forerunner 265 silicone band is sportier and much more comfy than the Venu 3’s, which does not have as a lot breathability and feels extra inflexible.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265: Hardware and batterySwipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryGarmin Venu 3Garmin Forerunner 265SensorsElevate 5 HRM with ECG and pores and skin temperature; Pulse Ox (SpO2); accelerometer; ambient gentle sensor; barometric altimeter; compass; gyroscopeElevate v4 HRM; Pulse Ox, accelerometer; ambient gentle sensor; barometric altimeter; compass; gyroscopeGNSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOAccuracy modesAll-Systems GNSS solelyAll-Systems GNSS; dual-band GPS; SatIQ modeConnectivityGarmin Pay (NFC), Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-FiGarmin Pay (NFC), Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-FiMusic storage8GB8GBMic & speakerYesNoBattery (Smartwatch)3: 14 days; 3S: 10 days265: 13 days; 265S: 15 daysBattery (GPS solely)3: 26 hours; 3S: 21 hours265: 20 hours; 265S: 24 hoursBattery (Highest accuracy)3: 20 hours; 3S: 15 hours265: 14 hours; 265S: 15 hoursGarmin would not promote what CPUs or reminiscence goes into its watches. We can assume, nonetheless, that they are comparable right here: each are 2023 watches, and the December Forerunner replace added software program UI updates lifted straight from the Venu 3. Speed-wise, it’s best to get a comparable expertise.They additionally share a lot of the identical key sensors. You get an accelerometer and gyroscope for monitoring wrist actions for working dynamics and train recognition; an altimeter to evaluate effort at elevation; a compass for higher train information; an ambient gentle sensor to vary the show brightness in dim settings; and Pulse Ox blood oxygen information.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Where the Venu 3 pulls forward is its Elevate v5 coronary heart price sensor. We do not know the way way more correct the Fifth-generation mannequin is for coronary heart price information — it did pretty effectively in opposition to the COROS Heart Rate Monitor in our overview take a look at — however we do realize it helps handbook ECG readings in the course of the day and passive pores and skin temperature readings at night time.If you should recurrently examine your AFib readings, the Venu 3 provides you that choice with its handy ECG app. But you might also desire a watch that passively measures AFib too, and Garmin would not provide that but.As for pores and skin temperature readings, Garmin will decide your typical temperature baseline over 20 days after which assist sign any potential indicators of sickness. Since this characteristic simply launched this month, we won’t say for sure how correct or helpful the device is; in case you’re somebody who cares deeply about sleep monitoring for Body Battery information, the Venu 3 would possibly attraction extra, each for Sleep Coaching and its skinnier design.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Where the Forerunner 265 pulls forward is in GPS accuracy. The Venu 3 is best than your common watch due to its all-systems GNSS monitoring, which basically makes use of each GPS and one other system like GLONASS or GALILEO to pinpoint your place and keep away from system errors.In our overview, nonetheless, it fell barely brief in comparison with a dual-band GPS Forerunner watch. The Forerunner 265, as an illustration, makes use of a number of GNSSs directly and each the L1 and L5 GPS frequencies, which provide you with a number of angles in your location and updates in near-real time. For the absolute best outcomes with no room for doubt, you will desire a Forerunner.The Venu 3 lasts 20 hours in All-Systems mode, whereas the Forerunner 265 solely lasts 14 in dual-band mode. That ought to nonetheless be loads for many runners, however it’s possible you’ll wish to use SatIQ mode as an alternative. Exclusive to the Forerunner 265, it defaults to GPS solely however prompts extra satellite tv for pc programs each time the watch detects sign blockage; it boosts your battery life to 18 hours, whereas nonetheless providing you with higher accuracy than All-Systems alone.Also, in case you’re leaning in direction of a smaller watch, needless to say the Venu 3S is the shortest-lived watch of the 4 for total longevity, whereas the Forerunner 265S is (paradoxically) longer-lived than the bigger 265.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265: Features and software programSwipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySoftwareAvailable on Forerunner 265 and Venu 3Enhanced physique battery, Morning Report, Sleep Score and insights, nap detection, Red Shift mode, Intensity Minutes, Fitness Age, HRV standing, stress monitoring, ladies’s well being monitoring, Health Snapshot, restoration time, animated exercises, Garmin Coach, wrist-based working dynamics & energy, LivetrackOnly out there on Forerunner 265Daily recommended exercises, race-adaptive coaching plans, race predictor, coaching standing/ impact/ load/ readiness, acute load, downloadable programs, Performance Condition, Pacepro, Track Running, Multisport modeOnly out there on Venu 3Sleep Coach, ECG readings, pores and skin temperature, passthrough voice assistant, Bluetooth calling, Jet Lag advisor, Meditation, wheelchair modeGarmin watches have so many options packed into them that working by means of every characteristic would take extra time than you wish to spend studying this text. So we tried to focus on the entire main options that you would be able to anticipate from both watch, in addition to these unique to every.To nobody’s shock, the Forerunner 265 clearly wins for runners. Even if some instruments like Performance Condition aren’t as helpful as they could possibly be, runners will wish to know the post-run coaching load for an exercise and whether or not it was cardio or anaerobic. Specific instruments just like the Outdoor Track Running exercise and multisport mode are arduous to lose, too.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Daily exercise ideas that information you on what sort of run to do, coaching load focus graphs on whether or not you are behind on sure sorts of runs, and the acute load graph to point out whether or not your weekly load falls throughout the optimum vary to enhance your VO2 Max are all important instruments that assist our Wearables Editor enhance day by day.For context, the Venu 3 does provide you with helpful working instruments like a post-run restoration time estimate and a obscure “workout benefit” abstract. It simply would not go into sufficient element; it is higher fitted to informal runners who spend extra time doing different actions like fitness center or HIIT exercises.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)That stated, the specialised Forerunner 265 misses out on loads of mainstream instruments that you simply sometimes get in an costly health watch. First and foremost, the Venu 3 has its mic and speaker for Bluetooth calls. Our reviewer discovered that the speaker high quality is not pretty much as good because it could possibly be, but it surely nonetheless works in a pinch.We’ve already mentioned the ECG and pores and skin temp readings, however you additionally get Garmin’s new Sleep Coach widget that quantifies how effectively you slept based mostly on information like sleep zones and stress information, pushing you in direction of higher habits. Plus, you will admire the Meditation app to combine in with your entire workouts.Even although the Forerunner sequence caters to runners, I do hope it will get the Venu 3’s wonderful wheelchair mode, which we have examined and liked; it handles exercise monitoring a lot better than your typical Apple or Samsung watch. And since you will typically see wheelchair divisions throughout marathons, it is clear that there’s a area of interest marketplace for athletes who need coaching load information and push rely as an alternative of step rely.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265: Which do you have to purchase?(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)The Garmin Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265 battle has a transparent winner..however the reply relies upon by yourself standards for what you want in a smartwatch.The Garmin Venu 3 is thinner, extra trendy, and higher at monitoring your private well being and sleep habits. The show is bigger in each sizes, and it has a lot of the Garmin coaching necessities you can need, plus the choice to reply telephone calls out of your related telephone. As an all-around well being and health tracker, it is a greater choice.That stated, the Forerunner 265 provides you in-depth metrics for out of doors exercises like working, swimming, and biking that Venu 3 house owners would most likely admire. Especially for runners, it’s going to be very arduous to cross up coaching load and impact information, to not point out dual-band GPS. And due to the Forerunner sequence’ change from MIP to AMOLED, it is not almost as a lot of a design downgrade as previous Garmin working watches.Thankfully, whichever Garmin watch you select, you are getting a top quality expertise. Only you’ll be able to determine which is best on your wants, nonetheless!
For gym-goers
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 for Bluetooth calling and voice assistant instructions, a extra svelte design with a bigger show, and well being information not discovered on another sub-$500 Garmin watch. Don’t select it in case you’re a critical runner and do not like contact controls throughout exercises.
For critical runners
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 265 in case you’re a self-guided runner who wants assist deciding what sort of runs to finish to enhance your health, or wish to race in opposition to previous instances on the observe or path. Don’t select it in order for you AFib detection, a non-plastic look, or a wheelchair mode.