Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Forerunner 165 GPS Smartwatch 43 mm Fiber-Reinforced Polymer - Gray/Whitestone - (2024)
Average customer rating
4.5
(408 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 408 reviews
5 Stars
298
4 Stars
59
3 Stars
23
2 Stars
14
1 Star
14
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Forerunner 165 GPS Smartwatch 43 mm Fiber-Reinforced Polymer - Gray/Whitestone - (2024)
Customer Rating
3
Decent running watch, but too many features.
on November 2, 2025
Posted by: AJH23
Got this watch from Garmin (25% disc) to replace my broken 235, which I loved. This 165 is a decent running watch, but has too many ‘glitzey’ features that are an absolute pain to disable for a runner. It’s trying to be an Apple Watch. I have been running marathons for 45yrs, and don’t need a recovery suggestion or being asked ‘how do I feel’ after the workout. I just want to save my run, and go shower. Also, the default screen setting of blank & only lighting up when you twist your wrist to check time is a terrible feature. Many times while driving or flying as a pilot, I just want to glance at my watch to chk the time & not take my hand off the wheel or yoke. The display & colors are fantastic, but I’d prefer my old 235.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great watch!
on November 6, 2025
Posted by: Vick78
So many insights and I believe they are way more accurate than what my Apple watch was putting out. It’s helping improve my overall health and fitness. Love it.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
The AMOL Display hard to read in bright sunlight.
on November 7, 2025
Posted by: Goletajohn
My Forerunner 245 battery is fading so I replaced it with the 165. The 245 Sunlight-visible display works much better when bike riding in the sun. The AMOL display is nice indoors but is lacking outside on a bright day.
I was also disappointed that the 165 did not have an indoor rowing app like the 245.
I was also disappointed that the 165 did not have an indoor rowing app like the 245.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
I love the features
on November 10, 2025
Posted by: Rick1
Great product. Takes work to understand the features. YouTube helps to explain what the watch can do.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
My first Garmin
on November 10, 2025
Posted by: My nickname is Mike
Have had this a few weeks now. It's pretty great! Has made my fitness journey more fun! Kinda like a real life video game. Get to see my stats get better as I go!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great Watch!
on November 14, 2025
Posted by: lilz
I bought this product 1 year ago and it has been amazing. Has so many features. I love that it tracks many different forms of cross training and tracks so many different health metrics. I feel that I have been able to recover faster and better know my body from the insights this watch provides.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
forunner 165
on November 17, 2025
Posted by: lsggg
So far, so good, simple, and just what I needed for now. I have to get used to it being off when my wrist is in a certain position.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Care, November 18, 2025
If you'd prefer to have your watch face stay on at all times, you can change the settings to be Always On Display. To do that, follow the steps linked below (Always On Display is under step #5).
http://ms.spr.ly/6426tRCCg
*KC
http://ms.spr.ly/6426tRCCg
*KC
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Love it!
on November 19, 2025
Posted by: Sads27
I’ve been using my watch for about a month and it’s a game changer!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin