Garmin Venu 3 & Forerunner 265 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Garmin Venu 3 rather than the Garmin Forerunner 265.
Why Do I Recommend The Garmin Venu 3?
- The Garmin Venu 3 has a built-in speaker and microphone for Bluetooth calling and voice assistants, allowing users to make and receive calls, interact with Siri, Google Assistant, and Bixby hands-free, and hear notifications aloud, while the Forerunner 265 lacks these features.
- Garmin Venu 3 has Advanced Sleep Coaching and Nap Detection, which provide in-depth sleep insights, personalized recommendations, and better recovery analysis compared to the Forerunner 265’s standard sleep tracking without nap recognition.
- It delivers up to 30 hours of GPS battery life for extended tracking, ultra-distance running, & fewer recharges, compared to the Garmin Forerunner 265’s 20-hour GPS battery life.
- The Garmin Venu 3 includes Fall Detection and Emergency Assistance for better safety by detecting hard falls and alerting emergency contacts, while the Forerunner 265 lacks fall detection.
- Garmin Venu 3 features Body Battery 2.0 for enhanced energy tracking, analyzing heart rate variability, sleep, and stress to provide better insights into daily energy levels, while the Forerunner 265 has the standard Body Battery metric.
- It supports animated on-screen workouts for strength, yoga, and HIIT, helping to follow guided exercises visually on the watch, while the Forerunner 265 lacks animated workout demonstrations.
- Garmin Venu 3 has better smartwatch features, including calendar integration, full notification interaction, and a more intuitive touchscreen interface, enhancing the overall user experience compared to the Forerunner 265’s limited functionalities.
- It has a more premium design with a stainless steel bezel, making it more stylish for both casual and professional settings, compared to the Forerunner 265’s polymer bezel.
Maybe the Garmin Forerunner 265 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Garmin Venu 3. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Display Size | 1.4 inches | 1.3 inches |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels |
| Battery Life (Smartwatch Mode) | Up to 14 days | Up to 13 days |
| Battery Life (GPS Mode) | Up to 26 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Workout & Performance Metrics | Advanced Sleep Coaching, Nap Tracking, Body Battery 2.0 | Training Readiness Score, Recovery Time Advisor |
| Workout Modes | Yoga, Strength, HIIT, Breathwork, etc. | Running-focused |
| Safety Features | Fall detection, emergency assistance | LiveTrack, incident detection |
| Voice Assistant & Calls | Yes (Built-in speaker & microphone) | No |
| Smart Notifications | Yes (Full notifications with voice response) | Yes (Limited interaction) |
| Garmin Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Health Tracking | Advanced Sleep Coaching, Nap Detection, Stress Tracking, Body Battery 2.0 | Training Load, HRV Status, Recovery Advisor |
| Price | Check Venu 3 Price | Check Forerunner 265 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- AMOLED Touchscreen Display with Always-On Option: Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED touchscreens, offering sharp visuals, bright colors, and smooth user interfaces. The Always-On Display (AOD) option allows quick time and notification glances without needing to wake the screen.
- Water Resistance (5 ATM): Both models have 5 ATM water resistance, meaning they can withstand swimming, showers, and even snorkeling. Both watches offer pool and open water swimming tracking.
- Built-in GPS: Integrated GPS tracking enables accurate distance measurement, route tracking, and location-based workouts without needing a phone.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Continuous heart rate tracking is included in both models, providing real-time data, resting heart rate trends, and alerts for abnormal heart rate levels.
- Pulse Ox Sensor (SpO2 Monitoring): The Pulse Ox sensor in both watches measures blood oxygen levels, useful for high-altitude activities, sleep tracking, and health insights.
- Sleep Tracking & Sleep Score: Both devices feature advanced sleep tracking, providing insights into sleep stages (Light, Deep, REM), movement during sleep, and overall sleep quality.
- Stress Monitoring: Real-time stress monitoring helps users track their stress levels throughout the day, with guided breathing exercises available for stress management.
- Body Battery Energy Monitoring: The Body Battery feature analyzes heart rate variability, stress, and sleep quality to estimate energy levels and recommend the best times for activity or rest.
- Menstrual Cycle & Pregnancy Tracking: Women’s health tracking allows users to log symptoms, cycle patterns, and pregnancy-related changes, providing personalized insights.
- Smart Notifications: Both watches display notifications for calls, messages, emails, and apps, allowing users to stay connected without needing to check their phone.
Common Features
| Feature | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox Sensor (SpO2 Tracking) | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Body Battery Energy Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Menstrual Cycle & Pregnancy Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Pay (Contactless Payments) | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage & Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| On-Wrist Workouts & Animated Exercises | Yes | Yes |
| Preloaded Sports Apps | Yes | Yes |
| Workout & Activity Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Swimming Tracking | Yes (Pool & Open Water) | Yes (Pool & Open Water) |
| Cycling Features | Yes | Yes |
| Strength Training Features | Yes | Yes |
| Yoga & HIIT Modes | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max Estimation | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Venu 3 Price | Check Forerunner 265 Price |
FAQ
Which watch has better GPS accuracy, Garmin Venu 3 or Forerunner 265? Does the Garmin Venu 3 or Forerunner 265 have a better display? Which watch has a longer battery life, Garmin Venu 3 or Forerunner 265? Do both watches support offline music storage and playback? Can I make calls and use voice assistants on Garmin Venu 3 and Forerunner 265? Which watch is better for running, Garmin Venu 3 or Forerunner 265? Does the Garmin Venu 3 or Forerunner 265 have sleep tracking? Do both watches support Garmin Pay for contactless payments? Which watch has better safety and tracking features? Are both watches compatible with Android and iOS devices? Which watch is better for strength training, Garmin Venu 3 or Forerunner 265? Do both watches support customizable watch faces? Which watch is more comfortable for all-day wear? Which watch is better for general users, Garmin Venu 3 or Forerunner 265? |
