The Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 Have Never Been Priced This Low

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to invest in a premium running watch, that moment is now. Garmin’s 2025 holiday sale has brought unprecedented discounts to two of their most popular models—the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965—making this the best time of year to upgrade your training arsenal.

Historic Price Drops on Garmin’s Flagship Runners

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is currently available at $449, representing a $150 discount off its regular price[1]. Even more impressively, this deal price makes it $300 cheaper than its successor, the Forerunner 970, which hasn’t received any discount yet and likely won’t see price cuts until 2026[1]. For those looking for a more budget-conscious option, the Forerunner 265 is available at $299, also with a $150 discount applied[1].

These aren’t just good deals—they’re exceptional values that won’t last forever. Garmin has explicitly stated that these sale prices won’t fall any lower by November 28, making this a genuine time-sensitive opportunity for serious runners and fitness enthusiasts[1].

Why the Forerunner 965 Remains the Premium Choice

The Forerunner 965 stands out as the best premium running watch that won’t break the bank[1]. This AMOLED smartwatch delivers an impressive 23-day battery life in smartwatch mode and 31 hours with GPS enabled, meaning you can track multiple marathons on a single charge[3]. The 1.4-inch AMOLED display is bright and responsive, making it easy to view your stats during runs without constantly raising your wrist.

What truly sets the 965 apart is its comprehensive training toolkit. The watch includes hyper-accurate dual-band GPS, offline maps with landmarks and trail guides, daily suggested workouts, Garmin Run and Cycling Coaching, optimal training load guidance, Training Readiness with recovery suggestions, Hill and Endurance scores, and Strava Live Segments[1]. If you’re training for a marathon or triathlon, this watch will provide all the data you could want to optimize your performance.

The Forerunner 965 is significantly lighter and cheaper than the Fenix 8 while maintaining most of the same training features and sports modes[1]. The key difference is that the 965 lacks some niche tools for diving, surfing, and XC skiing—features most runners will never need anyway.

The Forerunner 265: Serious Performance at a Lower Price Point

For runners willing to trade away a week of battery life and certain premium features, the Forerunner 265 offers remarkable value at $299[1]. This watch is ideal for those who want solid training metrics without the premium price tag.

The Forerunner 265S, the slimmer variant, features a 1-inch AMOLED touchscreen display that’s surprisingly large for its profile, making it comfortable for runners who prefer lighter-weight watches. Despite its compact size, it still delivers advanced running metrics including vertical oscillation, stride length, and running power—all measured from your wrist without requiring additional sensors[3]. The multi-band GPS ensures accurate tracking, and the 13-day battery life in smartwatch mode is more than sufficient for most runners[3].

Understanding the Discount Landscape

The percentage discounts vary depending on where you shop. The Forerunner 265 and 265S are currently seeing 33% off their regular prices[2]. The Forerunner 965 is available at up to 26% off[2], though the flat $150 discount translates to a slightly lower percentage savings. These discounts represent some of the lowest prices these models have commanded all year, often beating spring and summer promotions[3].

A Word on Premium Alternatives

If you’re considering stepping up further, the Epix Pro (Gen 2) at $449 offers a modern steel body with perks the 965 lacks, including a mic, speaker, and flashlight[1]. However, it comes with trade-offs: the 1.2-inch display is smaller than the 965’s 1.4-inch screen, battery life drops to just 10 days instead of 23, and the watch is slightly less comfortable to wear[1]. Many Garmin enthusiasts will prefer the comfort and battery longevity of the 965 over the steel styling of the Epix Pro.

The Fenix 8 is also on sale with $250 off, making it another premium option for those who want the newest features and rugged outdoor capabilities[1]. However, for pure running performance and value, the 965 remains the superior choice at this price point.

Making Your Decision

The choice between the Forerunner 265 and 965 ultimately depends on your budget and needs. If you’re a casual runner or just starting your fitness journey, the Forerunner 265 provides excellent training metrics and reliability at an accessible price. If you’re serious about marathons, triathlons, or want the absolute best in training guidance with extended battery life, the Forerunner 965 at $449 is an investment that will serve you for years.

Garmin’s 2025 holiday sale represents a rare opportunity to own one of the best running watches on the market at historically low prices. These deals won’t last indefinitely, and with no guarantee of better pricing before the new year, now is the time to make your move. Whether you choose the budget-conscious 265 or the feature-rich 965, you’re getting a watch that will transform how you train and help you achieve your running goals.

Original source: Lifehacker – The Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 Have Never Been Priced This Low