Watch-style Fitbit
Fitbit Versa 4
- Built-in GPS
- 6+ days claimed
Cheaper alternatives to the Garmin Forerunner 165
Three cheaper Fitbits for health and steps. None coaches runners like the Garmin.
Updated November 13, 2026
Slim band with GPS
Fitbit Charge 6
- Heart rate to gym machines
- Google Wallet
Cheapest of three
Fitbit Inspire 3
- Up to 10 days
- Colour screen
The original
Garmin Forerunner 165
Worth it if: You train for races
- Garmin's running coach
- Accurate GPS
We earn a commission if you buy through the shop links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never decides our picks. How that works.
What are you actually paying extra for with the Forerunner 165?
What the extra money buys
- Garmin's running coach
- Accurate GPS
- Bright AMOLED screen
Worth it if
- You train for races
- You want an altimeter
Not worth it if
- You just track steps and sleep
- You rarely run
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Fitbit Versa 4
A Fitbit in watch form with GPS for outdoor workouts. Reviews were mixed: TechRadar wasn't sold on it for training, and Les Numériques saw only small changes. It suits people who run now and then but mostly want health data.
Fitbit Charge 6
Tom's Guide praised the Google Maps, Wallet and better heart-rate tracking. TechRadar called it fun but flawed, with flaky GPS and no altimeter. It suits gym-goers more than runners who rely on GPS pace.
Fitbit Inspire 3
Tom's Guide called it the top affordable fitness tracker, and TechRadar a good entry point to health tracking. It has no GPS of its own, so runs need your phone. It suits beginners and sleep trackers.
Final recommendation: The Versa 4 is the closest watch-style swap. The Charge 6 suits the gym, and the Inspire 3 is the budget pick for steps and sleep. Keep the Forerunner 165 if running is why you want a watch.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Affordable | Affordable | Affordable | Budget |
| Battery (claimed) | Up to 11 days (smartwatch mode) | 6+ days | Up to 7 days | Up to 10 days |
| GPS | Built-in, up to 19 hours (GPS-only) | built-in (GPS + GLONASS) | Built-in (GPS + GLONASS) | connected (phone) |
| Screen | AMOLED, 1.2-inch | AMOLED | Colour AMOLED | Colour AMOLED touchscreen |
| Maps | No | – | No | – |
| Water resistance | – | Water resistant to 50 m | Water resistant to 50 m | Water resistant to 50 m |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Is a Fitbit good for running?
For casual runs, yes. For training plans and accurate pace, the Forerunner 165 is far better.
Does the Fitbit Inspire 3 have GPS?
No. It uses your phone's GPS when you carry it.
Which Forerunner 165 alternative lasts longest?
The Fitbit Inspire 3, at up to 10 days by Fitbit's figure.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Garmin Forerunner 165 with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Garmin: Garmin Forerunner 165 specs, Android Central: Garmin Forerunner 165 review: Barely a compromise, Les Numériques: Test Garmin Forerunner 165 : une montre running d'entrée de gamme convaincante, Google: Fitbit Versa 4 specs, TechRadar: Fitbit Versa 4 review, Les Numériques: Test Fitbit Versa 4 : la montre de fitness évolue timidement, Google: Fitbit Charge 6 specs, Tom's Guide: Fitbit Charge 6 review: a brilliant tracker with more Google, TechRadar: Fitbit Charge 6 review: A fun but flawed modern fitness tracker, Android Central: Fitbit Charge 6 review: Familiar hardware, Googleified, Google: Fitbit Inspire 3 specs, Tom's Guide: Fitbit Inspire 3 review: the top affordable fitness tracker just got better, TechRadar: Fitbit Inspire 3 review.