Longest battery of the three
Garmin Forerunner 265
- Same core training tools
- Outlasts the 570
Cheaper alternatives to the Garmin Forerunner 570
Three cheaper Garmins that still coach your runs well.
Updated November 11, 2026
Cheapest of the three
Garmin Forerunner 165
- AMOLED screen
- Accurate GPS and heart rate
Built for gym days and runs
Garmin vívoactive 6
- Slim and light
- Lots of gym workouts
The original
Garmin Forerunner 570
Worth it if: You want calls from your wrist
- A brighter screen and fresh design
- A speaker and mic for calls
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What are you actually paying extra for with the Forerunner 570?
What the extra money buys
- A brighter screen and fresh design
- A speaker and mic for calls
- Garmin's newer heart-rate sensor
Worth it if
- You want calls from your wrist
- You like the 42 mm size and new look
Not worth it if
- You care most about battery life
- A previous-generation watch is fine
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Garmin Forerunner 265
TechRadar sees the 570 as a refinement of this watch, not a new one, so you keep most of what matters. Tom's Guide puts it near the top of Garmin's mid-priced runners, and Android Central sums it up as a prettier 255.
Garmin Forerunner 165
Android Central calls it the best budget running watch, with core training features and accurate GPS and heart rate. Les Numériques found it a convincing entry model that adds an OLED screen and a barometric altimeter. Advanced training stats are trimmed.
Garmin vívoactive 6
It's the all-rounder of Garmin's range: lots of gym and studio workouts in a slim, light case, per TechRadar. Android Central pitches it at casual gym-goers, and Les Numériques liked its screen and battery. Runners get fewer race tools.
Final recommendation: For the same training at a lower price, the Forerunner 265 is the clear alternative, and it lasts longer. New runners save the most with the Forerunner 165. Pick the vivoactive 6 if the gym matters as much as running. Pay for the Forerunner 570 for calls, the newer sensor and the latest design.
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 | Premium | Premium | Affordable | Affordable |
| Battery (claimed) | Up to 11 days (47 mm) / 10 days (42 mm) | Up to 13 days (46 mm) / 15 days (265S) | Up to 11 days (smartwatch mode) | Up to 11 days (smartwatch mode) |
| GPS | Built-in, up to 18 hours (GPS-only) | Built-in, up to 20 hours (46 mm) / 24 hours (265S), GPS-only | Built-in, up to 19 hours (GPS-only) | Built-in, up to 21 hours (GPS-only) |
| Screen | AMOLED, 1.4-inch (47 mm) / 1.2-inch (42 mm) | AMOLED, 1.3-inch (46 mm) / 1.1-inch (265S) | AMOLED, 1.2-inch | AMOLED, 1.2-inch |
| Maps | No | No | No | No |
| 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 the Forerunner 265 still good enough instead of the 570?
For training, yes. Reviewers see the 570 as a refinement. You miss the speaker, mic and newer sensor, and gain battery.
Is the Forerunner 165 good for marathon training?
It covers GPS, heart rate and structured workouts well. Serious marathoners may miss the advanced metrics of the 265 or 570.
Should a runner buy the vivoactive 6 or a Forerunner?
A Forerunner, if running is your main sport. The vivoactive 6 suits people who mix gym, classes and casual runs.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Garmin Forerunner 570 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 570 specs, TechRadar: Garmin Forerunner 570 review: a mid-range marvel, Android Central: Garmin Forerunner 570 review: A great running watch, held back, T3: Garmin Forerunner 570 review: sleek upgrades meet safe choices, Garmin: Garmin Forerunner 265 specs, Tom's Guide: Garmin Forerunner 265 review, Android Central: Garmin Forerunner 265 review: It's a prettier 255, and that's okay, T3: Garmin Forerunner 265 review: AMOLED, at last, 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, Garmin: Garmin vívoactive 6 specs, TechRadar: Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: A feature-stuffed pocket rocket, Android Central: Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: For the casual fitness-goer, Les Numériques: Test Garmin Vivoactive 6 : une montre connectée élégante et compétitive.