Longest battery of the three
Garmin Forerunner 265
- Training readiness and race tools
- More days per charge
Cheaper alternatives to the Garmin Forerunner 570
Skip the newest Forerunner: same coaching, a budget runner, or an all-rounder.
Updated 11 November 2026
Cheapest of the three
Garmin Forerunner 165
- Bright OLED display
- Barometric altimeter
Built for gym days and runs
Garmin vívoactive 6
- Elegant, slim case
- About 11 days' battery
The original
Garmin Forerunner 570
Worth it if: You want the newest mid-range Forerunner
- The 2025 design with a bright AMOLED
- Take calls on your wrist
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 570?
What the extra money buys
- The 2025 design with a bright AMOLED
- Take calls on your wrist
- A 42 or 47 mm case
Worth it if
- You want the newest mid-range Forerunner
- Wrist calls matter to you
Not worth it if
- You'd rather charge less often
- Training tools matter more than looks
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Garmin Forerunner 265
T3 welcomed its AMOLED screen at this level, and Tom's Guide rates it one of Garmin's best mid-range runners. Reviewers of the 570 call it a polish of this watch, so the training side is close. It just can't take calls.
Garmin Forerunner 165
Les Numériques found it a convincing entry-level running watch with an OLED screen and altimeter. Android Central calls it barely a compromise, keeping the key training features and accurate tracking. You lose some advanced stats.
Garmin vívoactive 6
A good fit if running is one sport among several. Les Numériques liked its looks and screen, TechRadar found it packed with workouts for its size, and Android Central aims it at casual gym-goers. Dedicated runners get fewer race tools than a Forerunner.
Final recommendation: The Forerunner 265 gives you almost the same coaching for less, with more battery. First-time runners should pick the Forerunner 165. If you split time between gym and runs, the vivoactive 6 fits. Choose the Forerunner 570 for calls, the new sensor and the fresh 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 570 worth it over the 265?
Only if you want calls, the newer sensor or the new look. For training alone, the 265 is close and lasts longer.
Is the Forerunner 165 a good first running watch?
Yes. Android Central calls it the best budget running watch, with accurate GPS and the core training features.
Can the vivoactive 6 replace a Forerunner 570?
For casual runners, yes. Serious runners will miss the deeper training tools of a Forerunner.
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, T3: Garmin Forerunner 265 review: AMOLED, at last, Tom's Guide: Garmin Forerunner 265 review, Android Central: Garmin Forerunner 265 review: It's a prettier 255, and that's okay, 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.