Wear Radar

Garmin Forerunner 265vsFitbit Versa

13d vs 6d
battery life
Garmin Forerunner 265 lasts longer
$299
price gap
Fitbit Versa cheaper
2
more health sensors
Garmin Forerunner 265
Garmin Forerunner 265
Buy/Wait:superseded

This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 570.

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Fitbit Versa
Buy/Wait:bad

Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest

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Garmin Forerunner 265Fitbit Versa
Pricing
Starting price$449$150
Subscriptionℹ️ Optional — $70/yrℹ️ Optional — $79/yr
Hardware
Weight47g38g
Water resistance5ATM50m
Battery13 days6 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
TierSports GPSSmartwatch
Buy timing
ReleasedMar 1, 2023Sep 25, 2022
Cycle advicesupersededbad
Deals adviceclearancegood
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Health Sensors

Garmin Forerunner 265 only
3 exclusive sensors
Stress TrackingStress estimate from HRV and physiological signals
Body BatteryGarmin's energy reserve — how much fuel left in the tank
Training ReadinessDaily recovery score — how ready you are to perform
Both
3 shared
Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking
SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep
HRVHeart rate variability — stress & recovery scores
Fitbit Versa only
1 exclusive sensor
EDA / StressSkin conductance sensor measuring stress responses

Why buy each?

Garmin Forerunner 265

Multi-band GPS accuracy

L1+L5 multi-band GPS reduces position drift in urban canyons and dense forest.

Training readiness score

Daily score combining HRV status, sleep, acute load, and recovery time.

Race time predictor

Estimates finish time for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon based on current fitness.

Fitbit Versa

Works with Android and iPhone

Rare for a smartwatch with real GPS and health sensors to work fully on both platforms — Versa 4 does.

Google Maps and Google Wallet on wrist

Turn-by-turn navigation and NFC payments without needing your phone in hand.

6-day battery and Fitbit health coaching

Sleep stages, daily readiness score, Active Zone Minutes, and SpO2 — all on a 6-day charge.

Quick Winner

The right pick depends on what you optimize for.

For the budget
Fitbit Versa wins

$387 vs $659 over 3 years · no required subscription.

For battery life
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins

13 days vs 6 days battery.

For health depth
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins

6 sensors.

For daily comfort
Fitbit Versa wins

38g · no required subscription.

Bottom Line

Technical gaps
  1. Forerunner 265-only sensors: Stress Tracking, Body Battery, Training Readiness.
  2. Versa-only sensors: EDA / Stress.
  3. Weight. Versa is 9g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
Commercial gaps
  1. Hardware cost. Versa is $299 cheaper upfront ($150 vs $449).
Pick the Garmin Forerunner 265 if…

Regular runners who race 5K to marathon distances and want accurate GPS and detailed training load management.

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Pick the Fitbit Versa if…

Android or iPhone users who want a balanced smartwatch with solid Fitbit health tracking, multi-day battery, and a clean square watch design — without the premium price of a Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch.

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