Wear Radar

Garmin Forerunner 265vsSuunto Race

$50
price gap
Garmin Forerunner 265 cheaper
13g
lighter
Garmin Forerunner 265
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Buy/Wait:superseded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 It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 570.

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Suunto Race
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

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Garmin Forerunner 265Suunto Race
Pricing
Starting price$449$499
Subscriptionℹ️ Optional — $70/yr✓ None
Hardware
Weight47g60g
Water resistance5ATM100m
Battery13 days16 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
TierSports GPSSports GPS
Buy timing
ReleasedMar 1, 2023Aug 27, 2025
Cycle advicesupersededgood
Deals adviceclearanceneutral
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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
Suunto Race only
1 exclusive sensor
Training LoadCumulative workout stress over time

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.

Suunto Race

Significantly improved heart rate accuracy

The redesigned optical HR sensor on Race 2 delivers far more reliable readings during high-intensity sessions — a notable weak point of the original Race that has been addressed.

Dual-frequency GPS at 55h

Dual-frequency L1+L5 multi-constellation GPS for sub-meter precision in urban areas and dense forests, with 55 continuous GPS hours on a single charge.

1.5" AMOLED, thinner and lighter

The display grows to 1.5" at 2000 nits while the case slims to 12.5mm and drops to 76g — more readable in sunlight and easier to wear day-to-day than its predecessor.

Quick Winner

The right pick depends on what you optimize for.

For the budget
Suunto Race wins

$499 vs $659 over 3 years · no required subscription.

For battery life
Suunto Race wins

16 days vs 13 days battery.

For health depth
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins

6 sensors.

For daily comfort
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins

47g · no required subscription.

Bottom Line

Technical gaps
  1. Forerunner 265-only sensors: Stress Tracking, Body Battery, Training Readiness.
  2. Race-only sensors: Training Load.
  3. Weight. Forerunner 265 is 13g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
  4. Water resistance. Race rates 100m vs 5ATM on Forerunner 265.
Commercial gaps
  1. Hardware cost. Forerunner 265 is $50 cheaper upfront ($449 vs $499).
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 Suunto Race if…

Competitive road and trail runners who want Suunto's precise multi-band GPS tracking and a vivid AMOLED display in a lighter, thinner package. A strong alternative to Garmin for athletes who prefer Suunto's clean interface and ecosystem.

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