# TLDR Review: Garmin Forerunner 165

*Published: 2026-03-08 | Updated: 2026-03-08 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/garmin-forerunner-165*

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## Product: Garmin Forerunner 165
**Brand:** Garmin

## Pros
- Excellent battery life lasting up to 9 days even with daily GPS use, making frequent charging a thing of the past.
- Accurate tracking of workouts, runs, and sleep patterns ensures dependable performance for fitness monitoring.
- Lightweight and ideal size for smaller wrists, offering comfort for long periods of wear without feeling bulky.
- Combines touchscreen and button controls, which is especially handy when your hands are sweaty during workouts.
- Functions smoothly as a smartwatch, with compatibility for cycling and fitness apps like Strava, Rouvey, and Zwift.
- Supports external sensors such as cadence sensors and Garmin TACX trainer, eliminating the need for separate bike computers.
- Great value considering it is certified refurbished but performs like a brand-new unit.
- Particularly well-suited for beginner runners and those returning to exercise, thanks to its easy learning curve and helpful features.
- Offers all the necessary functions for a serious sports watch without redundant extras.

## Cons
- Does not include music control features, which may be a downside for users who want integrated music management.
- Limited in smartwatch features compared to more fully-loaded options like Samsung Galaxy watches, particularly in non-fitness smart functions.

## Bottom Line

The Garmin Forerunner 165 certified refurbished model offers superb battery life, lightweight comfort, and accurate workout tracking tailored for runners and fitness enthusiasts. If you’re after a focused sport watch with reliable GPS and fitness app compatibility—without paying new product prices—this one’s a solid pick. However, if music control or a broader smartwatch experience is a must, you might want to explore other options, but for pure running and fitness tracking, this is hard to beat.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Excellent battery life lasting up to 9 days even with daily GPS use, making frequent charging a thing of the past. | Does not include music control features, which may be a downside for users who want integrated music management. |
| Accurate tracking of workouts, runs, and sleep patterns ensures dependable performance for fitness monitoring. | Limited in smartwatch features compared to more fully-loaded options like Samsung Galaxy watches, particularly in non-fitness smart functions. |
| Lightweight and ideal size for smaller wrists, offering comfort for long periods of wear without feeling bulky. |  |
| Combines touchscreen and button controls, which is especially handy when your hands are sweaty during workouts. |  |
| Functions smoothly as a smartwatch, with compatibility for cycling and fitness apps like Strava, Rouvey, and Zwift. |  |
| Supports external sensors such as cadence sensors and Garmin TACX trainer, eliminating the need for separate bike computers. |  |
| Great value considering it is certified refurbished but performs like a brand-new unit. |  |
| Particularly well-suited for beginner runners and those returning to exercise, thanks to its easy learning curve and helpful features. |  |
| Offers all the necessary functions for a serious sports watch without redundant extras. |  |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*