Our Verdict
Garmin Forerunner 165 Music adds offline music to the entry AMOLED Garmin experience. Training Readiness, daily workout suggestions and 11-day battery at under £180. Forerunner 265 adds race predictor and multiband GPS for £170 more — 165 Music is the right starting point for runners who want Garmin without the race-focused premium.
Why trust 247Verdict? We don't run a physical test lab — every recommendation is built from verified Amazon owner data (rating, review volume, and recurring themes across owner reviews) checked against manufacturer specifications, and every review says plainly who it's not right for. Every product needs 4.0+ stars from 200+ verified reviews before we'll recommend it. Full detail on our methodology page.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- AMOLED at under £180
- 11-day battery life
- Offline music storage for phone-free runs
- Training Readiness score
- Daily Suggested Workouts
✗ Cons
- No race predictor
- Single-band GPS
- No maps
4.6★ from 4,200 verified Amazon owners
Key Specifications
| Display | AMOLED |
|---|---|
| Battery | 11 days |
| Music | Offline storage |
| Readiness | Training Readiness |
| Suggestions | Daily adapted |
| Price | Under £180 |
How It Compares to the Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar GPS Watch
The closest alternative in this category is the Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar GPS Watch (9.4/10). Here's how the two stack up on the specs they share:
| Garmin Forerunner... | Garmin Fenix 7S Pro... | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | AMOLED | 1.2" MIP |
| Battery | 11 days | 37 days / 57hr GPS (solar) |
Performance
Garmin Forerunner 165 Music adds offline music to the entry AMOLED Garmin experience. Training Readiness, daily workout suggestions and 11-day battery at under £180. Forerunner 265 adds race predictor and multiband GPS for £170 more — 165 Music is the right starting point for runners who want Garmin without the race-focused premium. On paper the headline numbers are display of AMOLED, battery of 11 days, music of Offline storage, readiness of Training Readiness, suggestions of Daily adapted, price of Under £180. Its standout is that amoled at under £180. Owners often find a protein supplement a worthwhile addition to this setup.
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Owner Essentials
Build Quality & Design
Beyond that, owners and the spec sheet point to a few more genuine strengths. 11-day battery life. Offline music storage for phone-free runs. For those looking to complement it, a foam roller is commonly paired with this product. We can't bench-test durability, but the depth of positive long-term owner feedback is the best available proxy for how it holds up. If you are training outdoors, UPF 50+ sportswear is worth a look for UV protection.
Value for Money
It isn't flawless. No race predictor. Single-band GPS. No maps. Whether those matter depends entirely on how you'll use it. At the premium price point, the trade-offs are easy to live with for the right buyer. It's the right call for Look elsewhere if you're among
Before you buy, check our size guides to make sure you get the right fit.
Final Verdict
Garmin Forerunner 165 Music adds offline music to the entry AMOLED Garmin experience. Training Readiness, daily workout suggestions and 11-day battery at under £180. Forerunner 265 adds race predictor and multiband GPS for £170 more — 165 Music is the right starting point for runners who want Garmin without the race-focused premium.
FAQ
Is the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music GPS Watch worth the money?
Garmin Forerunner 165 Music adds offline music to the entry AMOLED Garmin experience. Training Readiness, daily workout suggestions and 11-day battery at under £180. Forerunner 265 adds race predictor and multiband GPS for £170 more — 165 Music is the right starting point for runners who want Garmin without the race-focused premium.
Who should NOT buy the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music GPS Watch?
Is the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music GPS Watch available in the UK and US?
Yes — we list both Amazon UK and US links. Always verify voltage compatibility (UK 230V, US 120V).
What's the biggest drawback of the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music GPS Watch?
No race predictor
What do owners say about the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music GPS Watch?
4.6★ from 4,200 verified Amazon owners. AMOLED at under £180
How does the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music GPS Watch compare to similar sports gears?
At 9.1/10, it ranks among the strongest options we've reviewed in this category. See our Garmin Forerunner 165 Music comparisons for direct head-to-head detail against specific alternatives.
Alternatives to Consider
Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar GPS Watch
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Apple Watch Ultra 2 GPS + Cellular
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Garmin Fēnix 8 Solar Sapphire GPS Watch
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