The Forerunner 165 is the most affordable way into Garmin's AMOLED ecosystem, offering solid GPS, in-depth training metrics, and a sleek design at a beginner-friendly price. Wirecutter and Tom's Guide both highlight it as a capable entry point.
For new runners or anyone not ready to spend $350+, the Forerunner 165 gives you a real Garmin experience — AMOLED screen, training metrics, and reliable GPS — without the premium price tag.
“The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a sleek, effective GPS running watch. The GPS connection is solid.”