Okay, let’s dive into my little experiment comparing the Forerunner 265 and the Venu 3.
So, I’ve been using both of these Garmin watches for a few weeks now, and I wanted to share my experience, especially for folks trying to decide between the two. I wasn’t really sure which one to get, so I figured, why not try both?
Getting Started
First thing I did was unbox them both – pretty standard stuff. Both watches are gorgeous, I gotta say. The 265 feels a bit more “sporty” and the Venu 3 a little more “everyday sleek,” if that makes sense. I charged them both up fully – took a couple of hours, nothing crazy.
Setting Up
Then came the setup. I already use the Garmin Connect app with my old watch, so pairing both of these was a breeze. Just followed the on-screen prompts, connected to Wi-Fi, and boom, done. If you’re new to Garmin, it’s still pretty straightforward. The app walks you through everything.
Daily Use
I started wearing both, one on each wrist, which, yeah, looked a little silly. But hey, it’s for science! I tracked my daily steps, sleep, and general activity. The Venu 3 has that cool “Body Battery” thing, which is kind of neat to see how your energy levels fluctuate throughout the day. The 265 has something similar, but the Venu 3’s presentation is more, I dunno, user-friendly.
Workout Time
Now, for the real test – workouts! I’m a runner, mostly, so I took both watches on several runs. The GPS locked on super fast on both, which is what I expect from Garmin. The 265 has a few more running-specific metrics, like Training Readiness and more detailed performance stats. The Venu 3 tracks runs just fine, but it’s not quite as in-depth.
- Forerunner 265: felt a bit more natural for dedicated runs.
- Venu 3: totally capable, better all around daily and activity.
Other Activities
I also tried some other activities – a bit of cycling, some strength training. Both watches handled them well. The Venu 3 has that nice on-screen workout animations, which are helpful if you’re not sure about the proper form. The 265, again, is more focused on the data and performance side of things.
Smartwatch Features
On the smartwatch side, both are pretty similar. You get notifications, can control music, and make contactless payments (Garmin Pay). The Venu 3 has a microphone and speaker, so you can take calls on your wrist, which is handy. The 265 doesn’t have that.
Battery Life
The Forerunner 265 has slightly longer battery when put head to head. Using them normally, the Venu 3 lasted me almost a full week, and I was able to stretch the Forerunner to about 8 days.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, choosing between these two is tough. It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a serious runner or athlete who wants all the data and training insights, the Forerunner 265 is the way to go. If you want a more well-rounded smartwatch with solid fitness tracking and some extra features like the built-in mic and speaker, the Venu 3 is a great choice.
For me, after wearing both, My pick is the Venu 3, It’s just a good looking watch and tracker.