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Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Garmin Forerunner 165 ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 12) and scores better on fitness tracking. Garmin Vivoactive 6 wins on smart features, durability.
The biggest complaint about the Garmin Forerunner 165 is key training features held back; for the Garmin Vivoactive 6 it's some units fail or lose connection. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Good for: Runners who want Garmin coaching on a budget
Its catch: key training features held back
Check price on AmazonGood for: Fitness-focused users on iPhone or Android
Its catch: some units fail or lose connection
Check price on AmazonPaid links. We don't list prices — they change daily. Neither one feels right?
Side by side
| Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in smartwatches & fitness trackers | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Sports watch | Fitness smartwatch |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 11% |
| Overall score | 3.6 | 3.7 |
| Battery life | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Fitness tracking | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Smart features | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Comfort | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 3.0 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–350 · $$$ over $350. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Garmin Forerunner 165
- Key training features held back
Android Central lists the missing Training Load and Training Status as a con, saying Garmin reserves them, along with Training Readiness and multisport profiles, for the pricier Forerunner 265.
Source: Android Central review - Confusing at first and fiddly pairing
Amazon's summary calls the interface mixed, with some owners saying it isn't intuitive. Low-star Walmart reviews say it has too many buttons to figure out, Bluetooth pairing isn't user-friendly, and it came without instructions. Android Central says the button layout has a learning curve.
- Plain plastic build, limited smarts, extra costs
Android Central dislikes the plastic, button-heavy look and the glass, which isn't Gorilla Glass. It says the watch feels substandard next to full smartwatches, and music storage and Wi-Fi cost extra. A Walmart reviewer complains about needing an adapter to charge.
Garmin Vivoactive 6
- Some units fail or lose connection
Amazon's review summary says customers disagree on reliability, with some reporting it stops working after a couple of months, and that connectivity and durability are mixed, including screen cracks after six months. One Amazon reviewer says Bluetooth disconnects often.
- Limited smart features and apps
Tom's Guide lists limited third-party apps and smart features as a con; there's no LTE option, and no onboard ECG or skin-temperature sensor.
- No altimeter; smart alarm needs work
Without an altimeter it undercounted climbs in Tom's Guide's tests (by about 14 ft against an Apple Watch SE and 34 ft against a Galaxy Watch 7). Tom's Guide found the Smart Alarm's 30-minute window too short and its vibrations jarring, and an Amazon reviewer also calls the smart alarm not great.
Who should pick which
Pick the Garmin Forerunner 165 if
Runners who want Garmin coaching on a budget
Accurate GPS distance and pace
Over a week between charges
Skip it if: You want apps, voice assistants or a full smartwatch; You track Training Load or train for triathlons; You want music without paying for the Music edition
Pick the Garmin Vivoactive 6 if
Fitness-focused users on iPhone or Android
About a week between charges
Small wrists (42 mm, 23 g)
Skip it if: You want apps, LTE or a full smartwatch; You hike and want accurate elevation (no altimeter); You want ECG or skin-temperature sensing
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.
Neither one feels right?
If both catches are deal-breakers, start here.
Tom's Guide's best smartwatch for Android, with a bright display, dual-band GPS and about two days per charge on the 45 mm model. Wirecutter has moved to the Pixel Watch 5 but says the 4 has the same hardware. About 1 in 9 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, and owners disagree on battery and heart-rate accuracy.
Its catch: battery and value split ownersA third option · #3Apple Watch Ultra 4The longest-lasting Apple Watch, with multi-day battery life, dual-frequency GPS, a dive depth sensor and satellite messaging in a rugged titanium case. At $799 and 49 mm, Wirecutter calls it too much watch for most people and only a minor upgrade over the Ultra 3.
Its catch: huge and uncomfortable for smaller wristsAll 12 comparedSee every smartwatch, rankedEach one's biggest complaint at a glance, with the full ranking.
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