Smartwatches · owner-verdict comparison

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Vivoactive 5: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Garmin Forerunner 165: 67% of 147 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 56 for the Vivoactive 5.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Garmin Forerunner 165

67%of 147 owners recommend
67% recommend · 8% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • Excellent battery life for the price, often lasting close to a week (or ~12 days per some owners) and far outlasting Apple Watch/Samsung comparisons
  • Strong value for money, praised repeatedly as the 'budget'/entry-level Garmin that delivers most of the higher-tier features at a much lower price
  • Light and comfortable on the wrist, especially compared to bulkier models like the 255/265 or Apple Watch Ultra
Owners complain about
  • Firmware updates (notably the 27.09/27.10 releases) introduced real bugs, GPS drifting off track, heart rate stuck or inaccurate, steps not counting, freezing during activities, and unusual battery drain
  • Missing higher-end features owners wanted, especially power meter support, triathlon mode, and dual-band GPS/offline maps, pushing some to return it for the 265 or a Coros Pace
  • Menus, the on-screen keyboard, and overall navigation feel complicated or unresponsive for a 'basic' entry watch
Full owner report →

Vivoactive 5

55%of 56 owners recommend
55% recommend · 27% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • Strong battery life, typically lasting several days to a week on a charge
  • Great value for the price, often cited around $199-$299 and roughly half the cost of a Venu 3
  • Comfortable, lightweight, and slim on the wrist compared to bulkier Garmin models
Owners complain about
  • Removed altimeter/barometer and stair-climb tracking that were present on the Vivoactive 4, disappointing upgraders
  • Switch to an AMOLED display and loss of the transflective MIP screen from earlier models, which some owners say makes it feel cheaper and less usable outdoors
  • Heart rate and sleep tracking accuracy complaints, including sleep scores called consistently wrong and HR sensors described as unreliable
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Garmin Forerunner 165 if
  • ✓Beginner or casual runners who just want accurate basics without complexity
  • ✓Buyers upgrading from a Forerunner 55 or basic Apple Watch on a budget
  • ✓Runners who value long battery life and a light, comfortable wrist feel
  • ✓People who mainly run/hike in open areas and don't need multisport or power meters
Skip it if
  • Triathletes or cyclists needing power meter support, multisport mode, or dual-band GPS
  • Runners training under tree canopy or in dense urban areas needing stronger GPS accuracy
Get the Vivoactive 5 if
  • ✓Casual gym-goers and moderately active people wanting a budget-friendly Garmin
  • ✓Non-tech-savvy buyers who want an easy, simple smartwatch experience
  • ✓Runners, cyclists, and hikers who don't need altimeter or advanced navigation
  • ✓Anyone upgrading from a basic fitness band who wants Garmin ecosystem data
Skip it if
  • Skiers/hikers needing elevation tracking, since the altimeter was removed
  • Serious runners wanting precise distance/pace, which many find inaccurate

What Garmin Forerunner 165 owners say

“This video has made me realise the 165 is for me.”
— @CGCGCG91 on YouTube
“ordered a 165 hahah wish I knew sooner!”
— @Joseeppph on YouTube
“To remove a feature that was previously there as soon as you release the product, which contains the hardware for the feature is a really bad look.”
— @Fernweh_8 on YouTube

What Vivoactive 5 owners say

“I'm very happy with my vivoactive 4 and will likely ask for the vivoactive 5 for Christmas.”
— @tinwhiskerSC on YouTube
“This watch seems like amazing value and a great choice for the more casually gym-go'er/runner/moderately active person”
— @martinjrgensen8377 on YouTube
“So disappointed they removed Stairs. I feel like I need to stick with the Vivoactive 4 for this reason.”
— @dianacrabtree6546 on YouTube

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Vivoactive 5: frequently asked questions

Is the Garmin Forerunner 165 or the Vivoactive 5 better?

Real owners lean toward the Garmin Forerunner 165: 67% of 147 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 56 for the Vivoactive 5.

Who should get the Garmin Forerunner 165?

Owners point the Garmin Forerunner 165 at beginner or casual runners who just want accurate basics without complexity, and buyers upgrading from a Forerunner 55 or basic Apple Watch on a budget.

Who should get the Vivoactive 5?

Owners point the Vivoactive 5 at casual gym-goers and moderately active people wanting a budget-friendly Garmin, and non-tech-savvy buyers who want an easy, simple smartwatch experience.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Garmin Forerunner 165 is firmware updates (notably the 27.09/27.10 releases) introduced real bugs, GPS drifting off track, heart rate stuck or inaccurate, steps not counting, freezing during activities, and unusual battery drain. For the Vivoactive 5, it's removed altimeter/barometer and stair-climb tracking that were present on the Vivoactive 4, disappointing upgraders.