Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Polar Pacer Pro
Quick verdict
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 165 if…
- You want the AMOLED screen and the Garmin Connect ecosystem
- You race up to mountain marathons and train with adaptive plans
Choose the Polar Pacer Pro if…
- You want nearly double the GPS battery (35 h) for the same price
- You're considering one-day ultras
For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Polar Pacer Pro lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Garmin Forerunner 165. Both sit in the same price segment, so let battery, weight and the feature you value most decide.
Garmin Forerunner 165 or Polar Pacer Pro? GPS battery (19 h vs 35 h), weight (39 g vs 41 g), maps and multi-band, with a clear verdict and a check of whether each lasts your whole race.
Pick by what you need
- If you run ultras or very long outings (35 h of GPS) → Polar Pacer Pro
Radar: where each watch wins
Absolute 0–100 scale, no exaggerated gaps: a tie stays a tie. Garmin Forerunner 165 leads on 3 of 6 axes.
| Axis | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Polar Pacer Pro |
|---|---|---|
| GPS battery | 16/100 | 29/100 |
| Everyday battery | 37/100 | 23/100 |
| Lightness | 93/100 | 90/100 |
| Maps | 0/100 | 0/100 |
| Multi-band GPS | 0/100 | 0/100 |
| Display & extras | 50/100 | 0/100 |
GPS: 120 h = 100 · Weight: 35 g = 100, 95 g = 0 · Multi-band: by its battery (60 h = 100) · Display: AMOLED + music.
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Polar Pacer Pro |
|---|---|---|
| GPS battery | 19 h | 35 h |
| Multi-band battery | – | – |
| Smartwatch | 11 days | 7 days |
| Weight | 39 g | 41 g |
| Maps | – | – |
| Multi-band | – | – |
| Music | – | – |
| Display | AMOLED | MIP |
| Price | Entry | Entry |
| Where to buy | View on Amazon(opens in a new tab) | View on Amazon(opens in a new tab) |
GPS battery = each manufacturer's standard GPS mode; multi-band = dual-frequency (maximum accuracy). On Suunto, Polar Grit and Amazfit T-Rex the GPS figure already corresponds to dual-band mode. Figures verified against the manufacturer.
GarminGarmin Forerunner 165Entry-level running watch with a 1.2" AMOLED display, 19 h GPS battery and just 39 g. Training metrics, adaptive plans and accurate multi-GNSS GPS for training and racing marathons. Garmin's gateway watch for runners who don't need maps or multi-band.
View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)PolarPolar Pacer ProUltra-light running watch (41 g) focused on power-based training and Polar's running metrics. 35 h of battery in GPS mode and breadcrumb navigation. Simple, thin and comfortable, with one of the best training-analysis platforms for road and light-trail runners.
View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)Will it last your race? Real battery across 300 races
We estimated a mid-pack runner's finish time for every race in our calendar (distance, elevation and terrain) and added a 25% safety margin. Here's the result:
Garmin Forerunner 165 lasts 224 of 300 races
Polar Pacer Pro lasts 270 of 300 races
We couldn't find that race in our calendar. Try another name or the town.
| Race | Battery needed | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Polar Pacer Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kangas Mountain58 km · 3500 m+ | 19 h | Lasts | Lasts |
| Ultra Trail Torla-Ordesa50 km · 4100 m+ | 19 h | Lasts | Lasts |
| Ultra Trail Gredos71 km · 2322 m+ | 20 h | Dies | Lasts |
| Ultra Trail Moncayo70 km · 3850 m+ | 21 h | Dies | Lasts |
| Ultra Montaña Palentina65 km · 4500 m+ | 24 h | Dies | Lasts |
| Ultra-Trail Guara Somontano82 km · 4700 m+ | 28 h | Dies | Lasts |
| OTSO Travessa d'Encamp84 km · 5760 m+ | 31 h | Dies | Lasts |
| Ultra Pirineu100 km · 6400 m+ | 36 h | Dies | Dies |
Estimate for a mid-pack runner on the longest distance, standard GPS on ultras and multi-band on races under 12 h. Tap a race to see the watches we recommend for it.
Verdict
For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Polar Pacer Pro lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Garmin Forerunner 165. Both sit in the same price segment, so let battery, weight and the feature you value most decide.
Analysis: where they really differ
The two lightest entry watches in the catalog: 39 g for Garmin, 41 g for Polar. The big difference for trail is battery: the Polar Pacer Pro gives 35 h GPS vs the Forerunner 165's 19 h, nearly double. Garmin answers with an AMOLED screen, more smartwatch days (11 vs 7) and the Connect ecosystem with adaptive plans. If you're going to run ultras, the Polar; if you train road and short mountain and want the best app, the Garmin.
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 165 if…
- You want the AMOLED screen and the Garmin Connect ecosystem
- You race up to mountain marathons and train with adaptive plans
- You value longer daily battery (11 days)
Choose the Polar Pacer Pro if…
- You want nearly double the GPS battery (35 h) for the same price
- You're considering one-day ultras
- You train with wrist-based running power