Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Garmin Forerunner 570

Garmin Forerunner 265 (20 h GPS, 47 g) vs Garmin Forerunner 570 (20 h GPS, 47 g). Side-by-side spec comparison: battery, weight, maps, multi-band GPS and price. Which GPS watch should you buy?

Garmin Forerunner 265GarminGarmin Forerunner 265

Running watch with AMOLED display, dual-frequency multi-band GPS and onboard music. 20 h in GPS mode (14 h multi-band) and 13 days in smartwatch mode, at 47 g. The perfect balance of accuracy, advanced metrics and price for training and racing from 10K to marathon.

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Garmin Forerunner 570GarminGarmin Forerunner 570

Running watch with AMOLED display, dual-frequency multi-band GPS, full-color topo maps and onboard music. 20 h in GPS mode with maps (13 h multi-band) and up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, at 47 g. The first Forerunner with full navigation, sitting between the Forerunner 265 and the Forerunner 965.

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Spec-by-spec comparison

SpecGarmin Forerunner 265Garmin Forerunner 570
GPS battery20 h20 h
Multi-band battery14 h13 h
Smartwatch13 days11 days
Weight47 g47 g
Maps–✓
Multi-band✓✓
Music✓✓
DisplayAMOLEDAMOLED
PriceMid-rangeMid-range

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.

Verdict

For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Garmin Forerunner 265 lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Garmin Forerunner 265. Only Garmin Forerunner 570 brings onboard topo maps for navigation. Both sit in the same price segment, so let battery, weight and the feature you value most decide.

Analysis: where they really differ

The Forerunner 570 is Garmin's answer to the most common question about the 265: why doesn't it have maps? They share an AMOLED touchscreen, dual-frequency multi-band GPS, onboard music and the same training-metrics package. The difference is that the 570 adds full-color topo maps with routing, a first for the Forerunner line below the 965, and battery life stays similar (20 h of GPS with maps on versus 20 h on the 265 without them). In exchange it costs more and doesn't shed weight: both are around 47 g. If you run trail and want to navigate without relying on your phone, the 570 fills a real gap. If you run mostly road or waymarked trail, the 265 gives you the same software for less money.

Choose the Garmin Forerunner 265 if…

  • You run road or waymarked trail and don't need onboard maps
  • You want the cheapest AMOLED Forerunner with multi-band and music
  • You'd rather save money and already know your route by heart

Choose the Garmin Forerunner 570 if…

  • You run trail and want full-color topo maps with routing without moving up to the 965
  • You value having full navigation on a mid-range Forerunner
  • You want the balance between price and maps inside the Garmin ecosystem
View on Amazon: Garmin Forerunner 265(se abre en una pestaña nueva)View on Amazon: Garmin Forerunner 570(se abre en una pestaña nueva)

Frequently asked questions

Which lasts longer, Garmin Forerunner 265 or Garmin Forerunner 570?
Garmin Forerunner 265 offers 20 h of GPS battery and Garmin Forerunner 570 offers 20 h, so Garmin Forerunner 265 lasts longer for long efforts.
Which one is lighter?
Garmin Forerunner 265 weighs 47 g and Garmin Forerunner 570 weighs 47 g; Garmin Forerunner 265 is the lighter of the two.
Do both have onboard maps?
Only Garmin Forerunner 570 includes onboard topo maps.
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