Running watch with Music
The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is an affordable, runner-focused GPS smartwatch featuring a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display (390×390 resolution) paired with physical buttons for easy navigation, all in a lightweight 43mm fiber-reinforced polymer case weighing just 39g. It offers built-in music storage for up to 500 songs or playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer (subscriptions required), enabling phone-free listening via Bluetooth headphones. With multi-GNSS support for accurate pace, distance, and tracking, it includes wrist-based heart rate monitoring, 25+ activity profiles (running, cycling, HIIT, strength, and more), personalized daily suggested workouts, adaptive Garmin Coach training plans for 5K to half-marathon distances, recovery insights, sleep/nap tracking, morning reports, and smart features like notifications and Garmin Pay. Battery life reaches up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and about 19 hours in GPS mode (slightly reduced with music), making it a highly value-packed option for runners seeking vibrant visuals, solid training tools, and music convenience without premium pricing.
Key Features
Bright and Responsive AMOLED Display
The Forerunner 165 Music features a vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen with 390×390 resolution, delivering sharp, colorful visuals that remain clear even in bright outdoor conditions. Combined with traditional physical buttons for reliable control during sweaty or gloved runs, this display makes viewing stats, maps, and notifications intuitive and glanceable without compromising usability.
Built-in Music Storage and Playback
With onboard music storage supporting up to 500 songs or playlists, users can download content directly from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer (subscriptions required) and pair Bluetooth headphones for completely phone-free listening. This feature keeps runners motivated with their favorite tracks during workouts, eliminating the need to carry a smartphone on every run.
Advanced Running Training Tools
The watch provides personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt based on recent performance, recovery status, and race goals, alongside free Garmin Coach adaptive training plans tailored for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances. These tools help runners progress efficiently with structured guidance and real-time feedback on pace, heart rate zones, and effort.
Comprehensive Health and Recovery Insights
Equipped with wrist-based heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep tracking including nap detection, recovery time estimates, and a morning report summarizing sleep, HRV status, and training readiness, the Forerunner 165 Music offers a complete picture of daily wellness. This enables smarter training decisions by highlighting when to push harder or prioritize rest.
Long Battery Life and Full Smart Features
Offering up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and approximately 19 hours in GPS mode (with music use reducing runtime modestly), the device ensures reliable performance for extended training sessions. Additional smart capabilities include smartphone notifications, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and seamless integration with the Garmin Connect app for detailed analytics, challenges, and community features.
What’s in the Box
- Forerunner 165 Music
- Charging cable
- Documentation
FAQs
What is the difference between the Garmin Forerunner 165 and 165 Music models?
The 165 Music includes 4 GB of internal storage for up to 500 songs and offline music playback from services like Spotify or Amazon Music, while the standard 165 lacks this feature; both share the same AMOLED display, training tools, and battery life otherwise.
What is the battery life like for the Forerunner 165 Music during GPS activities?
It offers up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, 19 hours in GPS-only mode, or 7 hours in GPS mode with music playback; actual runtime varies based on screen brightness, notifications, and heart rate monitoring usage.
Does the Forerunner 165 Music track sleep, heart rate, and stress levels?
Yes, it features wrist-based heart rate monitoring with HRV status, advanced sleep tracking with stages and scores, and all-day stress monitoring, all integrated into the Body Battery energy metric for overall wellness insights.
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