Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 2: Side-by-side Comparison
By Naila Syifa
Updated March 2024
While the Forerunner series is geared more toward runners and racers, the Venu series is better known for its stylish designs that meet with a range of health and fitness features. But what exactly are the differences between the Garmin Forerunner 165 and the Venu 2? Let's compare both models in detail across 5 important aspects!
Key Takeaways
Forerunner 165 offers more running and training-focused features than Venu 2. It also offers Nap Detection while Venu 2 doesn't, but Venu 2 has music storage and animated workout features unavailable in Forerunner 165. Venu 2 also wins in terms of display size, resolution, and premium materials used in the build.
Garmin Forerunner 165
Entry-Level Running and Training
GPS smartwatch with health monitoring and fitness tracking for first-time runners and racers.
Garmin Venu 2
Mind & Body Connected
GPS smartwatch with advanced health monitoring, fitness tracking, and smartwatch features for people with active lifestyles.
#1 Price
Garmin Forerunner 165
Garmin Forerunner 165 is more affordable than the Venu 2, making it a better option for budget-conscious athletes. It is priced at around US$250, while the Venu 2 is priced at around US$400.
However, as Venu 2 is an older model that has been released since 2021, you may find some good deals or discounts on it in some retailers, bringing its price down to a more affordable level.
#2 Design & Display
Garmin Venu 2
Venu 2, just like any other mode in the Venu series, puts a great emphasis on its design. The watch bezel is made of premium-looking stainless steel while the lens is made of damage-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Its vibrant 1.3" AMOLED display with a resolution of 416 x 416 pixels offers a bright and colorful viewing experience, even in direct sunlight.
The Forerunner 165 also features a vibrant AMOLED display but with a slightly smaller display size of 1.2" and a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels. The lens of the Forerunner 165 is made of chemically strengthened glass, which is less durable than the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 used in the Venu 2. The watch also features a bezel made of fiber-reinforced polymer and a textured silicone strap, which makes it look more sporty than the Venu 2.
#3 Health & Fitness Features
Garmin Forerunner 165
In terms of health and fitness features, both watches have their own unique strengths. The Forerunner 165 is more focused on running and racing, with advanced features like PacePro Pacing Strategies, Race Predictor, Daily Suggested Workouts, Running Dynamics, and so on. It also supports a wider type of running workouts, including trail running, treadmill running, track running, and virtual running.
On the other hand, Venu 2 supports more recreational and lifestyle sports not available in the Forerunner 165, such as rowing, skiing, snowboarding, indoor climbing, golf, and so on. It even offers On-Screen Workout Animations and On-Screen Workout Muscle Maps for certain exercises like Yoga, Pilates, and Cardio, which is not available in the Forerunner 165.
Garmin Venu 2
Despite those distinctions, both watches share common basic health and fitness features like heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, Body Battery energy monitoring, activity tracking, stress tracking, and others. Both models also have advanced sleep monitoring, but the Forerunner 165 also tracks daytime naps while the Venu 2 doesn't.
If you're leaning towards the Venu 2 model but also want the Nap Detection in the Forerunner 165, consider the Venu 3 instead. The Venu 3 even supports many more sports like badminton, basketball, boxing, table tennis, etc.
Read also:
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 3: Which One Should You Choose?
Garmin Venu 3 vs Venu 2: Is It Worth Upgrading?
#4 Smartwatch Features
Garmin Venu 2
Both the Garmin Forerunner 165 and the Venu 2 offer a range of smartwatch features, such as smart notifications, weather forecasts, a calendar, contactless payments with GarminPay, and a range of safety & tracking features like incident detection, assistance, and livetrack. With an Android phone, you can also respond to texts and or reject a phone call with texts right from the watch's face.
The Forerunner 165 even allows you to view images from notifications on the watch (Android only), and automatically share your race event progress and data with your family and friends via text with the Live Event Sharing feature. This model also features a Morning Report, which gives you a personalized briefing on your day ahead with customizable information for things like weather, calendar events, and health data.
Both watches allow you to play and control smartphone music directly from your wrist, but the Venu 2 goes a step further with built-in music storage, so you can download and store music directly on the watch and listen to it without needing your phone nearby.
#5 Battery Life
Garmin Forerunner 165
Garmin Forerunner 165 and Venu 2 both have battery life that can last for up to 11 days in smartwatch mode. However, on battery saver mode, the Forerunner 165 can last longer for up to 20 days, while the Venu 2 can last up to only 12 days. If you need longer battery life, the Forerunner 165 is a better choice, especially if you plan to use it for longer activities like ultramarathons or multi-day hikes.
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 2
Final Thoughts
Garmin Venu 2
To sum up, both Garmin Forerunner 165 and Venu 2 have their own unique strengths and weaknesses in terms of design, health and fitness features, smartwatch features, battery life, and price.
If you're looking for a watch that is more affordable and geared specifically toward running and racing, then the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the better option. It has a longer-lasting battery life and offers distinctive features like Nap Detection, Live Event Sharing, and Morning Report.
On the other hand, the Venu 2 is the better choice for people looking for a stylish watch that offers a wider range of sports and lifestyle features. Its unique features like On-Screen Workout Animations, On-Screen Workout Muscle Maps, and music storage can enhance your workout experience and make it more enjoyable.
If you like to read more on Garmin smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 265
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 55
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Vivoactive 5
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu Sq 2
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