Table of Contents
Contactless payment: Gadget or really useful?
The 255 can pay without a phone. The 165 no. If you’re running without a wallet and stopping at a coffee shop, it’s convenient. Otherwise, it’s marketing.
Honestly ? You have your phone or a map. It’s not a game-changer.
Music versions: Embedded music
Both exist in Music versions. You store up to 500 songs directly on the watch. You run without a phone. You listen to your playlists.
The 165 Music costs €249. The 255 Music costs €349. Even 100€ difference.
- Storage: 500 songs on both
- Audio quality: same, depends on your headphones
- Battery: slightly impacted by music, but acceptable
- Interest: True if you run without a phone, false otherwise
Price: The strong argument
165: €199 (or €249 in Music)
255: €299 (or €349 in Music)
100€ difference. It’s budget. For a casual runner, this is huge. For someone who runs 4 times a week, it’s an investment.
You sometimes find discounts. The 255 goes down to €249 on sale. The 165 at €149. At these prices, the 255 becomes interesting.
Which watch to choose?
Take the Forerunner 165 if:
- You run less than 3 times a week
- Your outings are rarely more than 15km
- You have a limited budget (less than €250)
- You don’t need detailed maps
- You mainly run on the road
Take the Forerunner 255 if:
- Are you preparing for a marathon or a half?
- You do trail or mountain running regularly
- You run 4+ times per week
- Are you really interested in long GPS battery life?
- You want a more complete watch for everyday life
- You have the budget (300€+)
Comparison 255 vs 165: The opposite
If you search for “255 vs 165”, it’s the same question. The 255 is more expensive, more powerful, more autonomous. The 165 is lighter, less expensive, sufficient for the majority.
No bad choices. Just different priorities.
FAQ: The real questions
Can the 165 go trail riding?
Yes. But without maps. You follow your GPS track. It’s less comfortable than the 255 with TopoActive, but it works.
Which is best for marathons?
The 255. 25 hours of GPS autonomy is reassuring. The 165 lasts 16 hours. A marathon is 4-5 hours. You are broad. But if you’re doing an ultra, the 255 wins.
Is music really useful?
Up to you. Do you run with headphones and without a phone? Yes. Do you have your phone? No, it’s unnecessary weight.
Which is more durable?
Both. Garmin builds solid. Replaceable battery on both. Software updated for years. No difference.
Can we use them for other sports?
Yes. Swimming, cycling, weight training, yoga. Both manage. The 255 has more training profiles (100+ vs 50+), but that’s detail.
Which one for a beginner?
The 165. Cheaper, less intimidating, enough to learn. You will upgrade later if you need to.
What is the best price currently?
The 165 rarely drops below €149. The 255 is on sale for €249. Wait for promotional periods (Black Friday, summer sales) to save money.
Compatibility with Strava?
Both sync with Strava automatically. No difference.
Final verdict
The Forerunner 165 is an excellent watch. Light, autonomous, precise. You won’t regret.
The Forerunner 255 is better in almost every way. But it costs 100€ more. It’s up to you to decide if that difference is worth it.
If you are still hesitant: take the 165. You save €100. You find out if you really like running with a GPS watch. In 2 years you will know if you needed the 255.
