Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Forerunner 165 – Which Should You Buy?

Choosing the right smartwatch often comes down to balancing lifestyle, fitness goals, and budget. The Garmin Forerunner 165 and Garmin Vivoactive 5 are both designed for users who value health tracking and performance insights, but they serve slightly different audiences. The Forerunner 165 is built for dedicated runners who prioritize precision tracking and training tools. The Vivoactive 5, on the other hand, offers a broader wellness experience with more lifestyle-oriented features. This comparison highlights the key differences to help you decide which model best fits your daily routine and fitness needs.

Side by Side Comparison

Detailed Feature Comparisons

Design and Build Quality: The Forerunner 165 has a lightweight polymer body designed for endurance athletes who prefer a minimal feel during training. The Vivoactive 5 incorporates an aluminum bezel that gives it a more premium aesthetic, appealing to users who wear their smartwatch all day, from the gym to casual outings.

Display: Both models feature vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED displays with high contrast and sharp resolution. The Vivoactive 5 tends to emphasize aesthetics with smoother animations and slightly richer color calibration, while the Forerunner 165 optimizes brightness and readability during outdoor runs.

Performance Tracking: The Forerunner 165 focuses on running efficiency and precision with advanced metrics such as cadence, training effect, and recovery time. The Vivoactive 5 tracks a wider variety of activities but doesn’t go as deep into performance analytics, making it better suited for casual fitness enthusiasts.

GPS Accuracy: The Forerunner 165 uses multi-band GNSS, allowing it to deliver higher positional accuracy in dense environments such as forests or city streets. The Vivoactive 5’s standard GNSS is reliable for general use but less accurate in challenging terrains.

Health and Wellness Monitoring: The Vivoactive 5 offers broader health insights, including sleep coaching, stress tracking, and body battery energy levels. The Forerunner 165 focuses more on recovery and endurance metrics, providing HRV status and VO2 Max for structured training improvement.

Battery and Charging: Both watches offer similar overall endurance with about 11 days in smartwatch mode. The Vivoactive 5 lasts slightly longer in GPS tracking mode, while the Forerunner 165 focuses on maintaining consistency during performance sessions.

Smart Features: The Vivoactive 5 supports on-watch text replies (for Android users), contactless payments, and music playback with ease. The Forerunner 165 includes most of these but is designed to reduce background processes to preserve tracking accuracy and battery.

Activity Modes: The Vivoactive 5 includes a diverse list of activity profiles such as yoga, Pilates, and golf, while the Forerunner 165 prioritizes running and high-intensity training with customizable data screens for performance tracking.

User Interface: Both models feature Garmin’s updated interface with smooth navigation. The Vivoactive 5 integrates more lifestyle widgets such as calendar and hydration tracking. The Forerunner 165 keeps its layout optimized for training stats and workout feedback.

Durability: Both models share a 5 ATM water rating suitable for swimming and everyday wear. However, the Forerunner’s lighter build makes it more comfortable for extended sports sessions, whereas the Vivoactive feels sturdier and more stylish for daily use.

FAQ

Is the Garmin Forerunner 165 better for runners than the Vivoactive 5?
Yes, the Forerunner 165 offers more accurate multi-band GPS and running-focused metrics like cadence, VO2 Max, and HRV tracking, making it better suited for serious runners.

Does the Vivoactive 5 have more smartwatch features?
Yes, the Vivoactive 5 offers a richer lifestyle experience with features such as text replies, sleep coaching, and body battery monitoring.

Can both watches play music without a phone?
Yes, both models allow offline music playback through services like Spotify and Amazon Music when connected to Wi-Fi.

Which model has better GPS performance?
The Forerunner 165 provides superior GPS accuracy thanks to its multi-band GNSS, which performs better in dense or obstructed environments.

Do both watches have AMOLED displays?
Yes, both the Forerunner 165 and Vivoactive 5 come with bright AMOLED displays that are easy to read indoors and outdoors.

Is there a big difference in battery life?
Not significantly. Both models last around 11 days in smartwatch mode, though the Vivoactive 5 may last slightly longer in GPS mode.

Which watch is lighter and better for workouts?
The Forerunner 165 is lighter at 39 grams, offering a more comfortable fit for long training sessions.

Can both watches handle swimming?
Yes, both watches have a 5 ATM water resistance rating, suitable for pool and open-water swimming.

Which one is more stylish for daily wear?
The Vivoactive 5, with its aluminum bezel and sleek design, is more appealing for casual and office settings.

Do both models support Garmin Pay?
Yes, both watches support Garmin Pay for contactless payments, making them convenient for on-the-go purchases.