Garmin Forerunner 265 vs 970 for HYROX: Is the $300 Upgrade Worth It?
Forerunner 265 vs 970 for HYROX: $449.99 vs $749.99 at launch, battery, maps, flashlight and ECG compared, and which one a HYROX racer actually needs.
Key takeaways
- The Forerunner 265 launched at $449.99 in March 2023; the 970 at $749.99 in May 2025. That's a $300 gap at launch prices.
- Both have AMOLED screens and Garmin's training readiness tools. The 970 adds maps, a flashlight, a speaker and mic, ECG and sapphire glass.
- Claimed battery: 265 up to 13 days smartwatch / 20 hours GPS; 970 up to 15 days / 26 hours.
- Neither has a built-in HYROX race mode. For race-day lap timing, the 265 does the job; the 970 is for runners who want Garmin's best training tools and maps.
The Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 970 sit at two ends of Garmin’s running range: a mid-price all-rounder and the flagship. Here’s how they compare on paper, and what actually matters for a race that’s half running and half stations.
This comparison is based on published reviews and specs, listed under Sources. We haven’t tested either watch ourselves. Our Amazon links are affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.
Side by side
| Forerunner 265 | Forerunner 970 | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $449.99 (Mar 2023) | $749.99 (May 2025) |
| Display | AMOLED, 1.3” (46 mm case) | AMOLED, 1.4”, sapphire (47 mm titanium bezel) |
| Weight | 47 g | 56 g |
| Battery, smartwatch | Up to 13 days | Up to 15 days |
| Battery, GPS | Up to 20 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| Maps | No (breadcrumb and course navigation only) | Yes |
| Flashlight | No | Yes |
| Speaker and mic | No | Yes |
| ECG | No | Yes |
| Training readiness | Yes | Yes, plus Running Tolerance and Impact Load |
Specs for the 265 from Coach and TechRadar; for the 970 from DC Rainmaker and TechRadar. There’s also a smaller 265S with a 1.1” screen and slightly longer claimed battery.
What matters for HYROX
Lap timing and a readable screen. Both watches have bright AMOLED displays and a lap button, which is what you need on race day. Neither has a built-in HYROX mode, so you set up a profile yourself. Our best watch for HYROX guide covers the setups, and the Amazfit Balance 3 if you want a dedicated HYROX mode.
GPS doesn’t matter much on race day. HYROX is indoors, and indoor GPS distance is unreliable, so both watches are really lap timers there. The 970’s extra GPS battery and maps help on long outdoor runs, not in the hall.
Heart rate during stations. Both use wrist optical sensors. Coach saw the 265’s wrist readings sometimes spike, possibly locking onto cadence, and recommended a chest strap for accuracy. That applies to any wrist sensor in gym-style work; see our chest strap vs wrist guide.
Training tools. Both give you Training Readiness. The 970 adds Running Tolerance, which TechRadar’s Sarah Finley said “gives you a clear picture of how much you can train,” and Impact Load, which DC Rainmaker rated the most useful new feature.
What the reviewers said
Forerunner 265. Coach called it “an excellent all-round watch” and “a compelling alternative to the top watches in Garmin’s range.” TechRadar said “it’s one of the best Garmin has ever made.” The downsides they noted: no maps, shorter battery than the 255 it replaced, and occasional wrist heart rate spikes.
Forerunner 970. TechRadar’s Finley trained with it for more than nine months and said it “continues to raise the bar when it comes to training support.” DC Rainmaker called it an evolutionary upgrade, but the price rose $150 over the 965 to “a staggering $749.” Read our full Forerunner 970 review.
Which should you buy?
| You are | Pick |
|---|---|
| Training for your first or second HYROX | Forerunner 265 |
| Mostly need lap timing and training load | Forerunner 265 |
| Running high mileage outdoors and want maps | Forerunner 970 |
| Want ECG, a flashlight or calls on your wrist | Forerunner 970 |
| Want a built-in HYROX mode | Neither: look at the Amazfit Balance 3 |
For most HYROX racers, the 265 covers what race day needs, and the $300 difference at launch prices buys a lot of training kit. The 970 makes sense if you’d use the maps, flashlight and newer metrics every week. Prices change often, so compare both before you buy.
Check price on Amazon: Garmin Forerunner 265 · Garmin Forerunner 970 · Amazfit Balance 3
Comparing against a subscription tracker instead? See Whoop vs Garmin for HYROX.
Gear for this
All gearMembership with strap
A screenless strap that tracks strain, sleep and recovery, sold as a membership.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How we choose products.
Quick answers
Is the Garmin Forerunner 265 good enough for HYROX?
Yes, for most racers. It has an AMOLED screen, lap timing, multi-band GPS, training readiness and ANT+ and Bluetooth sensor support. Neither the 265 nor the 970 has a HYROX race mode, so you set up a profile either way.
What does the Forerunner 970 have that the 265 doesn't?
Maps (the 265 has breadcrumb navigation only), a built-in flashlight, a speaker and microphone, ECG, sapphire glass and newer metrics like Running Tolerance and Impact Load.
Which has better battery, the Forerunner 265 or 970?
Garmin claims up to 13 days as a smartwatch and 20 hours of GPS for the 265, and up to 15 days and 26 hours for the 970. Always-on display and multi-band GPS cut both.
Should I buy the Forerunner 265 or 970 for HYROX?
Buy the 265 if you mainly need lap timing and solid training data. Buy the 970 if you run a lot of miles and want maps, the flashlight and Garmin's newest training metrics.
Sources
- Coach: Garmin Forerunner 265 review (Nick Harris-Fry, updated Mar 28, 2023)
- TechRadar: Garmin Forerunner 265 review (Matt Evans, updated Apr 5, 2023)
- DC Rainmaker: Garmin Forerunner 970 in-depth review (Jun 16, 2025)
- TechRadar: Garmin Forerunner 970 review after nine months, by Sarah Finley (Mar 16, 2026)
HYROX Vegas is independent and not affiliated with HYROX. Spot an error? Email team@hyroxvegas.com.
