Tech

I Upgraded From the Garmin Forerunner 165 to the 170, and Here's How to Decide If You Should Too

By Alex • June 13, 2026
I Upgraded From the Garmin Forerunner 165 to the 170, and Here's How to Decide If You Should Too

I Upgraded From the Garmin Forerunner 165 to the 170, and Here's How to Decide If You Should Too

My Garmin Forerunner 165 has been a trusty companion on countless runs. It's affordable, accurate, and gets the job done. So, when Garmin dropped its successor, the Forerunner 170, my inner tech-runner screamed: Is this the upgrade I need, or just a new coat of paint? After logging miles and diving deep into both, here’s my take on whether you should stick with the 165, jump to the 170, or consider a different path.

The Price Tag: A Tale of Two Numbers

Officially, the Forerunner 170 starts at article99, a $50 bump over the 165’s article49. Music versions follow suit with a similar gap. But here’s the kicker: the Forerunner 165 is almost always on sale. At any given time, you can usually find it for around article00-article20, making the real-world difference closer to

00. That's a significant chunk of change for what seems like an incremental update.

(Quick note: Garmin also launched the Forerunner 70 at article49. It's a solid contender worth looking into, and I’ll be comparing it to the 170 soon.)

What's (Almost) Identical

Put the 165 and 170 side-by-side, and you'd be forgiven for playing a game of "spot the difference." Both sport sleek, lightweight plastic cases, vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreens, and the familiar five-button control layout. Comfort-wise, they're indistinguishable.

Under the hood, they share the same reliable GPS and optical heart rate sensors. If you were hoping for a major hardware leap in tracking accuracy, you'll need to eye Garmin's higher-tier models. The 170 does add a gyroscope, which helps with more nuanced movement tracking during activities, but it's not a game-changer for most.

Where the 170 Actually Shines: Software Smarts

The real value in the Forerunner 170 is almost entirely in its software. Garmin brought some of its premium analytics, previously reserved for pricier models like the Forerunner 570 and 970, down to this more accessible tier. We're talking:

  • Training Readiness: A daily score that tells you how prepared you are for a tough workout. Essential for avoiding burnout.
  • Training Status: Tracks if your current training load is actually improving your fitness or just leaving you fatigued.
  • Acute Load: Another metric to gauge your short-term training intensity.
  • Quick Workout Feature: Great for new runners, letting you generate a structured run based purely on desired effort (easy, moderate, hard) and duration.

There are smaller perks too, like a calculator app and new widgets for Lifestyle Logging, Health Status, Evening Report, and Sleep Coach. On the flip side, the 170's battery life is a touch shorter (10 days vs. 11-13 days for the 165) – a trade-off for those expanded features.

So, Which One Should You Hack Your Life With?

My verdict hinges on your running philosophy:

  • For the Data-Driven Runner (or aspiring one): If you thrive on analytics, want to optimize recovery, and obsess over fitness trends, the Forerunner 170 is worth the upgrade. Plus, it’ll continue to receive software updates and new features, while the 165 has reached its update ceiling.
  • For the Casual Runner (or budget-conscious): If you just want accurate tracking, a great screen, and don't need to deep-dive into recovery scores, the Forerunner 165 remains a fantastic value, especially at its discounted price. You'll save around
    00 for a very capable watch.

Quick Decisions:

  • Buying fresh today? Go for the 170.
  • Already own a 165 and run casually? Don't bother upgrading.
  • Own a 165 but want to chase new performance goals? The 170 is definitely worth a closer look for those advanced metrics.

Choose wisely, and happy running!