Garmin smartwatch deals: Venu 3 and Forerunner 265 discounted at Amazon
Fitness enthusiasts looking for a new Garmin watch have two notable deals to consider at Amazon. The Garmin Venu 3 Fitness Smartwatch is available for $300, down from its regular price of $450—a $150 discount that represents 33% off, as reported by Kotaku. Meanwhile, Mashable reports that the Garmin Forerunner 265 is on sale for $349.99 as of Aug. 18, saving $100 off the list price of $449.99, or 22%.
Both watches cater to different segments of the fitness market. The Venu 3 is positioned as a lifestyle smartwatch that balances health monitoring with everyday functionality, while the Forerunner 265 is designed with runners in mind, offering a range of training-specific features.
Venu 3: A lifestyle-focused health tracker
According to Kotaku, the Venu 3 offers a battery life of up to 14 days on a single charge in the 45mm size. The watch features a 1.4-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 454 by 454 pixels, protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and surrounded by a stainless steel bezel.
A built-in speaker and microphone allow users to take calls directly from their wrist and interact with voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant. The watch comes with more than 30 preloaded sports apps, including wheelchair-specific activities.
Kotaku highlights the sleep and recovery features as a major focus of the Venu 3. The Sleep Coach analyzes recent activity, recovery levels, and sleep duration to provide personalized recommendations on how many hours of sleep are needed each night. The watch also includes nap detection, which adds naps to recovery metrics shortly after detecting that the wearer has fallen asleep.
Another key feature is the Body Battery, which assesses energy levels by evaluating heart rate variability, stress, sleep, and daily activities. The score ranges from 1 to 100, with higher readings typically appearing during rest and lower readings following strenuous exercise. The Morning Report provides a daily overview of sleep, recovery levels, HRV status, and upcoming events.
For users who rely on GPS tracking, the Venu 3's battery life drops to approximately 26 hours of continuous use, according to Kotaku.
Forerunner 265: Built for runners
Mashable describes the Forerunner 265 as part of Garmin's range designed specifically for runners, though it offers versatility beyond that. The watch includes over 30 built-in activity profiles, covering running, triathlons, cycling, open-water swimming, and more.
Training features include a morning report that covers sleep, recovery, and training outlook, as well as a training readiness score based on sleep, recovery, training load, and HRV status. Users preparing for a race can enter the race and course details into the Garmin Connect app to receive personalized plans and workouts, as noted by Mashable.
The Forerunner 265 is available in three color options: black and powder gray, aqua and black, and whitestone and tidal blue. It features a 46mm design with an AMOLED touchscreen and traditional button controls, providing a bright display while maintaining the tactile navigation that many Garmin users prefer.
Choosing between the two
The decision between the Venu 3 and the Forerunner 265 may come down to individual priorities. The Venu 3 emphasizes sleep tracking, energy management, and communication features, making it a strong choice for those who want a smartwatch that doubles as a comprehensive health companion. The Forerunner 265, as Mashable notes, is geared toward runners and multisport athletes, offering more specialized training insights and race preparation tools.
Both deals are currently available at Amazon, with the Venu 3 priced at $300 and the Forerunner 265 at $349.99. Shoppers can take advantage of these discounts while supplies last.