TheGarmin Forerunner 165is the latest smartwatch in the stove , proffer a suite of fitness lineament from lineage oxygen tracking to sleep monitoring .

But how does this new smartwatch stack up to the latest offering from Google , theFitbit Charge 6 ? We ’ve toil into the specification and features of both wearable devices to learn the primal differences between them .

Before we jump into the features , it ’s of import to note that the Garmin Forerunner 165 has a start price of £ 249.99 . In comparison , the Fitbit Charge 6 is priced at £ 139.99/$159.95 , making it the more low-cost option .

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

So does the Garmin Forerunner 165 rationalize the surplus price , or are you better off spending less on the Fitbit Charge 6 . look into out our comparing guide below to resolve those questions .

Garmin has bigger screen and extra buttons

The Garmin Forerunner 165 looks like a Greco-Roman smartwatch , with a braggart 1.2 - inch AMOLED touchscreen display making it easy to swipe and pink your direction through all of the various menus .

The Fitbit Charge 6 differs greatly in this respect , maintaining the classic Fitbit design with a narrow and rectangular 1.04 - inch AMOLED touchscreen instead . This does at least make the fitness tracker less obtrusive on your wrist , but it ’s also more difficult to cram lots of data point on the screen at one clip .

The larger intent of the Forerunner 165 has also enabled Garmin to correspond more buttons onto the watch : 5 in amount , which reserve you to quickly start an activity timer , scroll through widgets , spark the backlight and more .

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

Meanwhile , the Fitbit thrill 6 only has one button , making you more reliant on the touch silver screen when using the watch .

Garmin Forerunner 165 has a longer battery life

Battery life history figures from manufacturer should always be taken with a pinch of salt until we ’re able-bodied to verify such title through testing . But if we ’re to believe the barrage claims from both Fitbit and Garmin , then it looks like the latter has the edge in this competition .

Garmin claim the Forerunner 165 can last up to 11 days on a individual commission in smartwatch mode . In comparison , the Fitbit accusation 6 can only last up to 7 day , and so is 4 days shy of the stamina on offering from Garmin .

When actuate GPS mode , battery life drip like a Harlan Stone for both wearables . The Garmin Forerunner 165 is apparently capable of up to 19 - time of day stamina in such mode . There are no official claim about the Fitbit Charge 6 battery life with GPS activate , but our test showed that an hour of trailing will deplete the battery by 15 % . Some quick math suggests the Charge 6 can last diffident of 7 hours with GPS turn on .

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

All of this entail that Garmin Forerunner 165 should be able-bodied to last longer between charges , so may be the best choice if you ’re the eccentric to blank out to charge spotter overnight .

Fitbit Charge 6 has access to Google apps

One of the peachy strong suit of the Fitbit Charge 6 is that it ’s possess by Google , and so has admittance to all of the great Google services and apps . These include the like ofGoogle Wallet , Google Maps , and YouTube Music , which are all prominently placed in the watch ’s software .

The Forerunner 165 lack desegregation of these Google services , but Garmin does offer choice . The Garmin Connect app ( uncommitted on both Android and iPhone ) unlock a lot of software package feature of speech , while Garmin Pay allows for contactless defrayment . There ’s also support for Spotify , Deezer and Amazon Music , and so does n’t lock you to one music app like the Fitbit care 6 does with YouTube Music .

afford the quality of Google ’s apps , the Fitbit electric charge 6 may slip the edge when it comes to package . But it all comes down to a subject of penchant , particularly if you ’re not fussed about Google Maps or Google Pay .

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

Garmin Forerunner 165 Music supports downloadable music

Garmin has actually launched two flavours of its new watch : the Forerunner 165 ( £ 249.99 ) and the Forerunner 165 Music ( £ 289.99 ) . The key departure between these two sentinel is that you’re able to download Song and playlists to the latter from apps such as Spotify , Deezer and Amazon Music .

So if you need to heed to euphony during your physical exertion or endure , but do n’t fancy lugging around your telephone , then the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is certainly the sentry to go for .

Fitbit offers more exercise modes

Looking at the feature article leaning of both vesture , there does n’t seem to be a major difference between the two . Both are open of tracking warmness rate , SpO2(blood oxygen ) , and stress levels . you could even get sleep scores from both watches , as the tracking continue overnight .

One of the few domain where the two vigil greatly dissent is in the number of workout modes that are available . Fitbit offers more than 40 different exercise modes , allowing you to track the ilk of run , wheel rides , weight lifting , yoga and more . It ’s an telling selection .

As for the Forerunner 165 , Garmin enounce there are more than 25 bodily function profiles useable , including trail running game , open piddle swim , pickleball , tennis and more , plus new workouts for durability , HIIT , cardio , yoga and Pilates .

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

But while the Fitibt offers a greater number of workout modes , you should n’t discount Garmin . In our experience , the Garmin physical exercise modes in the main offer more data and groovy insights , although the Fitbit is still worth a look if you ’re look for a more obscure activeness .

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

Fitbit Charge 6 on a tree stump showing heart rate.

Fitbit Charge 6 on a tree stump showing heart rate.

Fitbit Charge 6 on a tree stump showing heart rate.

Garmin Forerunner 165 straight on

Garmin Forerunner 165 straight on

Garmin Forerunner 165 straight on

Garmin Forerunner 165 straight on

Garmin Forerunner 165 straight on

Garmin Forerunner 165 straight on

Fitbit Charge on wrist displaying date and heart rate.

Fitbit Charge on wrist displaying date and heart rate.

Fitbit Charge on wrist displaying date and heart rate.

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

Garmin Forerunner 165 angled on tree

Garmin Forerunner 165 straight on

Garmin Forerunner 165 straight on