Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Suunto Run 2
Nearly identical on paper, both training-tier with dual-band GPS and offline maps, but Run 2 costs $50 less, is 12 grams lighter, and edges out the 265 on GPS battery life, while the 265 counters with Garmin's ecosystem and the stronger, established rating.
GarminGarmin Forerunner 265
SuuntoSuunto Run 2
- •You want Garmin's ecosystem and the more established, higher rating
- •Brand track record matters more to you than the spec sheet alone
- •You want a lighter watch with slightly more GPS battery life for less money
- •You're open to Suunto's app instead of Garmin Connect
The 265 pairs a bright touchscreen with real training-load and recovery metrics, without pushing into flagship pricing. It remains one of the most recommended running watches on the market for good reason: it just covers the bases extremely well.
The Run 2 fixes the two biggest complaints about the original Run: a screen that washed out in direct sun and zero offline mapping. It now hits 2,000 nits, adds free worldwide offline maps standard, and swaps in a redesigned 12-channel heart rate sensor and Suunto's newest dual-band GNSS chip. A Marathon Mode with Ghost Runner pacing tool rounds out a genuinely useful jump for a watch that's still just 35 grams on the wrist.
*Estimated — this model's exact GPS battery life isn't published by the manufacturer. All figures are standard GPS mode, midsize case, no solar boost.
†Estimated — this model launched too recently to have an established customer rating yet.
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