What We Know About the Garmin Vivoactive 5, Forerunner 165 Deals

Three Garmin fitness watches are discounted this week, with the entry-level Vivoactive 5 and Forerunner 165 both available for less than $200, according to a Wired report published October 24, 2026.

What is the Garmin Vivoactive 5 sale price?

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is selling for $198 directly from Garmin, down from its $300 list price, a 34 percent discount, according to Wired. Amazon lists the same watch at $209, a 16 percent cut from $250, while Best Buy has it priced at $270 with no discount noted. The Vivoactive 5 launched in 2023 and includes Garmin's Body Battery energy tracker, sleep coaching, and stress tracking. Wired commerce editor Harry Rabinowitz, who covers fitness tech for the outlet, describes it as "a great first Garmin watch" that is smaller and sleeker than the brand's outdoor-focused lineup.

How much is the Forerunner 165 discounted?

The Forerunner 165 is priced at $196 on Amazon, a 22 percent discount from its $250 list price, Wired reports. Garmin's own site lists the watch at its full $250 price with no reduction. The Forerunner 165 has a color touchscreen paired with Garmin's five-button layout — three buttons on the left side of the watch and two on the right. Rabinowitz writes that the buttons make the watch easy to operate during runs: "The ample buttons make it easy to control this watch, even when I'm running outside with gloves on," he said, according to Wired's review.

Battery life on the Forerunner 165 runs up to 11 days, per Wired, and the watch includes Garmin's running-focused tools: detailed pace and distance metrics, preset training plans, daily workout suggestions, and a training-effect score that measures aerobic and anaerobic load.

Does the discount also apply to the Garmin Venu 3?

Yes. The Garmin Venu 3 is listed at $299 on Amazon, down from $450, a 34 percent cut, according to Wired. Target and Best Buy both list the watch at its full $450 price. The Venu 3 launched in 2023 alongside the Vivoactive 5 but adds a stainless steel bezel, built-in speakers and a microphone for taking calls from the wrist, and Garmin's Elevate 5 heart rate sensor with ECG capability. Wired describes the upgrade as "the Vivoactive" with "a major glow-up."

What features come with each watch?

All three watches share core Garmin health tracking: heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress measurement. Where they differ is design and focus. The Vivoactive 5 is built for everyday fitness tracking in a lightweight case. The Forerunner 165 is aimed at runners who want detailed pace, training-load, and workout-planning data alongside long battery life. The Venu 3 adds premium materials and on-wrist calling but keeps the same base health-tracking software as the other two models, according to Wired's rundown.

None of the three watches is a current-generation release — all launched in 2023 — which is part of why Wired frames the discounts as a way to get into the Garmin ecosystem without paying for the company's newer, pricier models, some of which list above $1,000.

Where can shoppers find the lowest price?

Pricing varies by retailer, according to Wired's listings:

• Garmin Vivoactive 5: $198 at Garmin.com (34% off $300); $209 at Amazon (16% off $250); $270 at Best Buy (no discount)
• Garmin Forerunner 165: $196 at Amazon (22% off $250); $250 at Garmin.com (no discount)
• Garmin Venu 3: $299 at Amazon (34% off $450); $450 at Target and Best Buy (no discount)

The lowest advertised price for each watch currently sits with a different retailer, so shoppers comparing the three models will need to check Garmin's own site alongside Amazon, Best Buy, and Target before buying. Wired did not list an end date for the discounts, and retailer pricing can change without notice.

Shoppers deciding between the three should weigh use case over price alone, per Wired's guidance: the Forerunner 165 suits runners who want training metrics, the Vivoactive 5 suits general fitness tracking in a smaller case, and the Venu 3 suits buyers who want calling features and a more polished design for roughly $100 more than the other two models.