Garmin Price Drops 2026: Which Models Are Worth Buying Now
Garmin watches are cheaper right now than theyâve been in years. The Forerunner 265 is sitting at $300 (down from $450). The Forerunner 965 dropped to $450. The Instinct 2 Solar is 44% off. This isnât random. Garmin released the Forerunner 170 and 970, and retailers are clearing previous-generation stock aggressively. Hereâs whatâs actually worth buying at these prices.
Why Garmin Prices Are Dropping in 2026
The answer is simple: new models push old ones out. Garmin launched the Forerunner 170 and Forerunner 970 in early 2026, which means the 165, 265, and 965 are now âlast gen.â Retailers need shelf space. Amazon needs to move inventory. And Garmin themselves discount older stock to avoid competing with their own new releases.
This happens every Garmin refresh cycle, and smart buyers know to wait for it. The âoldâ models arenât worse than they were six months ago. They still have the same GPS accuracy, the same training features, the same battery life. They just have a lower number in their name now.
Add Prime Day 2026 into the mix (Android Central confirmed up to 50% off Garminâs most popular models), and youâre looking at the best Garmin buying window since the FR255 clearance in 2024.
The Best Garmin Deals Right Now
Forerunner 265: $300 (was $450, 33% off)
This is the standout deal. The FR265 is genuinely one of the best running watches ever made. AMOLED screen, multiband GPS, training readiness, morning report, race predictor, and a week of battery life. At $450 it was great. At $300 itâs a steal.
Multiple retailers are confirming this price point. Itâs not a one-day flash sale. Stock is being cleared consistently.
The only reason to skip this is if you specifically want the FR170âs newer features (which, honestly, are mostly cosmetic and software tweaks thatâll likely come to the 265 via updates anyway). For the vast majority of runners, the 265 at $300 is the best deal in GPS watches right now.
We broke down the full Forerunner series pricing recently, and the 265 was already our pick for best value. At this discounted price, itâs even more dominant.
Forerunner 965: $450 (was $600, 25% off)
The 965 adds maps, a bigger screen, longer battery, and a titanium bezel over the 265. At full price ($600), the upgrade was hard to justify for most runners. At $450, itâs more interesting.
If you run trails, navigate unfamiliar routes, or want the premium feel of titanium hardware, the $150 savings makes this worth considering. If you just run roads and use the same 3-4 routes, save $150 more and get the 265. The core running features are identical between them.
Forerunner 165: ~$210 (was $300, 30% off)
The budget entry into Garminâs AMOLED lineup. At $210, itâs the cheapest way to get a proper Garmin with a color touchscreen and solid running metrics. It doesnât have multiband GPS or training readiness, but for runners who just want accurate pace/distance/heart rate, itâs more than enough.
This is a killer option for beginners or runners upgrading from an older watch. Check our best GPS watch under $300 guide for how it stacks up against competitors at this price.
Instinct 2 Solar: 44% off
The Instinct line isnât for everyone (it looks like a Casio G-Shock, the screen is monochrome), but 44% off makes it incredibly cheap for a watch with solar charging and âunlimitedâ battery life in certain modes. If you care about never charging your watch and donât need a fancy screen, this is the best value in the Garmin lineup.
Venu Sq 2: 40% off
Not really a running watch. Itâs a fitness tracker with a square screen and smartwatch features. At 40% off itâs fine for casual exercisers who want a Garmin-branded fitness band. Serious runners should look elsewhere.
Vivoactive 5: ~$185
A general fitness smartwatch at a great price. It does running, cycling, swimming, and general health tracking. Not as specialized as the Forerunner line, but more versatile for people who do multiple activities and want a watch that looks normal in an office.
Garmin Price Drops: Full Comparison Table
| Model | Original Price | Current Price | Discount | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forerunner 265 | $450 | ~$300 | 33% off | Buy now. Best value in running watches. |
| Forerunner 965 | $600 | ~$450 | 25% off | Buy if you need maps/trails. |
| Forerunner 165 | $300 | ~$210 | 30% off | Great for beginners on a budget. |
| Instinct 2 Solar | $400 | ~$224 | 44% off | Buy if you want infinite battery. |
| Venu Sq 2 | $300 | ~$180 | 40% off | Skip for running. Fine for general fitness. |
| Vivoactive 5 | $300 | ~$185 | 38% off | Good all-rounder, not a runnerâs watch. |
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
Hereâs my honest take: if you want a Forerunner 265 or 965, buy now. These prices are as low as theyâll get outside of Black Friday. Once clearance stock runs out, youâll be stuck paying full price for the newer 170/970 models.
If youâre interested in the FR170 or FR970 specifically, wait. Those are new releases and wonât see meaningful discounts until late 2026 at the earliest.
The one exception: Prime Day 2026 might push some of these prices even lower for a 48-hour window. If you can wait another few weeks for Prime Day and are flexible on timing, you might save an extra $20-50. But the current deals are already excellent, and stock could run out before then.
The Forerunner 265 at $300: Why Itâs the Winner
Let me be specific about why the FR265 at $300 is the best deal here. At this price, it costs the same as a COROS PACE 3 or Apple Watch SE, but offers:
Multiband GPS (most accurate consumer GPS available). Training readiness scores based on sleep, HRV, and recent training. Morning report with daily suggestions. Race predictor based on your actual training data. AMOLED touchscreen with 13-day battery in smartwatch mode. Full Garmin ecosystem access (Connect, Coach, courses).
That feature set at $300 is borderline unfair to the competition. The only watches that compete at this price are the COROS PACE 3 (better battery, worse screen, fewer features) and the Polar Pacer Pro (arguably better training guidance, worse ecosystem).
If youâve been on the fence about upgrading, the FR265 pricing breakdown we did recently explains exactly why this is the sweet spot.
What About the Competition?
These Garmin price drops donât exist in a vacuum. COROS, Polar, and Apple all have competitive watches. But hereâs the thing: those brands rarely discount as aggressively as Garmin does during model transitions. COROS keeps prices stable. Polar discounts modestly. Apple refreshes annually and old models disappear fast.
Garminâs aggressive clearance pricing creates a window where youâre getting a $450 watch for $300. That kind of value gap doesnât exist from other brands right now. Check our best GPS running watches for 2026 for the full landscape, but the short version is: Garmin owns the value conversation right now.
The Bottom Line
The best time to buy a Garmin in 2026 is right now. The FR265 at $300 is the best deal, the FR965 at $450 is great for trail runners who want maps, and the FR165 at $210 is perfect for beginners. Donât overthink it. These are proven watches at clearance prices. They wonât stay this cheap forever.
FAQ
Will the Forerunner 265 get cheaper on Prime Day 2026?
Possibly by $20-50, but current prices are already at historic lows. If stock sells out before Prime Day, youâll miss the deal entirely. Iâd buy now unless youâre extremely price-sensitive and willing to gamble on availability.
Is the Forerunner 170 worth waiting for instead of buying the 265 on sale?
The FR170 will cost $300-350 at launch with minor upgrades over the 265 (slightly refined software, small design tweaks). The 265 at $300 gives you 90% of the same experience for less money. Unless Garmin announces something revolutionary, the 265 on sale is the smarter buy.
Should I buy the Forerunner 265 or 965 at current prices?
Get the 265 unless you specifically need onboard maps for trail navigation or unfamiliar routes. The core running features (GPS, HR, training metrics) are identical. The 965 adds maps, titanium bezel, bigger screen, and longer battery. Thatâs worth $150 to some runners, not to others.
Are these Garmin deals available internationally?
Pricing varies by country, but the clearance trend is global. European and UK retailers are also discounting the FR265 and FR965 by similar percentages. Check your local Amazon, Garminâs regional store, and authorized retailers.
How long will these Garmin discounts last?
Until stock runs out. Most retailers have 2-4 months of clearance inventory for previous-gen Garmin models. After that, youâll only find them secondhand. The deepest discounts tend to happen in the first 3 months after a new model launches.