Garmin Forerunner 965 vs. Epix (Gen 2): Which to Buy?

Choosing between the Garmin Epix Gen 2 Vs Forerunner 965 isn’t easy—both are packed with top-tier features, but which one is the best fit for your lifestyle?

When I decided to get myself a new smartwatch, it seemed like there were just too many choices out there. After months of researching, it all boiled down to two highly-appreciated Garmin watches: the Forerunner 965 and the Garmin Epix (Gen 2). Pretty evenly matched watches in many ways, it was by no means easy to make the choice. 

Therefore, I have decided to try both of them and further on, I will share my experience with you to help you make an optimal choice to suit your particular needs.

Now, this was going to be an exciting comparison: two behemoth smartwatches, filled with features, but in essence, which one would really suit your lifestyle?

Let me break down all the details to help you find out which watch you should wear!

Garmin Epix Gen 2 vs Forerunner 965 Specs

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Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Epix Gen 2 comparison

When comparing Garmin Forerunner 965 with Epix Gen 2, a multitude of aspects come into comparison: design, features, performance, battery life, and price. A detailed comparison will look somewhat like this:

Design and Display: Sleek vs. Sturdy 

The first thing I noticed was how different the Garmin Forerunner 965 and the Epix 2, felt on my wrist. They are both 47mm in case size, yet they felt quite different. Garmin Forerunner 965 felt slender, lightweight, and instantly comfortable and premium watch. Still relatively slender at only 13.2mm thick, its AMOLED display was slightly larger by comparison at 1.4 inches.

I love the thin bezel around the screen; it gives it a modern feel. The same goes with the display, which it allows me to view more and is a definite plus when checking stats or using the GPS for navigation.

The Epix2, by comparison, felt bulkier due to the weight – though not heavy in any bad sense of the word. Measuring 14.5mm thick, it’s rugged, and with a sapphire crystal lens fronting things, the immediate vibe is that this is one tough customer. 

If you’re really outdoorsy and into tons of bouldering or windsurfing, this added toughness alone might be a huge selling point. The Epix 2 also has a somewhat smaller screen at 1.3 inches, but still display quality is as crisp thanks to its AMOLED screen.

Durability: Ready for Adventure

Speaking of materials, though, the Epix Gen 2 certainly shines with sapphire glass and a titanium bezel.

With its rugged build and 10 ATM water resistance rating which means it could withstand pressure up to 100 meters, I was way more confident on hikes and trail runs with the Epix. The degree of waterproofing made it a no-brainer when testing it out for water activities. If you are one of those who love swimming or diving, perhaps the Epix might seem the better choice.

It’s on the Forerunner 965 that you get Gorilla Glass and a 5 ATM water rating, good for 50 meters, which is still good but perhaps shall not cut it for extreme underwater activities. For me, though, the sleeker design of the Forerunner 965 made it more conducive for everyday wear.

Battery Life: Does Size Matter?

So, the battery life is very important to me, and I don’t want to charge it each day. The battery performance for both was great, but still, the Forerunner 965 had been at an edge. I could get an astonishing 23 days on smartwatch mode, enabling AOD it still would last me around seven days.

It wasn’t like the Epix 2 slouched, but its less battery life lasted about 16 days in smartwatch mode and six days with AOD. Using multi-band GPS on the Epix gave me about 20 hours of juice, while the Forerunner lasted around 19 hours. So slight differences, really, but if super-long battery life is essential to you, the Forerunner 965 is just a smidge better in that department.

Fitness tracking and health concerns are tied.

But when it comes to fitness tracking, the two are extravagantly similar. At a basic level, they both have almost all of the same Garmin staples: the Pulse Ox sensor, an altimeter, a barometer, and an Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor.

When I put them through workouts, they both offered spot-on data regarding my VO2 max, cadence sensor, and heart rate variability (HRV). I took them for a run; both tracked my route and heart rate with near-identical accuracy.

One thing I noticed after using both watches is the accuracy of their heart rate sensors. While both provide reliable data, I found the Epix to offer slightly better performance when it comes to tracking heart rate during more intense activities. However, both are excellent when paired with a chest strap for even more precise HR data.

Forerunner 965 and Epix both support multi-sport modes and are good to go for pro athletes or people training for events like the triathlon.

One difference I could pick up, though, is that Epix actually supports more golf features, including Virtual Caddie and Plays Like Distance. To the avid golfer, that may be your game-changer.

Software and User Interface: 

Almost Indistinguishable Speaking of UI, there isn’t much separating the two: both run the intuitive Garmin software and support a number of apps and widgets installed. For me, the touchscreen was responsive and easy to use on both watches.

The only notable UI difference is that the Epix seems a bit more polished when navigating the features of the thing. Conversely, the Forerunner 965 was quicker to navigate on , likely due in part to the lightening of the design in this model.

Immediately, both watches connected to the Garmin Connect application on my phone, which actually allowed me to see some pretty in-depth statistics about my sleep, exercises, and health. Also, both support software features like Garmin Pay, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Smart.

Forerunner 965 vs Epix 2 Price: Which is the better deal?

Price-wise, the Forerunner 965 is somewhat cheaper compared with the Epix 2  . The Forerunner gives you a little more of that high-end vibe at a not-so-high-end price.

If you want absolute top-of-the-line performance but do not want to spend quite that much on it, then this is the model for you.

On the other hand, the Epix 2 makes up for the lost ground with its wealthy feel and advanced features, making every extra mile worth a run.

Which One Is Right for You?

So, after trying both wearables which one should you choose? For myself, the decision came down to what I really valued in a smartwatch. If you value a sleek design, slightly better battery life, and a larger AMOLED display, then perhaps the Forerunner 965 is your best wearable devices. 

It’s lighter, definitely more comfortable for everyday wear, and still has all of the fitness tracking features that you would possibly want in a high-end Garmin smartwatch. 

In contrast, if you’re looking forward to using a tough, solid watch for outdoors adventure or water sports, then the Garmin Epix2 would be a great option. 

The sapphire crystal lens, 10ATM water resistance, along with a solid build, make this unit perfect for most extreme activities. Besides, if you play golf, those additional features on the Epix might just tip the scale. 

My Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, both watches are incredible, and one can barely go wrong with either of them. Because they share so many core features from the advanced sensor technology to multi-band GPS and sleep tracking-the decision largely comes down to your personal preference based on design and durability.

The difference between the two, I ultimately chose the Forerunner 965 for its slim profile and larger screen, which better fit my day-to-day lifestyle. View Price on Amazon

But if you are one of those adventure sports and are looking for something a bit more challenging, then the Epix is the best watch for you.  See Price at Amazon

Whichever you choose, rest assured that you are getting one of the best Garmin watches available in the market today, powered by Garmin’s long-standing reputation for excellence and innovation in the industry. Take all the time you need, think about what is most important to you in a feature toe box, and happy hunting!