Fitbit Versa 4 vs Garmin Forerunner 265
Fitbit Versa 4 targets casual fitness enthusiasts with an affordable $179 price point, featuring a compact 40mm AMOLED display and comprehensive health sensors including ECG and skin temperature monitoring. Garmin Forerunner 265 caters to serious runners and athletes at $449, delivering superior battery life (13 days vs 6 days), a larger 46mm display with higher resolution, and GPS performance optimized for endurance sports. While Versa 4 offers better value and more health metrics, Forerunner 265's exceptional battery endurance, sports-specific tracking, and professional-grade reliability make it the stronger choice for dedicated athletes. Choose Versa 4 for everyday fitness tracking on a budget; select Forerunner 265 if you demand marathon-ready performance and multi-week battery autonomy.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Fitbit Versa 4 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Fitbit OS (transitioning to Wear OS) | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 37.6 g | 47 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | WR50 | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | — | |
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 6 days (typical usage) | Up to 13 days (smartwatch mode), 20 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40 mm (1.58 inches) | 46 mm (1.3 inches) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 336 x 336 | 416 x 416 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Fitbit proprietary | Garmin proprietary |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Fitbit Versa 4
Pros
- Best sleep tracking of any smartwatch — Daily Readiness Score
- ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature at $179 is strong value
- 6-day battery life — charge once a week
- NFC for Google Wallet contactless payments
- Google integration with Maps, Wallet, and YouTube Music
Cons
- Fitbit OS is being sunset — unclear future app support
- GPS accuracy is less reliable than Garmin or Apple Watch
- Limited third-party app ecosystem
- Physical button replaced with a haptic side button — divisive
Garmin Forerunner 265
Pros
- AMOLED display with 13-day battery is the best combo in running watches
- Multi-band GPS with SatIQ provides the most accurate position tracking
- Training Readiness, Morning Report, and Race Predictor tools are elite-level
- Music storage for Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer offline
- HRV Status tracking for recovery optimization
Cons
- No ECG monitoring — health tracking is fitness-focused, not medical
- $449 is expensive for a fitness-first watch
- Garmin OS has very limited smartwatch app ecosystem
- No cellular option — phone must be nearby for messages
Related Comparisons
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Fitbit products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Fitbit Versa 4 or the Garmin Forerunner 265.