Compare Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) vs Garmin Forerunner 965

P1 Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
P2 Garmin Forerunner 965

Comparison Takeaways

Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)

Where It Has the Edge

  • ECG functionality is 3.4 vs 1.0. ECG evidence is mixed by review timing: one source notes a firmware update enabled ECG, while another earlier...
  • size options is 4.7 vs 2.4. Size options are a broad positive because Epix Pro comes in 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm, finally covering smaller...
  • activity auto-detection is 3.9 vs 1.8. Reviewers only touched on limited auto-detection behavior: Garmin Connect can automatically assign gear to activities, and strength mode...
  • durability is 4.6 vs 3.2. Durability is a strong theme, with sapphire glass, rugged construction, and long-term reports of no front-face scratches after...

Garmin Forerunner 965

Where It Has the Edge

  • menu navigation is 4.3 vs 2.8. Menu navigation is generally approachable for Garmin users, with button and touchscreen options, though some newcomers may find...
  • watch face quality is 4.7 vs 3.3. Watch faces benefit from AMOLED color and customization, with reviewers praising the stock faces and Connect IQ options.
  • user interface is 4.5 vs 3.2. The AMOLED-era interface is clearer, smoother, and more colorful, while still retaining Garmin’s dense data-first structure.
  • comfort is 4.3 vs 3.4. Comfort is generally strong thanks to the light, slim design, though bulk can still be noticeable for smaller...
Average score
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.1
Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.0
activity auto-detection
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.9

Reviewers only touched on limited auto-detection behavior: Garmin Connect can automatically assign gear to activities, and strength mode detected exercises like squats, so support is useful but narrow.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
1.8

Exercise auto-detection is a weakness because one review says it does not work well enough for training, so users need to start workouts manually.

app ecosystem
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.0

The Garmin ecosystem is described as expandable through a software marketplace and Connect IQ access, though the experience can feel more tool-like than slick.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.9

Garmin offers Connect IQ apps and widgets, but reviewers describe the app store as useful yet less polished and less broad than major smartwatch ecosystems.

band quality
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.4

Bands are generally praised for quality and QuickFit swapping, with long-term evidence that the band holds up, though one white strap got dirty in use.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.2

Reviewers generally like the silicone straps and removable bands, with praise for comfort and style, though one notes the silicone band needs drying after workouts.

battery life
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.6

Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers reporting roughly 5-6 days with always-on use, around 10-16 days in many setups, and even multi-week use in lighter scenarios.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.3

Battery life is widely praised for an AMOLED sports watch, usually landing around a week with always-on use and much longer in gesture or smartwatch modes, but ultra and multi-day users see limits.

blood oxygen tracking
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.3

Blood oxygen tracking is present through wrist-based pulse oximetry, with one reviewer reporting readings stayed in the expected 95-100% range.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.3

The Forerunner 965 supports Pulse Ox or blood oxygen readings, and reviewers treat it as part of a broad health-sensor suite rather than a headline differentiator.

Bluetooth connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.4

Bluetooth support is well documented for sensors and accessories, with reviewers noting Bluetooth/ANT+ connectivity and phone/accessory support.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.2

Bluetooth and ANT+ support are useful for headphones, sensors, accessories, and heart-rate broadcasting, with reviewers repeatedly noting broad connectivity.

brightness
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.5

Display brightness and the flashlight brightness both score well, with reviewers describing the AMOLED screen as easy to see and the flashlight as adjustable.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.5

Reviewers consistently praise the AMOLED screen as bright enough for quick glances, direct sunlight, and varied lighting conditions.

build quality
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.8

Build quality is repeatedly strong, with reviewers describing the watch as price-worthy, rugged, and tank-like.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.3

Build quality is framed as performance-focused rather than rugged, with the watch feeling purpose-built for running and training.

button controls
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.3

Button controls are a major practical advantage for workouts, with multiple reviewers praising tactile operation, though one long-term user found the many buttons confusing.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.6

The five-button Garmin layout is a major strength, especially during workouts, because nearly every function can be handled without relying on touch.

call handling
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
2.5

Call handling is limited in the available evidence, especially on iPhone, where one reviewer said users cannot respond to texts or calls.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
2.7

Call handling is mixed: some reviews mention answering or taking calls, while others criticize the lack of speaker and microphone features found on more smartwatch-focused models.

calorie tracking usefulness
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.0

Calorie tracking is useful mainly through Garmin Connect and MyFitnessPal integration, with total, base, and active calories visible.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
2.9

Calorie-related usefulness is limited: one reviewer uses calorie alerts for fueling, while another says Garmin is weak for diet and calorie tracking.

charging convenience
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
2.8

Charging convenience is a weakness in the review evidence because Garmin still relies on its proprietary plug-in charger and lacks solar charging on Epix Pro.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.2

Charging is mixed because USB-C on the cable helps, but reviewers still criticize Garmin’s proprietary four-pin connection, weak cord attachment, and lack of wireless charging.

charging speed
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.8

Charging speed is a clear upgrade, with reviewers citing full charging in about an hour, under-an-hour charging, and meaningful battery gains from short top-ups.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.2

Charging speed is generally good, with several reviews describing roughly one hour to major recharge levels or fast percentage gains.

coaching features
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.3

Coaching features are strong, spanning suggested workouts, customizable training plans, readiness-based guidance, and training tools, though one reviewer felt newer training features were not fully baked.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.4

Coaching tools are a major strength, including suggested workouts, training plans, interval tools, Garmin Coach, race guidance, and structured workout support.

comfort
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.4

Comfort is mixed: some reviewers found the watch unobtrusive or surprisingly comfortable, while smaller-wrist users found it bulky or hard to wear overnight.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.3

Comfort is generally strong thanks to the light, slim design, though bulk can still be noticeable for smaller wrists or sleep tracking.

companion app quality
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.1

Garmin Connect is repeatedly valued for depth, training plans, and data, though watch customization from the companion app remains limited.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.9

Garmin Connect receives mixed but mostly positive feedback: reviewers praise data depth and access, while some find route creation or organization clunky.

contactless payments
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.1

Garmin Pay is useful when supported, with reviewers praising tap-to-pay convenience, but UK bank support was criticized as limited.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.9

Garmin Pay is present and useful where supported, but reviewers note banking support can be weak depending on region.

cross-platform compatibility
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.9

The watch works with both Android and Apple phones, but reviewers consistently note Android integration is better because iPhone replies and call responses are restricted.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.1

The watch works across iPhone, Android, and Apple Health workflows, although some functions are more capable on Android.

customization options
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.1

Customization is broad across bands, apps, watch faces, data pages, and workouts, though some reviewers note it can take work to set up.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.7

Customization is a clear strength, with extensive control over watch faces, data screens, sport profiles, widgets, and settings from the watch or app.

display quality
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.7

The AMOLED display is a highlight across reviews: vivid, crisp, readable, colorful, and a major reason to choose Epix over MIP-display alternatives.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.7

The AMOLED display is one of the most praised upgrades, with reviewers highlighting crisp resolution, color, legibility, map detail, and a more modern feel.

durability
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.6

Durability is a strong theme, with sapphire glass, rugged construction, and long-term reports of no front-face scratches after heavy use.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.2

Durability is the most repeated physical caveat: multiple reviewers report scratches or worry about Gorilla Glass compared with more rugged sapphire models.

ECG functionality
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.4

ECG evidence is mixed by review timing: one source notes a firmware update enabled ECG, while another earlier review says it was not yet available.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
1.0

The Forerunner 965 lacks ECG hardware, a repeated limitation compared with Garmin’s Venu line and newer or more smartwatch-oriented alternatives.

fit
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.5

Fit depends heavily on size and wrist shape; smaller case options help, but a 47mm unit still felt ungainly on a very small wrist.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.3

Fit is positive for clothing and activity use, with one review noting the slim profile avoids issues with gloves or jackets.

fitness tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.7

Fitness tracking accuracy is well regarded overall, with reviewers praising Garmin’s tracking package and repeatable distance measurements.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.7

Fitness tracking is very strong, with reviewers praising distance, pace, activity data, and sensor consistency across workouts.

GPS accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.8

GPS accuracy is one of the strongest consensus points, repeatedly described as reliable, fast, spot-on, and among the best available.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.7

GPS accuracy is one of the strongest points, with repeated praise for multi-band/SatIQ reliability, precise tracks, quick lock-on, and low distance error.

health tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.8

Health tracking is generally useful but not uniformly trusted; reviewers praised HRV/body feedback while questioning wearable-derived metrics in some contexts.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.5

Health tracking is data-rich and generally reliable, combining heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen, stress, sleep, Body Battery, and related metrics.

heart rate accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.0

Heart rate accuracy is strong for many runs and workouts, especially with the newer sensor, but reviewers still saw latency or errors during cycling, intervals, or odd wrist-based readings.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.4

Heart rate accuracy is broadly strong and often close to straps or medical devices, though several reviewers note lag or limitations during high-intensity intervals.

LTE connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
No score yet
Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
1.0

LTE is absent, and reviewers call this out as a smart-feature limitation compared with a few Garmin or smartwatch alternatives.

mapping and navigation
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.8

Mapping and navigation are standout strengths, with offline maps, routable navigation, course support, and wrist-based map use repeatedly praised.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.7

Mapping and navigation are standout strengths, with full maps, turn-by-turn directions, route following, Next Fork, and AMOLED-enhanced map detail.

materials quality
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.3

Materials quality is premium-leaning thanks to titanium, sapphire, and stainless options, though not every case component is luxury metal.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.3

Materials quality is mixed-positive: reviewers like the titanium bezel, silicone strap, and Gorilla Glass, but some still prefer sapphire for durability.

menu navigation
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
2.8

Menu navigation is powerful but can be overwhelming, with one reviewer saying many options are not explained clearly.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.3

Menu navigation is generally approachable for Garmin users, with button and touchscreen options, though some newcomers may find the system dense.

music controls
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.8

Music controls and playback are useful, including offline Spotify and onboard playback, but one review reported patchy playback and headphone disconnects.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.0

Music support is useful for controls and offline playback, but reviewers note the experience can be basic or occasionally glitchy.

onboard music storage
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.6

Onboard storage is a strength, with 32GB available for maps, music, and workout data and enough room for phone-free listening.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.4

Onboard music storage is a solid smart feature, with Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music, MP3 or podcast support and enough storage for music plus maps.

operating system experience
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.3

The operating system is deep and feature-rich, with strong built-in software and no required subscription, but it demands learning.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.8

The Garmin operating system is sports-first: smooth and functional on the watch, but still basic compared with Apple or Wear OS smartwatches.

outdoor visibility
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.8

Outdoor visibility is excellent overall, with the AMOLED screen praised in sunlight, outdoors, and compared with other displays.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.5

Outdoor visibility is strong for an AMOLED watch, with reviewers reporting good readability in sunlight and bright outdoor conditions.

pairing reliability
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.8

Pairing reliability is only lightly covered, but the AirPods report is positive, describing a simple Bluetooth connection that stayed connected.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.6

Pairing and syncing are reliable, with quick phone pairing, seamless Strava syncing, and dependable activity uploads.

recovery insights
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.4

Recovery insights are a major Garmin strength, including Training Readiness, Acute Load, HRV, Body Battery, Hill Score, and Endurance Score; usefulness varies by metric.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.4

Recovery insights are a core strength, especially Training Readiness, HRV Status, Body Battery, Acute Load, Chronic Load, and load-ratio guidance.

reliability
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.7

Reliability is strong in the available evidence, with one reviewer calling Garmin devices extremely reliable and another preferring Epix Pro stability over a newer model.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.5

Reliability is strong across testing, with reviewers describing stable SatIQ/GPS behavior and dependable performance over heavy use.

safety features
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.4

Safety features are centered on the LED flashlight, strobe modes, visibility options, and LiveTrack-style use, and reviewers found the flashlight more useful than expected.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.2

Safety features include Find My Phone/Watch, wrong-direction or course alerts, fall or security features, and location sharing through LiveTrack.

size options
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.7

Size options are a broad positive because Epix Pro comes in 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm, finally covering smaller and larger wrists.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
2.4

Size options are limited because the Forerunner 965 comes in one large-ish size, which can be a drawback for smaller wrists.

sleep tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.0

Sleep tracking accuracy is mixed but improving: some reviewers trust it or find sleep timing accurate, while others still compare it unfavorably with Oura or report occasional misses.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.8

Sleep tracking is mixed: some reviewers find it excellent or improved, while others say phases or scores can feel off.

smartphone notifications
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.1

Smartphone notifications are readable and useful, but interaction depends on phone platform; iPhone users get more limited response options.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.9

Notifications are readable and customizable, but interaction is limited, especially on iOS and compared with fuller smartwatches.

smartwatch features
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.9

Smartwatch features are adequate but secondary to sports use, with notifications, music, payments, and widgets present but less polished than Apple or Samsung.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.0

Smartwatch features are useful but secondary, with notifications, music, Garmin Pay, weather, and calls in some contexts but fewer smart extras than Apple or Wear OS.

software smoothness
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.6

Software smoothness is mixed; one reviewer noticed slower post-workout chart loading, while another wanted faster software-side improvements.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.4

Software smoothness is generally good, with smoother UI and updates praised, though Garmin’s broader smart-app polish remains imperfect.

step counting accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.0

Step tracking is only lightly discussed, but one review says daily steps and sleep tracking serve users well.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.5

Step counting is supported and measured well in one lab-style review, while other reviewers appreciate live step visibility and basic activity tracking.

stress tracking
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.2

Stress tracking feeds Garmin’s Body Battery and readiness-style insights, with one reviewer noting stress clearly depletes the Body Battery estimate.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.1

Stress tracking is part of Garmin’s broader readiness and wellness stack, useful for recovery context but not always used heavily by reviewers.

style and design
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.3

Style is rugged, serious, and tool-like rather than elegant, which some reviewers loved and others framed as a matter of taste.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.6

Style and design receive strong praise for the slim, modern AMOLED look, titanium accents, and a more premium everyday appearance.

third-party app support
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.0

Third-party support appears through Connect IQ, letting users add watch faces, data fields, widgets, and apps.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.1

Third-party support is useful through Connect IQ, Strava, Komoot, and integrations, but the app ecosystem lacks the polish and breadth of larger smartwatch platforms.

touchscreen responsiveness
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.6

Touchscreen responsiveness is generally positive, especially for maps and daily use, with one reviewer praising it as responsive without being overly sensitive.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.1

Touchscreen support is useful for maps and daily navigation, though many reviewers prefer disabling it during workouts and using buttons instead.

user interface
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.2

The user interface is capable but polarizing: some reviewers call it slick, while long-term users still find it confusing.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.5

The AMOLED-era interface is clearer, smoother, and more colorful, while still retaining Garmin’s dense data-first structure.

value for money
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.9

Value is divisive: reviewers praise what the watch delivers for serious users, but repeatedly flag cheaper Garmin alternatives and the high price.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
3.9

Value depends on the buyer: serious athletes get premium mapping and training tools, but casual users or 955 owners may not justify the price.

voice assistant quality
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
1.9

Voice assistant quality is weak because reviewers note Garmin does not emphasize assistant features and Venu-style voice functionality is missing.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
1.4

Voice assistant quality is poor because the watch lacks the speaker, microphone, and voice-assistant features found on some alternatives.

watch face quality
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
3.3

Watch faces are customizable, but the experience is not flawless; one long-term user forgot how to switch faces.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.7

Watch faces benefit from AMOLED color and customization, with reviewers praising the stock faces and Connect IQ options.

water resistance
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.7

Water resistance is a clear strength, with 100m/10 ATM-style resistance repeatedly mentioned for swimming, wet rides, and even diving contexts.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.6

Water resistance is strong for workouts, swimming, showering, and wet use, with reviews noting 5ATM or 50-meter protection.

wellness insights
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.5

Wellness insights are engaging and useful, especially Morning Report, HRV, Body Battery, stress, sleep, and health snapshots.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.6

Wellness insights are broad and useful, especially Body Battery, readiness, sleep, stress, HRV, and daily health context.

Wi-Fi connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.2

Wi-Fi is useful for uploads, syncing, and map management, though big map downloads can be slower than USB.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.0

Wi-Fi is useful for map downloads, updates, and faster transfers, although it is not a major review focus.

workout tracking variety
Product 1: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
4.5

Workout variety is extensive, with many sport profiles, new activity modes, and broad coverage across running, cycling, swimming, gym, team sports, and more.

Product 2: Garmin Forerunner 965
4.7

Workout variety is extensive, with running, cycling, swimming, triathlon, gym, yoga, hiking, golf, and many sport profiles or metrics.