I test Garmins for my job — here are 4 of my favorite watches I expect to be reduced on Prime Day
By Nick Harris-Fry
Copyright tomsguide
Garmin has launched a lot of new watches in 2025, replacing almost its entire line-up with new models. This is great news for Garmin fans, not only because there are lots of exciting new watches to consider, but also because there will be more deals on older models in sales events.
Amazon Prime Day is coming, or Amazon Prime Big Deal Days as the sale is technically called in October, and I expect to see some of the best Garmin watches reduced.
I’ve tested pretty much every new model Garmin has launched this year, along with older watches going back to the mighty Forerunner 235, and I’ve been covering sales for several years as well, so I have a good idea of which watches are likely to be discounted.
If you’re waiting for the sales to pick up a new sports watch, I’ve picked out four of my favorite Garmins that I expect to see reduced for Prime Day.
Garmin Forerunner 165
The Forerunner 165 is one of the older models in Garmin’s current line-up, so it’s definitely one that’s likely to appear in sales — it’s very rarely only available for its full price in fact. The Forerunner 165 costs $249, and the music version of the watch is $299, and I’d hope to see both of those prices drop by $50 in line with past discounts I’ve seen on them.
As the entry-level AMOLED model in the Forerunner range, the 165 is perfect for new runners in particular, but it’s a good option for runners of any level if you don’t want all the bells and whistles you get on pricier Garmins, which have maps and more extensive training analysis.
Garmin Forerunner 265
The Garmin Forerunner 570 launched earlier this year and is the successor to the Forerunner 265, so I’d certainly hope to see the 265 hit the sales for Prime Day. It’s dropped as low as $349 in the past, which is $100 off its MSRP, and I’d expect to see the same deal available again.
While the Forerunner 570 has a brighter screen and a couple of new features like a mic and speaker, the Forerunner 265 matches its key sports features and is an excellent option for runners and triathletes. I’d say the older watch is better value even at full price, so if you pick up the Forerunner 265 at a discount it’s one of the best deals on a Garmin you can get.
Garmin Forerunner 965
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is the best Garmin watch available in my opinion, but its predecessor the Forerunner 965 is also an excellent sports tracker and if it gets reduced by $100 for Prime Day — the same discount I’ve seen on the watch in the past — it’s certainly worth considering ahead of the latest models.
Garmin did make some important updates to the Forerunner 970, including adding a flashlight and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal display. However, the Forerunner 965 is still a great-looking watch and more importantly it’s packed with almost all of Garmin’s top software features, including offline maps and detailed training analysis.
Garmin Fenix 8
The Fenix 8 was until recently the flagship sports watch in the Garmin line-up, but no-one stays top dog for long at Garmin, and the arrival of the Fenix 8 Pro makes me hopeful the Fenix 8 will see significant discounts this Prime Day.
It has been reduced by $200 in the past, which might be a pointer of what to expect this Prime Day. The Fenix 8 is a brilliant sports and adventure watch, but very expensive, so a big discount would be welcome. The main upgrade on the Fenix 8 Pro is LTE and satellite connectivity, so if you don’t need that feature then a deal on the older Fenix 8 is worth snapping up.
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