The Garmin Venu series is a top choice in smartwatches, praised for fitness tracking, sleek design, and strong features. From the original Venu to the Venu 2 and now the Venu 3, each model adds new features, making it better for both fitness fans and everyday users. In this article, we’ll look into a detailed comparison of the Garmin Venu, Venu 2, and Venu 3. If you’re considering other Garmin series beyond the “Venu,” you might want to explore our guide: Garmin Smartwatches – Which One Is Right For You.
Table of contents
Introduction to the Garmin Venu Series
Key highlights of the Venu series include its bright AMOLED display, which is easy to read in any light, making it both functional and stylish. These watches offer comprehensive health monitoring, like heart rate tracking, sleep analysis, and stress management. With built-in GPS, users can track outdoor activities without their phones, and features like music storage and contactless payments add convenience during workouts.
Design and Build Quality
Garmin Venu: The original Garmin Venu set the standard with its AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and crisp clarity. Its sleek design and stainless steel bezel made it a fashionable choice for daily wear. The touchscreen interface provided intuitive navigation, making it easy for users to access various features.
Garmin Venu 2: Building on the success of its predecessor, the Venu 2 introduced an upgraded AMOLED display with higher resolution, enhancing the visual experience. The Venu 2 also featured improved durability with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring better resistance to scratches and impacts. Additionally, Garmin expanded the color options, allowing users to choose a style that suits their personality.
Garmin Venu 3: The latest in the series, the Venu 3, retains the round face and AMOLED display but introduces new materials for an even more premium feel. The display brightness has been enhanced, ensuring readability even in bright sunlight. With additional size options, users can now choose between a 41mm and a 45mm case, catering to different wrist sizes and preferences. If the newest Venu series is of most interest, make sure you read our detailed review: The Garmin Venu 3: A Smartwatch for Everyday Living
Features and Functionality
Health and Fitness Tracking
Garmin Venu: The original Venu was lauded for its comprehensive health and fitness tracking features. It included 24/7 heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep tracking, and various sports modes. The Pulse Ox sensor provided blood oxygen level readings, making it a valuable tool for tracking overall wellness.
Garmin Venu 2: The Venu 2 took health tracking to the next level with enhanced sleep monitoring, including sleep stages and insights. It introduced the Health Snapshot feature, which allows users to record key health metrics, such as heart rate, stress, and respiration rate, in a two-minute session. Additionally, the Venu 2 offered more sports modes and improved GPS accuracy, catering to a wider range of activities.
Garmin Venu 3: The Venu 3 stands out with its advanced sleep tracking capabilities, featuring a Sleep Coach that provides personalized sleep insights and recommendations. It also includes nap detection and a Jet Lag Adviser, making it an ideal companion for frequent travelers. The Venu 3’s fitness tracking is further improved with new workout profiles tailored for wheelchair users, emphasizing Garmin’s commitment to inclusivity.
Smartwatch Capabilities
Garmin Venu: As a smartwatch, the Venu allowed users to receive notifications, control music, and use Garmin Pay for contactless payments. It also supported customizable watch faces and apps via the Connect IQ store, adding to its versatility.
Garmin Venu 2: The Venu 2 expanded on these features by improving notification management and music storage capabilities. It also introduced voice assistant integration, allowing users to control their smartwatch using voice commands.
Garmin Venu 3: The Venu 3 further enhances smartwatch functionality with on-wrist call capabilities, enabling users to take and make calls directly from the watch. The integration with both Android and iOS devices is seamless, providing a smooth user experience regardless of the smartphone used. Garmin Pay remains a convenient feature for quick payments.
Battery Life
Garmin Venu: The original Venu offered a respectable battery life, lasting up to 5 days in smartwatch mode and up to 6 hours in GPS mode with music.
Garmin Venu 2: The Venu 2 improved on this, providing up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 8 hours in GPS mode with music. The battery saver mode extended usage even further, making it a reliable choice for long trips.
Garmin Venu 3: The Venu 3 sets a new benchmark with up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 26 hours in GPS mode. This extended battery performance makes it ideal for users who prefer not to charge their watch daily, ensuring it remains operational through extended activities and travel. However, in my experience, testing the Garmin Venu 3, I did not reach more than 9 days of battery life with ‘always on’ display turned off. Check out my detailed product review of The Garmin Venu 3 Review: A Smartwatch for Everyday Living.
Performance and User Experience
Garmin Venu: The performance of the original Venu was smooth, thanks to its responsive touchscreen and intuitive interface. Users appreciated the quick access to fitness and health metrics, although some found the navigation slightly complex.
Garmin Venu 2: The Venu 2 introduced a more powerful processor, enhancing overall performance. The user interface was refined for better navigation, and the addition of health metrics on the watch face made it easier for users to stay informed at a glance.
Garmin Venu 3: With the Venu 3, Garmin has achieved a balance between performance and user experience. The watch responds swiftly to inputs, and the menu navigation is straightforward. The introduction of gesture controls, such as the double-tap feature, adds a new dimension to user interaction, making it even more convenient to access essential functions.
Pricing and Value
Garmin Venu: Priced competitively, the original Venu offered excellent value for its features. It appealed to users seeking a well-rounded smartwatch without breaking the bank.
Garmin Venu 2: The Venu 2 came with a slightly higher price tag (around $399), justified by its advanced features and improved performance. It provided great value for users looking for comprehensive health and fitness tracking.
Garmin Venu 3: The Venu 3 costs around $459, and offers the most advanced features and best battery life. Its pricing reflects its premium positioning, making it a worthwhile investment for those who want the latest in smartwatch technology.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Venu | Venu 2 | Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 1.2 inches (3.05 cm) | 1.3 inches (3.30 cm) | 1.4 inches (3.56 cm) |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| Dimensions (45mm model) | 43.2 x 43.2 x 12.4 mm | 45.4 x 45.4 x 12.2 mm | 45 x 45 x 12 mm |
| Weight (45mm model) | 46.3g | 49g | 47g |
| Battery Life (smartwatch mode) | Up to 5 days | Up to 11 days | Up to 14 days* |
| GPS Battery Life | Up to 20 hours | Up to 22 hours | Up to 26 hours (All-Systems GNSS) |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Elevate v3 | Elevate v4 | Elevate v5 |
| GPS | GPS only | GPS only | All-Systems GNSS |
| Microphone & Speaker | No | No | Yes |
| Nap Detection | No | No | Yes |
| Sleep Coach | No | No | Yes |
| Wheelchair Mode | No | No | Yes |
| Recovery Time | No | No | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | No | No | Yes |
| Price (at launch) | $349.99 | $399.99 | $459.99 |
Key Differences
- Battery Life: Each successive model shows significant improvements in battery life, particularly in smartwatch mode.
- Venu: Up to 5 days in smartwatch mode
- Venu 2: Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
- Venu 3: Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode
- Display and Resolution: The Venu 3 features the largest and highest resolution display, enhancing visibility and usability.
- Venu: 1.2 inch display (390 x 390 pixels)
- Venu 2: 1.3 inch display (416 x 416 pixels)
- Venu 3: 1.4 inch display (454 x 454 pixels)
- Heart Rate Sensor
- Venu: Elevate v3
- Venu 2: Elevate v4
- Venu 3: Elevate v5 (supports ECG functionality)
- Health Tracking Features: The Venu 3 adds advanced health tracking, nap detection, and voice assistant support, missing in earlier models.
- Weight and Dimensions: The Venu 3 is slightly lighter than the Venu 2, while maintaining a similar design profile.
New Features in Venu 3
- Voice Assistant support
- Microphone and speaker (for calls and voice assistant)
- Nap detection
- Sleep Coach
- Wheelchair mode
- Recovery Time feature
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Garmin Venu series has evolved significantly with each iteration, offering improved design, features, and performance. The original Venu remains a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and stylish smartwatch. The Venu 2 builds on this foundation with enhanced health tracking and longer battery life, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts. The Venu 3 takes it to the next level with advanced sleep tracking, inclusivity features, and unmatched battery performance.
When choosing the right Garmin Venu model, consider your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize the latest features and extended battery life, the Venu 3 is the way to go. For a balanced mix of performance and value, the Venu 2 is an excellent choice. And if you’re looking for a solid, well-rounded smartwatch, the original Venu won’t disappoint.
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