Garmin Venu 2 Plus vs Venu 3 – Which Should You Buy?

Choosing the right smartwatch depends on your fitness goals, lifestyle, and preferred level of smart features. Garmin offers a range of models to suit different users, and two standout options are the Garmin Venu 3 and Garmin Venu 2 Plus. The Venu 3 builds upon the strengths of its predecessor with improved performance, longer battery life, and enhanced wellness tracking. The Venu 2 Plus remains an excellent option for those seeking advanced health metrics and voice assistant access in a compact design. This comparison highlights the major differences to help you decide which model best fits your needs.

Side By Side Comparison

Detailed Feature Comparisons

Design and Build Quality: The Garmin Venu 3 offers a more refined case design with two size options, making it suitable for different wrist sizes. It has slimmer bezels and a slightly lighter body. The Venu 2 Plus has a single 43mm size, which fits most users comfortably but lacks flexibility for smaller wrists. Both feature stainless steel bezels and durable Gorilla Glass 3 displays that resist scratches during workouts.

Display Quality: The Venu 3’s 1.4-inch AMOLED screen delivers sharper visuals and a higher resolution that enhances visibility under sunlight. The Venu 2 Plus is still vibrant with deep contrasts but has a smaller 1.3-inch panel. The larger screen on the Venu 3 improves readability for maps and workout data fields.

Performance: Garmin upgraded the internal processor in the Venu 3, resulting in faster menu navigation and smoother animations. The Venu 2 Plus performs well but can feel slightly slower when switching between widgets or loading activity summaries. The newer chip in the Venu 3 also helps improve overall power efficiency.

Battery Life: The Venu 3 provides up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode compared to about 9 days on the Venu 2 Plus. This improvement benefits users who track multiple workouts per week or travel frequently without daily charging. In GPS mode, both offer reliable endurance, though the Venu 3 lasts several hours longer.

Health and Wellness Features: The Venu 3 introduces nap tracking, personalized sleep coaching, and wheelchair mode, which caters to broader user needs. It also uses Garmin’s Elevate Gen 5 heart rate sensor for improved accuracy during interval training. The Venu 2 Plus remains strong in fitness tracking but lacks these refined wellness insights.

Training and Sports Tracking: Both watches include built-in modes for running, cycling, swimming, and strength training. However, the Venu 3 expands the selection with additional profiles like handcycling and meditation. It also improves heart rate accuracy during intense workouts, making it more reliable for athletes who need detailed performance data.

Voice and Smart Features: The Venu 2 Plus was Garmin’s first model to include a microphone and speaker for calls and voice assistant use. The Venu 3 continues this feature while adding better Bluetooth stability and dual-channel voice support. Both can handle notifications, music storage, and contactless payments via Garmin Pay.

Accessibility and Ease of Use: The Venu 3 introduces features like wheelchair-specific metrics and customizable text sizes, which enhance accessibility for more users. Its larger display also makes menu navigation simpler. The Venu 2 Plus still offers an intuitive interface but lacks the expanded accessibility tools.

Connectivity: Both models feature Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ connectivity for sensors and accessories. The Venu 3 benefits from improved connection reliability and faster syncing with the Garmin Connect app. It also integrates better with third-party fitness platforms.

Sleep and Recovery Monitoring: The Venu 3 provides deeper sleep analysis, showing how naps affect overall recovery and energy levels. It also gives a daily sleep score and guidance for improving rest quality. The Venu 2 Plus tracks sleep stages effectively but doesn’t interpret nap data or provide coaching feedback.

FAQ

Is the Garmin Venu 3 worth upgrading from the Venu 2 Plus?
Yes, if you want better battery life, a larger display, faster performance, and more advanced health tracking like nap detection and sleep coaching.

Does the Garmin Venu 3 have a microphone and speaker?
Yes, it includes both a microphone and speaker for making calls, replying to texts, and using voice assistants.

Can both watches track sleep?
Both track sleep, but the Venu 3 provides deeper insights, nap tracking, and personalized coaching, which the Venu 2 Plus does not offer.

Is the Garmin Venu 3 suitable for small wrists?
Yes, it comes in two sizes – 45mm and 41mm – making it suitable for both large and small wrists.

Do both watches support Garmin Pay?
Yes, both models allow contactless payments through Garmin Pay for compatible banks and cards.

Which model has better battery life?
The Garmin Venu 3 lasts up to 14 days, while the Venu 2 Plus offers around 9 days in smartwatch mode.

Can I answer phone calls with these watches?
Yes, both support call handling when connected to a compatible smartphone via Bluetooth.

Is there a difference in display resolution?
Yes, the Venu 3 features a higher 454 × 454 resolution compared to the Venu 2 Plus at 416 × 416, making it sharper and brighter.

Do both support music storage?
Yes, both watches allow users to store and play music directly from Spotify, Deezer, or Amazon Music.

Which one should I choose if I prioritize fitness tracking accuracy?
The Garmin Venu 3 is the better choice thanks to its Elevate Gen 5 heart rate sensor and improved algorithms for precise activity tracking.