Garmin Venu 3 vs Forerunner 965 – Which Should You Buy?

Choosing the right Garmin watch depends on how you train, your lifestyle, and what kind of features you value most. The Garmin Forerunner 965 and Garmin Venu 3 are two premium models that cater to different needs. The Forerunner 965 focuses on advanced performance tracking for runners and triathletes, offering detailed metrics and superior endurance tools. The Venu 3, on the other hand, is designed for all-day health monitoring with a focus on wellness and daily productivity. This comparison highlights their key differences to help you decide which model fits your goals best.

Side By Side Comparison

Detailed Feature Comparisons

Design and Build Quality: The Forerunner 965 features a titanium bezel and durable polymer body that balances strength and lightness, ideal for endurance athletes. The Venu 3 has a more refined stainless steel bezel with a sleeker aesthetic, appealing to those who want a stylish everyday smartwatch that transitions well between fitness and casual wear.

Display Performance: Both watches feature bright AMOLED screens with excellent visibility. The Forerunner 965’s slightly larger and edge-curved display offers a more immersive map view during outdoor activities. The Venu 3 maintains vibrant clarity but focuses on easier day-to-day readability and touch responsiveness.

Battery Life: The Forerunner 965 delivers superior endurance, lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode. The Venu 3 offers good battery life with up to 14 days in smartwatch mode but leans more toward balanced daily use rather than marathon-level endurance.

Performance and Tracking Accuracy: The Forerunner 965 excels in multi-band GPS accuracy and advanced performance metrics such as VO2 max, training readiness, and race predictor. The Venu 3 focuses more on all-day health tracking and includes reliable GPS performance for general workouts but lacks the deeper data analytics found in the Forerunner line.

Health and Wellness Features: The Venu 3 leads in wellness tracking with features like Body Battery, sleep coaching, meditation guidance, nap detection, and wheelchair mode support. The Forerunner 965 still tracks health metrics comprehensively but is optimized for athletic performance rather than lifestyle guidance.

Sports and Fitness Modes: The Forerunner 965 supports over 40 sports profiles with advanced data fields, including triathlon, cycling, running dynamics, and strength metrics. The Venu 3 covers most common sports modes but is better suited for casual fitness users rather than data-driven athletes.

Smart Features and Connectivity: The Venu 3 supports on-wrist phone calls and voice assistant access when connected to a smartphone. The Forerunner 965 focuses more on training tools, offline maps, and multi-sensor connectivity for accessories like heart rate straps or cycling power meters.

Navigation and Mapping: The Forerunner 965 offers full-color topographic maps, real-time navigation, and ClimbPro elevation guidance, making it superior for outdoor exploration. The Venu 3 includes basic route tracking and GPS but lacks advanced navigation layers.

Music and Storage: Both support offline music playback, but the Forerunner 965 provides larger internal storage for playlists and maps. The Venu 3 supports playlists and streaming services with smaller capacity, which is sufficient for daily users.

Durability and Outdoor Use: The Forerunner 965 is built for harsh outdoor conditions, with a tougher casing and longer GPS endurance. The Venu 3, while sturdy, focuses on comfort, making it ideal for indoor workouts or everyday use.

FAQ

Is the Garmin Forerunner 965 better for serious athletes?
Yes, the Forerunner 965 is designed for professional runners, triathletes, and endurance users who need detailed analytics, advanced mapping, and training performance tools.

Can I make calls using the Garmin Forerunner 965?
No, the Forerunner 965 does not support on-wrist calls. The Venu 3 offers this feature when connected to your smartphone.

Does the Garmin Venu 3 support offline maps?
No, the Venu 3 provides GPS tracking but does not include full offline mapping. The Forerunner 965 includes detailed color maps and navigation tools.

Which watch has better battery life?
The Forerunner 965 lasts significantly longer, especially in GPS and training modes, while the Venu 3 is optimized for balanced everyday use.

Are both watches suitable for swimming?
Yes, both models have a 5 ATM water resistance rating and are suitable for swimming and pool tracking.

Which has better health tracking features?
The Venu 3 offers more lifestyle-oriented health features such as sleep coaching, nap tracking, and stress management, making it ideal for wellness-focused users.

Can both watches store and play music?
Yes, both allow music downloads and playback through Bluetooth headphones without needing a connected phone.

Is the display quality the same on both models?
Both use AMOLED screens, but the Forerunner 965’s slightly larger curved design provides a more immersive and data-rich view.

Do they both support contactless payments?
Yes, both watches include Garmin Pay for contactless payment functionality.

Which should I choose for everyday wear?
If you want a stylish smartwatch with advanced wellness tracking and comfort, the Venu 3 is a better fit. For endurance training and data-driven performance, the Forerunner 965 is the superior option.